Christmas is rapidly approaching, the crowds are growing, the weather is cooling, there's only one thing to do: shut the door, grab the joe, and enjoy some peace, quiet, and EuroTrash. This monumental Monday: Ullrich, Floyd, Basso on Floyd, Cross Compote as always, and much MORE!
A Look At Jan Ullrich's Situation
Jan Ullrich's press agent, Michael Lang reports to German sports website, Sport1 that "Jan's attorneys were informed by the Spanish Court, that in relation to Jan the there is no merit in the accusations."
A decision on whether to ban Ullrich shouldn't come until after the New Year, but it has been made clear that in the interim, Ullrich could race. The real question though is where would he be welcome to race, and I don't mean teams - what races will have Ullrich?
Sport1 took a close look at the major German races and their stances on Ullrich - with the understanding that Ullrich is very nearly a cleared and free man. The question: has Ulle been blacklisted?
Deutschland Tour
The big boss of the D-Tour, Bernd Rapp, has made it clear that he wants nothing to do with Ullrich.
Ullrich's manager couldn't resist commenting on Rapp's very public position: "To ban one of the most successful German athletes from your race due only to unsubstantiated speculation and ban him from the start - is an insult to the fans of Jan Ullrich and the fans of bike racing.
Rund um Köln (9. April 2007):
Director Artur Tabat is a little more open: "I'm not deciding yet. There is some time to pass between now and our race. The situation can completely change. Maybe it will be different in a few weeks and everyone will be happy to see Jan Ullrich."
Vattenfall Cyclassics Hamburg (August or September):
The Vattenfall Cyclassics is taking the hard line of the D-Tour, but with some interesting phrasing: "As long as Jan Ullrich is not 100% rehabilitated, he will not ride our race. That is the clear position."
Rund um den Henninger Turm in Frankfurt (1. May):
Chief organizer Bern Moos-Achenbach also has no use for Jan Ullrich: "I don't want any riders under suspicion of doping at my race. However, it can also happen that no action will be taken against Jan Ullrich, and if he gets a license and a team - he could start here."
Press agent for the UCI, Enrico Carpani also weighs in on Ullrich: "I think that Jan will ride again. He needs a team though. We won't put anything in the way of Ullrich. The Spanish are blocking everything, so if Basso, Gutierrez, and Sevilla can ride again, then why not Jan Ullrich?"
Bettini Says Nay To DNA
Paolo Bettini abhors the thought of DNA testing according to ProCycling, so much so that he'll call it quits before he subjects himself to it: "If I'm asked for a DNA sample, I'm also prepared to stop racing. I've won a lot and this is one step too far."
Of course, he quantifies the statement: "It's good to require a DNA sample from riders who have bags of blood at home. If they say that the blood doesn't belong to them, then it's a good idea to test their DNA. Otherwise, it is a measure that doesn't serve for anti-doping."
Bettini then takes aim at recently cleared Discovery signee, Ivan Basso: "When I said in October that I was against the DNA test, I immediately got an sms from Basso. He was happy with my standpoint. Less than 20 days later, he agreed to have a DNA test. Basso is prepared to go along with the DNA test because he also knows that the 'Spanish blood bags' will not be released."
Basso of course had to respond to Bettini's little outburst, so he called him up on his handy, and: "I explained to him my position on the DNA test, which is the official position of the team. I am only making myself available if I'm asked to by a judge, with the necessary legal guarantees. And I'm not just doing this now, but I already did it at the first hearing of the CONI anti-doping commission."
Floyd The Realist?
Floyd Landis made it clear to the Mail On Sunday what his course of action would be if given a four-year ban for doping: "If I'm banned for four years and stripped of my title and prize-money, I'll never race again. My desire for it would have been obliterated."
Will the appeals process come down to purely money and staying power? "I wasn't the highest-paid cyclist and it's looking like this might cost me $500,000," he said. "I think the authorities know I'll run out of money. They've said they'll appeal if they lose the hearing and that might take another year.
"How can cycling win? Either the winner of its greatest race is a cheat or the credibility of the system is in tatters if I'm found innocent. Neither is a great result."
For the umpteenth time, Floyd was regretful of his 'excuses' immediately post-test: "It was a mistake to come out with those things but I'm not an expert and I'm very unhappy that I've had to become one."
A ban will of course hurt Floyd in more than just a racing aspect: "I may never get my prize money and I may lose my title as Tour de France champion, but there's one thing they'll never get from me. I have the yellow jersey at home and that's where it's going to stay for the rest of my life."
Basso Comments On The Uncommentable
Ivan Basso is treading on some thin ice here: EuroSport reports that "Ivan Basso considers Oscar Pereiro to be the 'moral victor' of the Tour de France."
Say what?
After making this bold proclamation, he followed that with a defense for Landis' "right to defend himself against all doping allegations."
So wait...Pereiro is the moral winner, but Landis has a right to defend himself...I'm lost.
"It is a rather delicate question... But, in my opinion, the moral winner of the last Tour de France is Oscar Pereiro, who I hold in high esteem and regard as a formidable guy," so spaketh the Basso.
Sounds like a good reason to be Tour de France champ - Basso holds him in high esteem and thinks he's a 'formidable guy.' Well, I hold Gandhi in high esteem and think he's a formidable guy, but he still hasn't won the Tour de France.
"I like Pereiro and Landis, and I would like both to be able to take advantage of the situation. But this is impossible. And believe me, this is not diplomacy on my part, but only out of respect towards two adversaries who I hold in high estimation."
"But I find it normal and even necessary that Landis has the chance to defend himself to the end. In any case, until the moment when the federal and legal institutions will allow him to go."
How is this getting so complicated? Until proven otherwise, Floyd Landis arrived in Paris in the shortest amount of time, so until proven otherwise, he is the winner of the Tour de France.
Cross Compote
It was a World Cup/Supeprestige combo weekend on the Continent. World Cup #8 took the elite crossers back down to Italia for a short visit to Milano for a mud-fest. Bart Wellens absolutely crushed all comers on Friday - putting over a minute into the Cannibal himself, Sven Nys.
1 Bart Wellens (Bel) Fidea Cycling Team 1.06.19
2 Sven Nys (Bel) Rabobank 1.03
3 Sven Vanthourenhout (Bel) Rabobank 1.08
4 Francis Mourey (Fra) Française Des Jeux 1.14
5 Klaas Vantornout (Bel) Fidea Cycling Team 1.21
Two days later in the fifth round of the Superprestige series, after both Nys and Wellens admitted they spent Saturday in bed sick, Nys rode away to a nearly minute margin of victory on the line after rolling through the first lap dead last: talk about a wretched start.
1 Sven Nys (Bel) Rabobank 57.46
2 Bart Wellens (Bel) Fidea Cycling Team 0.53
3 Erwin Vervecken (Bel) Fidea Cycling Team 1.37
4 Klaas Vantornout (Bel) Fidea Cycling Team 1.40
5 Sven Vanthourenhout (Bel) Rabobank Continental Team 1.42
In non-Wellens/Nys news - Ryan Trebon rode to a great 10th place finish - look for more Tree Farm action in the coming weeks.
CSC Survives Again
Yet another CSC Survival Camp has come and gone. This year, the riders were subject to a real treat when the team moved the camp from the icey clime of Denmark in December all the way to the other side of the world: South Africa, which happens to be frolicking in the throes of Summer.
The inimitable BS Christiansen was once again in charge of affairs and commented: "If you know yourself and your teammates this well, it gives you an opportunity to take advantage of the resources available on the team – especially when trouble arises at the worst possible time. That is when the team will be able to use the experiences and information gathered from this trip. It is like packing a rucksack with extra power for the roads."
Ardennes-specialist Karsten Kroon echoed his manager's sentiment: "I am sure the team spirit on this team scares the other teams. I have seen a lot of riders from other teams look at us with huge respect and intimidation because of the team spirit that was glowing from us – well, I even did so myself before I came to the team."
Ullrich Hopeful
In an interview with the tabloid, Bild, Jan Ullrich once again underlined his intentions on returning to the pro ranks. He, of course, still has no idea with what team it may be, whether it be ProTour or a smaller team.
Ullrich did clarify on a question from last week's EuroTrash - just what was he doing in the USA? It wasn't actually Jan that did the explaining, but his wife, Sara: it was a belated honeymoon in New York after their first was wrecked by the doping scandal and search of his house by authorities.
License Decision Pushed Back
The ProTour Licensing Commission has pushed its decision for the 2007 ProTour licenses back to the 11th of January. One final license remains and three teams are vying for it: Astana, Barloworld, and Unibet.
As mentioned last week, Astana is in the best position of all with a veritable All-Star team including: Vino, Kloeden, Kashechkin, Savoldelli, etc etc. Perhaps a compromise could be reached? Don't give Astana the remaining ProTour spot, as it's certain they'll get whatever Wild Cards they want - give the final ProTour spot to a squad that desperately needs it: Barloworld or Unibet.
More interestingly though, it is now a concern that perhaps the Discovery Channel Team might not be given a license for 2007 due to the ruling by the IPCT (the ProTour teams counsel) to exclude Disco. More on that in...just...one...
IPCT Blackballs
...second. The Association of ProTour Teams (IPCT somehow) voted 16 to 1 to expell both Discovery and Manolo Saiz' Active Bay Company from the organization for ethical violations.
What this means for the moment is not entirely clear, but considering the fact that the IPCT is headed by Patrick Lefevere, who has commandeered some of the dirtiest squads in the history of bike racing, perhaps we should take a step back and laugh.
What this actually means is the big question. The IPCT holds no real power, but will the ProTour licensing commission use the IPCT's expulsion of Discovery to start something really big? We'll find out January 11th.
It will not be pretty if that is the case, as Discovery is threatening some real court time if a license doesn't come their way - and Discovery seems to have a pretty fair leg to stand on - they signed a rider cleared of any wrongdoing.
Live For The Game
ProCycling has a great little excerpt from Het Laatste Nieuws from outgoing Davitamon DS Aussie Alan Peiper. Peiper had some fairly tough words for his former 'charges:' "Professional cyclists must live for their job. But if they drink three pints before dinner and another half a bottle of wine with the meal, what should I think?"
Even though Peiper has left the Davitamon squad for T-Mobile in 2007 - he has no qualms with his former team: "I fell on my feet there. I was once a teammate of Marc Sergeant [Davitamon's team manager] and I'm grateful to him for the chance he gave me. But Marc can't stamp his authority on the team like Patrick Lefevere can do with Quick.Step."
Boonen V. Nys - No Contest
Tom Boonen nabbed his third Kristallen Fiets trophy in succession as best Belgian bike racer. The decision is made by 75 journo's and the contest was hardly a contest between Boonen and crosser Sven Nys - Boonen won by an unruly 74 points.
This should come as some surprise considering that Sven Nys won very nearly every single cross race he participated in in the 2005/2006 season. He is the Eddy Merckx of cyclocross.
After losing out no contest to Boonen, Sven Nys almost sounded despondent: "I'll never get a chance like this any more." It seems that Tom Boonen is the only guy that Nys can't beat.
Boonen's season was of course impressive - between January and April, Boonen was nearly unbeatable - he won most of his 23 races in that time period, including his second consecutive Tour of Flanders.
"Don't ask me why, but I had the feeling that Nys would win. Because of that, this is the nicest of my three wins in this poll.
Still, I expected more of a neck and neck race. Nys is still the best cyclo-crosser in the world. But everything is to do with the length of the season. But OK, my season was also fantastic. I was the most successful road cyclist, very consistent as well. And all that as world champion. This prize is for the team above all. How they rode in front, I'll never know."
Interbike Invites Feedback Via Online Survey
To improve its show efforts, Interbike invites bicycle retail and exhibitor show attendees to participate in its survey
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, California – Dec. 8, 2006 – Interbike, a division of VNU Expositions, today issued an invitation for all 2006 Interbike OutDoor Demo and International Bicycle Expo retail and exhibitor attendees to participate in its annual Web-based show feedback survey.
"We definitely want to provide the best show possible for attendees and exhibitors and we need their feedback to do that," said Rich Kelly, Interbike's marketing director. "The annual survey provides us with real information about what business issues are really important to show participants."
Interbike conducts the survey each year to learn how well the show met participants' business needs and how it could be improved. In addition to identical questions meant to help identify trends in participant responses from year to year, the survey also includes new questions regarding current issues facing the industry. Since show needs for a retailer are not necessarily the same as an exhibitor's, Interbike also developed separate surveys for each group.
Two of the current issues facing the industry are exhibit costs and show location. Previous surveys gave respondents three different possible show locations to consider. Results of those surveys haven't always shown a strong consensus for one location over another. To develop more useful results, this year’s survey gives respondents only two show locations to consider.
"Where to hold the show has been a hot industry topic for the last few years," said Lance Camisasca, Interbike's show director. "There are lots of variables to consider when choosing a host city. The annual survey is one of the tools we will use to help us do that by illuminating the business priorities and needs of exhibitors and attendees."
The survey will be available online until Friday, December 22, 2006. Each exhibiting company and unique retail location that attended the 2006 Interbike OutDoor Demo and International Bicycle Expo, and also provided an email address, was sent an invitation to participate in the survey.
For more information about Interbike, please visit www.interbike.com .
Breakaway From Cancer Jerseys
The Breakaway from Cancer initiative was created by Amgen Inc. as a complementary component to the company’s sponsorship of the Amgen Tour of California professional cycling race. Like cycling, it takes endurance, strength, hope and a network of support for people living with cancer to breakaway from the disease.
Now cycling enthusiasts can do their part to help raise awareness and funds to support valuable services and programs that help people living with cancer by purchasing a special Breakaway from Cancer cycling jersey. Each jersey costs $79.99 and 100% of the purchase price from sales of these jerseys will directly support the national Breakaway from Cancer initiative. Jerseys, and T-shirts from American designer and cancer survivor Carmen Marc Valvo ($28 for men and women), are available for purchase at www.breakawayfromcancer.com .
Attached are front and back images of the jersey and can also send you images of the designer T-shirts as well.
Breakaway from Cancer? launched in 2005 to raise awareness and funds to support services and programs for people affected by cancer. Last year, through this initiative, Amgen raised more than $1 million to support The Wellness Community. This year Amgen is proud to support both the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship and The Wellness Community as this year’s non-profit partners.
Since its founding in 1980 in Thousand Oaks, California, Amgen has used the power of pioneering science to fight serious illness and dramatically improve people's lives. Amgen’s mission is to serve patients. In line with that mission, Amgen is proud to sponsor the Amgen Tour of California to underscore the value of a healthy lifestyle, promote the recognition of medical advances made possible through biotechnology, and emphasize the appropriate use of its medicines. To complement its sponsorship of this exciting event, Amgen is also proud to continue the Breakaway from Cancer? education and fundraising initiative to support people affected by cancer.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 916-492-5335 or kim.bedwell@fleishman.com .
American Classic Shipping Wheels Built With PowerTap SL Wireless 2.4
The PowerTap SL 2.4 is the first wireless power meter on the market. It combines the lightweight reliable SL hub with a 2.4GHz transmission. Paired with American Classic’s wheels, the wireless system is the ultimate wheel for training and racing with power. "We are very excited to be partnering with Saris on this new project so that we can offer our customers a lightweight wheel with power" said Simon Kessler of American Classic, who spearheaded the project. The wireless system is easy to install and operate. Matching front wheels are also available for sale.
A pair of American Classic sprint 350 road wheels built with the PowerTap SL starts at only 1490 grams. Also available in other American Classic wheel builds with either 24 or 32 spoke holes. Extra computer harness mounts are available for use on a second bike. Currently, the program is only in the United States and Canada.
Suggested retail rear wheels only (including software and computer and cromoly quick release):
Hurricane Clincher with PowerTap SL 2.4 $1599.00
Sprint 350 with PowerTap SL 2.4 $1679.00
420 with PowerTap SL 2.4 $1799.00
Carbon 38 tubular with PowerTap SL 2.4 $1999.00
Carbon 58 tubular with PowerTap SL 2.4 $2049.00
Contact American Classic for details 800-813-5545 or 813-885-9040 www.amclassic.com
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