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The law is an assVeloNews:When I read the "Legally Speaking" column lumping banana peels and used oil filters together, I had to step back and remind myself the column is "legally" correct and therefore has no connection to common sense. Let's take this slowly: Banana peels thrown in the grass are fertilizer; one-gallon jugs filled with urine are litter; banana peels biodegrade in a week; a used diaper is going to take a lot longer. Of course my mental picture is of riding down a country road, polishing off nature's perfect food and trying to clear the barbed-wire fence with the slinky

Earlier this week, McDonald’s announced that it would be phasing out “Supersizing” by the end of this year. What’s the world coming to? Since when do the wheels of progress move backwards? In one of the great innovations in capitalism, Mickey D’s found a way to take a penny’s worth of soda syrup and a nickel’s worth of French fries and tack on 39 cents to millions of orders. And now, they’re doing away with it? What, in the name of public relations? Just because they helped spawn a nationwide epidemic of obesity and health problems is no reason to do away with an institution. It’s just

Geneviève Jeanson (Rona) and Ryan Blickem (Aida’s Bail Bonds) were the fastest on the day as the 19th annual Tucson Bicycle Classic got under way on Friday. The 3-mile Old Tucson McCain Loop time trial on McCain Loop Road in Tucson Mountain Park began with a mile of fast rollers before serving up two miles of 4 to 6 percent climbing to the finish. Blickem covered the course in 7:22, 8 seconds ahead of Michael Jones (Health Net-Maxxis) and a further second up on Scott Blanchard (Eclipse). Jeanson won in a more convincing fashion, finishing in 8:20, 14 seconds ahead of Jeannie Longo and 26

'Mad Max' does it again

Gutierrez holds onto the overall

Lance Armstrong (USPS) won the battle against Tour de France rival Jan Ullrich (T-Mobile) but it was Spanish rider José Ivan Gutierrez who won the war in Thursday’s 21.8km time trial. Armstrong settled for fifth at 29 seconds slower while Ullrich finished 31st at 1:35 back, more than a minute slower than his Tour rival. While the hyped Armstrong-Ullrich showdown somewhat fizzled, Gutierrez chugged to an impressive victory against a quality field in the second stage of the five-day Tour of Murcia in Spain. “I needed a win like this,” said Gutierrez, a former national road and time trial

Dear Bob,It always bugs me when I see a rider on a group ride toss a bananapeel on the road. I know he's littering if he discards the empty gel pack,but does a banana peel constitute litter?Rich W.Illinois Dear Rich,I bugs me too. Maybe that’s why they are called litterbugs?Generally speaking I am not the guy who feels it is his responsibility,or even his right, to “police” scofflaws. However, when a person littersin public, he is polluting the environment, which, of course, belongs tothe multi-national corporations… oops... sorry, I mean all of us. Ruminating on this subject I am loath to

It's not about the licenseDear VeloNews,Call it bureaucracy, call it fair, unfair or simply logical (see"Jeansongets U.S. license"). As a competitor myself, and without goinginto the issue of one's getting a license from Canada versus from USA Cycling, I just want to know if Ms. Jeanson is going to give her fellow competitors a reason why she tested with a high hematocrit before world's last year. Like a few years ago, Paola Pezzo never bothered to explain to any of us competing against her as professional mountain bikers how she tested positive for Nandrolone. That same year, as she won

The race is off to a good start for the team with another victory for Max and USPS/Berry Floor. Our directors have a bit of a competition running, as there are currently two Postal race programs, one for the classics and one for the smaller tours and Ardennes classics. I think Johan is now up on victories, 4 to 2 against Dirk. The past few weeks in Europe have been frigid with snow in Majorca, Barcelona and throughout much of the rest of Europe. Races have been cancelled and training sessions have been indoors. It was a relief when we arrived in Almeria in the south of Spain on the

Legally Speaking - with Bob Mionske: Is that a banana in your jersey pocket?

Gutierrez

Dear Monique,In a previous article you discussed hypoglycemia symptoms follow apre-exercise meal of carbohydrates. I have experienced this on random periods-usually after my morning coffee and bagel, and then setting out on a run.Generally this happens a mile out, and may last for the next two milesbefore passing. During the reaction period I slow down and just try tomaintain activity. What should one really do when this happens?Thanks,K.Dear Monique,I train before work and get up, get dressed, and am immediately onthe bike, usually for 1-1.5 hours. So, should I slam down an orange juiceand

The hyped first confrontation of the season between Lance Armstrong (U.S.Postal Service) and Jan Ullrich (T-Mobile) didn’t last long. The pair was all smiles as they posed with race favorite Alejandro Valverde(CV-Kelme) before the start of Wednesday’s opening stage of the Tour ofMurcia in Spain. But strong crosswinds forced a split in the peloton and Ullrich rolledacross the finish line with 42 other riders more than seven minutes behindArmstrong. José Antonio López (Illes Balears) was the day’s main protagonist, going on a solo move that held out until 30km to go despite the strong winds

It was only logicalHi,As a competitive cyclist in Canada, I am in awe of GenevièveJeanson's talent (see "Jeansongets U.S. license"). The level of racing in Canada can't compareto U.S. or international racing. Yet Geneviève Jeanson is at thevery top of the sport at the international level. Clearly she has the talentas well as the necessary ambition and support to compete at that level.Over the past several seasons she has provided inspiration to aspiringyoung cyclists in Canada. It is rare for such a talent to emerge from the Canadian scene, andbecause of this I am quite unhappy

It seems as though the off-season may be the most dangerous part of the year for the world’s top gravity racers. First Chris Kovarik broke his ankle in September, then Brian Lopes snapped his leg in late February. Now comes word that British downhill star Tracy Moseley has broken her wrist. According to a report issued by Moseley’s Kona-Les Gets trade team, she was riding back home in England when she came up short on a set of double jumps and landed badly. The result was a “clean break of her radius.” At the time Moseley was with friend and fellow pro Scott Beaumont, who looked after her

Sorta like the swallows returning to Capistrano, one of my regular annual duties is to bundle-up and head out to Bloomington, Minnesota, for Quality Bicycle Products' annual open house. One of the largest bicycle distributors in the United States, QBP opens its door every February to interested shop owners who are keen on getting a glimpse at some of this year's latest technology. Representatives from many of QBP’s clients make the trip out, set up a booth and profess the merits of their products. In short, it’s a really mini-Interbike without the cigarette smoke, slot machines or

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Salanson died from heart failure at the age of 23

The wind was a factor on Wednesday

Ullrich's doing this early race at his own pace

MTB News: Moseley breaks wrist

Cane Creek's Peter Gilbert shows off the improved $50 Ergo Control II bar end that cleverly integrates with an ODI-style locking grip ($27)

Just who is that sporting the highly sought-after VeloNews messenger bag? Why, it's none other than Shimano's Chris DiStefano with hints of '05 technology. Much improved Ultegra anyone?

Deda Elementi's frontman Fulvio Acquati came up with this clever campaign to garner interest in passerby. The Italian manufacturer's new modular TT bar is less expensive than the popular Aero Black and offers increased ease of adjustability

ITM's Eric Sakalowski shows off the beautiful carbon $599 Sword bar/stem combo.

Nokian's Steve Ritchey shows off the NBX Lite which utilizes the company's legendary car snow tire rubber compound for increased traction and durability

These clipless XPedo pedals weigh just a scant 220 grams and cost a hearty $249

Thomson's new Masterpiece road seatposts are a thing of beauty at 193 grams and $139 (27.2, 330mm)

Vetta's Brian McGorrahan shows off the clever $25 Tube tool which incorperates 18 tools, 180 degree pivoting ratcheting driver and LED lights

Park Tool's John Krawczyk shows off the company's latest high-end workstand, the $250 PRS-15

The beautiful Salsa Las Cruces 'cross bike gets even better in '04 with the addition of a carbon disc-ready fork

PN2004imagefiles

Map Tof Flanders

PN2004imagefiles

Former world Madison champion Robert Sassone, who is being investigated after drugs were found at his home, tested positive for a steroid derivative last year, officials announced Tuesday. Traces of betamethasone, a glucocorticosteroid, were found in Sassone's urine sample after the Six Days of Noumea race, which was held in the French Pacific territory from November 28 to December 3. The use of glucocorticosteroids, which are used to treat asthma, is strictly limited under the rules of cycling. In January, a French judge took the first step towards formal charges against the 25-year-old

Dear readers,I don’t know about all of you, but I’m getting tired of talking aboutchains, even though the mail keeps pouring in about them. I do want toadd, though, that Shimano's Wayne Stetina just told me that he would neveradvise flipping over a 10-speed chain, so this method is only for 9-speedand lower.Leaving chains, here are a couple of related questions to which a singleanswer might suffice.LennardFreeing up my freehubDear Lennard,I have your "Zinn& The Art of Road Bike Maintenance" book but would like to knowwhere I can find or purchase specific instructions on how to remove theMavic

Don't hold backVeloNews,Regarding Bradley McGee's comments in Monday's EuroFile (see "McGeelashes out"), Now, c'mon Brad, tell us what you really think...Darryl HuculakVictoria, British Columbia, Canada Take down the wall of silenceDear editors,I read with interest the statement of Brad McGee as reported on yourweb site concerning his defense of the reputation of cyclists in the peloton. On a human level, I can well understand Brad McGee's feelings, assumingof course that he is clean. Sadly, this is the point: I think most cyclingfans, indeed the wider public, cannot be certain as to

CLIF BAR & VeloNews are excited to present: An evening all about bike racing, highlighting the '04 Colavita Olive Oil Pro Cycling Team as well as USPRO Champ Mark McCormack's impressive '03 season. First we'll tap a few kegs and fire up the pizza oven, then we'll sit back for an evening all about bike racing, highlighting the '04 Colavita Olive Oil Pro Cycling Team as well as USPRO Champ Mark McCormack's impressive '03 season. Please join us!Hang out with fellow cycling fans, chat it up with the folks from CLIF BAR, and meet the Colavita Olive Oil Pro Cycling Team riders - all while

News ReleaseFor Immediate ReleaseDahon and S.D.G. Join Forces On Saddle ProjectNew I-Beam Model to Incorporate Flex Feature Duarte, California, February 16, 2004 -- Dahon California, Inc.,the world leader in folding bicycles, and California-based bicycle seatdesigners S.D.G. (Speed Defies Gravity), have collaborated to make Dahon’s2004 premier bike models lighter and more versatile than ever. S.D.G.’sunique I-Beam system, which employs a single composite “rail” molded intothe base of the saddle, versus dual metal rails, saves significant weightand roughly triples the fore-aft adjustability

Former world four-cross champion Brian Lopes suffered a compound fracture of his left leg Sunday while riding a four-wheel ATV vehicle in Savannah, Georgia. According to a report on the Web site www.stiksandstones.com, the vehicle lost traction and rolled over, catching Lopes’s left leg between the vehicle’s roll cage and the ground, breaking his left tibia. Lopes is currently undergoing surgery at a Savannah hospital. Doctors expect him back on his feet in three months, the report added. This incident continues a brutal run of bad luck for Lopes, who missed most of the 2003 season after

After Canadian refused a race license in Quebec, Jeanson gets a USA Cycling license.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFEBRUARY 19, 2004Rock Out with Andy Hampsten and A President of the United Statesof America at the Seattle International Bicycle Expo 2004Seattle - To kick off the 2004 cycling season, Hampsten Cycles celebrates the introduction of their new time trial bike, the Vetriolo, with an appearance by Andy Hampsten at the Seattle International Bicycle Expo. In addition, the enigmatic and idiosyncratic Hampsten brothers have enlisted Seattle-based rock musician, Dave Dederer, singer/guitarist for The Presidents of the United States of America, to assist in the Hampstenbooth.Steve

Tuesday's mail bag: Right on Brad, shut up David, quit repeating yourself VN

Sassone at world's in 2001

Jeanson meets the press in 2003

A vehicle similar to this was involved in the accident.

Unipublic, the organizer of the Vuelta a España, on Monday releasedthe list of teams participating in this year’s event. The race is slated to start in Leon on September 4 and finish on September 26 in Madrid. Teams selected by world ranking1. Fassa Bortolo (I)2. Quick Step (B)3. T-Mobile (G)4. Saeco (I)5. Iles Balears-Banesto (Sp)6. Cofidis (F)7. Rabobank (Nl)8. Liberty Seguros (Sp)9. U.S. Postal Service (USA)10. CSC (Dk)11. Alessio-Bianchi (I)12. Euskaltel-Euskadi (Sp)13. AG2R Prevoyance (F)14. Phonak (Swi)Invited15. Brioches La Boulangere (F)16. Cafe Baque (Sp)17. Colchon (Sp)18. Kelme

While most of us are busy trying to catch-up with what’s going on with2004 suspension, most manufacturers have long been working on their 2005product lines. Fact is, says Manitou’s Joel Smith, that company is “pushinghard to put the finishing touches on 2005 and move ahead with our 2006product line.” How’s that for looking ahead? Manitou invited VeloNews to Phoenix, Arizona, last month to spenda weekend riding its new 2005 fork line. While the California-based suspensionmanufacturer will unveil new improvements throughout the full range ofits 2005 line (later this summer) Smith figured it

Dear Joe and Dirk,I am planning to work full time at a bicycle shop starting in Marchand am also working on upgrading to Category 2. Finding time to ride willnot be too much of an issue, but I am concerned about being on my feetfor seven to eight hours a day, four or five days a week. How much willthis affect my recovery and racing? Will it have a noticeable effect onmy peak fitness? Should I do harder workouts in the morning or after I have been standingall day? I look forward to hearing your input.CoreyNew Hampshire. Dear CoreyHaving a job in which you stand a great deal can be tough when

Seattle, WA. –  Component manufacturer Full Speed Ahead will increaseits presence in the European professional peleton by supporting no fewerthan 16 Division One and Two road teams during the 2004 season.In addition to supplying its new wheelsets, handlebars, stems, seatposts,headsets, bottom brackets and carbon cranksets, more top teams will nowuse the super aerodynamic VisionTech aerobars and brake levers.New teams added for the 2004 season include UCI #2 ranked Quickstepled by UCI #1 rider Paolo Bettini. Quickstep will use Full Speed Aheadcranksets and bottom brackets. Also added for 2004

Vicenza, February, 2004 – A few years ago, the Metal Series linewas the trailblazer for Campagnolo sportswear. We wanted the sportswearto be instilled with the same Campagnolo spirit as the components and thiswe achieved. Technology, attention to detail, elegance and class are thespecial features of this sportswear line. Clothes for people who like to dress elegantly every day and expectthe same quality and style when they engage in their favorite hobby: cycling. The Metal Full Zip jersey is in an extremely soft, light, tough HydroFit® fabric that breathes. The special treatment of the

Subaru of America, Inc. recently renewed its support of the acclaimed Subaru/IMBATrail Care Crew through 2006. Launched in 1997, the Subaru/IMBA Trail CareCrew program has led more than 1,000 trail projects, trained more than35,000 people in sustainable trailbuilding techniques and logged half amillion miles of coast-to-coast travel in its official Subaru vehicles.The award-winning program includes two full-time, professional teamsof trail experts who travel North America year-round, leading IMBA TrailbuildingSchools, meeting with government officials and land managers, and workingwith

CLIF BAR & VeloNews are excited to present: An evening all about bike racing, highlighting the '04 Colavita Olive Oil Pro Cycling Team as well as USPRO Champ Mark McCormack's impressive '03 season. First we'll tap a few kegs and fire up the pizza oven, then we'll sit back for an evening all about bike racing, highlighting the '04 Colavita Olive Oil Pro Cycling Team as well as USPRO Champ Mark McCormack's impressive '03 season. Please join us!Hang out with fellow cycling fans, chat it up with the folks from CLIF BAR, and meet the Colavita Olive Oil Pro Cycling Team riders - all while

If last weekend’s results from Cyprus are any indication, give Jeremiah Bishop and Mary McConneloug the early nod as favorites in the chase for spots on the U.S. Olympic mountain-bike team. Each grabbed victories at the Voroklini International, a UCI E1-rated race on the island nation that sits off Turkey’s south coast in the eastern Mediterranean. The win was McConneloug’s fourth straight. She also took victories in the final three races of the four-race E2 Cyprus Winter Cup series contested in February. According to the official event report, the men’s race saw a group of four riders —

John Tomac knows how to take full advantage of new technology

Tech Report: A look ahead with Manitou

Monday's EuroFile: Vuelta teams announced; Millar all wet; Ullrich relaxed; Sastre wants more; McGee not happy

Jeremiah Bishop

Canberra’s Oenone Wood, 23, (Australian Institute of Sport) has proved unstoppable yet again sprinting to her 12th and most impressive victory of the year so far when she outclassed an international field on Sunday to claim honors in the opening round of the UCI women’s road cycling World Cup Series in Geelong, Australia.“I’m ecstatic to win this round of the World Cup,” said Wood after her win. “I have pay tribute to my team because they’ve looked after me all season and I couldn’t have done it without them and there’s such a positive atmosphere in the Australian team at the moment.Wood was

Dutch rider Steven De Jongh (Rabobank) was fastest in an eight-up sprint to win Sunday’s cold and blustery Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne race in Belgian. De Jongh, winner of last year’s GP E3-Harelbeke, nipped Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) and Gerben Loewik (Chocolade Jacques) a day after snow forced the cancellation of Saturday’s Het Volk. Thirty-eight riders jumped off the front as the peloton split coming over the Old Kwaremont climb as U.S. Postal’s George Hincapie and Max Van Heeswijk set a blistering pace. Quick Step was well-placed and controlled the lead group coming into the final circuit

This past week in Australia we have felt as though we were stuck in a broken record. We have had one field sprint after another, starting in the Geelong Tour and ending in the Geelong World Cup today. Our team did not have a sprinter here with legs at the finish to contest the podium, and we knew this after day one in the tour. We tried our hardest to force a different outcome in each of the races, but we never had any luck forging a breakaway that would stick to the finish. Last year at the Geelong World Cup, a breakaway went almost at the beginning of the race. The wind was blowing, and

Team GT Africa won stage two of The Cape Epic mountain-bike race in South Africa on Sunday, as the South African duo of Jacques Rossouw and Shan Wilson outsprinted Team Focus-Rocky Mountain (Mannie Heymans of Namibia and Karl Platt of Germany) and overall leaders Team Fiat Rotwild (Andi Strobel of Germany and Silvio Wieltschnig of Austria). The 123km stage, which began in Saaslveld/George, crossed the famous Montague pass and the arid, extremely hot Klein Karoo desert before winding up at Calitzdorp Spa. U23 World Cup champion Liam Killeen of Great Britain pushed the big ring on Montague

De Jongh pips Bettini at the line

Snow and freezing conditions have forced the cancellation of the first of the 2004 "spring classics," the Omloop Het Volk. A wet cold front dropped snow over Belgium early Saturday, covering the route between Gent and Lokeren, creating dangerous conditions on some stretches of cobbles. Race officials waited for improvement, but finally opted to cancel the event for only the third time in its 59-year history. "We couldn't guarantee the safety of the riders," race director Wim Van Herreweghe said Saturday. Promoters remain confident that Het Volk's usual follow-up race,

USA Cycling has announced the formation of its U23 national mountain bike team. The program is an effort to develop top American espoir mountain bike athletes. The ultimate goal of the new U23 team is to generate gold medal finishes at world championships, the Pan American Games, and the Olympics. “By providing valuable coaching and preparation resources, and exposure to top domestic and international competition,” said team director Matt Cramer, “we hope to nurture the development of these athletes to help them become top international competitors.” Team members were selected through

Five-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong has hinted he could retire at the end of the season but admits he might find the prospect of losing this year's Tour de France too hard to swallow. The 32-year-old Texan is targeting a record sixth win in cycling's blue-ribbon event and admits retirement is a thought. But he told The Times newspaper in London on Saturday: "I can't imagine being retired 12 months from now. But I'm open to the possibility there will be a tap on the shoulder and someone says 'time's up'. "This could be my last year. If I lost I don't know if I would say, 'Okay,

Alexandre Usov (Phonak) muscled to a sprint victory in Saturday’s fifth and final stage of the Tour of Valencia while Alejandro Valverde (CV-Kelme) sewed up the overall title. Saturday’s 165km final stage hit a Category 2 climb early on, then rolled back into Valencia where the bunch came in for a mass gallop. Sunny skies returned after several days of rain, but heavy winds continue to wallop the peloton. It was an impressive week for the 23-year-old Valverde, who won two stages and otherwise controlled the race, held in the same region that is home to the team’s new sponsor, Communidad

Gordon McCauley (Monex) won the Tour de Temecula’s opening De Portola Time Trial on Friday. McCauley covered the 12-mile out and back course, with its short midpoint hill, in 24:48.9. Daniel Ramsey (Team Seasilver) took second in 24:54.6, followed by Thurlow Rogers (Jax Trek-VW) in 24:58.5. Jeannie Longo won the women’s TT in 27.25.1, ahead of Susan Cooper (Bicycle Johns) in 27:48.3 and Catherine Powers (Dasani La Grange) in 28:25.4. Today brings the Wine Country Road Race, held on an 8.5-mile circuit. Men will do 10 laps, women six. The tour concludes Sunday with the Temecula Grand Prix,

Team Adidas Fiat Rotwild was the first to cross the finish line on Saturday as The Cape Epic, an eight-stage mountain-bike stage race in South Africa, got under way. The 750km stage race, which began on the Garden Route in Knysna and ends March 6 at the Spier Wine Estate, just outside Cape Town, will send its 273 teams through the Western Cape and across some of the most magnificent mountain passes in South Africa. Each team consists of two riders, who must stay together throughout the race. The first stage, a 120km leg that gained 3050 meters of elevation as it crossed the Outeniqua

Italian Franco Pellizotti (Alessio-Bianchi) won the hilly, chilly GP di Chiasso on Saturday as the Swiss racing season opened in near-freezing temperatures with the remnants of a recent snowfall on the roadside. The 166km course began with seven circuits of 12km each, followed by five trips around a 16km loop that extended and enhanced the day’s climbing. A seven-man group escaped on the third lap and built a margin of 1:35 before Viktor Rapinski (Navigators) bridged up near the end of the fourth lap. The foursome stayed away until the first of the large circuits, where the field swept them

Icy conditions on some portions of the course forced cancellation

Chocolade Jacques' Chris Peers chats with reporters while awaiting the officials' decision.

There's not much to do on a day like this, except stand around and talk to the announcer

Peers warms up with a cup of java.

Mario Cipollini will make his long-awaited return to the Tour de France this year after organizers issued the seven remaining wildcard invitations for this year's race Friday.Fourteen first division teams have already qualified for the race in accordance with their UCI (International Cycling Union) rankings at the end of last season.Organizers have left open the possibility for a 22nd team to be added to the list at a later date.Cipollini has missed the world's biggest race for the past two years, with his non-inclusion last year during the race's centenary edition causing an uproar in

In the upcoming U.S. road season preview issue of VeloNews, we present “20 things to watch” in American racing in 2004. There are some obvious selections, such as how Chris Horner will fare with the Webcor team, and others not so obvious. And, of course, there are a few things that didn’t make the cut or got overlooked. So, in anticipation of that issue hitting the streets in two weeks, here’s the Notes list of five more things to watch. Charles Dionne. Less than two years ago, the Canadian sprinter was the up-and-coming star in North America after winning the San Francisco Grand Prix to

Italian Alessandro Bertolini (Alessio) claimed what will be a memorable overall victory on the final day of the Tour of Lucca in Altopascio, Italy, on Friday. The fourth and final stage of the Italian season-opener was won by Florent Brard (Chocolat Jacques), a victory made easier for the Frenchman by the absence of most of the peloton. On Thursday, organizers disqualified 120 riders – including Italian sprinters Mario Cipollini and Alessandro Petacchi – after they were deemed to be taking too long to finish the stage, a situation which had also been decided by the need for locals to regain