|
23.09.2006/Riis would prefer that Basso makes a DNA test, Speaking about the world championships, UCI wants to
call CAS to solve Pro-Tour conflict, Rabobank riders extend contracts, Unibet is rebuilding their squad, Milram does not negotiate
with Jan Ullrich about a new assignment
Code of conduct: no start for Basso and Ullrich in 2007?
As more and more questions about the so called "clear evidence" against Jan Ullrich and Ivan Basso are being asked several
Pro-Tour teams want to extend the suspension of Jan Ullrich and Ivan Basso on the basis of the code of conduct. The code of
conduct forbid Pro-Tour teams to led riders start if there are doping allegations against them without even being officialy
charged or convicted by their national federation or the international sports court CAS. According to the German daily Süddeutsche
Zeitung Hans Michael Holczer (DS Gerolsteiner) threatend that Gerolsteiner won't start at the Tour de France in 2007
if Ullrich and Basso start. The code of conduct which the Pro-Tour teams wanted to use untill the end of the season could
be imposed on Basso and Ullrich for the whole year 2007. McQuaid said to Süddeutsche: "They cannot start in 2007, not
with these facts, somebody like Ullrich must be without doubts."
The Swiss federation still couldn't open a case against Jan Ullrich since they are still waiting for documents from the
UCI.
Riis would prefer that Basso makes a DNA test
Thursday was a day to celebrate for Bjarne Riis. CSC riders Fabian Cancellara and David Zbriskie dominated the world
championships individual time trail with gold and silver and Danish rider Vandborh became fourth. Untill July you would have
thought that Ivan Basso could achieve a podium spot as well but a lot has happened since what is known as black friday...
Ivan Basso is still under investigation and according to the French paper Le Monde the house of a relative was searched
by Italian police this week as part of the Operation Athena. Earlier we reported that the house of Luca Paolini was searched
as well during the operation. Still it looks like Basso will get of on technivalities, the second hearing of Ivan Basso is
scheduled on September 29. Riis said yesterday that he would like to know more details.
Riis told reporters: "I would prefer that Basso makes a DNA test," he continued by saying: "The decision is his and I can't
force it but it is something I would like to see." About the lack of information Riis stated: "The events have little clarity.
I have asked for more information, also from the UCI, but still I don't know a whole lot. There s a lot of confusion."
About his close relationship with Ivan Basso, Riis said: "We are friends, but it is normal that now the relationship has
become more businesslike. It is too early to say if he will race with CSC for 2007. We will see how this event finishes."
There are rumours that Ivan Basso will leave the CSC squad.
|
| Ivan Basso during this years Giro d' Italia (picture: Cyclingheroes) |
Speaking about the world championships
On Sunday evening we will know who the new world champion will be..
Linus Gerdemann (T-Mobile): "I have relatively few ambitions for myself. It was a tough and long season for me
and I’m no longer at the top of my game. So I will put myself at the service of the team and try to support our captains
no matter what."
Stuart O' Grady (CSC): "I think the race suits me just fine, but obviously we ride like a team, so if Cadel or
one of the other guys gets a chance to escape, we play our cards the best possible way."
Erik Zabel (Milram): "We will have to pay attention to Valverde and Bettini."
Tom Boonen (Quickstep): A year ago i didn't had the feeling that i would become world champion, Now i do. Sunday
will proof if i am right or not."
Michael Boogerd (Rabobank): "I can only hope that Sunday all works out well." (Boogerd is suffering from bronchitis)
Alexander Vinokourov (Astana): "I am ready for the road race, maybe it's possible to be better there, best gold,
silver or bronze is not good enough."
Philippe Gilbert (FD Jeux): When Bettini, Boogerd, Valverde or whoever attacks, i won't let them go, i swear,
they won't ride away without me."
Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne): "Antequera (Francesco, coach of the Spanish national squad) has assembled
great riders around me, so it will be necessary to fight for the medals."
Patrick Lefevere (DS Quickstep): "I think Schumacher will be the man to beat."
|
| Tom Boonen in the rainbow jersey during this years Tour of Flanders (picture: Cyclingheroes) |
UCI wants to call CAS to solve Pro-Tour conflict
The UCI want to go to CAS in order to solve the conflict between the Grand Tour organizers and the UCI about
the Pro-Tour. CAS should decide if the Grand Tour organizers are allowed to retreat from the Pro-Tour series. The organizers
of the Vuelta Espana, Tour de France, Giro d' Italia and several classic one day races decided to leave the series after unsolved
conflicts.
Rabobank riders extend contracts
Gerben Löwik extended his contract with Rabobank. Löwik will race another 2 years for the Dutch team. Grischa
Niermann, Graeme Brown and Pedro Horrillo extended their contract with one year. Earlier Jan Boven and
Michael Boogerd extended their contract with Rabobank for one year. Boven and Boogerd are with the team since it was
founded.
Unibet is rebuilding their squad
Unibet is rebuilding their squad in able to compete on the highest level if the team get their Pro-Tour
license. Riders like Thomas Dekker, Niels Scheuneman and Jukka Vastaranta (all rabobank) are linked with the Belgian squad.
Manager Koen Terryn told reporters: "Dekker is a pupil of our manager Jaques Hanegraaf but we are busy with other captains.
With the other two there are talks."
Milram does not negotiate with Jan Ullrich about a new assignment
According to declarations by the dpa on 21 September, Milram is supposed to be in negotiations with Jan Ullrich concerning
a contract:
„Without regards to the legal position, rumours are circulating in Salzburg about Jan Ullrich being wooed
by the ProTour teams Discovery Channel, Milram and Astana.“ (dpa)
Milram clarifies:
„We do not
intend to assign Jan Ullrich for our Team Milram and we are not in any negotiations for a contract with him or his managers.
Our Team is not finally staffed for the forthcoming season yet, but Jan Ullrich is definitely not playing any role in our
plannings,“ Gianluigi Stanga, team manager of Milram, declares.
|
| Jan Ullrich and some former team mates during this years Giro d' Italia (picture: Cyclingheroes) |
|
