Road News & Results – January 16, 2009

January 16th, 2009 by Ron Callahan View Comments

In today’s bicycle racing news, Stijn Devolder is sent home with a bum knee, Putin wants a Russian rider to bring home the Maillot Jaune, Oscar Pereiro returns and more…

Quick Step team leader Stijn Devolder has been sent home from training camp to consult with doctors after having problems with his left knee. His is expected to be off the bike for 10 days. (Sport.be)

Vladimir Putin wants a Russian rider from a Russian team to win the Tour de France. Katusha has an 8 year plan to develop their squad to be ready for that goal. (Velo News) http://beta.velonews.com/article/86559
Lance Armstrong has expressed interest in doing an Ironman event sometime after his cycling comeback. (SportBILD.de)
World Champion Allesandro Ballan will start his 2009 season at the Dwars door Vlaanderen on March 25th. (Sportwereld.be)
After a harrowing fall at the 2008 Tour de France, Oscar Pereiro (Caisse d’Epargne) will make his comeback at the Tour Down Under. He spent two months off the bike before starting training. (Velo News)
Rock Racing will not be issued their 2009 UCI racing license if the team cannot provide financial guarantees for rider salaries by Saturday. Team owner Michael Ball has been looking for someone to co-sponsor the team and looks to provide more money for the team out of his own pocket. (Radsport)
U.S. Cycling team Columbia-Highroad is in the final phases of training camp in Mallorca, Spain. In addition to training time, the team is reconnecting socially, checking out new equipment and getting medical tests. (Highroad Sports)