First Edition Cycling News for October 19, 2006
Edited by Doc Stevens
Discovery denies Lance Armstrong is returning to cycling
Reports that Lance Armstrong is returning to the Discovery Channel team have been denied by Discovery's assistant manager Dirk Demol. "We have always hoped Lance would consider returning to the sport of cycling but we have not heard anything from him that would suggest that is going to happen," he told sporza.be. Team Discovery has bigger concerns in its immediate future as the Discovery Channel Network has indicated a desire to end its relationship with the American Cycling team.
Demol said, "To my knowledge, the Discovery Channel Network is still the main sponsor of this team and will remain so into the foreseeable future. However, we must wait to see how that evolves as things are ever changing given the current environment of cycling." The team is also actively pursuing a variety of riders who have expressed interest in riding for the American team but no names have been released to the public in terms of who the club is looking into.
Christian Frommert, director of sports communication for T-Mobile, said he is not surprised that Team Discovery may be losing its main sponsor and that the “Armstrong rumors” have begun. "We all know that the interest in cycling in America is fading since Lance retired," he told the Netzeitung. "You have to reckon with the fact that not everybody in America is that interested in cycling and they are desperate to do something to regain that interest and not lose their main sponsor."
Frommert expressed doubts, however, as to the success of an Armstrong comeback attempt. "Talk is cheap and IF the rumor is true, I really doubt Lance can return to the level that he was once at. But we have to wait and see how things play out for both Team Discovery and Armstrong but I can tell you that T-Mobile is not concerned about it at all."
Authors of 'LA Confidentiel' to release new book on Armstrong
French authors Pierre Ballester and David Walsh, co-authors of the controversial book LA Confidentiel, are set to release a follow-up to that book on Thursday, called LA Official: the anatomy of a scandal. In this book, the two renew their accusations that Lance Armstrong used performance enhancing drugs to win the Tour de France seven times.
"Beyond the web of deception that Lance Armstrong spun around his image," reads a statement from the authors, "one has to ask questions about the serious repercussions of this tactic. After the disturbing revelation of a blood-doping network in Spain and the shameful Floyd Landis episode, does elite cycling retain any crumbs of credibility?"
The new book is centred around the battle between Armstrong and the Texas-based insurance company, SCA. Armstrong has repeatedly denied taking any banned substances, and successfully argued this in a 2005 legal dispute SCA, who had promised him $5 million if he won his sixth Tour de France in 2004. The company tried to deny the pay-out on grounds that Armstrong had used performance enhancing drugs to win.
Armstrong responded to the announcement, calling the book a "false string of sensational, untrue and fabricated allegations," and said it "will be no different than the first - a sensationalized attempt to cash in on my name and sully my reputation." Armstrong, who, despite having retired from the sport, continues to find himself defending his reputation, said "I raced clean. I won clean. I am the most tested athlete in the history of sports. I have defended myself and won every court case to prove I was clean. Yet another French book with baseless, sensational and rejected allegations will not overcome the truth."
The release of the book comes on the heels of the rumor that Team Discovery could be losing its main sponsor and this certainly will not help to improve an already fading reputation of cycling in North America.
Konzontchuk completes Rabobank ProTour team roster
Rabobank has completed its 2007 team roster with the signing of Dmitri Kozontchuk. Kozontchuk, who had been on Rabobank's Continental Team, has signed a contract that runs through the end of 2008. He will join two of his Continental teammates in graduating to the ProTour team. Rick Flens and Robert Gesink were signed earlier this month.
2007 will be Kozontchuk's third season with the Rabobank organisation. This year, he won two stages in Triptyque des Monts et Chateaux, a stage in Thüringen Rundfahrt, plus the mountain classification in Vuelta a Leon. He will be joining well-known teammates Michael Boogerd, Denis Menchov, Max Van Heeswijk, Oscar Freire, and Michael Rasmussen on the 28-man squad. Rabobank will also continue to support their Continental Team of 22 riders for 2007.
Ullrich leaves Swiss federation
Jan Ullrich has announced his withdrawal from the Swiss Cycling Federation, effective immediately. He "cannot be reasonably expected to belong to a federation which injures the personal rights and professional freedom of a member and which refuses to take a position on specific complaints," according to Ullrich's personal website.
"For months, officials of Swiss Cycling and Swiss Olympic have conducted a press campaign against me with the contradictory statements," wrote Ullrich. "I have no more trust in them. This withdrawal does not mean that I am ending my career -- I have contacted other cycling federations concerning a license for 2007."
It was not known which federations Jan Ullrich meant or where he might move his residence to. Whether or not Ulrich will ever ride again remains a mystery.
Bettini prepares for track season
Paolo Bettini, winner of the World Championships and the Giro di Lombardia, is preparing for his winter run on the velodrome. Returning to Italy, after a small Quick-Step meeting where the team was fitted for their new bikes (next year the team will switch from French Time to American Specialized bikes), Bettini has his mind on two upcoming track events, the Grenoble Six Day and the Munich Six Day.
The World Champion will pair with experienced six day rider, Italian Marco Villa for both Grenoble (starting 26 October) and Munich (9 November).
Landis fights for Bicycling Friendly Wisconsin
Floyd Landis will make a guest appearance at Saris Cycling Group’s annual Gala and Fundraiser “Fighting For a More Bicycle-Friendly Wisconsin” on Friday October 20th. Proceeds from the third annual event will benefit the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin.
“It’s important that we protect cyclists’ rights in Wisconsin,” said Chris Fortune, Saris Cycling Group President and Chairman of the Wisconsin Governor’s Bicycle Coordinating Council, adding, “Floyd recognizes the importance of this event and wants to help contribute. Floyd just underwent hip replacement surgery, but he insisted on coming to Madison in order to do everything he can to give back to the cycling community.”
In addition to a Q&A session with Landis, the fundraiser will feature a silent auction, bicycle poker, tricycle races, power contests, live music and food and drink from several local restaurants and breweries.
Basso will remain with CSC!
Yesterday it was made official that Ivan Basso and Team CSC will be together for the entire 2007 season. This followed this summer's events, when the Italian was associated with the Operación Puerto investigation and was he pulled out of competing in the Tour de France, his major objective of the year.
Despite Basso being told by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) that he would be allowed to re-commence racing due to legal issues over Operación Puerto, it was not sure if Team CSC would be willing to keep the cycling star on their team.
Basso, in an official statement regarding his contract's renewal, said, "Thanks to Bjarne Riis for the trust that he has given. I intend to train harder than ever before and winning the TDF in 2007 is my only objective."
The 2006 Giro d'Italia winner has continued training since his last race, the final day of the Italian grand tour, on May 28. "At this point I am in solid shape and feeling healthy," said Basso to La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I have been training with the bike in which I won the Giro and I see no reason that I will not be ready for the 2007 season."
October 20, 2006
Austin, Texas USA
Team Discovery Press Conference
Seated on the main stage is Lance Armstrong, Billy Campbell (Discovery Channel president), Johan Bruyneel, George Hincapie, and Bill Stapleton (Team Discovery General Manager).
Lance: Thanks to everyone for being here on short notice. I will get right to the point and then open things up for questions. This past season for Discovery has been tough and although we have seen success, the ultimate goal of winning the Tour De France was not reached. Also the overall vision for the team has stalled so these issues combined with my strong desire to have a stronger impact on the team have resulted in my decision to return to competitive cycling. I will be riding the Tour De France in 2007 along with a few other select races. I will also have direct control over who is riding for the squad and will work closely with Johan to make sure we have the riders we need to reach all of our goals.
(The press that has gathered for the conference all burst into a buzz of energy at Armstrong's announcement. They are eager to ask Lance some questions but Billy Campbell speaks first.)
Campbell: I just want to say that the Discovery Channel is very pleased to have Lance back in the fold and I am here to confirm once and for all that the Discovery Channel is 100% behind the team for the upcoming 2007 season!
Lance: You know I really thought I was finished when I retired but it just killed me watching the guys this year and I knew that I still had something left to do in this sport. I have a vision for American cycling as a whole and I intend to dedicate 100% of my energy and resources into making it happen. You can expect some BIG changes to Team Discovery for the 2007 season and you are going to see something very special at the 2007 Tour De France.
(The press conference continues with some boring details from the other people on the stage until the press finally gets to start asking some questions.)
French Reporter: Lance, is your comeback simply a desperate attempt to keep the team from losing its main sponsor and how can you believe that you can compete on a serious level after taking a year off?
Lance: First all this comeback is all about my love for cycling and I am not concerned about the sponsorship issues. As far as not being able to ride competitively, all I can say is wait and see...
German Reporter: Lance now that you have been exposed as a doper and...
Lance: Excuse me!?! You know this is the kind of stuff that really killed my love for the sport in the first place. I am NOT a doper and I am coming back to prove yet again to you Euro clowns that I am the best rider in the world and there is nothing you can do to stop me or my team from winning the Tour in 2007!
American Reporter: Lance it is clear that you are an icon in the United States. Do you think that your celebrity will help bring back Americans to cycling?
Lance: Well I certainly hope so. Cycling is a beautiful sport and people need to realize that just because something is popular in France does not make it a bad thing. I am going to do everything in my power to bring cycling back into the spotlight in the States and see what happens.
Spanish Reporter: Lance you mentioned having a vision for the team and for American cycling. Can you share some of that with us?
Lance: Well I am not prepared to get into all of the details but I will go on record saying that it is my intention to have an all American team at the starting line of the 2007 Tour. A lot of people don't think this is possible but I am personally involved in a variety of contract negotiations as we speak and I will guarantee to the world that you are going to see the best American riders in the world all on one team in 2007!
(With that statement all of the reporters almost jump out of their seats trying to ask follow up questions but Lance gets up and leaves the press conference. Lance's claim that he plans to field an entirely American team at the 2007 Tour has left everyone in the room shocked. It even appears that Johan Bruyneel was caught off guard by Lance's statement as he quickly leaves the stage area. What is next for Team Discovery? Who will they be signing? What will the non-American riders think of what Lance has said? Will this new vision for American cycling work or is this the beginning of the end for Lance Armstrong and his dreams?
"We all know that wasn't the real footage of the Worlds anyway. That was just the staged footage to perpetuate the coverup that it was actually Vinokourov that won the race."
Latest Cycling News for October 23, 2006
Edited by Doc Stevens
Armstrong and Bruyneel meet to start building 'The Team'
Teamwork in professional sport is often the difference between mediocrity and greatness - particularly in cycling. With that in mind, the leading ProTour teams do everything in their power to begin building strong working relationships between their riders as soon as contract obligations permit. Cyclingnews' Dirk Digeler caught up with the Discovery Channel cycling team during a recent team building meeting.
Lance Armstrong hasn't had much sleep since he announced his comeback and his goal of fielding an "All American" team at the 2007 TDF. "There are two very powerful concepts that we all to buy into," he told the assembled 2007 Discovery Channel squad at its first team meeting in Boulder, CO. "Only through a commitment to personal improvement, mutual respect and trust, and confidence in every member of the team, staff and management can we become something special and reach all of our goals."
The team meeting involved the usual photography sessions, trying on of clothing, medical tests, race planning, nutritional workshops, and, most importantly, a chance for the team members to get to know each other as 10 new American riders have joined the team for 2007 thanks to plenty of personal involvement by Armstrong. Some of the new American riders include Fred Rodriguez, David Zabriskie, Bobby Julich, Chris Horner, and Danny Pate.
They all took to the treetops on Sunday for a climbing course, which required the team to, well, work as a team! "Positive thinking, group motivation and effective internal communication to solve problems together: these are all crucial to setting a cycling team on the road to success," said Sports Director Bruyneel.
Bäckstedt undergoes shoulder surgery
Monday, October 23, Liquigas pro Magnus Bäckstedt will undergo an operation to reconstruct his damaged shoulder. Bäckstedt crashed a week ago when training on the track with fellow Swede Freddie Johansson. 20 year-old Johansson spent five days in hospital before being released. He took his first ride on Friday only a week after the accident to show he is progressing well.
Meanwhile, the tall Swede has a severely separated shoulder and visited three specialists in a week. As his orthopedist explained, "The impact of the accident has caused the collarbone to become detached. It is not only pointing up, but also back into the trapezius muscle."
On Monday, a hook and a titanium plate were screwed to the collarbone to re-set it. Hopefully, this will put the 2004 Paris-Roubaix winner on his way to a successful 2007.
"This year has just been awful in terms of luck," Bäckstedt said. "I'm confident in the specialist who carries out the operation. He expects me to be in sling for about six weeks, which for us bike riders means about four! I will be back on the turbo trainer very quickly."
At some point, the plate will have to be removed, but this could be at the end of the 2007 season. "I finished fourth at Roubaix in 2005 with a cracked bone in my wrist so this shouldn't present too many problems," concluded Bäckstedt, who is well-known for high pain tolerance level.
Hunter to join CSC?
Robert Hunter and team CSC manager Bjarne Riis have had discussions about the possibility of the Phonak rider joining the Danish squad next season, according to South African The Star. But Riis, who was in Johannesburg last week, said nothing definite had been agreed upon just yet.
"I have seen Robert Hunter ride and I like what I see," said Riis. "We have talked about his future and the possibility of us doing something together in the future, but we will have to wait and see. There are constraints, financial and other, that mean the team can only be so big. But it is good to speculate (on a rider's future)."
Hunter said that he had been in contract negotiations with a few teams, including, it is rumored, the South African-backed Barloworld squad who are hoping to be granted a ProTour licence for 2007.
Team CSC will be officially announced in Cape Town during the squad's annual pre-season training camp in South Africa from December 5-15, where the riders will again be sent on military survival course for a team-building exercise.
"We all know that wasn't the real footage of the Worlds anyway. That was just the staged footage to perpetuate the coverup that it was actually Vinokourov that won the race."
Well, he did when a mass sprint in the Tour of GA, so his SPR stats should be alright, his MTN stat should be a 83/84 just so hes not overly dominant
He was also a great hill rider, he won a few classics, and of course his TT an REC stats should be great.
Macquet wrote:
"We all know that wasn't the real footage of the Worlds anyway. That was just the staged footage to perpetuate the coverup that it was actually Vinokourov that won the race."
sports25 wrote:
sounds very interesting. can you do a screenshot of armstrong's stats?
Yes, I will get up a screen shot later today or tonight of the whole team's stats or at least the main guys. Armstrong might be rated a tough higher than some people think especially given he would have been a year out of the sport. I think his ratings will probably reflect more of when he was at his peak but again that is necessary for me to have ANY chance of pulling off this "All American" TDF win.
ops:
