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Nijs consolidates his World Cup lead

Classic conditions made this special for Nijs

Vervecken has shown good form all season

Saeco's Enrico Franzoi takes third

World champion Bart Wellens

The ever-present Richard Groenendaal

Captain America: Jonathan Page

Barry Wicks

Ryan Trebon

The Mailbag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.Two thumbs upDear Velo,You ask, at the end of the Dick Pound interview (see "VeloNewsInterview: WADA's Dick Pound") for "thoughts? Comments? Opinions?"Well, here's mine. Two thumbs up for focusing on doping, and also for publishingsuch a long interview in it's entirety.I agree completely

Hello all,Thanks for the all the emails back! I really am just writing these reports quickly for your general interest, maybe offering a few details that you won't find elsewhere in all the race articles. But these are written hastily, so sorry if I neglect equal coverage of all riders and if I forget a few things... Everything is going well! Yesterday, Diegem SuperPrestige, one of the oldest venues, which obviously holds sway over the UCI rules like the double-pit mandate (there two separate pits a long long ways from each other). I was reckoning that winner and good friend Erwin Vervecken

Even by his lofty standards, Lance Armstrong's return to the mountaintop in 2004 was pretty special. The question now facing Armstrong and his legion of fans is whether he'll return to challenge the Pyrenees and the French Alps again in 2005. Already recognized as one of the truly inspiring athletes of his generation, Armstrong took his cycling legacy a step further when he won a record-breaking sixth consecutive Tour de France in July. And for his accomplishment, he was honored Monday as The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for the third straight year. Armstrong joined

Two years ago Jonathan Page was in limbo, his up-and-down career as a bike racer was on another upswing, but he was still struggling to keep doing what he loved, and seemed destined, to do. In the winter of 2002, and without a pro contract, Page moved to Belgium to race cyclo-cross, the biggest gamble he’d taken in a cycling career that started in his teens. But the gamble paid off when the New Hampshire native won that year’s rain-soaked U.S. ‘cross nationals in California. The win, along with steadily improving results on the European circuit, earned Page a professional ‘cross contract

Wicks finished in the money

JP was tired, but happy

Erwin Vervecken Sunday's edition of the SuperPrestige series in Diegem, Belgium, finishing ahead of the formidable Sven Nijs, who maintains a lead in the series. Belgian Sven Vanthourenhout finished third and Dutchman Richard Groenendael took forth. Americans Ryan Trebon, Erik Tonkin, Barry Wicks and Ben Turnerfinished 18th, 27th, 28th and 35th respectively. U.S. 'cross champ, Jonathan Page did not finish. Photographer Marcel Van Hoecke was on scene.Photo Gallery Below1. Erwin Vervecken (B), Fidea 1:02:312. Sven Nys (B), Rabobank, at 0:023. Sven Vanthourenhout (B), Quickstep-Davitamon, at

Vervecken takes it

Sven Nijs still leads the series

Sven Vanthourenhout

Groenendaal

Maarten Nijland

Ben Berden

Davy Commeyne

Jonathan Page didn't finish Sunday

Interview by Charles Pelkey Photos by Chris Milliman As the year’s first issue of VeloNews reaches your mailboxes and newsstands around the country, you may notice something of a break with tradition. Indeed, the first cover of 2005 should have gone to Jonathan Page for winning his third straight U.S. cyclo-cross championship in Portland this month. Instead, we start the year with an issue dedicated to a topic that has dragged the sport of cycling through mud much deeper than anything Page encountered at ’cross nationals. Anyone who follows cycling has become accustomed to scandal, but with

The Mailbag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.A breath of fresh airDear Velo,I read Megan's letter with great interest (see "Jonesin' for a ride"in Wednesday'sMailbag), because I had to deal with the same thing years ago, untilour employer finally eliminated all smoking from the premises. I would suggesthooking up the American Lung

VeloNews Interview: WADA's Dick Pound

VeloNews Interview: WADA's Dick Pound

VeloNews Interview: WADA's Dick Pound

VeloNews Interview: WADA's Dick Pound

Merry Christmas everyone. It’s that time of year when a guy can look back on the past season, take a short break and then start thinking about the next year. Last year was an amazing time for me, highlighted by that win at Paris-Roubaix and the birth of our second daughter, Zoe. Zoe was born on September 24, just before I came to Las Vegas this year – my first trip to the U.S. We also have three-year-old Alynor, so this is a big Christmas for us. We’ll be hanging out at home here in Wales for the holiday, although we did just get back from a visit with my parents and my sister in

The Russian girlfriend of cyclist Marco Pantani is being accused of complicity in supplying the cocaine that authorities said was the cause of his death in February. Elena Korovina was among five others accused of supplying cocaine by investigator Paolo Gengarelli. The five may face charges of trafficking and distribution of drugs, although the judge in charge of the preliminary investigation has yet to decide on whether to prosecute. Pantani, the last rider to win both the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France in the same year, was found dead in a hotel in Rimini on February 14, from an

The Mailbag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.CONGRATULATIONS!!! And, uhhhhhh, here's your billDear VeloNews,Here is something for the Hot/Not Hot column in the magazine: Hot - Velo Bella racers at U.S. Cross Nats - Two Velo Bella racersbeing named to the U.S. Women's team for cyclo-cross world'sNot - Having to pay your own way:

It’s not an overstatement to say that Rebecca Much is something of a hot commodity these days. In October, Much earned a silver medal in the time trial at the 2004 World Championships in Bardolino, Italy. In December, she finished up her racing season with an under-23 victory at the U.S. National Cyclocross Championships in Portland. And with the ink just drying on a new contract to race for the T-Mobile women’s professional cycling team next year, Much seems poised for even greater success in cycling. No bad for 18, eh? Much dabbed in triathlons while still in high school in Chicago but

Organizers announce 2005 Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of CyclocrossSeriesBOSTON - Coming off a highly successful inaugural season, organizersof the U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross have unveiled a sequel campaign in2005 that promises even more excitement for riders and fans alike. Withsix C1 events in the Pacific Northwest, New England and Northern California,the series will bring North America's best cyclocross stars to the sport'sfeverish hotbeds. "With nationals coming to New England next year, we wanted to createa balanced schedule for racers and fans," said co-organizer Paul

Colorado Springs, Colo. (December 22, 2004)—Following Tuesday’sannouncement regarding American-based UCI Continental Teams, USA Cyclingannounced today the final two teams whose applications will be submittedto the UCI in consideration for the 2005 season.The Advantage Benefits Endeavour Cycling Team and the Ofoto/Sierra Nevada Professional CyclingTeam will give the U.S. 14 UCI Continental Teams in 2005.Operating as two separate UCI tier III trade teams in 2004, the NorthernCalifornia-based Ofoto-Lombardi Sports squad and the Sierra Nevada outfithave combined their efforts to form a single

WADA COLLECTS MORE THAN 90 PERCENT OF DUES FOR 2004  (12/22/2004)U.S. Payment of $1.44 Million ReceivedAdditional $3.7 Million Received for 2002 and 2003Montreal, December 22, 2004 – The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)announced today that it has collected approximately 94 percent, of itsdues from governments and the Olympic Movement for 2004. This figure isthe highest percentage of payments collected by the Agency in a calendaryear since WADA was founded.The United States recently paid its dues of U.S. $1.44 million, thesecond highest amount paid to WADA by a government this year. The

The silver was 'total shock,' says Much.

December 21, 2002Gerard Bisceglia has been at the helm of USA Cycling since July 2002, when he took over as Chief Executive Officer of the struggling organization. Over the next few issues of the print edition of VeloNews we hope to examine the issues and challenges facing Bisceglia and USA Cycling in 2003. In this interview, the CEO discusses some of these challenges, which include a declining NORBA membership, strained relations with some regional road racing organizations, and a failed attempt to merge USA Cycling’s BMX association, the NBL, with the ABA. On the bright side, Bisceglia

Dear readers,I have gotten so many questions on fork rake and front-end geometryfrom my Nov. 23 posting that I realized the need to fully address thissubject again. I have written about this before, both here and in the magazine,but there obviously remains a bit of confusion out there about the subject.Consequently, I have posted a number of the recent questions I have receivedabout it as well as the “block” I wrote on the subject from my most recentbook, Zinn’sCycling Primer. I hope it clarifies some handling questions for a lot of you out there.Merry Christmas,Lennard Dear Lennard,I'm

The Bay-area based Webcor Builders Cycling Team has announced that September’s T-Mobile International winner Charles Dionne will remain with the team in 2005. The team also announced Monday that it will switch from LeMond to Specialized bicycles and equipment, and it has added the strength of American David Clinger to its roster. Webcor will race S Works Tarmac road and Transition TT bicycles as well as a wide array of accessories from Specialized. “The Webcor Builders cycling team is extremely excited and proud to work with Specialized,” said Andy Ball, CEO of Webcor Builders. “Our

Kona’s Buck-A-Bowl Fun Raiser Earns $11,000 for Kona/IMBA Freeride GrantsKONAWORLD – The Kona Bicycle Company today announced that theproceeds from the 7th annual Kona Buck-A-Bowl Fun Raiser exceeded $11,000.The record take means that more Kona/IMBA freeride grants will be fundedand more money will be available for each grant than last year.More than 500 people competed on teams representing IBDs, manufacturers,media and friends of the industry. The crew filled all 70 lanes at thefabulous Orleans Bowling Center, and the bar.“Selling out 70 lanes for three years in a row is super exciting.

Colorado Springs, Colo. (December 21, 2004)—USA Cycling has submittedregistration materials to the UCI on behalf of 12 potential UCI ContinentalTeams, and one UCI Women’s Team in consideration for the 2005 season.Under the UCI’s road cycling reform plan, teams formerly recognizedas tier III trade teams will now be registered by the international governingbody under the new ‘Continental Teams’ moniker.Paperwork has been sent to the UCI on behalf of the following potentialContinental Teams:Colavita Olive Oil/Sutter Home Pro Cycling TeamJittery Joe’s/Kalahari Pro Cycling TeamTeam Nerac.comJelly

Technical Q&A with Lennard Zinn - Rake, trail, offset

Technical Q&A with Lennard Zinn - Rake, trail, offset

Technical Q&A with Lennard Zinn - Rake, trail, offset

Greek prosecutors have opened investigations into how an Athens laboratory blunder allowed Olympic time-trial champion Tyler Hamilton to escape a charge of alleged blood doping. The American tested positive for a blood transfusion in Athens in August after winning the Olympic time-trial gold medal. However, he was able to keep the medal because the International Olympic Committee said the result of a follow-up sample was "non-conclusive" because the sample had been destroyed by being deep-frozen. Prosecutors said they wanted to determine if the deep freezing was deliberate, negligent or

Euro Cross Camp II23 December, 2004 to 4 January 2005Goals: to provide top U.S. cyclocross riders with race preparationfor the World Championships and/or valuable European race experience ina supportive environment based in Belgium12 Riders Selected for 2004-2005:Elite Men: Ryan Trebon* USGP Champion (Kona), Barry Wicks (Kona),Erik Tonkin (Kona), Ben Turner (TIAA/CREF-Clif Bar).U-23: Jesse Anthony* (U.S. Champion/USGP Champion; cyclocrossworld.com),Jeremy Powers* (Jelly Belly), John Hanson* (NCC/Bike Reg)Juniors: Bjorn Selander* (U.S. Champion; Alan Factory Team),Charles "Toby" Marzot* (USGP

The Mailbag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.Put up or shut upDear Velo,Dick Pound needs to be set straight. I don't give a rat's rear whatyou think of Tyler Hamilton or his medical practices, but you need to shutyour mouth (see "Greekofficials investigate Hamilton case").I am not defending a possible doper - what I am doing is

The "Weekend 'Cross Wrap" is a service of VeloNews.com.Stories and results are provided by race promoters and are not producedby VeloNews or VeloNews.com. Promoters are welcome to submit race reportsthroughout the cyclo-cross season to Rosters@7Dogs.com.Reports may be edited for length and clarity. Armstrong, Cruz come to SoCalThe growth and success of the Southern California Cyclocross Cup continues to draw big names(Daniello Pontoni, Andy Jacque-Mayes, Jackson Stewart and Kris Kringle) , big fields and great races, but today's race at Pierce College in Woodland Hills featured 6 time tour

Hamilton on his way to winning the time trial stage at the Vuelta in September.

Pound: Hamilton 'dodged a bullet.'

Weekend 'Cross Wrap: Armstrong versus Santa; Jingle 'cross in Iowa

Facing a lawsuit charging that he diverted more than $370,000 of AltoonaBicycle Club funds to his own use over a 12-year period, former Tour de’Toona race director Kirk Leidy defended himself during a series of televisioninterviews last week. During the interviews, Leidy leveled allegations of his own, chargingthat ’Toona was operating as a non-profit corporation while paying itsrace committee members high commissions from sponsorship money. Leidy alsosaid he plans to bring a defamation action against Tour de ’Toona promoterRick Geist, race director and club president Larry Bilotto, and

Battle of 'Toona continues as Leidy rebuts charges

The Mailbag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.We’re all cyclists – even downhillersEditor:I live in San Diego, and have had quite a laugh at many of the letters from readers regarding the recent ban on downhilling at Big Bear. All I can say about my fellow cyclists is this: All forms of cycling are related. I'm personally not fond

In a letter to UCI president Hein Verbruggen, the Professional Cyclists Association (CPA) has complained about being excluded from discussions on the structure of the 2005 ProTour. A working group of nine members – including representatives of the UCI’s Council of Professional Cycling (CPC), the International Association of Cycle Race Organizers (AIOCC) and the International Association of Professional Cycling Groups (AIGCP) – is to be set up to resolve the problems remaining with the ProTour, particularly the dispute between the UCI and the organizers of the three grand tours – the Tour of

You don’t really need to find out what’s going onYou don’t really want to know just how far it’s goneJust leave well enough aloneEat your dirty laundry–Don Henley, Dirty Laundry It’s the slow time of the year, which means there’s not much going on in the cycling world outside of the gravity gang getting the bum’s rush from Big Bear, extortionists with false mustaches skulking around at Tyler Hamilton's website, the UCI’s ProTour galloping off in three different directions at once, and unicyclo-cross in Oregon. Jeez, what the hell is a guy supposed to write about? The big news out of Big

Francesco Moser (L) has written to UCI president Hein Verbruggen (R), to ask that riders be given a voice in the ProTour talks

'I say, one goes around with a big black mustache...'

Dear Bob,While I was away for a long weekend, I brought my bike with me on a rooftop rack. About a mile from my home, as I came down an exit ramp from the highway, an overhead telephone wire snagged my bike from the carrier. I watched my bicycle tumble across the road in my rear-view mirror. I’m now sure how much damage was done—the rear wheel is definitely bent, and the bike rack is pretty twisted. Do I have any recourse with the utility company or am I on my own?C.O.,Massachusetts Dear C.O.,There are actually two important questions here: 1. Can you go after the utility company? It is

USA Cycling has announced seven automatic nominations and 11 discretionary selections to the U.S. team headed for the 2005 UCI cyclo-cross world championships January 29-30 in St. Wendel, Germany. Automatic selections include elite men Jonathan Page and Ryan Trebon; under-23 Jesse Anthony; junior men Bjorn Selander and Charles Marzot; and elite women Katie Compton and Ann Knapp. Compton, who also races as the sighted half of a Paralympic team, declined her nomination. Page, the top-ranked American in the UCI standings, captured his third consecutive elite men’s championship title December

Heras wants fourth Vuelta ... and a Tour to go with itSpain's Roberto Heras has his eyes firmly fixed on a record-breaking fourth Vuelta a España title after organizers unveiled the course Wednesday, but admitted the Tour de France was an even bigger goal. Last year's win was the 30-year-old's third in five seasons and he now has the chance to go one better than Swiss racer Tony Rominger, who bagged a hattrick of crowns from 1992. "The Vuelta motivates me a great deal, but the Tour (de France) is an obsession," Heras told sports daily Marca after the presentation for the event, which will

Organizers of the Vuelta a España on Wednesday unveiled the course for the 60th edition of the Spanish national tour, which will see 21 teams tackle a 3239km (2012.71-mile) course in 2005. With the UCI world road championships taking place in the Spanish capital of Madrid one week after the event, which starts on August 27 and ends on September 18, the race will be a meaty hors d'oeuvre and the riders will get a chance to check out the championship course over the final stretch in Madrid. The racers will work up an early sweat right from the word go, opening with a 9km individual time trial

“That’ll work,” I told Keith Novello about an hour before the start of the elite men’s race at the U.S. Cyclo-cross National Championships this past weekend in Portland, Oregon. I was referring to his $7000 Moots Psychlo-X cyclo-cross bike, which I had just taken for a 45-second spin. He asked whether the seat height needed adjusting, and I said, “Nah, it’ll do,” drawing a chuckle from him in response. “Now I have to ride fast,” I said. Keith replied, “Don’t worry, man, it’s all gravy after this morning.”

Stronger teams, hotter weather and a much larger audience will be the likely result of the changes in store for the Vuelta a España, whose 2005 route was presented in Madrid on Wednesday. At 3239km, the course itself is 200km longer than this year’s race, with three stages over 200km (compared with one in 2004), six mountaintop stage finishes (the same), and three individual time trials (as opposed to two). The most significant change is the inclusion of the Vuelta in the UCI’s infamous ProTour. Even though the organizers of the Vuelta and the other grand tours have yet to sign off on the

The Mailbag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.Hincapie lends a hand to fund-raiserEditor:Thank you for your part in sponsoring the fund-raiser at the Frostig School in the Pasadena area this past Sunday with George Hincapie as the guest. As an amateur rider it was a a thrill to take a 20-mile ride with George, get an autograph, ask

Durand during the 2004 Giro

The 2005 Vuelta a España

George and the gang at Frostig School

More tire talkDear Lennard,I really enjoyed your recent wet-road tire discussion with Tom Petrie and Alberto De Gioannini. Just the topic I was looking for, but I'm still a little confused. I thought the cord compound made a big difference and it wasn't mentioned at all. I recall racing in the rain in a crit next to a friend who was running cotton-cord sew up tires as opposed to my silks. While we'd been comparable in bike handling otherwise, I found myself nearly sideways in corners while hewent around like on a rail. We'd pumped our tires to comparable pressures.I'm taking a group over for

Tour de France organizers have ruled out breaking new ground by starting the 2008 edition of the race in Québec City. The Tour has ventured out of France before, but only within Western Europe and never before has it crossed the Atlantic Ocean. But with American Lance Armstrong having won the last six Tours and Québec looking to celebrate its founding in 1608 by Frenchman Samuel de Champlain, the project was examined. The conclusion, however, was that it would be too difficult to organize from a logistical point of view with scores of people, bikes and equipment to move and the time zone

The 2005 USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships will return to Mammoth Mountain, California, the U.S. governing body announced Tuesday. The championships will be held September 15-18. More than 1400 athletes raced at Mammoth this past September as USA Cycling unveiled its new one-day format for crowning national champions. “We were very pleased with the outcome of the first one-day national championships in 2004,” said USA Cycling CEO Gerard Bisceglia, “Mammoth is an ideal location and we look forward to another great event in 2005.” The resort's management was happy,

The 2005 USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships will return to Mammoth Mountain, California, the U.S. governing body announced Tuesday. The championships will be held September 15-18. More than 1400 athletes raced at Mammoth this past September as USA Cycling unveiled its new one-day format for crowning national champions. “We were very pleased with the outcome of the first one-day national championships in 2004,” said USA Cycling CEO Gerard Bisceglia, “Mammoth is an ideal location and we look forward to another great event in 2005.” The resort's management was happy,