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THE HAGUE, Jan 19, 2013 - Former world cycling chief Hein Verbruggen has dismissed allegations that the sport's governing body covered up for Lance Armstrong after the shamed rider admitted doping in a television interview. The Dutchman, International Cycling Union president at the time of Armstrong's seven Tour de France wins between 1999 and 2005, told the ANP news agency on Friday … [Read more...]
LOS ANGELES, Jan 18, 2013 (AFP) - Here is the main reaction to US cyclist Lance Armstrong's admission that he took performance-enhancing drugs throughout his career, which helped him win a record seven Tour de France titles: "His admission that he doped throughout his career is a small step in the right direction. But if he is sincere in his desire to correct his past mistakes, he will … [Read more...]
ADELAIDE, Australia, Jan 24, 2010 (AFP) - A relaxed Lance Armstrong swigged beer with his new team-mates on Sunday after a successful hit-out at the Tour Down Under, their first race together. Armstrong finished the six-stage race around Adelaide in 25th place, a slight improvement on last year's 29th as he gears up for his attempt on an eighth Tour de France title in July. "Having a … [Read more...]
by 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 Contador with his teammate Lance Armstrong in third and determined to finish second behind … [Read more...]
by 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 won the first part of an alpine trilogy to leave Astana teammate Lance Armstrong in second … [Read more...]
by 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 race, said he believes that "certain riders" are conspiring to make sure he does not win the Tour de … [Read more...]
by Justin Davis MONACO, July 4, 2009 (AFP) - Seven-time champion Lance Armstrong made his return to the Tour de France on Saturday, getting 10th overall at the opening stage time trial held over 15.5km. After an absence of four years from the race he won between 1999 and 2005, the 37-year-old American clocked a time of 20min 12.36sec for the race against the clock which many … [Read more...]
PARIS, 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 to prove. He won the race in 2007 as part of Armstrong's Discovery Channel team and … [Read more...]
Lance Armstrong will be able to compete for his eighth Tour de France title this summer after his Astana team announced on Monday that they have resolved their financial problems. Unpaid bank guarantees meant the Kazakh team, who also boast Spain's 2007 Tour de France champion Alberto Contador, had been threatened with expulsion from this year's race, which begins on July 4. "The … [Read more...]
SACRAMENTO, California, Feb 14, 2009 (AFP) -Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara won the Tour of California time-trial prologue here Saturday ahead of two-time defending champion Levi Leipheimer, whose teammate Lance Armstrong was 10th. Saxo Bank's Cancellara, who donned the leader's yellow jersey for the nine-day race, completed the 3.8km route on the streets of the California state capital in … [Read more...]