Sussex ace Sean Yates is once again attracting the attention of the European media.

The former Tour de France stage winner, from Forest Row, recently signed a contract to become a director of racing with the CSC team based in Denmark.

The job is similar to that of a football manager and Yates is the first Briton to be appointed in such a position with a top European professional cycling team.

Yates says he is impressed with the squad's set up. It will have 21 top riders from several countries.

On occasions, CSC will have two or three teams competing at the same time and Yates will then share his duties with former Danish pros Johnny Weltz and the 1996 Tour de France winner Bjarne Riis.

CSC's full-time back-up team includes a press officer, accountant, liaison officer, travel co-ordinator, secretary and several mechanics and masseurs.

The riders and their equipment will be transported by two buses, two lorries and two camper vans, while several team cars will be available for following races.

Yates will join the squad this month at their pre-season training camp in Tuscany.

The roads may be flooded or frozen but Sussex riders haven't long to prepare for the first open road event of the season. The curtain goes up in Sussex on Saturday, February 1.

The GS Stella club are promoting an 18km time trial followed next day by a 42km event. Both will take place over hill courses in the Storrington area.

There will be prizes for both events plus an overall prize list. The overall winner last year was Hastings rider Peter Tadros.

Lewes Wanderers will have plenty to celebrate at their annual dinner later this month. Their membership is back over the 100 mark and Chris Hill has rejoined them after a spell with a rival club.

One familiar face at the prize presentation will be veteran Peter Baker, who has again won a lot of silverware, including trophies for club 50 and 100-mile champion and the Seymour Cup for the club's fastest 25-mile time of the year (58min.52sec).