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Rivalry continues Europeans will get another shot to defeat Armstrong
NEW YORK (AP) -- Lance Armstrong and Europe's top cyclists will resume their Tour de France duels in Sydney, where a deep and talented field promises some of the hottest Olympic rivalry ever. Jan Ullrich of Germany, Laurent Jalabert of France and Alex Zulle of Switzerland will take aim at the U.S. champion, who hopes to awaken more Americans to the passions of a sport traditionally dominated by Europeans. "It's a very, very impressive field. Some of the teams are really loaded," said Sean Petty, director of the U.S. team. "There are some big weapons out there. Nearly every country has one or two guys who could win." In women's competition, France will likely set the pace. Felicia Ballanger will defend her match sprint gold medal from the 1996 Atlanta Games, while Jeannie Longo hopes to repeat as winner in the road race. At Sydney, the road race will have a different look from the usual European professional event. Instead of the typical pro team of up to 12 riders, each country will have just five cyclists. "That kind of race usually favors a strong one-day rider," Petty said. The situation bodes well for the Italians, who will be led by 1998 Tour de France champion Marco Pantani. The team also includes Francesco Casagrande, Paolo Bettini and Michele Bartoli. Other strong single day riders include Erik Dekker of the Netherlands, Peter Van Petegem of Belgium and Rolf Sorensen of Denmark. With so many variables in the road race, top cyclists like Armtrong, Ullrich and Zulle have focused their training since the Tour on the Olympic time trial. "The Olympic road race? I'm sorry but it's a lottery," Armstrong said recently. "It will be much smarter for me to concentrate my training on the Olympic time trial, which I think I have a good chance to win." Armstrong's recovery from cancer to win the Tour twice has raised the sport's profile in his home country. Yet, because American fans still pay closer attention to the Olympics, Armstrong now has an even bigger stage. "Lance Armstrong is going to the Olympics to win," said his agent and friend, Bill Stapleton. "I can't answer completely for him, but knowing Lance, I'd say anything less than a gold medal will be a disappointment." On the track, German sprinter Jens Fiedler is trying to win his third straight Olympic gold medal in match sprint. He'll be challenged by Marty Nothstein of the United States and Australian Darryn Hill. "You can't count Fiedler out," Nothstein said. "He's the two-time defending Olympic champion and I'm sure he'll be riding with a purpose." France has outstanding sprinters, led by Laurent Gane, last year's match sprint world champion, Florian Rousseau and Arnaud Tourant. That kind of depth gives the French confidence they can extend their reign as the world's top track team. They'll be tested by Germany, Spain, Italy, the United States and Australia, supported by a boisterous home crowd. "The Australians love cycling and their team won't need a lot more motivation to succeed," Petty said. "The velodrome will be full of loud, proud Australians. It will be an electric environment." France's Ballanger is the world's most dominant female cyclist, with 10 world titles besides the match sprint gold at Atlanta. Her toughest competition should come from Tanya Dubnicoff of Canada, Cuihua Jiang of China and Australians Michelle Ferris and Lyndelle Higginson. Teammate Longo has been one of the world's top women's road racers for alost a decade, winning gold in Atlanta and silver at Barcelona. Others contenders include Dana Zulute of Latvia and Australian Anna Wilson. Americans Mari Holden and Karen Kurreck give the United States strength in the women's time trial. American speedskater Chris Witty, who won two medals at the 1998 winter Olympics at Nagano, Japan, also will compete in the 500-meter time trial, trying to be the fourth person to win medals at the summer and winter Olympics. The women's mountain bike race has dozens of top riders, with Italy's Paola Pezzo defending her Atlanta gold against two-time world champion Marga Fullana-Reira of Spain, Mary Griggson of Australia and American Alison Dunlap. In men's mountain bike, world champion Miguel Martinez of France and Cadell Evans of Australia, both 24, are young but established favorites. Bart Brentjens of the Netherlands is back seeking a second straight gold medal. The road cycling events will be held in Centennial Park, Moore Park and Queens Park in East Sydney, while the track competition will be staged at 6,000-seat indoor Dunc Gray Velodrome.
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