January 13/03 9:31 am - Burnaby 3 Day, Ullrich Decides, Minnaar Leaves Global

Posted by Editor on 01/13/03
 

Burnaby Velodrome to Host Indoor "3-Day" in February
Courtesy Jeremy Storie

The only indoor velodrome in North America, the 200M Burnaby Velodrome in British Columbia, Canada, is pleased to announce its second race series event of the 2002/2003 indoor track season.

The 3 day event will draw Canadian and American track riders from Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton, Seattle, Portland, and other points from across Canada and the United States. A unique facility in Canada and the USA, the Burnaby Velodrome is excited to be hosting the race, its second major event since re-opening on September 4, 2002, and its first since the installation of a new roof in January 2003.

Racing begins Friday night with the flying 200M qualifying heats. Saturday and Sunday will see a number of mass start, sprint and timed events including points races, miss-n-out, scratch race, kilometer, keirin, Olympic sprint, and Madison. Also of note will be a Learn to Race clinic run Wednesday and Friday evenings prior to the February 14-16 event. These clinics will include race entry fees for first time racers with their own category on the weekend.

The November Race Series event was well-attended by track athletes from BC, Washington and Oregon. US Masters Champion Kenny Williams of the Saturn of Bellevue team won the Men's A Category Omnium.

Sponsors of the event include Rudy Project, Tim Hortons, La Bicicletta, West Point Cycles, Power Bar, and Rocky Mountain Bicycles.

Early bird registration ends Feb 12, 2003.

For more race event information and registration details, contact Race Director Rosemary Pritchard (rpritchard@grantthornton.ca) or visit the Burnaby Velodrome website: www.burnabyvelodrome.ca

About the Burnaby Velodrome

The Burnaby Velodrome is located 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver and is home to Canadian National Track Cycling Team member Mandy Poitras, Canadian National Jr. Road Team members Marsh Cooper and Cameron Evans, and North American Masters Track Champion, Ted Ritter. The wooden track was opened in 1997 and is 200M long and 6M wide, with 47 degree banking in the corners.

Burnaby Velodrome
Harry Jerome Sports Complex
7564 Barnet Highway,
Burnaby, B.C.
V5A 1E7


Ullrich Makes His Decision

Former Tour winner Jan Ullrich has ended the speculation over who his future team will be by announcing that he plans to sign with Team Coast in the next few days. Ullrich has been wooed over the past few months by Coast and CSC (who appeared earlier to have the German locked in) after he could not reach agreement with his former Telekom team. The offer is reputed to be in the high 6 figures for 3 years.

Coast and Ullrich both currently have controversies hanging over their heads - Coast for for allegedly not paying some of last year's riders; and Ullrich for being under suspension for drug use. Ullrich has also stated that he is still having knee concerns that will slow down his return.


Greg Minnaar Released from Global Racing
Courtesy Global Racing

Over the past weekend Greg Minnaar was released from his 2003 Global Racing contract allowing him to pursue a place on another team for the coming season. 23 Degrees Sports Management, the owners of Global Racing, have assisted Greg with this move so as to ensure he has a secure ride for the upcoming race season. His new team is expected to announce his signing later today.

"Obviously Greg has been a major part of Global Racing and we are very proud of all he has achieved for the team. He is the consummate professional. With things still uncertain for Global Racing in 2003 it was simply not possible for Greg to wait any longer, and we fully support his decision to find another ride", said Martin Whiteley of 23 Degrees today.

"I have had some incredible experiences in the past two or so years at Global Racing and I am still very much a big supporter of what the team stands for. One thing that gives me a lot of pride is that if the team does secure funding in the next month or so, I know there will be a place for another African rider, and that will be cool. I have always wanted to see more Africans on professional cycling teams. Right now I am both looking forward to my new ride, and looking back at a great experience", said Greg this morning from his home in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

23 Degrees Sports Management continues to pursue sponsorship and has some good leads that will not be fully confirmed one way or the other until the first week of February. The team owners felt it wasn't reasonable to ask a former World number 1 to wait that long and then possibly have no ride.

All the athletes and staff of Global Racing were all told at the end of season 2002 that they were free to look for other employment, as we had no guarantees on the table. While we regret that riders need to move to other team, we prefer that they have a secure future instead of waiting for a deal that may not actually eventuate in 2003.

If there is no team racing in 2003, the brand "Global Racing" will continue, with the view of returning to racing as soon as possible. If we are successful in finalizing a sponsor in the next month, we will also make that announcement at the appropriate time.

As owners of the brand, 23 Degrees Sports Management continues to trade, and remains active in many other areas, such as event and business consulting, athlete management in cycling and motor racing, and running commercial training camps.

Greg Minnaar will continue to be managed by 23 Degrees Sports Management, and so will his successful Big Air Training Camps www.BigAirCamps.com

We obviously wish Greg all the very best in his new venture and thank him for all he has done for Global Racing and the fans.