(Photo: Roberto Bettini)

Ivan Dominguez Rejoins Rock Racing

After a five-month stint with the European ProTour outfit Fuji-Servetto, Ivan Dominguez has returned to racing in the United States with a new deal with Rock Racing. Dominguez initially signed with Rock Racing before the 2009 season, but left the team in early January to accept a spot with Fuji-Servetto. His return to domestic racing was a personal decision, he said, based on a desire to be closer to his family and the races he loves.

"Racing in Europe was a great opportunity, but this is where I want to be," Dominguez said. "Michael Ball left the door open for me and I’m grateful for the chance to be a part of this team again."

Team owner Michael Ball was equally pleased to have a new star sprinter back on his roster.

"We knew it was a dream of Ivan’s to race in Europe and completely supported his decision to pursue that dream," Ball said. "I told Ivan he would always have a place on this team and I meant it. We are glad he’s back and look forward to his contributions throughout the rest of the season."

Dominguez, who was often referred to as “The Cuban Missile" due to his Cuban heritage, was granted U.S. citizenship Feb. 26. He defected to the United States while competing with the Cuban national cycling team at the 1998 Goodwill Games in New York City. Since turning professional in 2000, the 33-year-old has won stages at the Tour of California, the Tour of Missouri and the Tour de Georgia, in addition to victories at a number of major one-day races in the U.S.

Two stages of the Tour will see riders racing without the crutch of race radios

(Photo: Roberto Bettini)

Radio-Free Tour

The UCI's Management Committee announced on Thursday that it had granted approval for radio earpieces to be banned during two stages of the upcoming Tour de France. Long a source of controversy and debate, the radio connection between riders and their team cars have become ubiquitous in the pro peloton. This year, as many continue to suggest that radios be taken out of the equation, the Tour de France will provide a proving ground for a return to the more tactical days of old when riders made their own decisions out on the road. Stage 10 (July 14) from Limoges to Issoudun will offer up a first road test, followed by a radio-free day in the lower mountains of the Vosges on stage 13 (July 17).

ProTour Plans for North America

The UCI Management Committee also confirmed Thursday the possibility of two ProTour races to hit North American shores in 2010. Race organizers in Montreal and Quebec City have requested four-year licenses for the events, provisionally scheduled for September 10 and 12. The licenses are subject to a successful bid process. Organizers of teh Tour of California have also requested a ProTour license beginning in 2011. Next year's event in California will shift from its February time slot to May 16-23.

2012 Track World's to Melbourne

The 2012 Track World Championships will return to Melbourne Australia, where the event was previously held in 2004. Melbourne is already slated to host the world championship road race in 2010.

Kazakh Support for Astana

The Khazakstan government has agreed to back cycling's Astana outfit for the rest of the 2009 season, including the Tour de France, a team spokesman said on Thursday. The promise of support guarantees the involvement of seven-times Tour winner Lance Armstrong and 2007 winner Alberto Contador in the race which starts at Monaco on June 4.

"It was impossible to imagine our team being outside the world's greatest event," said Astana team manager Johan Bruyneel, who confirmed there would be no change in the team's line-up of riders. "It means we can look forward to the next races. For us this is a fresh start," he added.

Last week, Astana team said that financial problems were being resolved, avoiding possible expulsion from this year's Tour. Outstanding differences have apparently now been settled between the Kazakh cycling federation, the team's licence-holder, and the UCI, which had threatened to rescind the team's Pro-Tour competition license after the team's riders were reportedly not paid for two months.