Tag Archive: alberto contador
You are browsing the tag archive for alberto contador.
Contador To Meet Armstrong At Criterium International
Spaniard Alberto Contador, winner Sunday of Paris-Nice, announced Tuesday he would change his race schedule and compete at the Criterium International. Which will also include American Lance Armstrong. The Criterium International will be held on March 27th and March 28th in Corsica.
The double Tour de France winner has pulled [...]
Previous Stories
- Contador Signals Intent With Paris-Nice Triumph
March 14th, 2010NICE, France, March 14, 2010 (AFP) – Two-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador of Astana won the Paris-Nice race Sunday for his second win in the event, three years after his first.
Frenchman Amael Moinard of Cofidis won the final stage, a 119km ride around Nice.
Contador’s [...] - Contador Keeps Lead At Paris-Nice As Sagan Nabs Stage
March 12th, 2010AIX EN PROVENCE, France, March 12, 2010 (AFP) – Liquigas racer Peter Sagan won the fifth stage of the Paris-Nice race on Friday, a 157km ride from Pernes-les-Fontaines to Aix-en-Provence, as the 20-year-old notched his second success of the week.
Astana star Alberto Contador retained the leader’s yellow jersey after Sagan [...] - Contador Takes Control Of Paris-Nice On Stage 4
March 11th, 2010Spain’s Alberto Contador secured a Paris-Nice double whammy on Thursday by winning the race’s fourth stage here, becoming the overall leader in the process.
The Astana rider attacked 1700 meters from the line to finish 10 seconds ahead of compatriots Alejandro Valverde and Samuel Sanchez after the 173.5 kilometer ride from [...] - Armstrong Downplays Tour de France Chances
March 8th, 2010MADRID, March 8, 2010 (AFP) – Seven-time Tour of France winner Lance Armstrong believes, at 38, he has little chance of beating arch-rival Alberto Contador of Spain to win an eighth title this year.
“It would be very difficult. I’m 38, Alberto is 27 and he’s improving every year. I [...] - Team RadioShack Takes Two Podium Spots At Algarve, Contador Wins Stage
February 19th, 2010Team RadioShack Podium Places for Machado and Leipheimer in Algarve. Steegmans Out
Home rider Tiago Machado (Team RadioShack) finished second atop the Alto do Malhão in the 3rd stage of the Volta ao Algarve (Portugal). Teammate Levi Leipheimer (USA) finished third. Stage winner Alberto Contador attacked at the bottom of the final climb, immediately took ten [...] - Contador Unfazed Of An Armstrong Challenge
January 31st, 2010VIENNA, Jan 30, 2010 (AFP) – Tour de France champion Alberto Contador insists the thought of having seven-time winner Lance Armstrong as his main rival in this year’s race is not keeping him awake at night.
The Spaniard, Tour champion in 2007 and 2009 and Tour of Italy and Spain [...] - Can Armstrong Win The Tour Again?
January 30th, 2010by Talek Harris
ADELAIDE, Australia, Jan 30, 2010 (AFP) – As Lance Armstrong flew out of Australia on a private jet, the big question was left hanging in the Adelaide air: can he really win the Tour de France again?
The Texan, 38, was in better shape than in last year’s [...] - Armstrong-Contador Row “Good For Sport” Says UCI Chief
January 23rd, 2010ADELAIDE, Australia, Jan 23, 2010 (AFP) – Lance Armstrong’s simmering row with Tour de France champion Alberto Contador is “healthy” for cycling and better than the usual doping controversies, the sport’s chief said on Saturday.
Pat McQuaid, president of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) said the verbal hostilities since last [...] - Armstrong Says He’d Sacrifice Tour Record For Team
January 23rd, 2010by Talek Harris
ADELAIDE, Australia, Jan 16, 2010 (AFP) – Lance Armstrong Saturday insisted he’d sacrifice an astonishing Tour de France comeback win for his team, hitting back at rival Alberto Contador who said he lacked support in last year’s race.
The seven-time winner, who finished third behind Astana team-mate Contador [...] - No Armstrong, No Problem For Contador
January 20th, 2010MADRID, Jan 20, 2010 (AFP) Tour de France champion Alberto Contador, buoyed by his undisputed number one status following his rocky relationship with Lance Armstrong, hailed his new-look Astana team on Wednesday.
The Spaniard insisted that the 2010 Astana model had “nothing to do” with the 2009 line-up, which catered [...] - Armstrong Opens His Tour de France Bid Down Under
January 15th, 2010by Talek Harris
ADELAIDE, Australia, Jan 15, 2010 (AFP) – Lance Armstrong will launch a second attempt at an age-defying Tour de France comeback win when he headlines next week’s Tour Down Under, the curtain-raiser for the new cycling season.
Armstrong is playing down his chances in the [...] - Team Astana Specialized Tarmac SL3 Road Bike
January 11th, 2010Specialized is one of Team Astana’s sponsors, and with Alberto Contador being on the team, plus he signed a contract with Specialized, it was only a matter of time before a Specialized road bike would show up. Moving forward, here are the official photos of Team Astana Specialized Tarmac SL3 Road Bike, and a nice [...]
- Armstrong Says Contador Rivalry To Intensify
January 10th, 2010SYDNEY, Jan 10, 2010 (AFP) – Seven-time record Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong said Sunday he expects his rivalry with Alberto Contador to increase this year now both riders are competing in different teams.
Armstrong, who will debut his new RadioShack team at next week’s Tour Down Under in [...] - Contador To Kick Off Season At Tour of the Algarve
January 1st, 2010MADRID, Jan 1, 2010 (AFP) – Reigning Tour de France champion Alberto Contador confirmed on Friday he will kick off his 2010 season during the Tour of the Algarve cycling race in Portugal mid-February.
“Last year I liked the race and I think it’s ideal to start the season,” [...] - Armstrong Makes A Comeback, But Contador Still The King
December 23rd, 2009by Justin Davis
PARIS, Dec 23, 2009 (AFP) – As fans and rivals know only too well, Lance Armstrong is not used to coming second best.
But in what proved to be a bumper year for cycling, with serious progress apparently being made to beat the drugs cheats, the record seven-time [...] - 2010 Vuelta Route Announced With Surprises
December 16th, 2009SEVILLE, Spain, Dec 16, 2009 (AFP) – The 65th edition of the Tour of Spain will break new ground in 2010 with the leader’s jersey changing color from the traditional gold to red and the first stage taking place here at night.
The 21-stage race gets underway on August 28 [...] - 2009 Was “My Best Year Ever” Says Contador
December 15th, 2009Two-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador said Monday that 2009 has been his best year ever, as he received the award from the International Cycling Union (UCI) as the 2009 season’s top rider.
“I think this has been my best year ever, in terms of results rather than [...] - Pereiro Joins Astana
December 8th, 2009PARIS, Dec 8, 2009 (AFP) – Spain’s Oscar Pereiro, a former Tour de France winner, has signed a one-year contract with Astana, the Kazakh team announced on Tuesday.
The move will allow Pereiro to join up with compatriot Alberto Contador, who is the reigning Tour de France champion.
Pereiro, 32, had been with Spanish team Caisse [...] - Contador To Stay With Astana, But Only For One Year
November 10th, 2009MADRID, Nov 10, 2009 (AFP) – Two-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador may stay with the Astana team until 2010, but no longer than that, Spanish media said Tuesday.
The Spanish rider will make a decision in the coming days, but there is no question of him remaining at the Kazakh team for more [...] - Contador Mulling Over Astana Decision
October 30th, 2009MADRID, Oct 29, 2009 (AFP) – Two-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador revealed on Thursday that he is yet to choose which team he will ride for next season but is likely to remain with his current outfit Astana.
“I’m in the process of evaluating the Astana team, with [...] - Contador Eyes Spanish Team In 2010
October 24th, 2009MADRID, Oct 24, 2009 (AFP) – Tour de France champion Alberto Contador would like to race with a Spanish team next year but refused to rule out staying with Astana until his contract with the Kazakh-funded outfit runs out in 2010.
Astana has not yet been granted a ProTour license [...] - Astana Hopeful Of Keeping Contador
October 23rd, 2009Kazakh cycling team Astana, still awaiting their ProTour license, insisted Friday they are hopeful of keeping Tour de France champion Alberto Contador among their riders.
Astana and four other teams – Caisse d’Epargne, Euskaltel, Saxo Bank and Sky – were on Thursday found lacking by the International Cycling Union (UCI) in their [...] - Contador, Spain Dominate Cycling World Rankings
October 19th, 2009PARIS, Oct 19, 2009 (AFP) – Tour de France champion Alberto Contador finished the official cycling season as the top ranked rider in the International Cycling Union (UCI) world calendar released on Monday.
In an all-Spanish podium Contador, who rides for Astana, finished top on 527 points, ahead of second [...] - Armstrong Welcomes ‘Open’ 2010 Yellow Jersey Battle
October 17th, 2009by Justin Davis
PARIS, Oct 14, 2009 (AFP) – Seven-times champion Lance Armstrong admitted next year’s Tour de France could offer victory opportunities to a bigger field of rivals after the organizers’ unveiled the 2010 route on Wednesday.
Beginning in Rotterdam on July 3 and ending in Paris [...] - Kind Words, But No Love Between Armstrong, Contador
October 15th, 2009by Justin Davis
PARIS, Oct 15, 2009 (AFP) – Lance Armstrong tried to conceal it, but a wry smile gave away just how high his rivalry with yellow jersey rival Alberto Contador may soar on their anticipated duel at the Tour de France in 2010.
To fans who missed out on [...] - Team Astana Reactions To The 2010 Tour de France Course
October 14th, 2009Manager Johan Bruyneel
I think it’s a very traditional course. There is a little bit less time trialing than normal but other than that there are no surprises. In the beginning the stage with the cobblestones can be tricky but other than that it is very predictable. It’s a pity that there is no team time [...] - Contador, Astana Say They Have Nothing To Hide
October 14th, 2009PARIS, Oct 14, 2009 (AFP) – Spain’s reigning Tour de France champion Alberto Contador played down the threat of a drugs probe that was launched a day before the presentation of next year’s race.
Paris prosecutors on Tuesday revealed they had launched an investigation after the discovery of suspicious medical [...] - AFLD Chief Slams The UCI and Astana
October 7th, 2009French anti-doping chiefs (AFLD) said Wednesday they were surprised at the lack of positive doping tests at this year’s Tour de France and said they won’t collaborate with world cycling’s ruling body next year.
And the AFLD maintained its claims that the Astana team of Lance Armstrong and eventual winner Alberto Contador [...] - Team Astana And Contador Had Easy Ride On Dope Tests Claims Newspaper Le Monde
October 5th, 2009The International Cycling Union (UCI) on Monday rejected accusations by the French Anti-doping Agency (AFLD) that they showed the Astana team preferential treatment over drug tests at the Tour de France.
French newspapers Le Monde and Le Figaro alleged that the team of race winner Alberto Contador and third-placed Lance [...] - Armstrong, New and Improved, Set To Take On Contador In 2010
October 3rd, 2009PARIS, Oct 2, 2009 (AFP) – Lance Armstrong says he will go into the 2010 Tour de France better prepared to challenge for an eighth yellow jersey, but he believes reigning champion Alberto Contador will be “very hard” to beat.
“I think I will be a bit better in 2010,” [...] - UCI Reports That Astana License Hangs In The Balance
September 26th, 2009The cycling future of the Astana team, whose star rider is Tour de France champion Alberto Contador, could be in doubt, UCI chief Pat McQuaid said Saturday.
Astana are currently hoping to impress the UCI Pro Tour license commission sufficiently to gain a new four-year license and thus be able to continue racing [...] - Contador Still Not Sold On Astana
September 18th, 2009Two-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador, under contract with Astana until 2010, is unwilling to negotiate with his Kazakh-funded team until management issues are cleared up.
“Currently, we don’t know who’s leading Astana, that’s why I have some doubts,” Contador said of Astana, which has had financial troubles this [...] - Contador Mulling Over Four Offers For Next Season
September 6th, 2009MADRID, Sept 5, 2009 (AFP) – Two-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador, under contract with Astana until 2010, has received offers from Garmin, Caisse d’Epargne and Quick Step as well as a proposed contract extension from Astana, a source close to the rider said Saturday.
The proposal from Caisse [...] - Contador Pulls Out Of Worlds, Ends Racing Season
September 3rd, 2009MADRID, Sept 3, 2009 (AFP) – Spain’s two-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador has pulled out of the upcoming world championships in Mendrisio, Switzerland because he does not feel he can do justice to his place in the team.
Contador was crowned the yellow jersey champion in Paris on [...] - Klöden Out In Eneco / No Contador In Plouay
August 20th, 2009Andreas Klöden had to abandon in the Eneco Tour due to a wrist injury. Klöden was involved in a crash with five riders just before the climb of the Old Kwaremont, after 50 kilometer in the stage from Ardooie to Brussels. At the top of the climb he was unable to continue the race because [...]
- Alberto Contador To Ride For 2010 Astana Cycling Team
August 15th, 2009In order to clarify some misunderstandings reported in the media, the Astana Cycling Team Management reconfirms that 2009 Tour de France winner Alberto Contador is expected to ride for Team Astana in 2010. Prior to the 2008 season, Contador signed a three-year contract with Team Astana, ensuring that the rider will represent the Kazakh sponsored [...]
- Astana Says Contador Going Nowhere in 2010
August 15th, 2009PARIS, Aug 15, 2009 (AFP) – Tour de France champion Alberto Contador has been warned he may have to fight if he is to be granted his wish of leaving top cycling team Astana.
The two-time yellow jersey winner is reported to be poring over offers from rival teams following [...] - Contador To Miss San Sebastian Classic
August 1st, 2009MADRID, July 31, 2009 (AFP) – Tour de France winner Alberto Contador will not compete in the San Sebastian classic, one of the top one-day events on the UCI ProTour, which takes place on Saturday in northern Spain.
The Spaniard’s name was not on the list of the Astana team [...] - Valverde Has Something To Prove At San Sebastian Classic
July 31st, 2009Alejandro Valverde will have something to prove when the San Sebastian classic, one of the top one-day events on the UCI ProTour, takes places on Saturday in northern Spain.
The 29-year-old Caisse d’Epargne rider was recently banned from competing in Italy for two years by the Italian Olympic Committee after [...] - Spanish PM Says Contador Has No Rival
July 29th, 2009MADRID, July 29, 2009 (AFP) – Spain’s prime minister praised 2009 Tour de France winner Alberto Contador, saying on Wednesday that the Spaniard, who was locked in a tense duel with his US team-mate Lance Armstrong during the race, is unrivaled.
“He has no rival, even if that is hard [...] - Armstrong Hits Back Hard At Contador’s Comments
July 28th, 2009Seven-time Tour de France champion, and 2009 3rd place finisher Lance Armstrong on Tuesday hit back following a stinging attack on him by this year’s Tour winner Alberto Contador.
Contador won the Tour de France title for the second time here on Sunday, with US rider Armstrong, who came out of retirement, [...] - Tour Chief Salutes Contador, Armstrong… And Brits
July 27th, 2009by Justin Davis
PARIS, July 27, 2009 (AFP) – Tour de France chief Christian Prudhomme gave the thumbs-up to the influence of Lance Armstrong on this year’s race after the American came out of retirement to finish a commendable third overall.
Armstrong finished over five minutes behind Astana teammate Alberto Contador, [...] - Contador Lashes Out At Armstrong
July 27th, 2009MADRID, July 27, 2009 (AFP) – Tour de France winner Alberto Contador on Monday launched a stinging attack on teammate Lance Armstrong, saying relations between the two were tense throughout the race.
“My relationship with Lance is non-existent. Even if he is a great champion, I have never had admiration [...] - Defiant Contador Wins The Tour His Way
July 27th, 2009by Justin Davis
PARIS, July 27, 2009 (AFP) – Newly-crowned Tour de France champion Alberto Contador showed more than impressive climbing and time trialling skills on his way to victory in this year’s race.
The 26-year-old Spaniard belied his unassuming nature to show nerves of steel in the face of a [...] - Contador Tour Win Celebrated With Wrong Anthem
July 27th, 2009MADRID, July 26, 2009 (AFP) – When Alberto Contador stepped up to the podium on Sunday after winning the Tour de France for the second time, the Spanish rider was greeted with a recording of the Danish national anthem due to an embarrassing mistake on the part of organizers.
The 26-year-old took [...] - Spanish Press Hails King Contador
July 27th, 2009MADRID, July 27, 2009 (AFP) – Spain’s press hailed Alberto Contador as a “king” on Monday after the 26-year-old won the Tour de France for the second time after an intense rivalry with his Astana team-mate Lance Armstrong.
“The new king of the Tour is called Contador,” top-selling daily El Pais wrote [...] - Armstrong Prefers Team Radioshack To Contador Party
July 26th, 2009by Ryland James
PARIS, France, July 26, 2009 (AFP) – Lance Armstrong admitted on Sunday he did not celebrate team-mate Alberto Contador’s Tour de France triumph, preferring instead to go for drinks with the backers of his future outfit, Team Radioshack.
The 37-year-old finished third overall after Sunday’s [...] - Contador Crowned Tour de France Champion
July 26th, 2009PARIS, July 26, 2009 (AFP) – Alberto Contador of Spain was crowned Tour de France champion for the second time after the 21st and final stage on Sunday.
Britain’s Mark Cavendish, of the Columbia team, won the final stage at the Champs Elysees to claim a record-equaling sixth victory of [...] - Contador Jubilant On The Champs Elysees
July 26th, 2009by Justin Davis
PARIS, July 26, 2009 (AFP) – A jubilant Alberto Contador claimed his second Tour de France yellow jersey here Sunday to hand Spain their fourth consecutive victory in the world’s biggest bike race.
Astana team leader Contador, the 2007 champion, finished the 21-stage race with [...] - Contador To Distance Himself From Armstrong
July 25th, 2009Spain’s 2007 champion Alberto Contador said Saturday he will not join up with Lance Armstrong in a team next year, after virtually securing his second Tour de France crown here.
The Spaniard will go into Sunday’s final stage to Paris with a lead of 4min 11sec and 5:24 respectively [...] - Contador Eyes Tour Crown As Garate Conquers Ventoux
July 25th, 2009by Justin Davis
Alberto Contador virtually secured his second Tour de France crown after the race’s 20th and penultimate stage won by his fellow Spaniard Juan Manuel Garate on Saturday.
On the third and final summit of the race the 2007 champion proved imperial as his main rival Andy Schleck, of [...] - Only Disaster On Ventoux Will Stop Contador, Says Schleck
July 25th, 2009by Ryland James
AUBENAS, France, July 24, 2009 (AFP) – Second-placed Andy Schleck says only a disaster on Mount Ventoux for yellow yersey holder Alberto Contador will give him any chance of winning the Tour de France.
With just two stages left, 24-year-old Schleck is 4min 11sec behind [...] - Garmin Hush Over Contador Rumors
July 24th, 2009Garmin chief Jonathan Vaughters admitted Tour de France leader Alberto Contador is a “fantastic rider” but would not confirm rumors his team was hoping to hire the Tour de France leader.
Spain’s 2007 champion Contador, of Astana, has a virtually unassailable lead of 4min 11sec over second-placed Luxemburger Andy Schleck [...] - Contador Dodges Bothersome Doping Questions
July 23rd, 2009ANNECY, France, July 23, 2009 (AFP) – Tour de France race leader Alberto Contador on Thursday refused to respond to queries relating to his stunning climbing performance in the 15th stage.
Spain’s 2007 champion took another step towards overall victory here when he won the 18th stage time trial to [...] - Contador Crushes Yellow Jersey Rivals In Timely Fashion
July 23rd, 2009by Justin Davis
ANNECY, France, July 23, 2009 (AFP) – Spaniard Alberto Contador took a virtually unassailable lead in the race for the Tour de France yellow jersey after winning the race’s 18th stage time trial here Thursday.
Contador, the 2007 champion who rides for Astana, clocked a [...] - Contador Flies Solo Against Brothers In Arms
July 22nd, 2009by Justin Davis
LE GRAND-BORNAND, France, July 22, 2009 (AFP) – Brothers Andy and Frank Schleck were forced to bow to the climbing superiority of Alberto Contador after a thrilling finish to the Tour de France 17th stage on Wednesday.
However after a thrilling finish to the toughest [...] - Sparks Could Fly After Contador Attack, Admits Bruyneel
July 22nd, 2009by Ryland James
LE GRAND BORNAND, July 22, 2009 (AFP) – Johan Bruyneel admitted sparks could fly between yellow jersey holder Alberto Contador and Astana team-mate Lance Armstrong after the Spaniard defied team orders on Wednesday’s 17th stage.
“The harmony is back in the team, at least it [...] - Frank Schleck Takes Stage, Contador Remains Wearing yellow
July 22nd, 2009by Justin Davis
LE GRAND-BORNAND, France, July 22, 2009 (AFP) – Luxemburg rider Frank Schleck won the 17th stage of the Tour de France here on Wednesday.
Spain’s 2007 Tour de France champion Alberto Contador – who finished second in the stage – retained the overall leader’s yellow [...] - Armstrong and Contador ‘Incompatible’ – So Says Bruyneel
July 22nd, 2009MADRID, July 22, 2009 (AFP) – Astana’s Belgian manager Johan Bruyneel says there is a “certain incompatibility” between Spanish rider Alberto Contador and Lance Armstrong of the United States even as he minimized the friction between the two team leaders on the Tour de France.
“There was never a ‘click’ [...] - Astarloza Wins Stage 16, Contador Remains In Yellow
July 21st, 2009BOURG-SAINT-MAURICE, France, July 21, 2009 (AFP) – Alberto Contador tightened his grip on the Tour de France yellow jersey after soaking up attacks from Luxembourg rival Andy Schleck on the race’s 16th stage here on Tuesday.
Spaniard Miguel Astarloza won the 159km stage from Martigny in Switzerland to here, after attacking his breakaway [...] - Contador The Target As Yellow Jersey Battle Sizzles
July 20th, 2009by Justin Davis
MARTIGNY, Switzerland, July 20, 2009 (AFP) – Luxembourg’s Andy Schleck is unequivocal about the only way to beat yellow jersey rival Alberto Contador on the Tour de France, and that is to attack.
Contador, the 2007 champion, took command of the race in style on Sunday when he [...] - Sastre Speaks Out Over Lack Of Respect
July 20th, 2009by Justin Davis
MARTIGNY, Switzerland, July 20, 2009 (AFP) – Reigning Tour de France champion Carlos Sastre lashed out Monday for being shown a “lack of respect” coming into this year’s race.
And the Spaniard, now almost out of contention for a second consecutive victory on the [...] - Spanish Press Sees ‘End of Armstrong’ With Contador Win
July 20th, 2009MADRID, July 20, 2009 (AFP) – Spanish media predicted Monday that Alberto Contador’s seizure of the yellow jersey in the Tour de France over the weekend hailed the end for Astana teammate Lance Armstrong, a seven-time winner of the cycling race.
“Contador marks the end of Armstrong,” reported top-selling daily [...] - Job Only Half Done For Yellow-Jersey Holder Contador
July 20th, 2009by Ryland James
MARTIGNY, Switzerland, July 20, 2009 (AFP) – Yellow jersey holder Alberto Contador insisted on Monday his quest to win the Tour de France is only half done as he prepares for arguably the hardest week of the race.
The 2007 Tour winner took the yellow [...] - Triumphant Contador Leaves Armstrong Suffering
July 19th, 2009by Justin Davis
VERBIER, Switzerland, July 19, 2009 (AFP) – Spain’s 2007 champion Alberto Contador of Astana took possession of the Tour de France yellow jersey after a superb solo attack and victory on the 15th stage in the Swiss Alps Sunday.
Contador, winning his first individual stage [...] - Contador Takes Command of Tour de France
July 19th, 2009VERBIER, Switzerland, July 19, 2009 (AFP) – Spain’s 2007 champion Alberto Contador of Astana took possession of the Tour de France yellow jersey after a superb solo attack and victory on the 15th stage in the Swiss Alps Sunday.
Contador, winning his first individual stage of this year’s race, attacked [...] - First Alpine Stage To Host Yellow Jersey Battle
July 18th, 2009by Justin Davis
BESANCON, France, July 18, 2009 (AFP) – After a week of calm, the battle for the yellow jersey is set to resume on the Tour de France on Sunday – or at least that is what most observers are hoping.
Although a thrilling first week [...] - All Quiet For Now, But Not For Long, Says Contador
July 18th, 2009by Ryland James
COLMAR, France, July 17, 2009 (AFP) – Alberto Contador of Astana admitted Friday’s cold and rain-hit 13th stage of the Tour de France had hindered his rivals’ plans to claim back lost time.
However Spain’s 2007 champion and current race favourite warned that attacks are [...] - Soerensen’s Weak Point Leads Him To Tour Stage Win
July 16th, 2009by Justin Davis
VITTEL, France, July 16, 2009 (AFP) – Tour de France veteran Nicki Soerensen claimed a deserved maiden stage win on the race Thursday after an attacking performance which left five of his breakaway companions picking up the crumbs.
Italian Rinaldo Nocentini of AG2R retaining [...] - Evans Knows Allies May Be Hard To Find
July 14th, 2009by Justin Davis
LIMOGES, July 14, 2009 (AFP) – The concept of looking for allies with
common goals in the tactical minefield of cycling’s big stage races is not
new, and can be a fruitful initiative for some.
But Australian Cadel Evans has so far seen little evidence that he will
be helped to [...] - Contador Down Plays The Armstrong Rivalry Talk
July 13th, 2009by Ryland James
LIMOGES, July 13, 2009 (AFP) – Alberto Contador on Monday played down the tension between him and Astana teammate Lance Armstrong as both prepare to launch respective bids for the 2009 Tour de France yellow jersey.
As Contador, the 2007 race winner, welcomed the media [...] - Astana Manager Wants Armstrong To Win Tour, Says Saiz
July 13th, 2009Astana’s Belgian manager, Johan Bruyneel, wants Lance Armstrong to win the Tour de France this year, former Spanish cycling manager Manolo Saiz was quoted as saying Monday.
“He wants Armstrong to win the Tour. That is his goal, above all,” he said in an interview published in Catalan daily [...] - Alonso Wants To Found Team Headed by Contador
July 13th, 2009MADRID, July 13, 2009 (AFP) – Spain’s two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso is planning to set up a cycling team headed by his compatriot Alberto Contador, the 2007 Tour de France winner, a newspaper said Monday.
Alonso has already discussed the project with Contador, who is delighted to [...] - Armstrong Admits To Tension In Astana Camp
July 12th, 2009by Justin Davis
SAINT GAUDENS, France, July 12, 2009 (AFP) – Lance Armstrong has finally admitted that tension exists in his Astana team as both he and Spanish teammate Alberto Contador bid to win the Tour de France.
Armstrong finished the ninth stage here Sunday still only eight [...] - Armstrong Unfazed By Contador’s Attack
July 11th, 2009by Ryland James
ARCALIS, Andorra, July 10, 2009 (AFP) – Lance Armstrong brushed off any concerns after Astana team-mate Alberto Contador usurped him to move into second place in the Tour de France’s general classification on Friday.
Contador, the 2007 Tour winner, is now second overall, six seconds [...] - Contador Steals Back Precious Seconds From Armstrong
July 10th, 2009by Justin Davis
ARCALIS, Andorra, July 10, 2009 (AFP) – Alberto Contador relaunched his bid for the 2009 yellow jersey on the first mountain stage of the Tour de France after taking back time previously lost to teammate Lance Armstrong.
Speculation since before the race that Contador’s Astana [...] - Contador Attacks For Yellow As Feillu Wins In Mountains
July 10th, 2009By: Justin Davis
ARCALIS, Andorra, July 10, 2009 (AFP) – Italian Rinaldo Nocentini took over the Tour de France yellow jersey as Spaniard Alberto Contador dramatically replaced Astana teammate Lance Armstrong in second place overall on Friday.
On the first of three consecutive days in the Pyrenees mountains Frenchman Brice Feillu [...] - Astana’s Strength Could Be A Handicap, Says Redant
July 9th, 2009by Justin Davis
BARCELONA, Spain, July 9, 2009 (AFP) – A series of unpredictable alliances could conspire to disrupt the yellow jersey hopes of Lance Armstrong and his Astana team on the seventh stage of the Tour de France on Friday.
The first summit finish of the race is at the [...] - Armstrong Predicts That Contador Will Soar In Andorra
July 9th, 2009by Ryland James
BARCELONA, Spain, July 9, 2009 (AFP) – Lance Armstrong is backing Astana team-mate Alberto Contador to come out fighting when the Tour de France moves up into the Pyrenees on Friday on the road to Andorra.
Spaniard Contador, the 2007 Tour winner, goes into Friday’s [...] - I’ve Nothing To Hide From The Testers, Says Armstrong
July 8th, 2009by Ryland James
PERPIGNAN, July 8, 2009 (AFP) – Seven-times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong insisted he has nothing to hide after being routinely drugs tested immediately after finishing Wednesday’s fifth stage here.
Cancer-survivor Armstrong was whisked away by officials immediately after Frenchman Thomas Voeckler handed the [...] - Press Release: Astana, Armstrong, and Contador Speak
July 8th, 2009Astana Cycling Team won the 4th stage in the Tour the France, a team time trial in Montpellier over 39 km (24 miles). In the process of winning today, Lance Armstrong just missed taking another maillot jaune by tenths of a second to Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank) who remains in yellow since his opening [...]
- Sastre Mellow About The Yellow
July 8th, 2009by Justin Davis
CAP D’AGDE, France, July 8, 2009 (AFP) – Reigning Tour de France champion Carlos Sastre has put a positive spin on Cervelo’s chances of defending his yellow jersey, claiming they would now employ a “happy, relaxed” approach.
Sastre was one of several Tour contenders who [...] - Armstrong Gives Evans Work To Do At The Tour
July 7th, 2009by Justin Davis
MONTPELLIER, France, July 8, 2009 (AFP) – Yellow jersey hopeful Cadel Evans was given an alarming reminder of the value of team work at the Tour de France Tuesday after a fourth stage which has severely dented his victory chances.
On a team time trial [...] - Evans Drops To Eighth, As Armstrong Strikes
July 6th, 2009by Justin Davis and Ryland James
LA GRANDE MOTTE, France, July 7, 2009 (AFP) – Cadel Evans endured a first test of his yellow jersey credentials on Monday’s third stage of the Tour de France which put seven-time champion Lance Armstrong in the limelight.
Thanks to an unintentional but deadly turn [...] - Armstrong Move Caused By Contador, Says Frenchman
July 6th, 2009by Justin Davis
LA GRANDE MOTTE, France, July 6, 2009 (AFP) – A dramatic racing incident that has put seven-time champion Lance Armstrong within sight of the race’s yellow jersey has been blamed, ironically, on Alberto Contador.
Contador, the 2007 champion who is Armstrong’s teammate at Astana, was [...] - Armstrong Keeps His Rivals Guessing
July 5th, 2009by Justin Davis
BRIGNOLES, France, July 5, 2009 (AFP) – Lance Armstrong is keeping his Astana team’s yellow jersey rivals guessing by refusing to officially endorse Spanish ace Alberto Contador as their definitive team leader.“We’re trying to keep it open a litle bit,” said Armstrong when asked [...]
- Armstrong Happy To Get Into Tour Groove
July 5th, 2009by Ryland James
BRIGNOLES, France, July 5, 2009 (AFP) – Lance Armstrong endured his first testing day of racing on his return to the Tour de France before avoiding a potentially dangerous finish among the safety of the main peloton.
The 37-year-old was given the same finishing time [...] - Yellow Jersey Contenders Step Out Of The Tour Shadows
July 4th, 2009by Justin Davis
MONACO, July 3, 2009 (AFP) – Who really has a chance of winning this year’s yellow jersey at the Tour de France became a shade clearer here Friday, a day before the race clicks into gear with a potentially revealing time trial.
Spaniard Carlos Sastre, [...] - Contador’s Form Overshadows Armstrong As Tour Start Looms
July 4th, 2009Lance Armstrong’s bid to win another Tour de France title is of high interest here, but Alberto Contador will start the 2009 edition as Astana’s number one rider with good reason, insists the team boss.
After nearly four years of retirement, Armstrong will line up for Saturday’s first stage [...] - Astana Boss Plays Down Armstrong – Contador Rivalry
July 3rd, 2009by Ryland James
MONACO, July 3, 2009 (AFP) – Astana boss Johan Bruyneel played down the rivalry brewing between team-mates Lance Armstrong and Alberto Contador on the eve of Saturday’s opening stage of the 2009 Tour de France.
Bruyneel has a true embarrassment of riches in his squad [...] - Contador -vs- Cancellara Showdown Could Light Up First Stage
July 3rd, 2009Yellow jersey favorite Alberto Contador could strike a first psychological blow to his Tour de France rivals when he lines up for the first stage, a 15.5km time trial, on Saturday,
However the Spaniard is up against the might and determination of Swiss Olympic champion Fabian Cancellara, who has vowed [...] - Penpix of Tour de France Yellow Jersey Contenders
July 3rd, 2009by Justin Davis
MONACO, July 2, 2009 (AFP) – Penpix of Tour de France yellow jersey contenders at this year’s race, held on July 4-26 over a total approximate distance of 3459.5km:
Alberto Contador (ESP/Astana)
Described as the “best stage racer on the planet” by seven-time [...] - Astana Must Support Contador, Not Armstrong, Says Riis
July 2nd, 2009by Justin Davis
MONACO, July 2, 2009 (AFP) – Former Tour de France winner Bjarne Riis has thrown the gauntlet down to his team’s rivals for the race’s yellow jersey, declaring that his Saxo Bank outfit will be hard to beat.
Riis, the 1996 Tour winner who two [...] - Contador Set For Double-Edged Yellow Jersey Battle
June 27th, 2009by Justin Davis
PARIS, June 26, 2009 (AFP) – Alberto Contador of Astana will start as the Tour de France favourite next week but the battle for the race’s coveted yellow jersey may take a few unexpected twists and turns on its 3,459.5 km trip to Paris.
The [...] - Tour de France Yellow Jersey Contenders
June 27th, 2009PARIS, June 26, 2009 (AFP) – Potential Tour de France champions at this year’s race, held on July 4-26 over a total approximate distance of 3459.5km:
Alberto Contador (ESP/Astana)
Described as the “best stage racer on the planet” by seven-time winner Lance Armstrong, Contador, on paper, has nothing [...] - Contador Is Just Crowned The Spanish TT Champion
June 26th, 2009MADRID, June 26, 2009 (AFP) – Yellow jersey contender Alberto Contador was crowned Spanish national time trial champion on Friday as he tested out his new machine for the upcoming Tour de France.
Contador, who rides for the Astana team, completed the 47.8km course between Torrelavega and Cuevas de Altamira [...] - Astana Names Contador As Astana Team Leader
June 25th, 2009Astana has chosen former yellow jersey champion Alberto Contador as team leader for the Tour de France, which begins in Monaco and will run from July 4-26.
Contador, who won the 2007 Tour de France but did not compete last year, is the pre-race favourite to succeed Spaniard Carlos Sastre.
[...] - “Angry” Valverde Wins Second Dauphine Libere
June 14th, 2009GRENOBLE, France, June 14, 2009 (AFP) – Controversial Spaniard Alejandro Valverde on Sunday won his second successive Dauphine Libere after the eighth and final stage was won here by Dutchman Stef Clement.
Australia’s Cadel Evans finished second in the general classification for the third year running, with Spain’s 2007 Tour de France champion [...] - Valverde Remains In Yellow As Moncoutie Takes Dauphine Stage 7
June 13th, 2009SAINT-FRANCOIS-LONGCHAMP, France, June 13, 2009 (AFP) – Controversial Spanish rider Alejandro Valverde stayed on course to win the Dauphine Libere race after Frenchman David Moncoutie won the seventh and penultimate stage of the race on Saturday.
Moncoutie beat home Dutch cyclist Robert Gesink by around 40 seconds while former yellow [...] - Grabsch Wins Fourth Stage, Evans Back In Yellow At Dauphine
June 10th, 2009VALENCE, France, June 10, 2009 (AFP) – Germany’s world time-trial champion Bert Grabsch of the Columbia team won the fourth stage of the Dauphine Libere race here on Wednesday, a 42.4 kilometer time trial.
The 33-year-old German outpaced Australia’s two-time Tour de France runner-up Cadel Evans by just seven seconds.
[...] - Cadel Evans Lands The First Punch At The Dauphine Libere
June 7th, 2009Australia’s Cadel Evans won Sunday’s first stage of the Dauphine Libere race, a 12.1km time trial around Nancy on Sunday.
The Team Silence-Lotto team leader was followed home by his Spanish arch rival for honors in this year’s Tour de France, Alberto Contador, who was eight seconds adrift.
[...] - Armstrong ‘Just Another Team-Mate’ – Says Contador
June 6th, 2009NANCY, France, June 5, 2009 (AFP) – Spain’s Alberto Contador on Friday said that he considers Astana team-mate and Tour de France rival Lance Armstrong as “just another member of the team”.
Armstrong, 37, has returned to the sport after a three-and-a-half-year absence in a bid to win an eighth [...] - Astana Makes Good On Financial Obligations, UCI Now Happy
June 3rd, 2009Astana, the team of seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, Alberto Contador, and Levi Leipheimer, have provided financial guarantees to the International Cycling Union (UCI) allowing them to retain their license, the sport’s governing body said on Wednesday.
The UCI had threatened to rescind the team’s Pro-Tour competition license [...] - Contador Wins Tour of Basque Country
April 11th, 2009MADRID, April 11, 2009 (AFP) – Spain’s Alberto Contador, riding for the Astana team, on Saturday won the Tour of the Basque Country after clinching the sixth and final stage, a 24km time trial around the town of Zalla.
It was the second straight Tour of the Basque Country title [...] - Contador Grabs Lead Role At Basque Tour
April 8th, 2009MADRID, April 8, 2009 (AFP) – Spain’s Alberto Contador seized the overall leadership at the halfway point of the Tour of the Basque Country after launching a daring late attack to win Wednesday’s third stage.
The 2007 Tour de France winner finished nine seconds ahead of a trio of riders [...] - Team Astana One and Two in Castilla y León
March 24th, 2009Team Astana’s Levi Leipheimer and Alberto Contador finished first and second in the second stage of the Spanish stage race Vuelta a Castilla y León. Leipheimer took over the lead after winning the individual time trial in and around Palencia. He finished the 28 kilometer course in 33:17 and was 16 seconds faster than [...]
- Armstrong “Happy” To Be Racing Milan-San Remo
March 21st, 2009MILAN, Italy, March 20, 2009 (AFP) – Lance Armstrong on Friday declared himself “happy” to be competing in the Milan-San Remo again after an absence of seven years.
“It will be an opportunity to see where I am,” the seven-time Tour de France winner said prior to his first European [...] - Spain’s Sanchez Trumps Contador For Paris-Nice Title
March 15th, 2009by Jean Montois
NICE, France, March 15, 2009 (AFP) – Spaniard Luis Leon Sanchez trumped compatriot Alberto Contador to win the 67th Paris-Nice cycling race after the eighth and final stage here on Sunday.
Sanchez, riding for the Caisse d’Epargne team, finished the race one minute ahead of [...] - Contador Back In Lead After Stage 6 Win At Paris-Nice (Results)
March 13th, 2009MONTAGNE DE LURE, France, March 13, 2009 – Spain’s Alberto Contador, riding for the Astana team, won the sixth stage of Paris-Nice cycling race on Friday to take the leader’s yellow jersey with two day’s racing left.
Contador, winner of the 2007 Tour de France and last year’s Tour of [...] - Sylvain Chavanel of Quick Step Wins Paris-Nice 3rd Stage In The Rain
March 10th, 2009Sylvain Chavanel of France won the third stage of the Paris-Nice race here on Tuesday and also grabbed the overall lead from Spain’s Alberto Contador.
Chavanel, of Quick Step, saw off Spain’s Juan Antonio Flecha and a tilt for glory from the Rabobank team which began with them upping the [...] - Contador Wins Paris-Nice Time Trial
March 8th, 2009AMILLY, France, March 8, 2009 (AFP) – Spaniard Alberto Contador, riding for
the Astana team, won the opening stage in the Paris-Nice, a 9.3km time trial
here on Sunday.
British Olympic gold medalist Bradley Wiggins, with American outfit Garmin,
came in second behind the 2007 winner, who clocked 11min 05sec, with another
Spanish rider, Luis Leon Sanchez, third.
[...] - Contador Starts Season With A Win
February 22nd, 2009LISBON, Feb 22, 2009 (AFP) – Spain’s Tour of Italy and Tour of Spain champion Alberto Contador began his quest to recapture the Tour de France this year on a victorious note in the Tour of the Algarve on Sunday.
Contador, who will take on Astana team-mate and seven-time Tour de France [...] - Alberto Contador States “Armstrong and I Will Be Equals”
February 18th, 2009LISBON, Feb 18, 2009 (AFP) – Spain’s Alberto Contador said Wednesday that he would be “equal” to Astana team-mate Lance Armstrong during the next Tour de France and stressed that they both deserved “the status of leader”.
“I think that we will be equal,” Contador said, shortly before the start of the [...] - Top 10 Reasons Why Armstrong Says He and Contador Will Get Along Great
December 6th, 2008Top 10 Reasons Why Armstrong says he and Contador will get along great. (AKA why Contador will be working for Lance next July.)
10. The promise of crazy good bro deals at Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop. (Applies to regularly priced merchandise only)9. I won’t hesitate to call Jan Ullrich out of retirement to come sit [...]
- Armstrong Says That Astana Is Just One Big Happy Family
December 4th, 2008ARONA, Spain, Dec 4, 2008 (AFP) – Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong on Thursday played down any rumors of internal strife in his new cycling team Astana.
On his comeback from retirement, Armstrong joined the Astana team of Spaniard Alberto Contador, who recently became the fifth cyclist in [...] - Armstrong and Contador Finally Get The Chance To Train Together
December 3rd, 2008SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Spain, Dec 3, 2008 – Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong has been training with new Astana team-mate Alberto Contador in the Canaries, his team revealed on Wednesday.
On Monday, the 37-year-old Armstrong revealed his intention to ride in the
2009 Tour de France after [...] - Contador States He Is Still Unsure Of Armstrong’s Fitness
November 30th, 2008MADRID, Nov 29, 2008 (AFP) – Spanish rider Alberto Contador said on Saturday he was unsure of Lance Armstrong’s competitive level as the two Tour de France winners prepared to train together for the first time as Astana teammates on Sunday.
The 37-year-old Armstrong, a seven-time winner of the Tour, [...] - Armstrong and Contador Training Together For First Time
November 26th, 2008Cycling greats Lance Armstrong and Alberto Contador will train together for the first time in the Astana team in Spain’s Canary Islands this month, Astana said.
Seven-time Tour de France champion Armstrong, who announced his comeback to cycling after a three-year hiatus earlier this year, and Contador, who has won [...] - Alberto Contador Undergoes “Successful” Nose Surgery
November 24th, 2008MADRID, Nov 23, 2008 (AFP) – Spanish cyclist Alberto Contador, winner of this year’s tours of Italy and Spain, Monday underwent surgery on his injured nose, his spokesman said.
“Doctors who operated on him fixed a deviation in his nasal partition,” his spokesman said in a statement.
The [...] - Alberto Contador Fine Tunes TT position
November 10th, 2008By Agence France Presse
Triple grand tour winner Alberto Contador says he is pleased with his recent trip to the United States to work on his time trial position at a San Diego wind tunnel.
Contador, who won the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España within 14 months, said he made some changes to [...] - Alberto Contador Will Not Take Part In 2009 Giro To Focus On Tour de France
October 29th, 2008MADRID, Oct 29, 2008 (AFP) – Spaniard Alberto Contador, winner of last year’s tours of Italy and Spain, has confirmed that he will not take part in the Italian race next year in order to concentrate on preparing for the Tour de France.
“I will not participate in the Giro. [...] - Lance Armstrong Likes 2009 Tour Plans, Excited About Future
October 24th, 2008AUSTIN, Texas, Oct 22, 2008 (AFP) – Seven-time Tour de France winner
LanceArmstrong was pleased with the 2009 Tour de France route announced Wednesday
and looked forward to the possibility of trying to win the race once again.
The US cycling legend, returning after a three-year hiatus, released a
reaction statement that also expressed his [...] - Alberto Contador Announces He Will Stay With Astana
October 19th, 2008MADRID, Oct 18, 2008 (AFP) – Spaniard Alberto Contador, reigning champion of the Tour of Italy and Spain, on Saturday confirmed he will remain at Astana next season despite the arrival of Lance Armstrong.
“Next year I will continue with the Astana team,” said Contador. “I’ve studied the situation and [...] - Contador Claims Team Backing From Astana Solid
September 26th, 2008MADRID, Sept 26, 2008 (AFP) – Spain’s Alberto Contador says he has been given assurances from his Astana team that he will remain team leader even if Lance Armstrong returns to the outfit.
The seven-times Tour de France winning American announced his shock return to competition earlier this month and [...] - Lance Armstrong Set To Join Team Astana, Say Kazakh Federation
September 24th, 2008American cyclist Lance Armstrong, a seven-time Tour de France winner, was set to join Kazakhstan-based professional team Astana, according to an official from the country’s cycling
federation.
“On Wednesday Armstrong will announce his decision to join our team at a
news conference,” federation deputy president Nikolai Proskurin told Bicycle.net.
“This case is a sealed one.
[...] - Alberto Contador Not Happy With The Idea Of Lance Armstrong As Astana Teammate
September 23rd, 2008MADRID, Sept 23, 2008 (AFP) – Alberto Contador, who won the Tour of Spain
on Sunday, hinted he may quit the Astana team if it hires Lance Armstrong, who
has announced he is coming out of retirement to seek a record eighth Tour de
France title.
The Spaniard was asked by the sports newspaper AS [...] - Weylandt Wins Vuelta’s 17th Stage, Contador Keeps Flying With Lead
September 17th, 2008VALLADOLID, Spain (AFP) – Belgium’s Wouter Weylandt of Quick Step won the 17th stage of the Tour of Spain, held over 148.2 kilometres (92 miles) between Zamora and here on Wednesday.
Spain’s 2007 Tour de France and 2008 Tour of Italy champion Alberto Contador remained the overall leader for [...] - Boonen Scores The Double, As Contador Keeps Gold Jersey
September 16th, 2008ZAMORA, Spain, Sept 16, 2008 (AFP) – Belgium’s Tom Boonen dominated a bunch sprint on the 16th stage of the Tour of Spain, held over 186.4km between Pontferrada and here on Tuesday, to claim his second win of this year’s race.
Spaniard Alberto Contador, of the Astana team, retained the [...] - Contador Retains Gold Even After Crash, And Garcia Wins Vuelta’s 15th Stage
September 15th, 2008PONFERRADA, Spain, Sept 15, 2008 (AFP) – Alberto Contador continued his march towards claiming his third major Tour within 14 months after the Tour of Spain’s 15th stage won by fellow Spaniard David Garcia on Monday.
Garcia broke free of a group of 17 riders that had escaped from [...] - Contador Flying High As He Wins Tour of Spain 14th Stage And Retains Overall Lead
September 14th, 2008FUENTES DE INVIERNO, Spain, Sept 14, 2008 (AFP) – Spain’s 2007 Tour de France champion Alberto Contador, who rides for Astana, won the 14th stage of the Tour of Spain here Sunday to retain the overall race lead.
He completed the 158.4 kilometre mountain ride from Oviedo to the Fuentes [...] - Flight Of The Contador As He Takes Lead Of The Tour of Spain
September 13th, 2008ANGLIRU, Spain, Sept 13, 2008 – Spain’s 2007 Tour de France champion Alberto Contador of Astana took the lead of the Tour of Spain after winning the 13th stage here on Saturday.
The 25-year-old finished the 209-kilometre (129.6-mile) mountain stage from San Vicente de la Barquera to Angliru in [...] - Contador Poised To Make History At Tour of Spain
September 12th, 2008by Pierre Ausseill
Spanish rider Alberto Contador is well-positioned to win his third major Tour within 14 months when the Tour of Spain resumes following Friday’s rest day.
Contador’s hopes were considerably increased after his compatriot Alejandro Valverde dropped out of the top ten on Thursday. [...] - As The Peloton Mulls Armstrong Return, Freire and Martinez Shine In Spain
September 10th, 2008MADRID, Sept 10, 2008 (AFP) – Spain’s three-time world champion Oscar Freire of Rabobank won the 11th stage of the Tour of Spain on Wednesday, a 178 km ride from Calahorra to Burgos, as Egoi Martinez of Euskaltel retained the overall lead.
Martinez leads US racer Levi Leipheimer by 11 [...] - David Moncoutie of Cofidis Wins Stage 8, Leipheimer Takes Over Lead In Spain
September 7th, 2008MADRID, Sept 7, 2008 (AFP) – Frenchman David Moncoutie of Cofidis won the eighth stage of the Tour of Spain on Sunday, a 151km ride from Andorra to Pla de Beret but it was US rider Levi Leipheimer of Astana who bagged the leader’s golden jersey.
Home favourite Alberto [...] - Alessandro Ballan of Lampre Wins Tour of Spain Seventh Stage
September 6th, 2008Italian Alessandro Ballan of Lampre won Saturday’s seventh stage of the Tour of Spain, a 223.2 km ride from Barbastro to La Rabassa in Andorra, to take the overall lead as the peleton moved into the mountains.
Riders had to negotiate not just the climbs but the unseasonably inclement weather [...] - Alejandro Valverde In Control Of Vuelta After Stage 2 Win
August 31st, 2008JAEN, Spain, Aug 31, 2008 (AFP) – Spaniard Alejandro Valverde of the Caisse d’Epargne team took the overall race lead after winning the second stage of the Tour of Spain on Sunday, a 176.3 kilometre run from Granada to Jaen.
The 28-year-old finished the stage in four hours and [...] - Alberto Contador Comments After The Team Time Trial At The Tour of Spain
August 30th, 2008“The time differences are small and not so important”
Alberto Contador crossed the finish line as first rider of the Astana Team, losing 14 seconds to the winner of the first stage. The differences, in his opinion, are not significant.
“This first stage has been a beautiful show and the team gave everything. I am [...] - Contador Out To Excite Home Fans In Tour of Spain
August 30th, 2008by Denholm Barnetson
MADRID, Aug 29, 2008 (AFP) – Spain’s Alberto Contador will be aiming for a
unique treble when the third of the year’s Grand Tours gets underway in his
home country on Saturday.
But two of his compatriots — Tour de France winner Carlos Sastre and
double Liege-Bastogne-Liege victor Alejandro Valverde — [...] - Levi Leipheimer Wins Clásica a los Puertos. Alberto Contador Is Second
August 24th, 2008Astana Cycling Team ready for the Tour of Spain.
Levi Leipheimer was the best rider in the 31st Clásica Internacional a los Puertos de Guadarrama, a preparatory race for the Tour of Spain, which starts next Saturday in Granada. Leipheimer won after a solo effort of 20 kilometers. The Olympic time-trial bronze medalist had an advantage [...] - ‘Spartacus’ Ready For Time Trial Gold Medal Battle
August 11th, 2008by Justin Davis
BEIJING, Aug 11, 2008 (AFP) – When they call Swiss time trial specialist Fabian Cancellara ‘Spartacus’, it hits the mark.
The 27-year-old battled uphill to a well deserved Olympic bronze in the road race on Saturday, and is ready to fight off the specialist climbers [...] - Nine Riders Re-sign With Team Astana
July 31st, 2008Astana Cycling Team General Manager Johan Bruyneel announced today that nine riders have re-signed for the 2009 season. Assan Bazayev, Chris Horner, Maxim Iglinskiy, Andreas Klöden, Steve Morabito, Dmitriy Muravyev, Daniel Navarro, Gregory Rast and Michael Schär have recommitted their services to Team Astana and will rejoin a formidable team that includes 2008 Giro [...]
- Liquigas Team Now At Risk Of Tour Expulsion As Beltran Tests Positive
July 11th, 2008by Justin Davis
AURILLAC, France, July 11, 2008 (AFP) – French police have taken Spanish cyclist Manuel Beltran, of the Liquigas team, away for questioning in the wake of the first doping scandal to emerge at this year’s Tour de France.
Beltran, best known for helping Lance Armstrong to the [...] - Cadel Evans Says No To Indurain Inspired Tour de France Bid
July 4th, 2008BREST, France, July 4, 2008 (AFP) – Australia’s Cadel Evans said he is unlikely to rely on his time trialling powers alone in his bid to win the yellow jersey on this year’s Tour de France.
Evans came agonizingly close to becoming Australia’s first Tour champion in 2007 when [...] - Tour de France Chief Convinced That The Cheats Are On Their Way Out
July 2nd, 2008by Jean Montois
BREST, France, July 2, 2008 (AFP) – Tour de France chief Christian Prudhomme is convinced this year’s race can take place without the numerous drug-tainted scandals that have left the event fighting for its credibility.
The 95th edition of the world’s biggest bike race begins [...] - Cadel Evans & Alejandro Valverde Lead Race For Absent Tour de France Yellow Jersey
July 1st, 2008by Justin Davis
PARIS, June 27, 2008 (AFP) – The Tour de France is usually no stranger to controversy, and this year’s race could be no different in spite of the likely thrill of a two-man battle for the fabled yellow jersey.
For the second year in a [...] - Cadel Evans of Silence Lotto Gets Number One Bib For 2008 Tour de France
June 30th, 2008PARIS, June 30, 2008 (AFP) – Australian rider Cadel Evans of the Silence team has been handed the top bib of number one, traditionally reserved for the winner of previous year’s Tour de France or his team, organizers said Monday.
Evans, runner-up in the 2007 Tour de France, has benefited [...] - Alberto Contador States That He Considers Himself One Of The Greats
June 4th, 2008MADRID, June 3, 2008 (AFP) – Recently-crowned Tour of Italy champion
Alberto Contador said on Tuesday that he could be considered one of the greats
of the sport.
The 25-year-old Spaniard added the Giro to his 2007 Tour de France title
and is looking to win the Tour of Spain in September, though, he will [...] - “The Best Way To Thank Kazakhstan” Says The Maglia Rosa, Alberto Contador of Astana
June 4th, 2008Three days after capturing the 91st Giro d’Italia title, Alberto Contador gets his deserved rest. The last days were well filled with celebrations.
At a press meeting in Pinto, he was quick to react regarding the definite position of ASO excluding Astana Cycling Team from participation in this year’s Tour de France. “Honestly, [...] - Alberto Contador of Astana Building Form As Slipstream Pull On Pink
May 10th, 2008by Jean Montois
PALERMO, Italy, May 10, 2008 (AFP) – Spaniard Alberto Contador admitted he will be looking to finetune his form in the coming weeks if he is to become a real contender for the Giro d’Italia crown.
Contador was among the pre-race favourites for the Giro’s [...] - Cycling: Tour of Murcia results
March 7th, 2008MADRID, March 7, 2008 (AFP) – Tour of Murcia results here on Thursday after
the fourth stage, a 23.1km time-trial between Alhama and Aledo:
Stage
1. Alejandro Valverde (ESP) Caisse d’Epargne 33:32, 2. Stefano Garzelli
(ITA) at 02, 3. Alberto Contador (ESP) 06, 4. Branislau Samoilau (BLR) 07, 5.
Inigo Cuesta (ESP) 09.
Overall
1. Alejandro Valverde (ESP) 13hr 23min 11sec, 2. [...] - Birthday Boy Ruben Plaza of Benfica Wins In Valencia
March 1st, 2008Birthday boy Plaza wins in Valencia
MADRID, March 1, 2008 (AFP) – Ruben Plaza, riding with the Benfica team, won the Tour of the Valencia Community on Saturday to celebrate his birthday in style.
Plaza, who turned 28 on Friday, triumphed on home ground after the fifth and final stage, a 149.km ride around [...] - Operation Puerto affair reopened
February 14th, 2008MADRID, Feb 14, 2008 (AFP) – The Operation Puerto blood-doping affair
involving about 60 cyclists and which erupted in May 2006, has been reopened,
Madrid prosecutors’ said on Thursday.
A raid on the Madrid laboratory of Dr Eufemiano Fuentes uncovered doping products, bags of blood and codenames which appeared to link top athletes to a highly-organised system of [...] - Kloeden furious at Astana’s Tour rejection
February 14th, 2008Kloeden furious at Astana’s Tour rejection
by Ryland James
BERLIN, Feb 14, 2008 (AFP) – German cyclist Andreas Kloeden has reacted angrily to the news his Astana team – including reigning Tour de France champion Alberto Contador – have been barred from competing in this year’srace.
On Wednesday, Astana were officially barred from the [...] - Alberto Contador and Levi Leipheimer of Astana kicked out of Tour de France
February 13th, 2008Alberto Contador and Levi Leipheimer Astana kicked out of Tour de France
PARIS, Feb 13, 2008 (AFP) – The Astana team of reigning Tour de France champion Alberto Contador have been barred from competing in this year’s race as a result of doping scandals over the past two years, organisers confirmed on Wednesday.
ASO (Amaury [...] - Tour de France Winner Alberto Contador May Not Be Guaranteed 2008 Start
February 1st, 2008Tour de France winner Alberto Contador not guaranteed 2008 place
Feb 1, 2008 (AFP) – Reigning Tour de France champion Alberto Contador, who has signed for the disgraced Astana team, will not be a guaranteed a starting place in the 2008 race.
Patrice Clerc, the president of Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) [...]
Hey, Ladies Only