News

Belgium's former world road racing champion Alberic "Briek" Schotte died Sunday at the age of 84, only minutes after the start of Sunday's Tour of Flanders, a race he'd won twice over the course of a 20-year pro career. Schotte died shortly after 10:00 a.m. Sunday at a clinic in Courtrai after suffering from lung problems, according to his son Johan. Born in September 1919 in Kanegem, in Flemish speaking Belgium, Schotte was a professional rider between 1940 and 1959. He became world champion in the Dutch town of Valkenburg for the first time in 1948, and won the rainbow jersey again two

In a bid to secure its place among the ranks of the top teams taking on the UCI’s ProTour, the Dutch banking consortium Rabobank has extended its sponsorship of the cycling team that bears its name for an additional two years. The bank, which has sponsored the team since 1996, will continue to do so until the end of 2008. Beginning in 2005, teams on the ProTour circuit will be able to have four-year licenses, in accordance with new UCI regulations. Milan-San Remo winner Oscar Freire, American Levi Leipheimer and Dutch riders Michael Boogerd and Erik Dekker are among the team's most

The day's first major move had some real horsepower...

...including Postal's Tony Cruz

Briek Schotte (R) hands a magnum of champagne to Belgian sprinter Tom Steels for winning the first stage of last year's Tour of Belgium

The best sprinter in the break, Wesemann lived up to expectations

The winning move

Despite appearances, these three actually won the race

Hincapie works his way up the Grammont

Springtime in Flanders

Despite troubles en-route, Freire managed to hold on to the World Cup lead.

MONTEREY, Calif. (April 2, 2004) — Building on its reputation as North American cycling’s most inclusive cycling festival, the Hyundai Sea Otter Classic has partnered with top professional road cyclists and coaches to offer a road cycling skills clinic at the April 15-18 event, held at Laguna Seca Recreation Area in Monterey, California. On Sunday morning, April 18, Team Basis, along with Wenzel Coaching, will run a road cycling clinic as part of the Sea Otter Road Bike Tour. The clinic will start concurrently with the Sea Otter Classic’s new Road Century, and will include a 40-mile ride

The hardest working man in show business is bringing down the curtain on his career

You cannot have a proud and chivalrous spirit if your conduct is mean and paltry; for whatever a man’s actions are, such must be his spirit.DemosthenesThird Olynthiac A colleague recently described one of those cheery encounters that help make American cycling what it is today: an obscure, cliquish activity whose elaborate and inexplicable pecking order would be the envy of any chicken run. My colleague was out for a ride on his ’cross bike, saw another cyclist on a road bike, and had the audacity to give him a friendly greeting — which, naturally, was haughtily ignored. Three times this

What looks like an asterisk? (Hint: It's riding a bike, and won't return your friendly greeting.)

The Lion of Flanders in last year's Ronde

The Mail Bag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com, appearing each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 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@7Dogs.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.A VN cover-up? Dear Editors Why doesn't the picture of the "English photographer" enlarge? (see "Harvest of Shame: What Price Beauty?") My guess is the culprit is Graham Watson, and you buy lots of his pictures. An honest piece of journalism would

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commissionannounces the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below.Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwiseinstructed. Name of product: Mongoose aluminum 20-inch-wheel “D-XR AL” mountainbicyclesUnits: About 14,000Manufacturer/Importer: Pacific Cycle Inc., of Madison, Wis.Hazard: The rear shock absorber allows the aluminum, dual-suspensionframe to flex severely, causing the frame to become unstable and break,posing the risk of injury to riders.Incidents/Injuries: Pacific Cycle Inc. has received two reports

Varineau in Paris

Varineau's fields just one year later

The color match is more than mere coincidence

An all-too-common sight in France every July.

'The Englishman' in 1994

April Lawyer rides the lightweight air-sprung Reba

The key to RockShox's new damping system-the Motion Control damper system found inside the right leg of PIke and Reba forks.

The PopLoc and PopLoc Adjust remote shifter allow the rider to activate/deactivate the amount of pedaling platform

Steve Peat hammers the longer-travel Pike fork through Bootleg Canyon

By now, the image is standard on posters in dorm rooms, bike shops and offices all over the western world: The peloton of the Tour de France zooming across the sunlit country roads of France, weaving its way through fields of golden sunflowers; bright, beautiful and precisely the tone of the legendary maillot jaune. The image is a classic, emoting visions of idyllic country life, families peacefully enjoying France’s spectacular summer, interrupted only by the momentary passing of the world’s greatest bicycle race. Sadly, a Thursday news conference in Paris underscored just how much of a

Five-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong and his new companion, nine-time Grammy Award winning Sheryl Crow, have recorded a duet at Armstrong's home in Girona, Spain, and will release the single in conjunction with this year's Tour. The song, titled "Love and Life," features both lead and backing vocals from U.S. Postal Service-Berry Floor rider. "I'll probably catch a little flak about this from the guys on the team," Armstrong said, "but it won't be the first time. Besides, you only live once, right?" As reported in the Spanish newspaper AS, the song was recorded over the March

Armstrong and Crow: Making music together

Introducing Team Haro-adidasComing off its best season of racing ever, with two NORBA National andone UCI World Championship title, the Haro boys are back on the attackaiming for more podium finishes in 2004. Although the team will be sportinga whole new look and a new name, the Team Haro-adidas roster remains relativelyunchanged.Long known for its support of athletes of all disciplines includingcycling, adidas joined Haro as a sponsor in 1997.  “Our relationshipwith adidas goes back a long way and we value their continuing support”said Haro President and CEO Jim Ford.So what’s with the

Bodrogi set the mark for the stage...

Dear Bob,I flew from N.Y. to L.A. with my bike in a cardboard box. I paid around $100 dollars for the bike and signed some paperwork. When the bike arrived the top tube was bent and it was clear the box was badly treated along the way. I called the airline and they said I signed a release and that either way I must have packed the bike improperly. What can I do?Diane ShelbyDana Point, CA Dear Diane, That fact that the airline said that you must have packed the bike improperly seems quite presumptuous. Although airlines may compensate up to $2500 per passenger for loss, damaged or delayed

...but Hincapie's time was all he needed to take the overall.

Mountain Bike Camps in Rossland BC Rossland, B.C. – The DevineRIDE Bike Camps are proud to announce their inaugural season of bike camps for youth, women-only and co-ed in Rossland on selected weekends from June to September 2004. The DevineRIDE Mission Statement is simple: Have FUN, Get FIT, Be FAST. Whether you are a beginner or advanced rider DevineRIDE offers you appropriate skill sessions and afternoon rides to take you to a new level of ability and self-confidence. DevineRIDE Mountain Bike Camp is located in Rossland nestled in the Monashee Mountains of the West Kootenays of

So what else can be said about Chris Horner’s ride at Redlands? The guy is clearly a super talent, and I often waver between enjoying watching him race in the States and wishing he were over in Europe. In an interview he’s wildly entertaining, and he’s proven over the pastthree years that he’s the strongest man racing in America. Perhaps HealthNet’s John Lieswyn said it best when, after trying to chase Horner downon Oak Glen with a group containing strongmen like Adam Bergman (Jelly Belly-Aramark), Jurgen Van Den Broeck (U.S. Postal-Berry Floor), Glen Mitchell (SierraNevada) and British

Colorado Springs, Colo. (March 31, 2004)--USA Cyclingannounced today the team that will represent the United States at roundthree of the UCI Track World Cup in Manchester, Great Britain April 9-11.The men’s team will consist of Giddeon Massie (Colorado Springs, Colo.),Marty Nothstein (Orefield, Pa.), Adam Duvendeck (Colorado Springs, Colo.),Christian Stahl (Bethany, Conn.), Colby Pearce (Boulder, Colo.), JamieCarney (Boulder, Colo.), Walker Starr (San Diego, Calif.), Andy Lakatosh(Trexlertown, Pa.), and Mike Tillman (Santa Monica, Calif.).The women’s team will be represented by Tanya

IMBA has released a comprehensive review of scientific studies that examine the impacts of mountain biking on trails, vegetation, and wildlife. The collection of scientific studies indicate that mountain biking is no more damaging than other forms of recreation, including hiking.IMBA's review, titled "Natural Resource Impacts of Mountain Biking," looks at all the available studies that have measured the impacts of bicycling and other trail use. "Like all forms of recreation, bicycling does affect natural resources," said Gary Sprung, IMBA's senior national policy advisor and author of the

Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood: The best domestic rider not at Redlands

Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood: The best domestic rider not at Redlands

Horner, O’Neill and Green after Oak Glen in '03

After the International

Pope John Paul II meets the Amore e Vita team in St. Peter's Square

The feed zone - Nutrition Q&A with Monique Ryan - Another cuppa Joe?

Colorado Springs, Colo. (March 30, 2004)--As part of its mission to make fitness a way of life, 24 Hour Fitness Team Sports is again offering the online group sales program for its National Governing Body (NGB) partner, USA Cycling. From April 1 through April 30, 2004, documented USA Cycling members will be able to purchase 24 Hour Fitness memberships and personal training online at significantly discounted rates. The pricing structure is tiered to allow the greatest flexibility for USA Cycling members. Family add-on opportunities are also available. Enrollment information is available

March 30th - Verona, Italy Third selection at the Biblo’ disco club in Desenzano: Tuesday evening (29 March) the beauty contest “Miss Mondiali” selected other three finalists, everybody from Verona. Actor Fabio Testi was a member of the jury. Some of the candidates came either from Veneto Region or from other regions. The winner is Giada Biasia, 21 years old from Verona. The second place went to Valeria Zanchi (23 years old, from Verona) and the third position to Silvia Bonandi (23 years old, from Rivoltella). Actually, now there are nine finalists for the final evening scheduled for 30th

HAVERHILL, MA-Mavic-adidas Cycling announces today the introductionof the brand new adidas Cycling web site, www.adidascycling.net. This fully interactive site allows individuals to view clothing, shoes,and accessories of the most recognized sports brand in the world. The site offers in-depth technical descriptions, news; features on adidassponsored athletes, such as Tim Johnson and the T-mobile squad, and upcomingevents."We are excited to step into the nineteen-nineties by putting adidasCycling on this so-called ‘information super highway’ chortled marketingdirector Christopher Zigmont

Hondo wins; Hincapie takes third.

March 29 - Beauties on the walk in the name of the sport: the second selection of the beauty contest Miss Mondiali, that took place last Saturday night at the Barcelona Club of Bussolengo, brought to the election of three new candidates to the role of rewarders of the next Cycling World Championships. 22-year-old Veronese Valentina Seruggeri received the highest number of votes (she has already participated in some important telecasts and was a finalist in the beauty contest Miss Italia). The other finalists that will partake in the 30 April’s final at the Hollywood of Bardolino, are

NORRISTOWN, PA (March 29, 2004) – The Pro Cycling Tour (PCT) announced today an agreement with Gita Sporting Goods, Ltd. naming Giordana Clothing as the Official Cycling Clothing Sponsor of the 2004 Pro Cycling Tour and its events in Philadelphia, New York City, Vail, and San Francisco. As the Official Cycling Clothing Supplier of the 2004 PCT, Giordana will produce all Pro Cycling Tour merchandise, and feature PCT and event merchandise in its catalogs. In addition, Giordana will receive prominent visibility and co-branded media opportunities at Pro Cycling Tour events. Speaking for Gita

The team leaders of the Rabobank Cycling Team, Erik Breukink, Frans Maassen and Adri van Houwelingen, will call Oscar Freire Gomez, Michael Boogerd and Erik Dekker to arms on April 4th for the Tour of Flanders. As the latest winner of Milano-Sanremo, Oscar Freire Gomez will defend his leading position in the UCI World Cup. Freire, Boogerd and Dekker will be accompanied by Marc Wauters, Maarten den Bakker, Karsten Kroon and Steven de Jongh. A choice will be made between Robert Hunter and Roy Sentjens for the eighth position. Marc Wauters and Maarten den Bakker will be in the Rabobank Cycling

HAVERHILL, MA - Mavic-adidas Cycling announces today the initiation of a multi-year footwear and accessory relationship with Tim Johnson of the Saunier Duval-Prodir professional cycling team. Johnson, originally from Middleton, Massachusetts, will ride with adidas Cycling shoes and related accessories for racing and training and will participate in the development process as well. “We are thrilled to have Tim on board. We have a focus on emerging talent at adidas and no one represents the promise of young American talent more than Tim.” offered Christopher Zigmont, Marketing Director for

Armstrong: 'still lacking... power'

Millar was just one second back

Horner has dominated throughout

Bessette has proven more than capable of taking on Jeanson

A dangerous break with lots of power...

... was watched closely by the two top teams.

When he has a clear shot, Dionne easily gets the win

Never give up. Demar's efforts pay off

... and finished it right, as well.

Voigt started his day right...

Voight repeats at C-I

Beloki's season debut

Candelario looks happy, doesn't he?

Horner catches a ride on the Health Net train

Candelario

Tina Pic grabbed the right wheel

T-Mobile's Armstrong savors a stage win

Bessette puts the hammer down

Racer leader Jeanson felt flat

Health Net took another run at Horner with Pate off the front

The day went to Dominguez, and Horner remained in control