April 1/05 12:40 pm - Shep Sponsored, Delhi Track Grant, UCI Rule Change, Pound & Verbruggen Feud Escalates

Posted by Editor on 04/1/05
 

Shep Gets Hair Care Deal

Haro mountain bike pro Chris Sheppard has signed an exclusive deal to promote Mankind personal grooming products. Mankind, a British-based male grooming products company, picked Sheppard because "he is a prime example of a Mankind man - rugged yet gentle, earthy yet sophisticated." said founder Hilary Andrews. "We plan to cover Chris head to toe in Mankind."

Sheppard is equally happy to be a Mankind Man. "When you look good, you ride good. I use all the Mankind products - Hair No More, Anthony (Clay Mask) and Molton Brown shower gel. Fantastic!"

Sheppard will also appear in ads for Mankind and conduct grooming clinics as selected races.


CCA-Hamilton Foundation Declares First Grant
Courtesy CCA

The CCA Foundation, set up after the Hamilton World Championships in 2003, has announced that it is prepared to hand out its first grant. The recipient will be the Windham Centre track in Ontario, who will use the $5,000 award to turn the venue into a year-round cycling facility. The funds will be used to buy a big tent and a couple of spaceheaters, with anything left over going towards lighting.

"Eastern Canada needs an indoor facility, and the Windham group came forward with, to our minds, the most feasible plan." stated a representative of the Board.


UCI Goes Back to Basics

In a surprising return to the 1970's, the UCI has announced after their Management meeting at the Track Worlds last weekend in Los Angeles that they will be turning the clock back on rules regarding clothing and sponsorship logos.

Shorts will be required to be black, with a side panel (for sponsor logos) that is no more than 20 centimetres wide. Restrictions on the number of logos will be instituted as well and socks, if worn, must be white.

It appears to be an attempt to return to the "good old days" of the sport. There does not appear to be any truth to the rumour that clipless pedals will be banned.


Pound and Verbruggen Continue to Feud

Dick Pound, head of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and UCI President Hein Verbruggen continue to take potshots at each other. The latest salvo was fired by Pound, who said during a press conference "that Hein guy, what a wienie; I hear that he's a real momma's boy." Verbruggen, upon hearing of the allegation, briefly broke down into tears, but quickly rallied, stating "Oh yeah? Well, what kind of dumb name is Dick? Dick, Dick, Dick..."

The fight is scheduled for behind the lunch room after school - pass it on.