July 17/02 10:54 am - Cipollini Will Not Race in NY, Bicycle Industy Loses Long Time Supporter

Posted by Editor on 07/17/02
 

Mario Cipollini Pulls Out of New York City Cycling Championship

New York - July 17, 2002 - Mario Cipollini will not compete in the inaugural New York City Cycling Championship presented by BMC Software as previously announced. Despite receiving a signed engagement contract from Cipollini's team manager, Vincenzo Santoni, on July 9, 2002, event organizers Threshold Sports were notified today that Cipollini's sudden and unexpected retirement announcement from the sport meant that his New York appearance would be canceled.

"While we can try to enforce his contract, we can't make the Lion King ride his bike if he doesn't want to," said David Chauner, president and CEO of Threshold Sports LLC, the company that organizes the event. "Several other top pros have expressed interest in racing in New York and we hope to fill Mario's spot quickly."

Three-time Tour de France Champion Lance Armstrong, and 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist Marty Nothstein are among the field of top international cyclists who will race through the streets of Lower Manhattan on August 4. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is the official charity of the event, which also includes a pro women's race, Celebrity Chase and BMC Software Corporate Challenge.

Note: We have received confirmation that Gord Fraser will be heading over from the Commonwealth Games road race the day before in time for the New York race.

Further Note: I just returned from Corsica a few hours ago, where I was attending the press launch for the 2003 Specialized line (a report and photos will be going up in the next few days). Specialized sponsors Cipollini's Aqua et Sapone team (with a line of team stuff scheduled for next season...). They were very anxious to find out what their star rider's plans were! Cipollini was supposed to take a chopper in to meet with us (and go for a ride!) but, sadly, that did not happen. At this point, the bets are (even from the team representative who was in Corsica) that the Lion King will "un-retire"


Bicycle Industry Loses Long Time Industry Supporter

It is with deepest personal sorrow that we advise you of our loss of our valued friend and long time co-worker Elizabeth Eckert, who passed away July 16th after a courageous battle with Cancer. Elizabeth was our corporate credit manager and a true Norco pioneer having been employed with us for over 32 years. Her dedication and professional manner has been a major factor in the continuing success of Norco, and she was greatly respected and loved by many in the bike industry here in Canada.

I know many of you have had the great pleasure to have met Elizabeth over our many years of business, and would appreciate us letting you know of this loss. Our thoughts are with her family, her husband Brian and daughters Chandra and Chloe and others at this time.

Sincerely,

Jim Harman
President,
Norco Performance Bikes