News briefs: ‘non-negatives’ at track world’s and other news

By VeloNews Interactive wire services , Copyright AFP2001

Italian cyclist Massimo Strazzer and Spaniard Juan Llaneras are facing six-month bans from the sport after having returned “non-negative” EPO test results at the recent world track championships.

Strazzer and Llaneras both returned the so-called “non-negative findings” from tests carried out in Antwerp, Belgium at the 2001 World Track Championships in which Llaneras won a silver medal in the Madison and Strazzer competed in the team pursuit. Currently both riders are considered innocent until the results of their “B samples” are released. If that confirms the finding of the first they will both face six-month bans by disciplinary chiefs.

“I feel as if I am having a bad dream,” the 32-year-old Strazzer told Gazzetto dello Sport in an interview published Friday. “I could not believe it when they told me. I have more than enough confidence in myself – I don’t need to rely on doping. I will contest it to the end. Either they have made a mistake or someone is doing this out of spite.”

The national federations of both men have been informed by world governing body the Union Cycliste Internationale(UCI).Copyright AFP2001Fabien De Waele signs with Mapei

Belgian Fabien De Waele has signed a two-year contract with Mapei-Quickstep, team officials announced on Friday.

De Waele, 26, has three victories to his name since turning professional in 1997. The first came in 1998 in the Japan Cup and the other two were stage triumphs this year in the Paris-Nice race and the Criterium du Dauphine Libere.

Copyright AFP2001

2001 USA Cycling “CLUB OF THE YEAR” awards open for nominations

It’s time for the annual USA Cycling Club of the Year awards. Categories include junior development, collegiate, masters, women, track and mountain bike. The deadline to return entry materials is Nov. 16, 2001. AWARD SELECTION CRITERIA 1. Race Promotion. Names of quality events hosted by the club in 2001.Include names of events that catered to junior, women, disabled and/or collegiate riders.

2. Membership Composition. Numbers of licensed members in various categories, including numbers of licensed coaches, mechanics, officials, juniors, women, masters, seniors and disabled.

3. Clinics Hosted. Numbers and types of rider clinics hosted during 2001.

4. Club Activities. Club social activities and involvement with community, schools, etc.

5. Racing Performance. Race results for club members who have excelled in USCF and/or NORBA competition.

6. Coaching Activities. Programs to encourage members to become USAClicensed coaches and activities promoted by coaches to develop riders. 7. Junior Support Program. Development programs in place for recruiting and developing junior riders, including mentor programs.

8. Women Support Program. Development programs in place for recruiting and developing women riders, coaches, officials, etc.

9. Masters Program. Development programs for supporting Master riders as well as programs Master riders have in place such as mentor programs for junior riders.

10. Track Program. Activities, clinics, events, etc. geared at increasing interest of the members and community in track events.

11. Collegiate. Development of activities for NCCA members.

Applications in PDF format are available from USA Cycling or by clicking here.