Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team has announced the selection that will take part in Ronde van België (Tour of Belgium), a 730.1km race over five stages, from May 22nd to May 26th. "This year Tour of Belgium will be a hard race, from the beginning until the end," Sport Director Rik Van Slycke said. "The first stage has a finish in Knokke, so there is a strong possibility of a windy day. … [Read more...]
Ji Cheng To Make Giro d’Italia History For China
May 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment
NAPLES, Italy, May 04, 2013 (AFP) - Argos-Shimano rider Ji Cheng is set to make Giro d'Italia history on Saturday when he saddles up as the first Chinese to take part in the epic race. Ji made his Grand Tour debut at the Tour of Spain last year and his participation at the Giro has attracted no less than eight journalists from his homeland who will be covering his every move. … [Read more...]
Nibali Is My Main Giro d’Italia Threat, Says Wiggins
May 3, 2013 By Leave a Comment
by Justin DAVIS NAPLES, Italy, May 03, 2013 (AFP) - Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins on Thursday singled out Vincenzo Nibali as his main rival for the Giro d'Italia crown but said the battle for the race's pink jersey could be wide open. Wiggins comes into the three-week race, which begins Saturday in Naples, as a huge favourite given his comprehensive and historic yellow … [Read more...]
Giro d’Italia 2013 Stages From May 4th To May 21st
May 3, 2013 By Leave a Comment
NAPLES, Italy, May 03, 2013 (AFP) - Stages for the 96th edition of the Giro d'Italia, which begins on Saturday: Stage 1: Saturday, May 4 2013, Naples 130km Stage 2: Sunday, May 5 2013, Ischia - Forio (TTT) 17.4km Stage 3: Monday, May 6 2013, Sorrento - Marina di Ascea 222km Stage 4: Tuesday, May 7 2013, Policastro - Serra San Bruno 246km Stage 5: Wednesday, May 8 2013, … [Read more...]
ORICA-GreenEDGE Neil Stephens Previews Liège-Bastogne-Liège
April 19, 2013 By Leave a Comment
It is the oldest one day race of the year. Liège-Bastogne-Liège marks the end to the spring classics and another opportunity for ORICA-GreenEDGE to secure a podium in the Ardennes. With over 4,700 metres of climbing, the testing parcours measures stamina, strength and team support. In his own words, Sport Director Neil Stephens previews ‘La Doyenne’ (that’s ‘the old lady’ for you … [Read more...]
Quintana Takes Tour of the Basque Country Title
April 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment
MADRID, April 6, 2013 (AFP) - Colombian Nairo Quintana has won the Tour of the Basque Country after finishing second to Tony Martin in the 24km time trial that rounded off the six-stage event on Saturday. The Movistar rider started the day six seconds behind compatriot Sergio Henao (Sky) but he finished 40 seconds behind Quintana, just holding on to take third place ahead of Simon Spilak … [Read more...]
Wiggins Has No Sympathy For Disgraced Doper Armstrong
January 25, 2013 By Leave a Comment
LONDON, Jan 24, 2013 (AFP) - Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins on Thursday admitted he has no sympathy for Lance Armstrong and slammed the disgraced rider's claims that he was clean when he returned to the sport in 2009. Armstrong last week admitted in an interview with Oprah Winfrey that he used performance-enhancing drugs during his record run of seven Tour de France wins. … [Read more...]
USA Pro Challenge Welcomes 2013 Host Cities
December 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The nation’s most challenging cycling race will call eight Colorado cities home in 2013 when it starts in Aspen on August 19 and ends in Denver on August 25, 2013. After drawing more then 1 million fans in each of the first two years and generating nearly $200 million in cumulative economic impact for the State of Colorado, the Pro Challenge will make its debut in Fort Collins and Loveland in … [Read more...]
ORICA-AIS Announces 2013 Roster
December 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment
With Emma Johannson and Sungeun Gu recently announced as new signings to ORICA-AIS, the Australian outfit is proud to share its complete line-up for the 2013 season. Alongside Johannson and Gu, Annette Edmondson and Gracie Elvin join returning riders Tiffany Cromwell, Loes Gunnewijk, Shara Gillow, Melissa Hoskins, Jessie MacLean, and Amanda Spratt to comprise the 10-rider squad. “Before we … [Read more...]
Vinokourov ‘Paid Off’ Rival For Liege Win
November 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment
MILAN, Nov 4, 2012 (AFP) - An Italian newspaper has published emails which appear to back previous allegations that retired Olympic cycling champion Alexandre Vinokourov paid off a rival to win his second Liege-Bastogne-Liege classic in 2010. Vinokourov, banned for blood doping in 2007-2009, has already faced claims that he paid Russian rival Alexandre Kolobnev 150,000 euros to secure … [Read more...]