Beloki to La Boulangère

ケーキ屋ベロキちゃんになっちゃうのか。真っ赤なジャージもお似合いかもね・・・たまげたなぁ、もう。
しかし、すったもんだの末にラ・ブランジェール行きとは。あそこと宝石屋（ジャンドゥラツール）はフランスのチームという印象が強かったんだけど、思い違いしてたわ。あのチームにはひそかに私が「赤玉君」と呼んでいるシルバン・シャバネルが所属している。*1

Joseba Beloki, who yesterday announced that he had selected a team for 2004 but declined to give its name, will be heading to France for the coming season. Spanish newspaper Marca reports that Beloki will sign a two year deal with the Brioches La Boulangère team managed by Jean René Bernaudeau, and this has been confirmed by Beloki's agent Pablo Arregui. The arrival of the 30 year old Beloki will provide the team with a leader for the grand tours and seemingly assure an invitation to the Tour de France.

Several teams had shown interest in signing the ONCE leader, who three times has reached the podium in the Tour de France, however La Boulangère was not on most observers' lists. Gerolsteiner, Saeco, and Lampre were among the contenders, though Beloki himself denied any links to Saeco. Brioches La Boulangère is expected to give a press conference Friday morning, with Beloki and his lawyer Pablo Arregui likely in attendance. Beloki will bring his younger brother Gorka to the team, however a the addition of a larger entourage of ex-ONCE teammates, and Abraham Olano as directeur sportif, appears unlikely.

Beloki this week called off negotations with the Italian firm Stayer, which had tapped him as team leader for a new formation, along with Olano as team director.

Beloki the Baker!

The long running Joseba Beloki transfer soap is finally over.

The rider has signed a two year deal with Jean René Bernaudeau’s Brioches La Boulangère team. The 30 year old, who has been on the podium of the Tour de France three times in four years, will bring with him his brother, Gorka.

Mikel Pradera is also expected to sign for the team within the next 24 hours, according to Beloki’s lawyer Pablo Arregui, who will be holding an official press conference tomorrow.

The “Baker Boys” were not on most commentators' lists of likely candidates for the signature of the Basque rider, and with his signing the team roster next year will be:

Walter Bénéteau (Fra), Joseba Beloki (Spa), Gorka Beloki (Spa), Franck Bouyer (Fra), Anthony Charteau (Fra), Sébastien Chavanel (Fra), Sylvain Chavanel (Fra), Anthony Geslin (Fra), Maryan Hary (Fra), Christophe Kern (Fra), Rony Martias (Fra), Franck Renier (Fra), Didier Rous (Fra), Thomas Voeckler (Fra), Jerome Pineau, Laurent Lefèvre (Fra), Mickaël Pichon (Fra), Mathieu Sprick (Fra), Alexandre Naulleau (Fra), Mikel Pradera (Spa).

La Boulangère had a successful season in 2003 starting 27th in the UCI teams rankings and finishing 19th. Although outside the automatically qualifying teams for the Tour de France, it is almost certain that the French team will get an invite to the 2004 Tour de France which is Beloki’s main aim for next season.

Up until today the completely French roster of the team has been a mixture of experienced pros - Walter Bénéteau, Franck Bouyer, Didier Rous - and young guns - Sylvain and Sébastien Chavanel, Maryan Hary and Jerome Pineau.

"Mimo" Sylvain Chavanel is a great prospect who has lived up to his potential so far. He had another great season in 2003, winning the Tour du Haut Var and the time trial stage of the Circuit Cycliste Sarthe et Pays de la Loire; a genuine Tour prospect who has the opportunity to learn from a podium placed rider - seems like an ideal combination, or possibly a marriage from hell.

Certainly it is a “baker's dozen” move by the Brioches La Boulangère team, a team renowned for its hard work and determination and refusal to give up. It is certainly a coup for the “Baker Boys” if Beloki gets into yellow - public interest in France will be animated. The prospect of Beloki and Chavanel working together could be the story of 2004.

Team manager Jean René Bernaudeau is most famous for his support of Bernard Hinault during “the Badgers” glory years in the Tour de France. The team has the reputation of being one of the “cleanest” in the sport. See more about Beloki in Tick's Blicks below.

*1:何で赤玉君かっていうと、下り坂が得意な選手なのだが、後ろからのエアロポジションがどーしても、ケツばっかり強調されてて、しかもシャバネルの尻はまん丸で、ジャージは赤いからだ。