July 5/03 10:28 am - Tour Update, Privateer Winner, Cloutier/Gilbert, UCI News, Armstrong Tour

Posted by Editor on 07/5/03
 

Tour de France

Prologue - Saturday, July 5: Paris, Prologue TT, 6.5 km

The centenary Tour is underway! With approximately 20 riders completed or on course, Olaf Pollack (Gerolsteiner) holds the fastest time of 7:44. Don't forget to sign up for the Fantasy Tour!


Adopt a Privateer Winner

Whistler, BC, July 4, 2003 - SnowCovers Sports and Trek Bicycles are proud to announce that Nick Lacko, from Winnipeg, Manitoba is the winner of the 1st annual "Adopt a Privateer" contest.

Nick is a member of the Manitoba Provincial Cycling team and has been racing for 5 years. He was the 2002 U15 road and mountain bike provincial champion and currently rides in the U17 expert category with the Birch Mountain Bike Club.

"I am super excited to be coming to Nationals in Whistler and I am honoured to be the first winner of the SnowCovers and Trek Adopt a Privateer Contest", said Nick.

As the winner of the contest, Nick is being lodged at the Delta Whistler Resort, will be very well fed by his temporary "soigneurs" and will receive full technical and feed support during the race. SnowCovers and Trek are also handing over a swag package so that he can arrive at the Trek - VW pits in style!

SnowCovers and Trek would like to thank all who participated in the contest.
The Canadian Tim Horton's National Mountain Bike Championships will be held July 18th - 20th in Whistler, BC. For more information, visit www.whistlergravity.com.


Cloutier & Gilbert Prepare for Track Worlds
Courtesy Sean O'Donnell

We have received more information on the racing schedule Alexandre Cloutier and Martin Gilbert will use to prepare for the Track World Championships:

6 Jours de Fiorenzuola (July 3 - 8)
6 Jours de Torino (July 9 - 14)
3 Jours de Pordenone (July 16 - 18)


UCI Management Meeting Report
Courtesy UCI

The UCI's Management Committee met yesterday (July 4th) and today in Lausanne at the International Olympic Committee's offices.

Opening the meeting, the Management Committee expressed its great pleasure that the IOC had decided to integrate BMX in the Olympic Games program for the first time in 2008 in Beijing.

The Management Committee has also taken note of the results obtained in the organization of the B World Championships which will take place as of tomorrow until next Wednesday in Aigle, Monthey and the World Cycling Center. Some 360 athletes from 62 countries, which is a new participation record, are registered in competitions on the Road and Track in this event.

The Management Committee also approved the creation, as of next season, of the Women Cyclo - Cross World Cup, with a program that will be parallel to that of the Men's series.

Other important decisions of the Management Committee concerned the attribution of Indoor Cycling World Championships in 2003 to Tata, Hungary, as well as the Masters Road World Championships 2004 - 2006 to St - Johann, Austria. It was also agreed that wheels of 29 inches could be used in Mountain Bike events.

The Management Committee finally considered helmet use for track events: As of January 1st 2004, appropriate measures will be taken to settle the problem of races against - the - clock and pursuit competitions on the Track. As of today, the Management Committee has addressed a formal recommendation to all riders that they use hard - shell security helmets as well during those events.


Armstrong Tour of Hope Launched

Note: This announcement seems to quash rummours that Armstrong might race the Hamilton Worlds...

WASHINGTON, DC (July 4, 2003) - Cancer survivor and Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong is partnering with Bristol - Myers Squibb Company for an unprecedented week - long, 3,000 mile journey across the country from October 11 ˆ 18, called the Tour of Hope. Lance will lead 20 cyclists touched by cancer to inspire and inform the public about the importance of cancer research.

Armstrong is seeking 20 riders in the cancer community - survivors, physicians, nurses, caregivers, researchers or loved ones - to join the Tour of Hope team. Riders must possess the cycling ability, physical endurance, and passionate commitment to supporting cancer research. As they spin across America, team members will share their cancer experiences and encourage people to make the Cancer Promise, a personal commitment to learn about cancer and the vital importance of cancer research.

In addition, the Tour of Hope needs 1,500 cyclists to participate in cancer research fund - raising rides of 62.5 miles/100k in Los Angeles, to kick off the Tour of Hope, and a 35 - to 45 - mile ride in Washington, D.C. to welcome the cross - country riders as they conclude their journey. The Los Angeles ride takes place on Sat., Oct. 11 and the Washington, D.C. ride is on Sat., Oct. 18. All funds raised will benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation and cancer research community programs. Visit www.tourofhope.org for more information and registration.