April 1/02 7:24 am - Road Nationals Update, Jeanson, UCI Rule Changes, Molday Returns?

Posted by Editor on 04/1/02
 

Road Nationals Update

The Canadian Cycling Association has finally secured a location for the 2002 Road Nationals. After losing Hamilton, Edmonton and, last week, London, it has been confirmed that the Nationals will be held in Buffalo, New York.

"Time was getting short", explained Events Coordinator Brett Stewart "and we weren't able to come up with any suitable location in Canada. So, when the Buffalo group came to us with a plan in place and city permission, we realized that we had to take advantage of this opportunity."

The Nationals will take place August 7-11, as previously scheduled. Organizer Herb Weinstein of the Action 7 Velo Club promises that the event will be still be recognizable as a Canadian National Championship, even though it is taking place across the border.

"We will be bringing in containers of TimBits and gallons of Timmies coffee. Plus, the prize list will be only 60% of what we normally give out at our local training races."

Canadian Cyclist will be providing online registration, stay tuned for details.


Jeanson Applies to UCI for Change of Category

Genevieve Jeanson (Rona) has applied to the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) for permission to compete against men in time trial events.

"It has become obvious that Genevieve has no competition in the women's category" said Jeanson's coach and manager Andre Aubut. "Genevieve is already showing that her times are as good as the men, so why not give her the chance to be the best she can be?"

Specifically, Aubut has requested that the UCI will allow Jeanson to race in the elite men's category at UCI sanctioned events where there are both men's and women's races. Interestingly, the UCI has not immediately rejected the request, and has said that they want to "study it".

So far in 2002, Jeanson has won the time trials at both Redlands and Sea Otter by convincing margins, and her times would put her in the top third of the men's field.


More Rule Changes from the UCI

The UCI continues to forge ahead with rule changes, despite considerable disagreement with their recent wheel restriction rules. The latest announcement from Switzerland concerns gearing. As of 2003, the UCI announced today, riders participating in UCI sanctioned events will be limited to no more then 6 gears on their rear cogset.

The UCI statement said "The UCI Technical Commission has become increasingly concerned about the reliance on technological innovation as opposed to the skill and physical ability of competitors. To this end, it has been decided to implement regulations under UCI Technical Rule 1.3.019."

Full text of the new rule has not yet been released, but it has been confirmed that it will include: "for massed start road and individual timed road races, licence-holders will be limited to no more then 6 cogs on the rear wheel of the bicycle."

There has been no word that similar regulations will be applied to mountain biking. Shimano and Campagnolo have both stated that they intend to appeal the proposal "in the strongest terms".

There is no word yet from the CCA as to whether these new rules will be adopted.


Molday Returns

Kirk Molday has quietly applied for a Canadian racing licence, coming full circle after moving from Canada to the USA after not being selected to the 1996 Olympic team for mountain biking.

Molday, considered to be one of Canada's top men in mountain biking in the mid-90s (finishing in the top 5 in World Cups in 1996), was bitterly disappointed after being left off the Canadian team for the Atlanta Olympics - a controversial decision that saw Andreas Hestler take his place.

Molday, who holds dual Canadian-US citizenship, moved to the US the following season to join the Trek-VW team. However, he has had disappointing results since his move, plagued by illness and injury, but occasionally showing flashes of brilliance (such as his 8th place at the Canmore World Cup two years ago).

"I realize now that my best results came in Canada. I want to get back to basics - I know that I still am competitive at the highest levels. Plus, everyone down here is always making fun of my accent."

Should Molday be allowed to switch back? Post your views in the Forums.