All of your bicycle racing news: August 26, 2010

In today’s cycling news, Petacchi in for Vuelta despite questions from CONI, Cavendish motivated for Worlds, first week of Vuelta one for the sprinters and more….

• Quick Step manager Patrick Lefevere is not entirely satisfied with the season of Kevin Seeldraeyers. The Belgian climbing sensation, who last year won best young rider in the Giro, took aim this season at the Tour, but that went wrong by a disturbed preparation. “Kevin made much progress with us in his first year, but stagnates now” says Lefevere. “I think it is time that he wakes up. He must also be 100 percent professional.”
• The more Mark Cavendish hears that the World Championships are too hard for him, the more motivated he gets. He thinks that the Vuelta will be ideal preparation for the Worlds.
• Cavendish will appreciate that the first week of the Vuelta is expected to favor the sprinters. The starting stages are far from flat, but the climbs come far enough away from the finishes to make it easy for sprint teams to set up.
• Lampre has included Alessandro Petacchi in its Spanish Vuelta squad even though the sprinting standout could face a doping suspension from the Italian Olympic Committee. Petacchi was questioned by CONI’s anti-doping prosecutor Tuesday after being linked to blood doping by a prosecutor in Padua. CONI could issue a preliminary ban ahead of a trial before the committee’s anti-doping court.
• Stefan Schumacher hopes for a start at the Giro del Veneto on August 28th. His two year doping ban expires that day and he has a German license waiting for him, but he is still awaiting confirmation from the UCI before he can race. Schumacher had served a two year suspension for using CERA during the 2008 Tour of France. He still dreams of the Tour de France. “The 2011 Tour: I do not rule out. But that’s not just in my hand, “said the former Gerolsteiner captain.
• George Hincapie needed 18 stitches to close the wound in his right knee after crashing heavily during the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah. He still hopes to be rehabilitated in time for the U.S. Pro Championships in a little over a month.
• Andreas Klöden has extended with the Radioshack squad. “There are few changes in the team,” said team manager Johan Bruyneel. 20 drivers have already extended their contracts, including Klöden, the seven-time Tour winner Lance Armstrong and Levi Leipheimer.” When asked about rumors that Chris Horner and Janez Brajkovic want to leave the team, Bruyneel said: “Of course it remains with us, the contracts are pending.”
• CrossVegas organizer Brook Watts announced today a boost to the prize list for the top three spots in the Elite Women’s race. Terming it a “podium bonus,” the top three finishers will receive $500 added to the UCI-mandated prize list. While still lower than the Men’s prize list, the top three spots for the Elite Women will now pay  $766, $687 and $643, respectively.

Other Results:

• Leif Lampater and Christian Grasmann have won the Six Days and Nights of Oberhausen. In an exciting finale, they bested the pairings of Franco Marvulli / Alexander Aeschbach and Luke Roberts / Graeme Brown, who finished second and third, respectively.