February 2/02 11:14 am - Italian Racing Troubles, Decore to Race `Cross Worlds, Birthday

Posted by Editoress on 02/2/02
 

Italian Racing in Trouble Again

On Friday the UCI unanimously decided to suspend the Italian Cycling Federation (FCI). A decision that, if applied, could see Italy lose all races on the UCI calendar in 2003. Italy would lose the the 2003 Cyclo-Cross World Championships and all Italian riders would be banned from international events -specifically all World Championships.

This decision is related to a quarrel between former world champion Luc Leblanc, of France and the owner of POLTI.. Luc Leblanc was fired in December `98, just prior to the end of his yearly contract. French former world champion Luc Leblanc has been involved in a legal action since 1999 against the Italian company Il Gabbiano, former proprietor of the cycling team Polti, for what he claims are unpaid wages.

Under UCI's regulations, when a rider is not paid, the national federation must pay the sum while it awaits the outcome of the case. The union demands a bank guarantee from the federation to cover such situations, but the Italian federation has refused to pay Leblanc.

The Italian Federation has just one way to avoid the sanctions, and that is to pay a the fine by June 1/02.

This decision is just one more "log on the fire" to the problems that have been plaguing the FCI - the doping scandal in 2001 at the Giro, the suspension of racing in Italy in June and the finger pointing at racing in Italy in general...... all of which have left an "impression" on the cycling world.


Canada to Have Representation at Cyclo-Cross Worlds

Matt Decore (Alberta) will be on the start line at the 2002 World Cyclo-Cross Championships in Zolder, Belgium. Matt is listed on the list of 85 starters for tomorrows 2pm (local time) start for the elite men's race.

Happy Birthday to.... Trish Sinclair, celebrating a birthday today.