World Champions crowned, Cooke misses out
Oscar Freire (Spain) won the men’s road racing championship for a third time yesterday, taking the Sprint from German fast man Eric Zabel. Judith Arndt (Germany) took the women’s title, sadly Nicole Cooke finished a lack lustre 24th, however she was philisophical afterwards when talking to her website www.nicolecooke.com:
“It’s another bitter disappointment, but it’s different to the Olympics.”
“In Athens I was right there and I know that I could have won it. Today though I just wasn’t strong enough. In some ways it’s just a little easier to come to terms with because by the end it was clear that I couldn’t win.”
“Going into the race I was convinced I had a good chance of victory despite some signs leading up to the race that maybe I wasn’t in the shape I would have like to have been. In the end it wasn’t as hard a race as I think it could have been, and on the penultimate climb I was in the right place and thought I could still be there on the final time over the top and then maybe contest a sprint finish.”
“I’ve had some very good wins this year,so despite the problems and the disappointments it hasn’t been a bad season. Now though I can’t wait to get on with the winter I didn’t have last year so I can go into 2005 stronger than ever.”
National Trophy Cross
Rolling back the years, ‘veteran’ International MTB star Nick Craig won the first round of the National Trophy Cyclo-Cross series in Matlock yesterday. Top international rider Matt Ellis was in second and promising ‘crosser Jody Crawforth in third. Ex-Tour rider Adrian Timmis (Pinarello) finished in fourth.
Results:
1. Nick Craig Team Persil
2. Matthew Ellis OnOne
3. Jody Crawforth Evans Cycles
Ferarri splutters
Cycling specialist doctor, Michele Ferarri, has received a suspended sentence by an Italian court for: “sporting fraud and of writing too many prescriptions”. He was, however, cleared of administering drugs in a manner harmful to health. Lance Armstrong, who is one of many famous cycling clients of Dr. Ferarri, said following the news:
“I was disappointed to learn of the Italian court’s judgment against Dr. Michele Ferrari. Dr. Ferrari has been a longtime friend and trusted adviser to me and the USPS team, during which time he never suggested, prescribed or provided me with any performance-enhancing drugs. I was pleased to hear that Dr. Ferrari was acquitted of the charge of providing illegal drugs to athletes. I am not surprised by that verdict. However, I have always said that I have zero tolerance for anyone convicted of using or facilitating the use of performance-enhancing drugs.”
“As a result of today’s developments, the USPS team and I have suspended our professional affiliation with Dr. Ferrari as we await the release of the full verdict, which will contain Judge Maurizio Passarini’s reasoning. In the meantime, I personally wish the very best for Dr. Ferrari and his family during this difficult time.”
The Hills are alive…
The hill climb season is upon us. If you didn’t know, these are seasonal events, usually up the steepest hill the organiser can find in their district. They are great for spectators as the riders come up one at a time, at one minute intervals, TT style.
Get down to the ‘four hills weekend’ in the southeast for a great atmosphere:
16th October
11:00 Brighton Mitre – Steyning Bostal 1672yds
14:00 Brighton Mitre – Mill Hill Shoreham 4682yds
17th October
11:00 Catford CC – Yorks Hill, Goathurst Common 650yds
14:00 Bec CC – White Lane Titsey 700yds
Hill Climb Championship
The National championship hill climb is on 31/10/04
The event is based in Elsdon Village (Northumberland) which is on the B6341 between Otterburn & Rothbury. The event HQ is Elsdon Village Hall, 300yds from the start of the hill.
The Hill is on an unclassified road known locally as “Winters Gibbet” is 2.2 miles long with an initial gradient of 1 in 6 for approx 300-400yards. Ouch.
The Finish is opposite the “Hangmans Gibbet”, very appropriate.
If you fancy a trip and a great day out. Information about local accommodation is available from the event organiser Ray Luckett (01670 353682)
And for more about Hill climbs go to:
And coming up on RCUK this week, some stuff we missed last week…
Some cross stuff tested
Racing cross, what’s it all about?
MORE Etape news as it happens…
