| 12/02/2001 | + NEWS
VDB SIGNS
Belgian Franck Vandenbroucke, who after beginning his pro career as a prodigy, has had two very bad years, apparently due to psychological problems has signed for one season with Belgian Tea, Domo - Farm Frites, as announced by VDB and team manager, Patrick Lefevre. VDB had been let go from Italian Team Lampre after a null season filled with physical and psychological problems. "I have begun to work hard towards my recuperation for the last few months. I think that I'm in the right path, but if I don't recuperate this will be my last chance", said VDB. Lefevre commented: "We have reached an agreement based in trust and honesty. The tests have shown that he can still ride at a good level physically. We have a fairly strong team, so the pressure won't be on Franck. We will start at the Tour of Qatar, where he will start to get in shape and then we will go to the Vuelta a Mallorca and the Tour of the Mediterranean. From there we will draw conclusions and will decide the calendar for the Classics and Grand Tours." said Lefevre.
ARMSTRONG MAY RIDE SEVERAL WORLD CUP RACES
Lance Armstrong may change his strategy for 2002 and ride in several World Cup races, in his preparation for the 2002 Tour de France. The three-time Tour winner plans to ride at Milano-San Remo and the Tour of Flanders. He is also considering Liege-Bastogne-Liege. "They're prestigious races and it's always an honor to be at the starting line", said Armstrong. The Amstel Gold Race was Armstrong's only appearance in the 2001 World Cup season. Armstrong will most likely turn to stage races in the weeks leading to next year's Tour.
MANY TEAMS ARE INTERESTED IN VICIOSO
Spaniard Angel Vicioso still has one year with Team Kelme, but has yet to reach an agreement to extend his contract and that has aroused the interest of several teams. Vicioso has already rejected an extension offer from Team Kelme for about 70 million pesetas (US$377,000) for three season. He has also received offers for 90 million pesetas (US$484,000) for two years from other teams. Oscar Sevilla has interceded, asking his boss, Jose Quiles, to increase the contract of his teammate. Right now, Vicioso has made the team a counter-offer and awaiting a response.
RIIS HIRES CECCHINI
By JJ Neufeld
According to Ritzau, the Danish news bureau, Bjarne Riis has employed his former trainer, Italian Luigi Cecchini, as trainer for the 24 riders under the employ of CSC/Tiscali. Cecchini's name has surfaced in several doping investigations in Italy. However, there has been insufficient evidence to bring charges, let alone a conviction, against the 53-year old Italian 'cycling doctor'.
Bjarne Riis is aware that putting Cecchini on the CSC/Tiscali payroll could send a signal that some will misunderstand. Nevertheless he has no scruples about employing his former trainer, whose insight Riis holds in high esteem. "Of course I have considered it carefully, but I can't see that the decision is controversial. He is professional. You can't find a better trainer. I am convinced that Luigi Cecchini is the best around and he suits me perfectly. He is the one who showed me the ropes and we have the same principles. I have known Cecchini for many years. I know what he represents and I can accept it 100%. "
Bjarne Riis served as coach and trainer for the team's riders in 2001, but he admits that he must concentrate his efforts elsewhere. On that background it has long been his dream to hire Luigi Cecchini, the man who taught him to understand how the body works and develops.
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+ RESULTS
CYCLOCROSS
XXV ZIKLO KROSS IGORRE, Spain (World Cup)
1. Sven Nijs (BEL) 1h.02:42
2. Bart Wellens (BEL) at 51
3. Erwin Vervecken (BEL) at 1:26
4. Mario de Clercq (BEL) at 1:36
5. Richard Groenendaal (HOL) at 2:05
6. Gerben de Knegt (HOL) at 2:48
7. Tom Vannoppen (BEL) at 3.35
8. Jiri Pospisil (CHE) at 3:55
9. Arnaud Labbe (FRA) at 4:13
10. Beat Wabel (SWI) at 4:23
World Cup Classification after two events:
1. Sven Nijs (BEL) 120 points
2. Bart Wellens (BEL) 100
3. Richard Groenendaal (HOL) 75
4. Mario de Clercq (BEL) 60
5. Jiri Pospisil (CHE) 56
VUELTA A CHIRIQUI, Panama
Final G.C.
1. Ubaldo Mesa (COL) 32.48.43
2. Gregorio Ladino (COL) 32.49.03
3. José Luis Castell (MEX) 32.49.32
4. Alexis Rojas (COL) 32.49.34
5. Oscar Alvarez (COL) 32.49.39
6. Marconi Durán (CRC) 32.49.42
7. Víctor Hugo González (COL) 32.49.43
8. Guillermo Torres (GUA) 32.50.37
9. Federico Ramírez (CRC) 32.52.45
10. Fernando Escobar (GUA) 32.52.46
+ INTERVIEWS
STUART O'GRADY
Courtesy of www.syklingensverden.com
We have one question we always ask. How did you get involved in cycling?
- I got into cycling through my family. My Father raced for South Australia in a few National championships and my Uncle Robert Baird rode in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. So I was "in" cycling from the day I was born you could say.
How come there are so many good cyclists from Australia?
- Once you have shown that you have some promising talent, we have very good State Institutes that cater specifically for your chosen sport. They have great coaches and programs suited to each rider, which progress further and further until you have made it to the National team level. Then the Australian Institute of Sport takes over and that's when you get the real chance to travel to Europe and show your strengths against the best in the world. Also I think Aussies are very tough mentally. To be able to go overseas for months on end in a foreign country is a very difficult task, so you learn the hard way , but in the end if you can get through the tough times it can become very rewarding.
Did you expect the enormous success in this year's Tour de France?
- I wasn't expecting huge results. Although I was obviously hoping for something. The TDF is a special race where it's hard to judge just how well you are going before hand. Because it's only at the TDF that everyone is going 100%. You don't usually race against all of your rivals in any races leading up to the TDF, so after the first few stages you quickly find out if your race and training program were correct in the build up. But one thing is for sure, Credit Agricole have a fantastic attitude built into us through Roger Legeay, who makes it clear before the first stage everyone's
objectives and then we just go out there and work together as a group of mates, who are all aiming for one thing... team success. One day it's me then next someone else.
From what I could see on television you enjoyed being the center of the attention. Am I right?
- It's always nice being in the spotlight, sure. It's very rewarding after putting in all the hard work and sacrifices. But it also places HUGE amounts of extra pressure on you. Just finishing the Tour de France is hard enough yet alone having the whole world study every move and every sprint for Three weeks ... it gets very tiring and extremely draining on you mentally.
In 1993 you had a nice victory in Hamar in Norway? What happened there?
- We were Flying! That was an amazing year. I was very young at 19, but extremely hungry for a World Championship. We went out there not
only to beat the other countries but to smash the world record, which we ended up doing with a 4:03mins. Back then that time was unheard of.
Especially seeing that our gear ratios then were 52x15... very small gears compared to these days.
What are your main goals for next season?
- To win the Green jersey... maybe go for the Yellow again seeing that the opening Prologue is only 6 kms... win a stage... the usual objectives!
You are still a young man. Have you got one ultimate dream you want to fulfill before you retire?
- There are obviously many objectives that we have at the start of a season and there are obviously "Big" races that I want to win. Like everyone else I guess.
I would like to have success at Milano-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix, which I see as the two Queen Classics. Other than them, just more stages in the Tour de France and maybe one day if the circuit is good for me, have a real go for the World Championship. But we would need a lot of luck and a very strong Aussie team. But you never know...
You have stayed with Credit Agricole/GAN from 1995. This should mean that you are happy with the team?
- I went to Gan back in 95 because Roger Legeay had a long-term goal for me. And last year that goal really began showing rewards. It has been the best team to be a part of because of the friendly atmosphere and the level-headed approach of the whole team. Roger and the coach realize that we are all out there doing our best and being very professional so there is no real stress in the team which just leaves us to get on with the job. Roger is brilliant at getting the best out of each rider, especially at the Tour de France.
We have once again got new cases of doping. Niclas Axelsson from Sweden admits that he has used EPO. Do you believe there is a chance for a "clean sport" in the future?
- There are always going to be cheats. No matter what you talk about in life. Unfortunately cycling and other sport are always in the spotlight because there is so much testing going on. The more testing they do, the more chances they have of finding these cheats. I think cycling can, and is getting a lot cleaner. I don't understand why riders keep on taking these stupid risks. If you get caught you lose all your credentials from your past, everything you have done and achieved will be questioned. Your reputation down the drain. They are big risks. I hope more riders learn from others mistakes and hopefully one day my sport will be clean.
We always like to hear what the stars think about the Norwegians. Could you say a few words about your teammate Thor Hushovd?
- Thor is sooooo strong. He is an amazing rider who is going to win some VERY big races. I can see Thor shining in races like Paris-Roubaix, Tour of Flanders and any hard races like that. He is also very fast, as he has shown in his 4th place in Paris -Tours. It has been a pleasure racing with him, he is a great guy as well, we get along very well and I'm very happy he has decided to sign on with the team for another two years. I think this team is just starting to get the ball rolling... Look out 2002!www.infociclismo.com
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