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North Strathae and Oslanburg fail to qualify to 1579 Women's Brigidnan Cup
By Milena Baumgarten
Published: Marth 5, 1579


Goalkeeper Miett Szlávics became unexpectedly Keszaria's heroine in Herlev.


Herlev, Oslanburg - A piece of history died yesterday in Gladsaxe Stadium, Herlev. Keszaria, not Oslanburg, will qualify to the 5th Women's Brigidnan Cup, to be hold in Kazemura, after Oslanburg surprisingly lost against Keszaria at home. Oslanburg had participated in every Brigidnan Cup since 1563, but following the elimination of the Florinthian team in the qualifying group stage as well, the Lanlanian team becomes the only national team to have participate in every Brigidan Cup.

Oslanburg had won 1-2 in Keszaria, a result which was probably too short, as the Oslanburg team had dominated the match and had clear chances to increase their victory. Anyway, the result seemed comfortable enough to face not much challenges in the second match of the playoff, two weeks later in Oslanburg.

The first minutes of the match seemed to repeat that same patter, with the Oslanburgan team controlling the match, and having a few clear chances, which forced Keszarian goalkeeper Miett Szlávics to save the goal at least twice during the first fifteen minutes. It would the Keszarian team, however, who would hit first, after a corner kick on minute 21'. Keszaria striker Edina Ormandy headed to goal, which was cleared by the Oslanburgan goalkeeper at first, but the Keszarian defender Hajna Gabor scored without opposition almost on the goal line.

But Oslanburgan team did not lose the calm, as the Keszarian team needed to score another to goal to qualify, and kept controlling the match. They would effectively equalize the match on minute 44, before the end of the first half, when Oslanburgan striker Merete Daumberg scored the 1-1 after a long collective move by the Oslanburgan team, in which the Keszarian goalkeeper was not very fortunate.

The second-half started with a few clear chances by both teams, which they failed to score. It would be a 30-metre shoot by Keszarian captain Csenge Kálmán which changed the match, after her shoot was diverted by touching an Oslanburgan defender, surprising the Oslanburgan goalkeeper. Now the playoffs were unexpectedly equalised, and the Keszarian team came back to their defensive formation. No more goals were scored during the rest of the match and the extra-time, although the Oslanburgan team had a few clear chances saved by goalkeeper Szlávics, included a penalty kick failed by Daumberg only ten minutes before the end of the 120-minute match. Unexpectedly, the qualification to the Brigidnan Cup was going to be decided by a penalty shootout.

Players of both teams were not exactly impressive in the penalty shootout, with most penalty kicks being missed, ending in a final 2-1. But Miett Szilárd became the heroine of the night, after saving another three penalty kicks. Before Szilárd save her fourth penalty kick of the night, Merete Daumberg failed another penalty shooting wildly over the bar, while Kálmán's penalty kick was saved by the Oslanburgan goalkeeper. Following the last penalty kick, the Keszarian players celebrated their first qualification to a Brigidnan Cup as it was itself a title, while disappointed Oslanburgan fans started to leave the stadium, with some Oslanburgan players bursting into tears.

On the other playoff-match, Severyane qualified after defeating North Strathae 1-2 away. The Marzannan team had equalized the playoff quickly, after midfielder Aksyonova scored during the first five minutes. In the second-half, striker Bulgakova scored the second goal for the Severyan team. The Strathaen team tried to react, scoring their only goal in the injury time, but it was already too late, and Severyane could qualify to the Brigidnan Cup for first time, crushing the hopes of the Strathaen fans.

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Svarnan cycling faces suspension after another doping scandal
By Richard W. Wallace
Published: Dosa 1578


SCA headquarters.


Dyrnberg, Dyrheim - The Sioran Cycling Association's General Assembly passed a resolution approving the suspension of the Svarnan Cycling Federation for two years, already announced as a provisional decesion by SCA's Executive Council a few months ago. Once the second and final report on doping and violation of SCA rules is finished, the suspension of the Svarnan Cycling Federation is expected to be increased to five years, unless the Svarnan authorities are able to convince the SCA delegation. It is believed, however, that is not likely, and the Svarnan Cycling Federation will be excluded from the SCA until late 1584, which would exclude the Svarnan national team to participate in World Championships and continental championships.

The decision by the General Assembly came only two weeks after the SCA confirmed the sanctions against 28 Svarnan riders, most of them from the now defunct Mahindra Cycling and Tata Cycling teams, for systematic doping from 1572 to 1578. Most of them received a two year sanction, from Alvan 1579 to Alvan 1581, and their results to be annulled from the period 1572-1578. The lawyers of a few of those riders have announced that they will appeal that decision, although that will not affect to the decision already entering into practice.

As consequence, Svarnan Brahma Chowdhury was deprived of his third position in the 1576 Tour de Valland, which would be officially granted to Oslanburgan all-rounder Cai Nordskov. Chowdhury, along his teammate Sujay Mhasalkar, who won several Grand Tour stages between 1573 and 1577 were deprived of their victories as all their results in that period was annulled as well. Tripada Persaud, first and only Svarnan rider to have achieved four times the top ten in Grand Tour races was also affected by the result. Persaud was also deprived of his five general classification victories on the Tour de Svarna. As consequence, Mutara Gasana who ended second in 1578 Tour of Svarnan, three minutes and three seconds behind Persaud, is proclaimed winner of the race, becoming the first East Tambossan cyclist to win a SCA Global Tour cycling race.

On women's cycling, the decision affected the 1576 Tour of Pythos, who was won by Svarnan Veneeta Patel, which Adwestene Dana Clifford and Hôinômese Thao Thu Mai as second and third, respectively. As result of the decision, Patel was deprived of the title, being Dana Clifford proclaimed winner of the Tour of Pythos that year, becoming the second Adwestene to win the female Grand Tour, with Thao Thu Mai and Sainamese Etsuko Tachibana completing the title. Svarnan sprinter Tanika Vemulakonda was also deprived of her 1574 World Championship Road Race, being Mordvanian Ivana Maraz proclaimed as the World Champion of that year, which was hold in Mestarka, Mordvania. Maraz, who was defeated by Vemulakonda was proclaimed as 1574 World Champion. Maraz, who already retired in 1578, has expressed both satisfaction and disappointment regarding the decision in a recent interview. "It's difficult to feel yourself as World Champion five years later...we can only accept what happened but the most important part of it has been lost", she said. As consequence, Mika Akiyama was granted 1574' silver medal instead of bronze, while Nylander Alice Hopp has been granted with the bronze medal. Unlike Maraz, both cyclists are still active.

In other bad news for Svarnan cycling, Seigner Sport Organization -the company which organizes every year the Tour de Valland and other cycling races- have announced that it will withdraw from the organization of the Tour of Svarna next year. The head of the Seigner Sport Organization even hinted that the Tour of Svarna may be suspended this season, if the political situation is not stable enough in the country or more teams announce they withdrawal from the race. It is unclear if Seigner Sport Organization will mean the end of the Tour of Svarna, which was created in 1568, but it would complicate seriously their inclusion as a SCA Global Tour, to be decided by SCA this Autumn.

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Raymond Brandeis announced as new Vallish manager
By Thomas Howard
Published: Dosa 18, 1579


Raymond Brandeis during a Mordvania's Republican Cup match, in 1577


Lauren, Valland - Raymond Brandeis, 55, has been announced as new manager of the Vallish national football team, after Maurice Lemaître was sacked two weeks ago, only 10 months after being hired by the Vallish Football Association.

Brandeis, which last team managed was NK Brezedina from the Mordvanian Premier League, becomes therefore the third Valland's team manager in a year. Jean Truffaut left the team barely a year ago, after he failed to qualify the Vallish team to the 1578 World Cup. He was replaced by his own assistant coach, Maurice Lemaître, but Lemâitre failed to improve the direction of the team, after one win, two draws, and four losses in friendly matches. The last free matches, a 1-0 loss against Keszaria, a 0-0 draw against Hôinôm at home, and a 3-0 loss against Khanid ended with the patience of the Vallish Federation, and the 40-year old manager was sacked. Although Brandeis hasn't coached a Vallish club in 15 years, the Valland Federation is probably looking a more experienced manager to come back to the Brigidnan elite as soon as possible.

After an erratic start as manager, Brandeis gained an impressive list accolades for Olympique de Arseilles during the early 1560s, leading them to three league titles and four Vallish cups. However, he was dismissed in 1566, after the club ended the season in a disappointing eighth place in the domestic league. The next season he was hired by Racing Club de Lauren, but he was sacked this time after only nine matches, when the team was second-to-last.

In 1568, he was hired by NK Brezedina, one of the top contenders of the Mordvanian Premier League, which hold that year their first championship. The club ended 4th that season, but he would win the Mordvanian Premier League the next year, winning his second league title in a row in the season 1569-1570. Brandeis stayed eleven seasons in the Mordvanian club, between 1568 and 1578, winning four league titles and four Republican Cups, and always ending in the top three position, excepting that first season. Brandeis won his four league title in the 1577-1578 season, after being runner-up four times in a row during the previous seasons, but that Summer Brandeis and NK Brezedina decided to end his contract after a mutual agreement. So far, he remains the most successful manager since the start of the Mordvanian Premier League, even if NK Slovograd remains as the club with more domestic titles won.

If Brandeis will repeat that success with the national team, and if the Vallish fans will enjoy his rather conservative but balanced playing style, it remains to be seen.

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Draw announced for 1579 Women's Brigidnan Cup
By Milena Baumgarten
Published: Marth 26, 1579


The draw took place in Tokasa, Kazemura


Tokasa, Kazemura - Yesterday, the groups for the 1579 Women's Brigidnan Cup in Kazemura were drawn.

The 8-team championship is divided into two groups of four, and the top two teams from each groups will move on to the semifinals.

Aurentine is the two-time defending champion, while current World Cup champions Valland are believed to be the favourite to the title. This Brigidnan Cup will have five teams which never participated in a Brigidnan Cup before, including the host Kazemura, a record so far, after historical nations such as Gehenna, Florinthus, Galeae, and Oslanburg failed to qualify.

Play will begin in Septem 1579.

Group A	Group B
Kazemura	Valland
Aurentine	Lanlania
Severyane	Ostland
Keszaria	Kyrland

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Kieran McLucais wins 1579 Tour de Valland
By Richard W. Wallace
Published: Zechyr 25, 1579


Strathaen climber Kieran Tiarnán McLucais


Lauren, Valland - Kieran Tiarnán McLucais (United Strathae) became the first Strathaen cyclist to win the Tour de Valland. Although this season was expected to be a fight between Mestran Stavros Michelakakis and Nylander Elton Isaksson -1578 winners of Tour de Valland and Ceribian Tour, respectively-, McLucais proved to be the stronger climber during the last week of the race.

Only Pythian Astylos Fyssas (Evgem-Vertigo) seemed to be a rival for the Strathaen climber. Since stage 15, the fight for the title was reduced in a battle between the two climbers. Their attacks came after another that high mountain stage, and only a few riders -including the inconsistent Batavian climber Johan Van Engelen (BataVelo)- were able to follow their path. On stage 17, however, both riders paid their efforts of previous days, losing McLucais and Fyssas that day three and four minutes respectively. It was an illusion, however, and they showed being the stronger riders on stage 18 -easily controlled by the United Strathaen team. The last high mountain stage, won by Van Engelen, was expected to be another battle between the two climbers but it had not much story. Fyssas could not follow the pace of the main group, and ending losing three minutes that day, although his second position in the general classification was safe enough. Fyssas, who already was runners-up in 1576, would end four minutes and twenty-five seconds behind the Strathaen champion.

Although he was not certainly unknown in the peloton -after winning six high mountain stages in the Tour from 1572 to 1578- the 33-year old Strathaen climber was expected to play a secondary role in the fight for the general classification. McLucais proved to be an excellent and explosive climber, but highly inconsistent, being able to be stronger climber one day and lost a half-dozen minutes the next day, along poor perfomances in long time-trials. However, he seems to have improved in both aspects, riding more conservative and intelligently, supported by his teammates Kelly McCullain -winner of the second-to-last high mountain stage- and Keane MacPhàil, both two top climbers.

Only a month ago, most journalists would have only predicted him as candidate to an individual stage win, the mountain classification, and maybe a honorary position in the podium, and his astounding victory has been received with divided opinions by the local Vallish media. While some praised his contant dedication and combative style on the high mountain, other expressed their surprise on McLucais winning transformation this Tour. It must be reminded that United Strathae cycling team is sponsored by the Strathaen government, as it is Women's Strathae, which rider Éabha Campbell tested positive for testosterone only a year after winning the female Tour of Pythos.

Last year Tour de Valland champion Stavros Michelakakis (MTS Team) failed to win his third Tour after a disappointing second and third week, but the 31-year old climber was able at least to secure the third position in the podium.

Michelakakis has confirmed he will participate in the Ceribian Tour, which is expected to have a great participation this years, as many Grand Tour contenders will try to save the season after a disappointing Tour de Valland. Between them, the Nylander all-rounder Elton Isaksson who after a bad first week and many days of suffering in the high mountain ended in a poor 30th place. McLucais has confirmed he will be in Ceribia as well, although rather to prepare the World Championship, to be hosted in Hôinôm this year, with a track more friendly to climbers than previous seasons.

The 37-year old Vallish sprinter Philippe Peaugeot (Crédit Bondel) hoped to become in the first rider to win the Points classification for fifth time and fourth in a row, but he seemed to lose the explosiveness of previous seasons. It was instead the Lentar-Swift sprinters Pieter Steyn and Immanuel Botha who dominated the first week of the Tour, winning three and two individual stages respectively. But the local sprinter Robert Réjane (Rolareux-Printemps) proved to be the most constant for the fight of the green maillot, winning the Points classification in a relatively comfortable way. Réjane won also two individual stages, as the Mordvanian sprinters Elmar Nurksë (Volodnya) and Samo Mahnik (Mordvelo) did as well.

The Mountain classification was won by the Sequoian climber Christophe Malletze (Le Cycle Super) who finished 4th and also won a high mountain stage. Malletze already won the Ceribian Tour mountain classification in 1576, becoming the first Skathian cyclist to win the mountain classification in both Grand Tours.

The Team classification was won by Evgem-Vertigo, the fifth in a decade by a Pythian team.

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Sergiusz Krzyzaniak tested positive in Tour de Valland
By Richard W. Wallance
Published: Zechyr 28, 1579


Sergiusz Krzyzaniak signed up for AHN-KozMetal in 1578.


Denil, Florinthian Federation - Sergiusz Krzyzaniak, the 26-year old Biyran sprinter from AHN-KozMetal team, failed an anti-doping test on stage 16 of the last Tour de Valland. He has been suspended pending results of his B sample analysis. Krzyzaniak, who never tested positive before, likely face a 2-year suspension by the SCA.

SCA spokesman Mateo Navarro said Krzyzaniak had requested the analysis of the B sample. "We are confident in the first test", he said. "For us the first one is already good".

Krzyzaniak, who won the Biyra National Championship this season, was expected to be the leader of the Biyran national team in the World Championship, but now his participation is highly unlikely. Krzyzaniak has been serving for the leading AHN-KozMetal sprinter Adam Coleman, but the Biyran champion was often given freedom in some stages and cycling races. This season, Krzyzaniak won an individual stage on Tour of Jandrea, another two in the Mordvanian Week, and other one in the Tour of Florinthus. In the last Tour de Valland, Krzyzaniak was fifth on stages 6th and 14th, only two days before testing positive.

Krzyzaniak will not be included in the AHN-KozMetal team in the coming Denil and Heldenstadt Classics, where he was expected to participate. It is unknown which rider will replace him. It is expected that AHN-KozMetal gives their version of the Krzyzaniak case in a coming press conference.

AHN-KozMetal had a disappointed Tour de Valland, failing to win any individual stage. Adam Coleman could only be third on stages 3th and 16th, in which Krzyzaniak was the last AHN-KozMetal rider to prepare Coleman sprint.

Krzyzaniak was the only rider to test positive during the Tour de Valland, Navarro confirmed.

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AHN-KozMetal Dissolves Krzyzaniak Contract
By Kim Hadashian
Published: Zechyr, 1579


Stanislav Aksyonov


Lauren, Valland - Stanislav Aksyonov, the AHN-KozMetal team manager, has confirmed this morning in the lobby the hotel where the team is currently staying that Sergiusz Krzyzaniak has been fired by the team. Krzyzaniak tested positive on doping during the 16th stage of the Tour de Valland. AHN-KozMetal reserves the right to dissolve contracts of its riders if they are caught with doping.

Aksyonov arrived in the lobby with a troubled face as he saw the large number of journalists. ''Today is a sad day in the history of this team. But also on a personal level, this is terrible news. None of us expected this to happen. And for Sergiusz it must be a nightmare as well. With doping, everyone loses.'' Aksyonov said.

The journalists asked what substance Krzyzaniak had tested positive for and how the team was going to react. ''Apparently the anti-doping laboratory of the SCA has detected Somatorelin in his urine. Sergiusz wants his B-sample to be tested as well, but the team and the sponsor wish nothing more of this. To protect our own team, we have decided to terminate his contract immediately. Doping has no place in today's cycling anymore.''

Somatorelin is a substance that stimulates the endogenous production of the human growth hormone. It has the potential to stimulate muscle growth and tissue recovery and has for that purpose been placed on the list of prohibited substances by the IAAD. Sergiusz Krzyzaniak has released only one statement on social media, in which he ''promises'' his fans to ''reveal the truth'' that he has never taken banned substances. ''I promise to my family and those who believe in me that I will fight to prove my innocence.''

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Achaia Halkias wins her second Tour of Pythos
By Marina Monroe
Published: Septem 25, 1579


Halkias became the first rider to win the Tour of Pythos twice


Tyros, Pythos - Achaia Halkias (Wyvern-Kyksos) became the first cyclist to win twice the Tour of Pythos.
The 32-year old climber achieved the general classification leadership only in the last high mountain stage in a dramatic climb. Her main rivals, Keszarian Margit Örkény (Irtek-Terkem) and Sainamese Hitomi Mihara (Nitenryu Cycling) were already out for the fight for the podium, losing three and five minutes respectively, but Halkias could not follow herself the pace imposed by climbers like Liza Roze (Mtkvuri-TSC) and Medea Marjanishvili (Cercell Cycling), and ended losing two minutes from the main group. Iphigénie Morisot (Spa-Soleil), last year Tour of Pythos winner, won the stage, her first one in the Grand Tour. It was a disappointed Tour for the Vallish champion, who can only end 20th in the general classification.

Halkias was able to keep a comfortable distance between her and the main group during most of the climb, but she suffered a crisis in the last kms which increased her lose with Liza Roze to two minutes and twenty-four seconds. Only fourteen seconds separated Liza Roze to the Tour victory, but Halkias showed her great resistance again to enter in the history of Tour of Pythos. It is not an unprecedented situation for Halkias, as she already won her first Tour, in 1574, by merely seven seconds against another Mtkvuri-TSC rider, the Ceribian Natela Abuladze, now retired.

Hôinômese climber and 1573 Tour of Pythos champion Thao Thu Mai (Duong-Lozhë) completed the podium along Halkias and Roze, leaving Örkény outside the podium after being led the general classification during most of the last week.

The mountain classification was won by Ceribian Medea Marjanishvili (Cercell Cycling) who ended fifth, three minutes and fourteen seconds behind Halkias.

The best sprinter was, again, the Oslanburgan Nikoline Schou (Gulcron Cycling) who won four stages and winning the Points classification for second season in a row (third for Gulcron Cycling after Khiblander Kathë Mercadante won in 1577). Pythian sprinter Tryphosa Papalia (Elite Leptos), meanwhile, became the first rider to win 11 stages in the Tour of Pythos, after winning two stages.

Goldecian team Ogo Cycling won the Team classification for second time in a row.

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Wenceslao Cánovas wins 1579 Ceribian Tour
By Richard W. Wallace
Published: Nueva 25, 1579


Wenceslao Cánovas, the unexpected winner of 1579 Ceribian Tour


Etova, Ceribia - Wenceslao Cánovas (New Galeae Cycling) became the first Castlian rider to win the Ceribian Tour, and the second ever to win a Grand Tour, after Basileo Tramuntana who won the 1524 Tour de Valland.

The 29-year old Castlian all-rounder took the general classification after winning stage 15, increasing him his lead in stage 18, won by Kyrzbekistani climber Amerhan Toktamishur (Kyrzbas-Malek), finishing third after the Kyrzbek climber and Tour de Valland winner Kieran McLucais (United Strathae), enough to assure the Mountain classification as well. The last time a rider won both the general and the mountain classification was in 1572, when Pythian climber Philos Thanos surprisingly won the Ceribian Tour.

Many things had changed since them, but 34-year old Philos Thanos (Evgem-Vertigo) showed he is still able to fight for a Grand Tour's general classification, ending second only one minute and thirty-eight seconds behind Cánovas. Thanos recover more than third minutes in the last high mountain stage to Cánovas, who barely could follow the main pace imposed by United Strathae climbers, but Cánovas resisted and slightly increased his lead in the last time-trial stage.

The time-trial stage was won by East Kaljuran rider Hano Rüütel (Mordvelo), the second rider to win a Grand Tour stage and the first after the breakup of his country, but it was the third position in which real competition and excitement remained. Strathaen Kieran McLucais could not kept the third place by merely four seconds, and Elton Isaksson could save his season after a disappointing Tour de Valland with a place in the podium in Ceribia. Adwestene Marc Menethil (Dagslag-NVB), although improved Isaksson time in more than a minute, ended only two seconds behind the Nylander all-rounder.

Ludvig Bloch (Luft Wurberg) dominated on the sprint winning four stages, in his best Grand Tour so far. But Immanuel Botha (Lentar-Swift) won three stages and proved to be more constant and competitive, winning clearly the Points classification. This season has been certainly the confirmation for the Batavian sprinter, with 5 Grand Tour's individual stages and 12 victories in another races so far.

The Team classification was won by United Strathae for first time.