The present invention relates generally to novel methods for the synthesis of O-(6-pyrazol-1-yl-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-hydroxylamine which is an essential reagent in the synthesis of one of the bridged erythromycin derivatives and their respective pharmaceutically acceptable salts in PCT Application WO 03/097659 A1. In particular, the present invention relates to processes and intermediates for the preparation of a compound of formula (Ia): ##STR00001##