June 13/01 8:50 am - Lemond Dumps Mercury, Lachine(fr), Race Face & Bell Sports Split, DH Camp

Posted by Editor on 06/13/01
 

Lemond Pulls Out of Mercury

Lemond Cycling issued the following statement yesterday:

LeMond Ends Agreement with Mercury Cycling Team

Richmond, VA (12 June 2001) - LeMond Cycling, the endorsement company of Greg LeMond and Shadetree Sports, its cycling team contract partner, announce the termination of the co-title sponsorship arrangement with the Mercury Cycling Team, run by John Wordin Sports, due to certain conditions which were the foundation of the agreement that put them together.

LeMond Cycling and Shadetree Sports will be looking to energize an independent team for the next racing season.

The confidentially of the agreement does not allow for interviews at this time.

While there is nothing further at this time, it is likely that the the "certain conditions" referred to is the inability of the team to get an invitation to the Tour de France, a rather unrealistic expectation for a first year Division I team. It is also fairly obvious, given the timing of the announcement, that not winning the USPro Championship was a factor in the decision.


Victoire de Cloutier tandis que Gilbert conserve le maillot jaune aux Mardis cyclistes de Lachine

Lachine, Québec - 12 juin 2001. Le vétéran Alexandre Cloutier de la formation Volkswagen - Les Ailes a remporté la deuxième tranche des Mardis cyclistes, épreuve présentée au Parc LaSalle de Lachine. L'athlète, qui avait terminé deuxième au classement final du Grand Prix de Charlevoix deux jours plus tôt, a devancé dans l'ordre au sprint final son coéquipier Martin Gilbert, Czeslaw Lukaszewicz (Champion canadien l'an dernier) et Martin St-Laurent, également porte-couleurs de Volkswagen - Les Ailes. Mentionnons que la photo-finish a été nécessaire pour déterminer le gagnant de l' épreuve.

Partis dès le dixième tour de l'épreuve, St-Laurent et Lukaszewicz ont roulé ensemble jusqu'à ce que le futur vainqueur de l'étape, Alexandre Cloutier, les rattrape. Quelques tours plus tard, c'était au tour de Martin Gilbert de rejoindre ses deux collègues et Lukaszewicz.

" L'échappée de Martin (St-Laurent) et Czeslaw (Lukaszewicz) n'était pas bonne pour le classement de notre équipe ", a indiqué Cloutier après la course. " J'ai tenté d'organiser la chasse du peloton, mais ce dernier a plus ou moins réagi. Quand j'ai vu ça, j'ai décidé d'aller rejoindre les deux autres en avant "

Martin Gilbert a lui aussi utilisé une tactique similaire à celle de Cloutier, à la différence près qu'il était étroitement surveillé en tant que titulaire du maillot de leader. " Quand j'ai vu que (Dominique) Rollin et (Jean-François) Laroche étaient mal placés dans le peloton, j'en ai profité pour attaquer ", a expliqué Gilbert, qui conserve son maillot jaune. " J'ai dû mettre les gaz pour rejoindre les gars. Ça a été mon sprint... "

Quant à Martin St-Laurent, il n'a pas semblé du tout déçu que son échappée ne se soit pas rendue jusqu'au bout: " Je termine quatrième et je suis content ! Ça ne m'arrive pas souvent de marquer des points aux Mardis cyclistes. Deux gars de l'équipe sont sur le podium et c'est qui compte. "

Les autres membres de la formation Volkswagen - Les Ailes, Pascal Choquette, Corey Gladish, Cory Jay, Bruno Langlois, Martin Nuckle, François Parisien et Marc-André Salois ont terminé dans le peloton.


Race Face and Bell Sports end Distribution Arrangement in Canada

Vancouver, B.C. - Race Face Components Inc., one of North America's leading producers of high performance mountain bike components and clothing, is, effective immediately, ending their five year distribution arrangement with Bell Sports for the Canadian market.

"For the past five years, we have had a very productive relationship with Bell Sports in Canada," said Craig Pollack, President of Race Face. "They have been a great partner and have helped grow our business considerably in this market. Times change and we presently feel the need to go in a different direction for the coming seasons regarding our Canadian distribution. We thank Bell Sports, and all their employees, for all the hard work they have done on our behalf over the past five years."

"We are presently finalizing our new distribution strategy for the Canadian market. We will have an announcement soon regarding how we will proceed for the upcoming season. In the mean time, dealers can contact Race Face directly for sales, service, and warranty requirements. Race Face is committed to maintaining, and even increasing, the high level of service to Canadian dealers that has been provided by Bell Sports over the years," said Pollack.

Race Face Bicycle Components Inc. is a manufacturer of high-end performance mountain bike components and clothing. Sixty-five full-time employees currently produce cranks, bottom brackets, chain-rings, seatposts, handlebars, headsets, and a life-style cycling clothing line for sale in thirty countries worldwide.


CCA Downhill Camp
Courtesy CCA

Downhill experts from the National Team will be accepting applications until June 20th for the following camp:

June 27, 28 National and National Development Downhill Camp, on Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver, BC.

This is a two day, non-funded event. With the opportunity one week before the Grouse World Cup, to participate in an intensive skills and training workshop, as a fore-run to the World Cup. Camp will include video, timing, coaching (from Andrew Shandro and Elladee Brown), mechanic and lift passes.

The cost to the athletes will be transportation, accomodation and food. Max. number of athletes will be 15.

Any interested athletes wishing to submit their names or requiring further information contact before June 20th, Andreas Hestler (ahestler@aol.com) or Andrew Shandro (ashandro@axion.net)

This will be on a first-come, first-serve basis, so please submit early, including your race results over the last years. Age and ability will be considered with past and present results.