Tag Archive: Tour de France
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Yellow Jersey Contenders Step Out Of The Tour Shadows
by 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, [...]
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- 2009 Tour de France stages
July 4th, 2009The 21 stages of the 2009 Tour de France, held on July 4-26 over a total approximate distance of 3459.5km:
July 4 - Stage 1: Monaco - Monaco, 15.5 km (individual time-trial)
July 5 - Stage 2: Monaco - Brignoles, 187 km
July 6 - Stage 3: [...] - 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 [...] - Evans Confident Aussie Help Can Boost His Tour Hopes
July 3rd, 2009by Justin Davis
MONACO, July 4, 2009 (AFP) - Cadel Evans has been building steadily towards what would be an historic Tour de France victory for the past five years.
But this month another Australian, in the shape of his Silence teammate Matthew Lloyd, could offer that tiny, [...] - Tour de France Teams, And Their Objectives
July 3rd, 2009by Justin Davis
MONACO, July 2, 2009 (AFP) - Likely ambitions of the 20 teams competing in the 2009 Tour de France, held on July 4-26 over a total approximate distance of 3,459.5km:
AG2R (FRA)
Sticking with the tradition of most French teams, the primary goal [...] - The Armstrong Debate - Can He Win The 2009 Tour de France
July 3rd, 2009No position by: Spencer Canon
Bicycling Magazine arrived in my mailbox yesterday. The cover article is “Lance Rides Again. Why He Can Win.” I found myself immediately annoyed. First off, I don’t know how I miraculously got a subscription to Bicycling. It just shows up every month like a perky Hollywood celebrity telling me I can [...] - 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 [...] - Tour de France Teams And Riders
July 3rd, 2009Names of 20 teams and their nine starting riders for the July 4-26 Tour de France:
AG2R:
Jose Luis Arrieta (ESP), Cyril Dessel (FRA), Hubert Dupont (FRA), Vladimir Efimkin (RUS), Stephane Goubert (FRA), Lloyd Mondory (FRA), Rinaldo Nocentini (ITA), Christophe Riblon (FRA), Nicolas Roche (IRL)
Agritubel:
[...] - Cervelo Relaxed Over Sastre’s Yellow Jersey Defense
July 3rd, 2009by Justin Davis
MONACO, July 3, 2009 (AFP) - The Cervelo Test team declared their intention to help defending champion Carlos Sastre win the Tour de France for the second consecutive year here on Friday.
But the Tour debutants, who have also built their team around Thor Hushovd’s [...] - Japan’s Beppu Aiming To Be The First To Reach Paris
July 3rd, 2009MONACO, July 3, 2009 (AFP) - Japanese rider Fumiyuki Beppu is aiming to become the first cyclist from the land of the rising sun to reach Paris and finish the race which starts here on Saturday.
The 26-year-old former national road race champion, who turned professional with Discovery Channel in [...] - No Green Thoughts From Calm And Strong Cavendish
July 3rd, 2009by Ryland James
MONACO, July 3, 2009 (AFP) - British sprinter Mark Cavendish said Friday his Tour de France objective is solely to reach Paris with any thoughts of winning the green jersey far from his mind when the race begins here on Saturday.
The 24-year-old exploded onto [...] - Boonen Gets Shock 11th Hour Tour Reprieve
July 3rd, 2009MONACO, July 3, 2009 (AFP) - Belgian cycling star Tom Boonen has been granted a shock eleventh hour reprieve to compete in the Tour de France which starts here Saturday, his team confirmed.
Quick Step’s former world road race champion had been barred from the Tour by organizers following a [...] - 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 [...] - Basso Tips Armstrong For Tour Success
July 2nd, 2009ROME, July 2, 2009 (AFP) - Former Tour of Italy winner Ivan Basso on Thursday tipped his great rival Lance Armstrong to challenge for an eighth Tour de France title.
Armstrong won the last of his seven yellow jerseys in a row in 2005 but this year at the age [...] - Tom Boonen Will Find His Tour Destiny On Friday
July 2nd, 2009Tom Boonen will find out on Friday whether he has been granted a last minute reprieve to compete in the Tour de France which starts in Monaco on Saturday.
The former world road race champion from Belgium was barred from the Tour following a positive test for cocaine in [...] - 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 [...] - Team Garmin-Slipstream Announces Tour de France Roster Change
July 2nd, 2009Injured Dan Martin Will Be Replaced by Martijn Maaskant
July 2, 2009 – Monaco – Dutchman Martijn Maaskant, the first reserve for Team Garmin-Slipstream’s Tour de France Squad, will replace former Irish national champion Dan Martin on the start line on Saturday. Martin is suffering from knee tendonitis. Multiple team medical staff members have been working [...] - Evans Still Upbeat Even After Dekker Bombshell Ahead Of Tour
July 2nd, 2009MONACO, July 2, 2009 (AFP) - Yellow jersey contender Cadel Evans remains upbeat despite the unwelcome news that Silence teammate Thomas Dekker has been ruled out of the Tour de France due to a positive doping control.
Dekker, a two-time Dutch champion, was set to help Evans in this year’s [...] - Thomas Dekker Tests Positive For EPO And Is Out Of 2009 Tour de France
July 1st, 2009BRUSSELS, July 1, 2009 (AFP) - Dutch cyclist Thomas Dekker has been ruled out of the Tour de France three days before the start after testing positive for the banned blood-booster EPO, his Silence team announced Wednesday.
The sample was originally taken on December 24, 2007, but Silence said that [...] - French Courts Ears Are Closed In Boonen Case
June 30th, 2009Tom Boonen’s attempt to overturn the ban on him competing in the 2009 Tour de France next month has hit another big hurdle with the decision by a French court deciding not to hear Boonen’s case.
The former world road race champion from Belgium was banned from racing the [...] - Brotherly Love-In For Agritubel Tour team
June 28th, 2009PARIS, June 28, 2009 (AFP) - Brice Feillu, 23, will make his Tour de France debut alongside his elder brother Romain, the Agritubel team announced on Sunday.
The French team included two former Tour stage winners in their line-up, 38-year-old Christophe Moreau and Sylvain Calzati, for the race which begins [...] - Boonen Claims Belgian Road Title
June 28th, 2009AYWAILLE, Belgium, June 28, 2009 (AFP) - Quick Step rider Tom Boonen became Belgian road cycling champion here on Sunday after defeating Philippe Gilbert and Kristoff Goddart in a sprint finish.
It was the 28-year-old’s first senior national title in his home country, after he was named under-23 road champion [...] - 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 [...] - Evans Leads Silence Bid To Final Make Some Noise At The Tour
June 27th, 2009PARIS, June 26, 2009 (AFP) - Australian Cadel Evans has been given scope for a more promising tilt at the Tour de France yellow jersey with a reinforced team for the July 4-26 event.
Silence-Lotto on Friday named the two-time runner-up as team leader, with his compatriot Matthew Lloyd joining [...] - The 2009 Tour de France Stages
June 27th, 2009The 21 stages of the 2009 Tour de France, held bwtween July 4-26 over an approximate total distance of 3459.5km:
July 4 - Stage 1: Monaco - Monaco, 15.5 km (individual time-trial)
July 5 - Stage 2: Monaco - Brignoles, 187 km
July 6 - Stage 3: Marseille - [...] - The Teams Of The 2009 Tour de France
June 27th, 2009The list of the 20 teams competing for the 2009 Tour de France title, held on July 4-26 over a total approximate distance of 3,459.5 km:
AG2R (FRA)
Astana (KAZ)
Agritubel (FRA)
BBox-Bouygues (FRA)
Caisse d’Epargne (ESP)
Cervelo (SUI)
[...] - 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 [...] - Liquigas Turns Up The Tour Heat On Four Riders
June 25th, 2009PARIS, June 25, 2009 (AFP) - Italian team Liquigas have pinned their Tour de France victory hopes on four of the nine riders they named in their team on Thursday for the July 4-26 event which begins in Monaco.
Czech Roman Kreuziger, who battled for the race’s white jersey last [...] - 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.
[...] - Team Cervelo Test Team For Tour de France
June 24th, 2009PARIS, June 24, 2009 (AFP) - The Cervelo team on Wednesday named an experienced team to support Spanish reigning champion Carlos Sastre in this year’s Tour de France, which begins in Monaco on July 4.
Sastre, 34, will be notably supported by his 40-year-old compatriot Inigo Cuesta.
Norway’s [...] - Caisse d’Epargne Tour Team
June 24th, 2009PARIS, June 24, 2009 (AFP) - The Caisse d’Epargne cycling team on Wednesday named 10 cyclists from which they must select nine for the Tour de France, which runs from July 4-26.
Six of them, the Spaniards David Arroyo, Ivan Gutierrez, Luis Pasamontes, Luis Leon Sanchez, Xabier Zandio and 2006 [...] - Vande Velde To Lead Team Garmin At Tour de France
June 24th, 2009American rider Christian Vande Velde has recovered from injuries suffered in a fall during the Giro d’Italia and will lead the Garmin team in the Tour de France, the team said on Wednesday.
The 33-year-old, who ended last year’s Tour in fifth place but was promoted to fourth on the [...] - Boonen To Ask Judge To Reverse Tour ban
June 23rd, 2009PARIS, June 23, 2009 (AFP) - Belgium’s former world road race champion Tom Boonen is to appear here at a court on Thursday, in a bid to reverse the ban on him competing in the Tour de France by the race organizers, the rider’s lawyer said on Tuesday.
The judge [...] - No Tour de France For Valverde
June 23rd, 2009PARIS, June 23, 2009 (AFP) - Controversial Spanish rider Alejandro Valverde will not take part in this year’s Tour de France, his Caisse d’Epargne team announced on Tuesday.
His absence removes a potentially embarrassing stand-off as the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) last month banned Valverde from racing in Italy for [...] - Riis Wants Yellow Jersey From Start To Finish
June 22nd, 2009PARIS, June 22, 2009 (AFP) - The Saxo Bank team run by former Tour de France winner Bjarne Riis will center its hopes for victory on next month’s race on Schleck brothers Andy and Frank, and powerful Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara.
And Riis believes Saxo Bank, who won the Tour [...] - Boonen To Face No Criminal Charges Over Cocaine Use
June 20th, 2009BRUSSELS, June 20, 2009 (AFP) - Belgian cycling star Tom Boonen has escaped the threat of criminal charges from a first positive test for cocaine, in May 2008, despite a second positive test in April, local media claimed Saturday.
However the former world champion and winner of the sprinters’ green [...] - Tour de France Pulls the Plug On Earphones
June 20th, 2009Cyclists in next month’s Tour de France are to be banned from wearing radio-link headphones as an experimental safety measure, event organizers said on Friday.
The measure, affecting just two stages in the 2009 event - Limoges-Issoudun (July 14) and Vittel-Colmar (Jul 17) - means team managers will have to [...] - Milram Announces Tour de France Team
June 19th, 2009PARIS, June 19, 2009 (AFP) - The Milram team named German cyclists Linus Gerdemann and Gerald Ciolek as joint team leaders for next month’s Tour de France, the German-backed outfit said on Friday.
The nine-man line-up for the Tour starting at Monaco on July 4 comprises six Germans, an Austrian, [...] - Astana Names Their Six-Man Pre-Selection For Tour de France
June 19th, 2009Astana on Friday named six of the nine riders who will battle for overall and stage glory in next month’s Tour de France, where Alberto Contador of Spain will start as the yellow jersey favorite.
Contador, the 2007 champion, will be joined in Astana’s team by seven-time winner Lance Armstrong, [...] - Dutch Cycling Great Rooks Admits To Taking EPO
June 19th, 2009THE HAGUE, June 19, 2009 (AFP) - Dutch cycling great Steven Rooks became the latest former cyclist to confess to taking EPO in a book released this week.
The 48-year-old - second in the 1988 Tour de France when he won the classic Alpe d’Huez stage - admits in the [...] - Boonen And Team To Take Legal Route Over Tour de France Ban
June 19th, 2009BRUSSELS, June 19, 2009 (AFP) - Ace Belgian sprinter Tom Boonen and his Quick Step team are to contest his ban from the Tour de France by the race organizers ASO (Amaury Sport Organization) they announced on Friday.
The 28-year-old three-time Paris-Roubaix winner had been barred by ASO on Thursday [...] - Menchov To Lead Rabobank At Tour de France
June 18th, 2009THE HAGUE, Netherlands, June 18, 2009 (AFP) - Russia’s Tour of Italy champion Denis Menchov will lead the Rabobank team in next month’s Tour de France, the Dutch based team’s manager said on Thursday.
The 31-year-old could have a chance in the Tour, although Alberto Contador will be favourite, team [...] - Boonen Banned From Tour, But UCI Takes No Action
June 18th, 2009PARIS, June 18, 2009 (AFP) - Belgian cycling star Tom Boonen has been banned from competing in the Tour de France following his positive drug test for cocaine, organizers ASO (Amaury Sport Organization) announced on Thursday.
The 28-year-old Quick Step rider tested positive for cocaine in April, less than a [...] - Boonen “Didn’t Ingest Cocaine” - Experts Say
June 18th, 2009BRUSSELS, June 18, 2009 (AFP) - Belgian star Tom Boonen seemingly did not ingest cocaine, the substance for which he tested positive six weeks ago for the second time in a year, Belgian media Thursday quoted a panel of independent experts as saying.
The panel based their conclusion on the [...] - Team Cofidis Line Up The Climbers For Tour de France
June 16th, 2009PARIS, June 15, 2009 (AFP) - French cycling team Cofidis unveiled a nine-man Tour de France team Monday which manager Eric Boyer has shaped principally for success in the mountains.
Frenchman David Moncoutie, who won the hilly penultimate stage of the Dauphine Libere on Saturday, will be the team’s main [...] - Arashiro Flies Flag For Japan in Tour de France
June 15th, 2009PARIS, June 15, 2009 (AFP) - Japan will be represented in the Tour de France by Yukiya Arashiro, whose participation in the great stage race was confirmed by his team’s sporting director Dominique Arnould on Monday.
Arashiro, who was recruited in the close-season, is among six of the eventual nine [...] - I’m Not Afraid To Die, Says Ex-Tour Winner Fignon
June 13th, 2009PARIS, June 13, 2009 (AFP) - Former two-time Tour de France winner Laurent Fignon, who is battling cancer, said on Sunday he has no fear of dying.
“You either fight or you die,” the 1983 and 1984 Tour champion told the Journal du Dimanche newspaper.
“I have no [...] - Scandal-Free Tour Is Possible, Says Pat McQuaid
June 13th, 2009by Justin Davis
PARIS, June 11, 2009 (AFP) - Hopes of a scandal-free Tour de France in 2009 may be pie in the sky to some, but cycling’s most obstinate cheats have been warned they face a rocky road towards glory on the world’s biggest bike race.
On [...] - Self-Injecting Blood Cheats Keep UCI On Their Toes
June 11th, 2009by Justin Davis
PARIS, June 11, 2009 (AFP) - Pledges to take the battle to the drugs cheats at next month’s Tour de France are likely to be kept in check by a painful reality: the lack of a detection test for autologous blood doping.
After years of [...] - Tour de France 2009 Peloton To Face An Anti-Doping Army
June 10th, 2009by Justin Davis
PARIS, June 10, 2009 (AFP) - Potential drugs cheats at the 2009 Tour de France will face the biggest anti-doping army ever seen at a major sports event next month, UCI chief Pat McQuaid has warned.
McQuaid, the president of the International Cycling Union (UCI), [...] - Valverde Facing Down The Barrell Of Two Year UCI Ban
June 10th, 2009PARIS, June 10, 2009 (AFP) - Alejandro Valverde faces a worldwide two-year doping ban if cycling’s world ruling body the UCI acts upon vital evidence, which has still be received from the Italian sporting authorities.
Spaniard ace Valverde has been effectively ruled out of this year’s Tour de France after [...] - Tom Boonen To Be Given A Chance To Race At Tour de France
June 10th, 2009PARIS, June 10, 2009 (AFP) - Belgian star Tom Boonen has been given a chance to compete in next month’s Tour de France despite a recent, second positive test for cocaine.
Quick Step star Boonen, the winner of major one-day classics and Tour de France stages, sparked controversy last month [...] - Bernard Kohl Reveals Truth On Tour de France Doping
June 9th, 2009Disgraced Austrian cyclist Bernhard Kohl lifted the lid on his doping practices at last year’s Tour de France in a candid and accusatory interview published in French sports daily L’Equipe on Tuesday.
Kohl, 27, finished third in the 2008 Tour and was awarded the jersey for the best climber but was removed [...] - Astana Pays Up, And Secures Spot In Tour de France
June 9th, 2009Lance 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 [...] - 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 [...] - Tour de France For Convicts Pedals Into History
June 4th, 2009VILLENEUVE D’ASCQ, France, June 4, 2009 (AFP) - Scores of prisoners and their guards set off Thursday on a unique Tour de France cycling race for convicts, aimed at preparing them for life on the outside.
The prisoner cyclists have to stay in a pack and no “breakaways” are allowed [...] - Boonen Still Hopeful Of Racing In Tour de France
June 2nd, 2009GULLEGEM, Belgium, June 2, 2009 (AFP) - Belgian cyclist Tom Boonen still hopes to ride in the Tour de France in July, contradicting officials who said he would not race after he tested positive for cocaine earlier this year.
“I hope to take part in the Tour and we are [...] - Cavendish Promises To Make Paris This Year Wearing The Green Jersey
June 2nd, 2009British rider Mark Cavendish wants to make up for last years premature exit from the Tour de France by claiming the green sprint jersey in Paris next month.
Cavendish, 24, pulled out of the 2008 Tour after the 14th stage following four stage wins because of a combination of fatigue [...] - Giro Result “Promising” For Tour de France, Says Armstrong
May 31st, 2009Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong said his 12th-placed finish in the Giro d’Italia, which ended on Sunday, was “promising” ahead of this year’s French test.
The 37-year-old American, who broke a collarbone in a crash on the Tour of Castilla and Leon in March, and his Astana team [...] - Robbie McEwen Rules Out Tour de France After Breaking Leg In Crash
May 31st, 2009Australian sprint star Robbie McEwen has ruled himself out of taking part in the Tour de France after undergoing surgery on a fractured tibia.
The 36-year-old Katusha rider underwent surgery on Thursday after suffering a heavy fall on the second stage of the Tour of Belgium in Knokke-Heist.
[...] - ‘Thanks, but no thanks’, Danes tell Valverde
May 14th, 2009COPENHAGEN, May 14, 2009 (AFP) - Spanish cyclist Alejandro Valverde, who has been banned from racing in Italy after being implicated in the Operation Puerto doping scandal, was on Thursday told that he was also not welcome in Denmark.
Valverde “will not be welcome on the Tour of Denmark if [...] - Belgians Blast The UCI Decision To Sanction Tom Boonen Over Cocaine
May 14th, 2009BRUSSELS, May 14, 2009 (AFP) - Belgian cycling federation president Laurent De Backer has hit out at the president of world cycling, Pat McQuaid, following the International Cycling Union’s (UCI) decision to sanction Tom Boonen.
Belgian star Boonen, who recently claimed a third victory in the prestigious Paris-Roubaix one-day classic, [...] - No Mr. Boonen At Tour de France, So Says Organizers
May 12th, 2009SAN MARTINO DI CASTROZZA, Italy, May 12, 2009 (AFP) - Embattled cycling star Tom Boonen could face a six-month ban from the sport after his second positive test for cocaine, according to cycling’s world ruling body.
Boonen, who recently claimed a third victory in the prestigious Paris-Roubaix one-day classic, tested [...] - Alexandre Vinokourov Threatens Comeback
May 8th, 2009Kazakhstan’s Alexandre Vinokourov has said he wants to launch a comeback later this year after competing a two-year suspension for a doping offense.
“I do not want to end my career on such a sour note. It’s time to announce my return to action,” the 35-year-old told L’Equipe sports daily.
Vinokourov [...] - Schleck Cautious, But His Yellow Jersey Credentials Shining Through
April 27th, 2009by Justin Davis
LIEGE, Belgium, April 27, 2009 (AFP) - The step up from winning one of the world’s toughest one-day bike races to reigning supreme on the Tour de France is one most cycling fans would say is incomparable.
But Andy Schleck’s dreams of one day winning [...] - Canon and VeloGuy Trade Fire Over Lance Armstrong And The AFLD
April 25th, 2009POINT by: VeloGuy
Okay, so there you are, you are just getting back home from a 5 hour ride, and there is some guy you have never seen before standing at your doorstep all by himself. Okay, so right off the bat, you are a little uneasy, right. He tells you he is from [...] - Thor Hushovd Focus On Tour, Skipping The Giro
April 23rd, 2009Norwegian sprinter Thor Hushovd will skip this year’s Giro d’Italia to concentrate fully on his bid for stage wins and possibly other successes at the Tour de France in July.
Hushovd, a former Tour de France stage winner and winner of the race’s green jersey for the points competition, [...] - Armstrong Recovering After Surgery On Collarbone
March 25th, 2009Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong was recovering Wednesday after surgery to repair his collarbone, which was broken into four pieces in a crash in Spain on Monday.
In an article posted on Armstrong’s Astana team website, doctor Doug Elenz, the orthopedic surgeon who performed the procedure in Austin, [...] - Lance Armstrong Will Be Ready For The Tour de France Says Bruyneel
March 24th, 2009Lance Armstrong will recover from a broken collarbone in time to bid for his eighth Tour de France title in July, and may even compete in the Giro d’Italia in May, his team manager said Tuesday.
“A broken collarbone in March does not change anything as regards the Tour [...] - Injured Freire Puts Return On Ice
March 20th, 2009MILAN, Italy, March 19, 2009 (AFP) - Spain’s triple world champion Oscar Freire was on Thursday forced to shelve his return to action which had been penciled in for the Tour of Castille and Leon from March 23-27, his Rabobank team said.
Freire, who suffered broken ribs in a nasty fall during [...] - Tour de France Rubber-Stamps 20-Team Invitations
March 17th, 2009PARIS, March 17, 2009 (AFP) - Tour de France chiefs on Tuesday rubber-stamped their previously announced list of teams for this year’s race, where seven-time winner Lance Armstrong will continue his comeback to the sport.
Twenty teams of nine riders each will take part in the three-week epic, which begins [...] - So Can Your Kid By A Cycling Champion
February 28th, 2009Parents, who’d have them?
Sometimes I get asked by a parent if I can make their ‘little treasure’ a champion, I never know if this is a serious question. But in case you’re thinking of asking, the answer is simple, it’s a no. The only people who can make you a champion are you [...] - Armstrong Ahead Of Schedule In Tour de France Prep
February 25th, 2009Lance Armstrong is ahead of schedule in comeback preparations for the Tour de France, but the seven-time winner of cycling’s greatest race as a lot of work to do before July.
Armstrong finished seventh in the Tour of California which ended here Sunday but played mainly a support role to Astana teammate and [...] - 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 [...] - Tour de France History - Part 12
January 24th, 2009This is part 12 of 12 of the history of the Tour de France. Feel free to go back and view the last eleven installments. We will be posting a new series of videos starting next Saturday.
Enjoy. - Tour de France History - Part 11
January 17th, 2009This is part 11 of 12 of the history of the Tour de France. Feel free to go back and view the last ten installments. We will post part 12 next Saturday.
Enjoy. - Tour de France History - Part 10
January 3rd, 2009This is part 10 of 12 of the history of the Tour de France. Feel free to go back and view the first nine installments. We will post part 11 next Saturday.
Enjoy. - Tour de France - 1937
January 2nd, 2009Very cool Black and White coverage from the 1937 Tour de France. It is in English and runs about 2 1/2 minutes.
- Doping, Comebacks and a Man Named Contador
December 20th, 2008by Justin Davis
PARIS, Dec 20, 2008 (AFP) - History was made, new talents were revealed as drugs cheats and one of sport’s biggest names, Lance Armstrong, decided to emerge from retirement to show rivals ten years his junior a trick or two.
In all, 2008 was another [...] - “On The Rivet” Talks About The Tour - Hold on Tight
December 20th, 2008The tour is Rubbish. There I’ve said it. It’s junk, forget it. Oh sure there was a time when it was interesting, but now? Give me a break.
Now call me old fashioned, but I consider a bike race to be over when the riders stop racing. Oh no, that’s not good enough for Christian Prudhomme [...] - CONI Prosecutor Requests A Two Year Ban For Leonardo Piepoli
December 18th, 2008ROME, Dec 18, 2008 (AFP) - Italy’s Olympic Committee (Coni) anti-doping prosecutor Ettore Torri on Thursday asked for disgraced cyclist Leonardo Piepoli to be banned for two years.
Piepoli failed a dope test during July’s Tour de France for a variant of blood-booster EPO that was undetectable at the [...] - Rotterdam Time-Trial To Start The 2010 Tour de France
December 11th, 2008ROTTERDAM, Dec 11, 2008 (AFP) - The 2010 Tour de France will open with a nine kilometres Individual Time-Trial through the streets of Rotterdam, race director Christian Prudhomme announced here on Thursday.
It will be the first time that the gruelling tour will have started from the Dutch port city, [...] - Rotterdam Named As The Start City Of The 2010 Tour de France
November 20th, 2008The 2010 Tour de France will start from the Dutch port city of Rotterdam, organisers ASO said on Thursday.
The Tour’s 97th edition will start on July 3 and the route will be unveiled in Rotterdam on December 11, ASO said.
Rotterdam won the nod ahead of fellow [...] - Tour de France History - Part 3
November 8th, 2008This is part 3 of 12 of the history of the Tour de France. Feel free to go back and view the first two installments. We will post part 4 next Saturday.
Enjoy. - German TV Told It Must Air The Tour de France On The Television
November 4th, 2008VIENNA, Nov 4, 2008 (AFP) - German public broadcaster ARD has been told it
has no basis on which to bring a premature end to its contract with Tour de
France organizers to show the race in 2009-2011.
A spate of recent doping scandals, some of which involved German and
Austrian riders, prompted ARD and [...] - Tour de France History - Part 2
November 3rd, 2008This is part two of a 12 part series on the history of the Tour de France. We will run one episode every Saturday for 12 weeks.
These are really well done videos. - 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 Is Still 50/50 For Another Yellow Jersey Bid
October 22nd, 2008by Justin Davis
PARIS, Oct 22, 2008 (AFP) - Lance Armstrong’s participation on the 2009 Tour de France, for which a highly innovative race route was unveiled here, remains uncertain - but not impossible according to his team here on Wednesday.
Seven-time Tour winner Armstrong recently announced his [...] - “Murderous” Mont Ventoux Puts Fear Into Tour de France Peloton
October 22nd, 2008by Justin Davis
PARIS, Oct 22, 2008 (AFP) - Besieged by several high-profile doping cases in recent weeks, the embattled organisers of the Tour de France finally got a chance to look forward Wednesday after unveiling next year’s race route.
And, Tour chief Christian Prudhomme played his ace [...] - 2009 Tour de France Route Announced
October 22nd, 2008The stages for the 2009 Tour de France announced on Wednesday:
July 4 - Monaco - Monaco, 15 km (individual time-trial)
5 - Monaco - Brignoles, 182 km
6 - Marseille - La Grande-Motte, 196 km
[...] - Tour de France Chiefs Create More Innovation In 2009
October 22nd, 2008by Justin Davis
PARIS, Oct 21, 2008 (AFP) - Tour de France chiefs are on Wednesday set to finally end months of waiting by unveiling the route that they hope will provide another exciting, albeit cleaner, race for the famous yellow jersey.
In the months since Spaniard Carlos [...] - ‘Black Thursday’ Hits Professional Cycling In Germany
October 16th, 2008BERLIN, Oct 16, 2008 (AFP) - Professional cycling suffered a Black Thursday here when organizers announced the scrapping of the 2009 Tour of Germany the same day broadcasters pulled the plug on covering next year’s Tour de France.
German media giants ARD, the number-one broadcasters here, and fellow national television channel [...] - No More Doping Positives From Tour de France - L’Equipe Reporting
October 15th, 2008PARIS, Oct 14, 2008 (AFP) - Austria’s Bernhard Kohl will be the “seventh and last” positive doping case from this year’s Tour de France, according to sports daily L’Equipe on Tuesday.
Kohl, the best climber at this year’s race where he finished third overall, has become the fourth rider to [...] - Tour de France Doping Czar Bordry Begins Search For CERA-Type EPO
September 27th, 2008France’s national anti-doping agency (AFLD) is to begin retroactively testing blood samples from riders at this year’s Tour de France in a bid to find a type of EPO which is notoriously difficult to find.
AFLD chief Pierre Bordry said the test used to catch disgraced Italian Riccardo Ricco, whose [...] - Peace Between Tour de France and The UCI
September 26th, 2008VARESE, Italy, Sept 26, 2008 (AFP) - Tour de France chief Christian Prudhomme has welcomed an end to a four-year long conflict with cycling’s world ruling body the UCI (International Cycling Union).
However the Frenchman said Friday the world’s biggest race would reserve the right to enforce strict anti-doping rules.
[...] - New Era For Cycling Announced by UCI and Tour de France
September 25th, 2008Cycling’s world governing body, the UCI, and Tour de France organizers heralded a new era in the sport on Thursday by announcing an end to their four years of conflict.
The end to the conflict also concerns organizers of the other two major tours, the Tour of Italy and [...] - Will Armstrong and Verbruggen Buy The Tour de France - Verbruggen Denies
September 24th, 2008VARESE, Italy, Sept 24, 2008 (AFP) - Former world cycling chief Hein
Verbruggen has dismissed as “ridiculous” a report suggesting he and Lance
Armstrong may join forces and buy the company which owns the Tour de France.
Australia’s Sydney Morning Herald suggested last week that a link-up
between seven-time yellow jersey champion Armstrong and former [...] - Alberto Contador of Team Astana Captures The Historic Vuelta Crown
September 21st, 2008Alberto Contador of Spain secured overall victory in the Tour of Spain here on Sunday to join a select club of riders to have won all three of the sport’s major Tours.
The 2007 Tour de France winner also won this year’s Giro d’Italia, meaning he has become [...] - German City of Duesseldorf Withdraws Bid To Host 2010 Tour de France Start
September 18th, 2008BERLIN, Sept 18, 2008 (AFP) - After numerous doping scandals surrounding the Tour de France in recent years, the German city of Duesseldorf has withdrawn its bid to host the start of the 2010 race, it was announced Thursday.
Duesseldorf mayor Dirk Elbers formally withdrew their candidacy after a meeting [...] - Simon Gerrans Still Looking At His Future Team Options
September 17th, 2008PARIS, Sept 17, 2008 (AFP) - Australian cyclist Simon Gerrans, who won the 15th stage of this year’s Tour de France, has played down reports he has signed a contract with the Canadian team Cervelo.
The 28-year-old has been riding for Credit Agricole for the past year after joining from [...] - Tour de France Is Set For Two Stage Visit To Barcelona
September 16th, 2008MADRID, Sept 16, 2008 (AFP) - Next year’s Tour de France is set for a two-stage incursion to Barcelona, according to the Catalan city’s Mayor Jordi Hereu on Tuesday.
“This is important for the city, but also for the Tour, for cycling and sport in general,” said Hereu.
[...] - Armstrong Back, Landis Back..Now You’re Talking!
September 10th, 2008If you’re reading this, you’re really into cycling. You probably go out of your way to keep up about the sport at all levels. You can recognize the names of many of today’s top pros and their teams, and you probably attend professional cycle races from time to time. You might even [...]
- It’s Confirmed - Armstrong Making A Comeback - Hear It In His Words
September 9th, 2008US cycling icon Lance Armstrong said on Tuesday he will return to professional cycling in 2009 and try to win an eighth Tour de France crown.
“I am happy to announce that after talking with my children, my family and my closest friends, I have decided to return to professional cycling in order [...] - Andreas Kloeden Insists, I won’t Ride For Germany Ever Again
August 31st, 2008BERLIN, Aug 31, 2008 (AFP) - German cyclist Andreas Kloeden, second in the Tour de France in both 2004 and 2006, announced Sunday he will not race for his country again because of his non-selection for the Beijing Olympic Games.
“I have already announced my decision to the German Cycling [...] - Tour de France 2008 - Alpe d’Huez Showdown
August 28th, 2008This is one of the best cycling short movies we have seen in a very long time. Great editing and even better camera angles. Viva Le Tour.
- UCI Chief Pat McQuaid Announces End To Chaotic Cycling Feud
August 17th, 2008BEIJING, Aug 18, 2008 (AFP) - World cycling chief Pat McQuaid said Monday a long-running feud that has “split the cycling family” is nearing its end, as he announced the creation of a new world cycling calendar.
International Cycling Union (UCI) president McQuaid has been fighting resistance from major race [...] - Tour de France - Jimmy Casper Suspended After A Failed Doping Result
August 9th, 2008PARIS, Aug 9, 2008 (AFP) - French cyclist Jimmy Casper has been provisionally suspended from his team, Agritubel, following positive doping tests taken while he was riding in last month’s Tour de France.
Casper was in a list of five riders whose tests revealed positive during the tour which finished [...] - Leonardo Piepoli Denies Doping At Coni Hearing
July 31st, 2008ROME, July 31, 2008 (AFP) - Italian cyclist Leonardo Piepoli said he had
“denied everything” following his doping hearing with the Italian Olympic
Committee (Coni) on Thursday.
Piepoli was heard just a day after his former Saunier-Duval team-mate
Ricardo Ricco, who admitted to using EPO.
Ricco was kicked out of the Tour de France [...] - Carlos Sastre Returns To A Hero’s Welcome In His Spanish Hometown
July 31st, 2008EL BARRACO, Spain, July 30, 2008 (AFP) - Spain’s Carlos Sastre received a hero’s welcome Wednesday when he returned to his hometown of El Barraco after becoming the third Spaniard in a row to win the Tour de France over the weekend.
Hundreds of ecstatic supporters cheered when the [...] - Tour de France Crashes
July 30th, 2008This video is a compilation of crashes from different years of the Tour. Keep your eyes out for the one where the rider almost gets his legs run over by a team support car.
- Riccardo Ricco Mans Up And Admits To Using EPO
July 30th, 2008ROME, July 30, 2008 (AFP) - Italian cyclist Ricardo Ricco admitted to using banned blood booster EPO when interviewed by the Italian Olympic Committee (Coni) on Wednesday about his positive dope test on the Tour de France.
Ricco, who had won two stages, was kicked off the Tour after testing [...] - Four Dopers, But Overall A Cleaner Tour de France
July 28th, 2008by Justin Davis
PARIS, July 28, 2008 (AFP) - Increased suspense, a boom in television
ratings and happy sponsors left Tour de France chief Christian Prudhomme in
a buoyant mood two days prior to the end of this year’s race.
But with the ever-present threat of cheats lingering, the Frenchman knows
it is far [...] - Evans Relieved As Tour de France Ends and Beijing Olympics Begin
July 28th, 2008by Justin Davis
PARIS, July 28, 2008 (AFP) - For Australia’s Cadel Evans, the Olympic
road race in Beijing is already too far on the horizon.
For the immediate future, the 31-year-old wants to concentrate on winding
down at the one-day criteriums which follow the end of the Tour de France -
and then [...] - Lance Was Wrong, We Were Right. It Happens.
July 28th, 2008Why Cadel Didn’t Win The Tour de France
On July 12th, we published an article (see link below) laying out the reasons why Cadel Evans would lose the Tour de France. Over following days, we had reason to sweat having gone out on a limb with such a prediction, because Cadel appeared awfully calm and under [...] - Tour de France Finds A Family Champion In Sastre
July 27th, 2008by Justin Davis
PARIS, July 27, 2008 (AFP) - Unassuming, quiet, a family man. Hardly the kind of words to describe the winner of the world’s biggest bike race.
For those who know newly-crowned Tour de France champion Carlos Sastre, there might be little to talk about, but [...] - Stage Winners Of The 2008 Tour de France
July 27th, 2008Stage winners/yellow jersey wearers of the
2008 Tour de France:
Stage 1: Alejandro Valverde (ESP)/Alejandro Valverde (ESP)
Stage 2: Thor Hushovd (NOR)/Alejandro Valverde (ESP)
Stage 3: Samuel Dumoulin (FRA)/Romain Feillu (FRA)
Stage 4: Stefan Schumacher (GER)/Stefan Schumacher (GER)
Stage 5: Mark Cavendish (GBR)/Stefan Schumacher (GER)
[...] - Carlos Sastre Is The Seventh Spanish Yellow Jersey Winner
July 27th, 2008PARIS, July 27, 2008 (AFP) - Carlos Sastre became the seventh Spaniard to win the Tour de France yellow jersey when he wrapped up overall victory here on Sunday, taking his country’s total to 11 wins.
Federico Bahamontes, nicknamed the ‘Eagle of Toledo’ thanks to his formidable climbing skills, broke [...] - Dmitri Fofonov Fails Doping Test, Says Team Credit Agricole
July 27th, 2008PARIS, July 27, 2008 (AFP) - Kazakhstan’s Dmitri Fofonov has tested positive for a banned stimulant, his Credit Agricole team said on the final day of the Tour de France
The 31-year-old, who learned of his positive test after finishing 19th overall in the race on Sunday, explained to his team he bought [...] - Steegmans Wins Tour’s Last Stage In Paris
July 27th, 2008PARIS, France, July 27, 2008 (AFP) - Belgian Gert Steegmans of the Quick Step team won the final stage of the Tour de France here on Sunday.
Steegmans claimed his second career stage win on the race, but his first on the Champs Elysees, in timely fashion having failed to [...] - CARLOS SASTRE of TEAM CSC SAXO BANK WINS YELLOW IN 2008 TOUR de FRANCE
July 27th, 2008PARIS, July 25, 2008 (AFP) - Spain’s Carlos Sastre wrapped up his maiden Tour de France triumph here on Sunday following the final stage of the race into Paris.
Sastre, a 33-year-old climbing specialist who rides for the CSC team, became the eighth Spaniard to win the race’s yellow jersey [...] - Freire Looks To Secure Green Jersey On The Champs In Paris
July 27th, 2008by Justin Davis
SAINT-AMAND-MONTROND, France, July 26, 2008 (AFP) - Spain’s Oscar Freire has perhaps more reason than most to hope for a top finish on the final stage of the Tour de France this Sunday.
However, the Rabobank rider will not be the only sprinter with his [...] - Stage 20 Recap Video by Versus
July 26th, 2008This Bicycle.net stage 20 recap video is brought to us by our friends at Versus.com
Stats Lie
By Paul Sherwen
Statistics, maths and history all pointed to Cadel Evans winning the Tour de France in the final individual time trial. However history also predicts that the man who leads the Tour at the Alpe d’Huez always runs out [...] - Cadel Evans Admits CSC Saxo Bank Simply Just Too Strong A Team
July 26th, 2008by Justin Davis
SAINT-AMAND-MONTROND, France, July 27, 2008 (AFP) - The Tour de France, as Cadel Evans and every other yellow jersey contender likes to say, is never won in a day - but can be lost in a day.
That day came for Evans on Saturday, when [...] - A ‘Clean’ Sastre Dedicates Tour de France Win To Fallen Jimenez
July 26th, 2008by Justin Davis
SAINT-AMAND-MONTROND, France, July 26, 2008 (AFP) - Carlos Sastre had conflicting emotions as he crossed the finish line of the Tour de France’s 20th stage time trial to virtually secure his first yellow jersey Saturday.
Almost immediately, the Spaniard thought of the CSC team that [...] - Schumacher Powers To Second TT Win
July 26th, 2008SAINT-AMAND-MONTROND, France, July 26, 2008 (AFP) - Germany’s Stefan Schumacher claimed his second time trial victory from this year’s Tour de France when he dominated the 20th penultimate stage here on Saturday. Proving that he is a rider to be reckoned with when it comes to the art of the time trial. [...]
- Tour’s Anti-Doping Chief Regrets Lack Of UCI Help
July 26th, 2008PARIS, July 26, 2008 (AFP) - The chief of anti-doping operations at this year’s Tour de France has hit out at the International Cycling Union (UCI) over a lack of co-operation prior to this year’s race.
Following a feud between world cycling’s governing body and major race organizers, this year’s [...] - Evans Has The Skills, But Sastre Has The Jersey
July 26th, 2008by Justin Davis
MONTLUCON, France, July 25, 2008 (AFP) - Rabobank team manager Erik
Breukink is not alone in hoping for Australia’s Cadel Evans to have on off-day
when the Tour de France’s 20th stage decides who wins the yellow jersey on
Saturday.
Carlos Sastre of the CSC team will go into the 53km [...] - Sastre Primed For Yellow Jersey Challenge
July 25th, 2008MONTLUCON, France, July 25, 2008 (AFP) - With the emergence of a new generation of potential champions, Carlos Sastre is well aware his chance to secure the Tour de France yellow jersey may be his last.
The 33-year-old Spaniard goes into the penultimate stage time trial on Saturday with a [...] - Tour de France Stage 19 Recap Video by Versus
July 25th, 2008This Bicycle.net stage 19 recap video is brought to us by our friends at Versus.com
Late Arrivals Go Home Early
By Phil Liggett
The other side of the Tour de France was seen yesterday. Just when all of the riders were feeling safe with a Paris finish on Sunday, Romain Feillu, Fabian Wegmann and Juan Antonio Flecha were [...] - Tour de France Stage 19 Sprint Video by Versus
July 25th, 2008This Bicycle.net Stage 19 Sprint Finish video is brought to us by our friends at Versus.com
Thrice is Nice for Chavanel
By Bob Roll
Stage 19 is in the books as they say, and the French are celebrating wildly after Sylvain Chavanel delivered the victory for the third time in this year’s Tour.
To have a Tour de France [...] - Tour de France Stage 20 Time Trial Preview Video
July 25th, 2008This final individual time trial along rolling roads in the Allier and the Cher will fine-tune the individual and team overall placings. A last battle between the top riders could still take place here.
- Tour de France Results - Stage, Overall, and Classifications
July 25th, 2008MONTLUCON, France, July 25, 2008 (AFP) - Standings from the 19th stage of the Tour de France, a 165.5km ride from Roanne to Montlucon on Friday:
1. Sylvain Chavanel (FRA/COF) [...] - Sylvain Chavanel Wins Tours 19th Stage, Carlos Sastre Still In Yellow
July 25th, 2008MONTLUCON, France, July 25, 2008 (AFP) - Frenchman Sylvain Chavanel finally handed his Cofidis team a well-deserved leaving gift by winning the 19th stage of the Tour de France between Roanne and Montlucon here Friday.
Spaniard Carlos Sastre, of CSC, retained the race lead after the 165.5km stage ahead of [...] - Rasmussen Appeals Compensation Decision
July 25th, 2008Danish cyclist Michael Rasmussen said Friday he will appeal the decision of a Utrecht court which awarded him 665,000 euros (one million dollars) against his former Rabobank team for the way he was kicked off their 2007 Tour de France team.
The 34-year-old, who instituted proceedings for unlawful dismissal demanding [...] - Scott Sunderland Satisfied As Cadel Evans Fights To Beat Carlos Sastre
July 25th, 2008by Justin Davis
MONTLUCON, France, July 25, 2008 (AFP) - Australian Scott Sunderland has spent three weeks trying to make sure compatriot Cadel Evans loses the Tour de France.
Now Sunderland, a co-team manager with CSC, is preparing for the distinct possibility that Evans will upset his race [...] - Cadel Evans Tipped For Yellow Jersey Ahead Of TT Decider
July 25th, 2008by Justin Davis
SAINT ETIENNE, France, July 25, 2008 (AFP) - Cadel Evans has been tipped to overhaul his 1min 34sec deficit to Spanish rival Carlos Sastre ahead of their duel for the Tour de France yellow jersey in the final time trial on Saturday.
Sastre, who rides [...] - Record-Chasing Freire Vigilant Ahead of 19th Stage
July 25th, 2008SAINT ETIENNE, France, July 24, 2008 (AFP) - Coming a day before the all-important yellow jersey decider, Friday’s 19th stage of the Tour de France is shaping up to be a hectic free-for-all.
But with the finish line of the 165km race between Roanne and Montlucon at the end of [...] - Stage 18 Finishing Sprint Video by Versus
July 24th, 2008This Bicycle.net video is brought to us by our friends at Versus
Another Stage for Team Columbia
By: Phil Liggett
Boring to the eye, but great if your name is Marcus Berghardt. It was the first stage of the Tour de France to turn away from the race for yellow and concentrate on the win on given day. [...] - Tour de France Stage 18 ReCap by Versus
July 24th, 2008This Bicycle.net video is brought to us by our friends at Versus.com
Sprint Lifts Burghardt
By Bob Roll
Panic on the streets of Bourg-d’Oisans today. First of all, the Little Prince, Damiano Cunego, crashed hard in the opening kilometer. It took him almost 10 minutes to get on his bicycle again after receiving stitches to his chin. It [...] - Tour de France Stage 19 Preview
July 24th, 2008The sprinters will get their smiles, and legs, back in this somewhat flatter and faster-riding course across the Allier county.
- Damiano Cunego Out Of Tour Following 3rd Crash
July 24th, 2008SAINT ETIENNE, France, July 24, 2008 (AFP) - Italian Damiano Cunego on Thursday pulled out of the Tour de France having earlier battled manfully through the 18th stage after sustaining potentially serious injuries in a crash, team sources said.
“It’s a miracle I finished this stage,” said Cunego, who came [...] - Stuart O’Grady Admits It Could All Have Ended Too Early
July 24th, 2008by Justin Davis
SAINT ETIENNE, France, July 24, 2008 (AFP) - Stuart O’Grady finally came through one of his “toughest” Tour de France campaigns as the peloton headed out of the Alps and steadily towards Paris on Thursday.
However, the Australian admitted he almost never made it as [...] - Moises Duenas Denies Taking Banned Substances
July 24th, 2008MADRID, July 24, 2008 (AFP) - Spanish cyclist Moises Duenas, who was kicked out of the Tour de France after failing a drugs test, Thursday denied knowingly taking any banned substance during the race.
Duenas was charged last week in France with “use and possession of plants and poisonous substances”, [...] - Sastre Still Wearing Yellow As Burghardt Wins 18th Tour Stage
July 24th, 2008ST ETIENNE, France, July 24, 2008 (AFP) - Spaniard Carlos Sastre of the CSC team retained the Tour de France yellow jersey here Thursday as German Marcus Burghardt handed his Columbia team their fifth victory of the race.
Burghardt dominated a short, two-man sprint with Spaniard Carlos [...] - American World Junior Champion Taylor Phinney Sets His Sites On Beijing Gold, Tour Titles
July 24th, 2008by Jim Slater
WASHINGTON, July 24, 2008 (AFP) - Two-time world junior cycling champion Taylor Phinney hopes to follow in his parents’ footsteps and reach the medal podium at the Beijing Olympics.
Phinney will race in the 4km individual pursuit after winning the 3km world junior individual pursuit [...] - Tour Challenger Carlos Sastre To Have A Street Named After Him
July 24th, 2008MADRID, July 24, 2008 (AFP) - Spain’s Carlos Sastre is to have a street or a public area named after him in his native Leganes after taking the Tour de France leader’s yellow jersey after winning the 17th stage at the legendary Alpe d’Huez, the town’s deputy major told Spanish media on [...]
- Tour de France Stage 18 Preview
July 23rd, 2008A few difficulties still remain through the hills of the Monts du Forez on the road to Saint-Etienne. Watch out for end-of-the race fatigue and long breakaways which could create suspense, just possibly shaking up the overall placings
- Sastre’s Yellow Jersey Dream Gives O’Grady Goosebumps
July 23rd, 2008ALPE D’HUEZ, France, July 23, 2008 (AFP) - Australian Stuart O’Grady’s joy on what was another thrilling stage of the Tour de France here on Wednesday could, if you’re a Cadel Evans fan, appear misplaced.
But as the final day in the Alps witnessed two Aussies playing separate roles in [...] - Riis On A High As CSC Saxo Bank Dominate Tour de France
July 23rd, 2008by Justin Davis
ALPE D’HUEZ, France, July 23, 2008 (AFP) - It couldn’t have been a better day on the Tour de France for the Danish CSC team.
All they need now to finish this year’s race in seventh heaven is for Australia’s Cadel Evans to have an [...] - Tour Peloton To Head Happily Out Of The Alps
July 23rd, 2008ALPE D’HUEZ, France, July 23, 2008 (AFP) - Leaving the Alps behind for another year will be a pleasure for most of the Tour de France peloton, but some will still be looking hungrily towards the race’s 18th stage on Thursday.
The 196km ride from Le Bourg d’Oisans in the [...] - Riccardo Ricco To Face Coni At Month’s End
July 23rd, 2008ROME, July 23, 2008 (AFP) - Disgraced Italian cyclist Ricardo Ricco is to be interviewed by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) at the end of the month, Italian news agency Ansa said on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old became one of the major attractions of this year’s Tour de France when he [...] - Scott Bicycles To Step In And Save Saunier Duval Team
July 23rd, 2008ALPE D’HUEZ, France, July 23, 2008 (AFP) - Bike manufacturers Scott, the second sponsor of the Saunier Duval team, announced on Wednesday they would step in and rescue the Spanish outfit.
Saunier Duval announced earlier on Wednesday they had pulled out of cycling immediately in the wake of the drug [...] - Carlos Sastre Conquers Alpe d’Huez, Evans Remains In Contention
July 23rd, 2008ALPE D’HUEZ, France, July 23, 2008 (AFP) - Australia’s Cadel Evans succumbed to the dominance of CSC on a thrilling 17th stage of the Tour de France on Wednesday when Spaniard Carlos Sastre took possession of the yellow jersey.
However Evans, last year’s runner-up, could cause some last-gasp drama this [...] - Tour de France Alpe d’Huez Video by Versus
July 23rd, 2008This Bicycle.net video is supplied by our friends at Versus.com
This video gives some really good information on todays monster climb Alpe d’huez.
DayPortPlayer.newPlayer({articleID:”72733″,domain:”oln.dayport.com”,liveStreamFileTypeID:”16″,playerInstanceID:”8147AD6F-483B-6CC3-07BA-880F34AD8D61″}); - Interview With Christian Vande Velde Before Stage 17 by Versus
July 23rd, 2008This Bicycle.net video is supplied by our friends at Versus.com
Interview with Christian Vande Velde of Team Garmin before the start of the Tour de France Stage 17. They discuss what happened on Stage 16 and what appeared to be a bad day on the bike.
DayPortPlayer.newPlayer({articleID:”72728″,playerInstanceID:”8147AD6F-483B-6CC3-07BA-880F34AD8D61″,liveStreamFileTypeID:”16″,domain:”oln.dayport.com”}); - Cadel Evans Heading Toward Yellow In Paris, But CSC Is Ready
July 22nd, 2008by Justin Davis
JAUSIERS, France, July 22, 2008 (AFP) - The reputation of Australia’s Cadel
Evans is going in two directions at the Tour de France.
After the second of two days in the Alps on Tuesday, Evans boosted his bid
to win the race’s yellow jersey after surviving the CSC team’s wind-hit
efforts [...] - Riccardo Ricco Caught By Secret Doping Molecule
July 22nd, 2008SYDNEY, July 23, 2008 (AFP) - The world doping agency said Wednesday Italian rider Riccardo Ricco tested positive at the Tour de France after a secret molecule was planted in the blood booster EPO during its manufacture.
Ricco, 24, upset the big names of the sport to win two stages [...] - Tour de France Results - Stage 16, Overall, and Classifications
July 22nd, 2008Standings following the 16th stage
of the Tour de France, a 157.0km ride from Cuneo to here on Tuesday:
1. Cyril Dessel (FRA/A2R) 4h31min 27sec
[...] - Tour de France Stage 16 Finish Video by Versus
July 22nd, 2008This Bicycle.net video is brought to us by our friends at Versus.com
Bike, Opportunity Lost
By Paul Sherwen
What a great day, the Tour went over the highest road in the Europe. There were two races to follow, the race for the stage and the race for the overall.
In the race for the stage we had our [...] - Tour de France Stage 16 Recap by Versus
July 22nd, 2008This Bicycle.net video is brought to us by our friends at Versus.com
One for the French
By Bob Roll
One of the most exciting mountain stages in recent memory unfolded before us today on the stage from Cuneo to Jausiers. Stefan Schumacher, who wore the yellow jersey earlier in the Tour, made an impressive bid for the stage [...] - Maiden Tour Stage Win A Huge Remedy For Dessel
July 22nd, 2008by Justin Davis
JAUSIERS, France, July 22, 2008 (AFP) - Frenchman Cyril Dessel of AG2R finally drew a line under his nightmare 2007 season with a prestigious maiden win on the Tour de France 16th stage on Tuesday.
Dessel came to the wider cycling world’s attention when he [...] - Cadel Evans Holds His Own, But CSC Is Ready For The Yellow Jersey Battle
July 22nd, 2008by Justin Davis
JAUSIERS, France, July 22, 2008 (AFP) - The Tour de France yellow jersey is set to be decided on the final alpine stage on Wednesday after a dramatic 16th stage here in which CSC failed to shake off Australia’s Cadel Evans.
CSC’s race leader Frank [...] - Tour de France Stage 17 Preview
July 22nd, 2008his is the last real chance for the climbers to take the lead in the overall placing before leaving the Alps, with the climb of the Galibier, the Croix de Fer and the final climb up the Alpe d’Huez. The race leaders will use the last cards in their hand to aim for the final [...]
- John-Lee Augustyn Crashes Hard Over Side Of Tour Restefond Climb
July 22nd, 2008JAUSIERS, France, July 22, 2008 (AFP) - South Africa’s John-Lee Augustyn admitted he was lucky to escape with his life after a spectacular crash during the 16th stage of the Tour de France Tuesday left him halfway down a mountain side.
Augustyn crossed the summit of the [...] - Alpe d’Huez - 25 Years Of history
July 22nd, 2008JAUSIERS, France, July 22, 2008 (AFP) - A list of the past 25 riders to win a Tour de France stage atop the legendary Alpe d’Huez climb, the climax of this year’s mountain stages:
Winners:
1952: Fausto Coppi (ITA)
1976: Joop Zoetemelk (NED)
1977: [...] - Alpe d’Huez Can Do The Damage For Schleck’s Tour Rivals
July 22nd, 2008by Justin Davis
JAUSIERS, France, July 22, 2008 (AFP) - Luxembourg champion Frank Schleck can be forgiven for looking forward to the final climbing stage on the Tour de France Wednesday.
CSC rider Schleck began the 16th stage here Tuesday with the yellow jersey and a 07sec lead [...] - Riccardo Ricco Denies EPO Use As Doping Chief Backs Controls
July 22nd, 2008JAUSIERS, France, July 22, 2008 (AFP) - The threat of being caught cheating at this year’s Tour de France has proved a major deterrent, according to the chief of France’s national anti-doping agency (AFLD) on Tuesday.
AFLD chief Pierre Bordry said prior to the race’s 16th stage from Cuneo, [...] - Evans, Menchov, Vande Velde Consider Yellow Jersey Options
July 21st, 2008by Justin Davis
CUNEO, Italy, July 21, 2008 (AFP) - A Russian-American-Australian alliance is unlikely to see the light of day on the Tour de France, or anywhere else, this year.
But with the yellow jersey up for grabs in the next two crucial days of racing, American [...] - Valverde Still Dreaming Of Tour de France Podium
July 21st, 2008CUNEO, Italy, July 21, 2008 (AFP) - Spaniard Alejandro Valverde has declared his intention to fight for a podium place on the Tour de France despite languishing down in ninth place overall.
Valverde, who rides for Caisse d’Epargne, became the first big yellow jersey victim when the pace of the [...] - Brotherly Ambitions Lead To Yellow Jersey Dream Team
July 21st, 2008by Justin Davis
CUNEO, Italy, July 21, 2008 (AFP) - According to their father, CSC duo Frank and Andy Schleck rarely talk of the sport that has put them into the global spotlight.
But when they do get round to talking of their profession in the Schleck household, [...] - Cadel Evans Says Denis Menchov, Not CSC, Is His Biggest Threat
July 21st, 2008by Justin Davis
CUNEO, Italy, July 21, 2008 (AFP) - Australian Cadel Evans has all but discounted the threat presented by the CSC team of Tour de France leader Frank Schleck to his own yellow jersey pretensions.
Instead, the Silence-Lotto team leader - who lost the lead to [...] - CSC Aims To Rip Cadel Evans Apart Leading Up To The Time Trial
July 21st, 2008CUNEO, Italy, July 21, 2008 (AFP) - Former Tour de France winner Bjarne Riis doesn’t need to dig too deeply into his memory to know that the next two stages of the race will be crucial for his CSC team’s yellow jersey chances.
For the man who ended the five-year [...] - CSC’s Alpine Attacks A Dilemma For Cadel Evans
July 20th, 2008by Justin Davis
PRATO NEVOSO, Italy, July 20, 2008 (AFP) - Cadel Evans is bracing himself for a crucial two days of racing in the French alps after giving up the Tour de France yellow jersey here on Sunday.
On the first day of three in the Alps [...] - Frank Schleck Of CSC Saxo Bank Takes The Yellow Jersey As Gerrans Wins Stage 15
July 20th, 2008by Justin Davis
PRATO NEVOSO, Italy, July 20, 2008 (AFP) - Luxembourg’s Frank Schleck took possession of the Tour de France yellow jersey from Cadel Evans here on Friday after a thrilling 15th stage in the Alps which blew the race wide open.
Australian Simon Gerrans, of the [...] - Tour de France Stage 16 Preview
July 20th, 2008In less than one week away from Paris, the race’s outcome won’t be final. This short stage, which brings the pack all the way to Jausiers, crossing the Col de la Lombarde and the Col de la Bonnette (the highest pass in Europe at over 2800 meters altitude), before a dizzying descent that should make [...]
- Tour de France Video - Big Crash In The Peloton by Versus.com
July 20th, 2008This Bicycle.net video of a large peloton crash is brought to us by our friends at Versus.com
Up For Grabs
By Bob Roll
There were big changes for the GC at the end of the stage to Prato Nevoso, across the Alps from France into Italy. A big breakaway got away early with Christian Vandevelde’s teammate, Danny Pate [...]
July 20th, 2008This Bicycle.net video of Simon Gerrans Stage 15 Win is brought to us by our friends at Versus.com
Action-Packed Stage
By Paul Sherwen
What a day! I don’t really know where to start because so much happened. Actually, so much happened in the last 11 kilometers of the stage to be exact. I suppose I should start with [...]- Tour de France Results: Stage 15, Overall, And Classifications
July 20th, 2008Results of the 15th stage of the Tour de France, a 183.0km ride from Embrun to Prato Nevoso on Sunday:
1. Simon Gerrans (AUS/C.A) 4h50min 44sec
[...] - Simon Gerrans Of Credit Agricole Thanks Anderson After His Stage Win
July 20th, 2008by Justin Davis
PRATO NEVOSO, Italy, July 20, 2008 (AFP) - Australian Simon Gerrans caused a minor sensation here on Sunday by winning the tough 15th stage of the Tour de France on the race’s third mountain finish in the Italian Alps.
The 28-year-old from Melbourne, however, was [...] - Oscar Pereiro Has Big Crash In The Alps And Suffers Shoulder Injury
July 20th, 2008Spain’s 2006 champion Oscar Pereiro suffered shoulder injuries after crashing spectacularly out of the 15th stage of the Tour de France here on Sunday.
According to a first official diagnosis Pereiro has a sprained shoulder but has not injured his leg or his back, as previously believed.
“He [...] - Aussie Rider Mark Renshaw Pulls Out Of Tour
July 20th, 2008PRATO NEVOSO, Italy, July 20, 2008 (AFP) - Australian rider Mark Renshaw pulled out of the Tour de France before the halfway point of the 15th stage, the first day in the Alps on Sunday.
- Mark Cavendish of Team Columbia Pulls Out Of Tour With Four, Count Them Four Stage Wins
July 20th, 2008EMBRUN, France, July 20, 2008 (AFP) - Quadruple stage winner Mark Cavendish has pulled out of the Tour de France prior to the 15th stage, the first of three days in the Alps here Sunday, according to his Columbia team.
Cavendish has been one of the stars of the July 5-27 race so [...] - Cadel Evans Looking For Allies For The Alps
July 20th, 2008by Justin Davis
DIGNES LES BAINS, France, July 19, 2008 (AFP) - Cadel Evans has been poring over cycling’s history books as he prepares to put his yellow jersey on the line during three crucial days of climbing at the Tour de France.
But the 31-year-old Aussie has [...] - Tour de France Stage 15 Preview
July 19th, 2008
- Freire Getting Greener, With A Little Help From ‘Cav’
July 19th, 2008by Justin Davis
DIGNES LES BAINS, France, July 19, 2008 (AFP) - Spaniard Oscar Freire should now have a better idea of whether he can keep the Tour de France green jersey, after some in-race consultation with sprint rival Mark Cavendish.
Cavendish, the winner of four sprint stages [...] - Freire Ends Cav’s Run As Evans Looks To The Alps
July 19th, 2008by Justin Davis
DIGNES LES BAINS, France, July 19, 2008 (AFP) - Rabobank sprinter Oscar Freire of Spain ended the triumphant victory run of Britain’s Mark Cavendish by taking the Tour de France 14th stage here on Saturday.
Australian Cadel Evans retained the leader’s yellow jersey one second [...] - Freire Takes Stage 14, Evans Retains Yellow Jersey
July 19th, 2008DIGNES LES BAINS, France, July 19, 2008 (AFP) - Spain’s Oscar Freire, riding for Rabobank, won the 14th stage of the Tour de France on Saturday, a 194km ride from Nimes to Dignes Les Bains, while Australian Cadel Evans retained the leader’s yellow jersey one second ahead of Luxembourg’s Frank Schleck.
[...] - Barloworld Positive, But Slam Drugs Cheat Duenas
July 19th, 2008by Justin Davis
DIGNES-LES-BAINS, France, July 19, 2008 (AFP) - Kenyan-born Briton Chris Froome hit out at Barloworld teammate Moises Duenas here on Saturday after the Spaniard’s positive doping control at the Tour de France.
Duenas’s positive test for the banned blood booster EPO (erythrpoietin) on stage four [...] - Cadel Evans Wakes Silence-Lotto With A Call To Arms
July 19th, 2008by Justin Davis
DIGNES-LES-BAINS, France, July 19, 2008 (AFP) - The sponsor of Cadel Evans’
team on the Tour de France is known for products that allow noisy snorers to doze off and enjoy a good night’s sleep.
But if there was ever a time the Australian needed his [...] - Moises Duenas Blames Spanish Doctor For Positive Dope Test
July 19th, 2008MADRID, July 19, 2008 (AFP) - Spanish rider Moises Duenas, kicked out of the Tour de France, has blamed a Spanish doctor for his positive test for the blood booster erythropoietin (EPO), the daily El Pais reported on Saturday.
Duenas, who was charged with “use and possession of poisonous substances”
before [...] - Tour de France History
July 19th, 2008
- Tour de France Mark Cavendish Profile Video’s by Versus
July 19th, 2008These Bicycle.net video’s are brought to us by our friends at Versus.com
“Champion Class” on Display
By Paul Sherwen
Well, if I talked about the historic win yesterday for Mark Cavendish, I’d better mention that he just went one better bringing his tally to four stage wins in a single Tour.
Again, his team had total confidence in him [...] - Cadel Evans Is Recovering In Time For Alps
July 19th, 2008by Justin Davis
NIMES, France, July 18, 2008 (AFP) - For someone who finished the runner-up
by just 23 seconds last year, it is understandable that Cadel Evans is taking
this year’s Tour de France one day at a time.
And after his third day spent in the yellow jersey, the Australian is [...] - Tour de France Stage 14 Preview
July 18th, 2008The pack will approach the Alps via winding and slightly steep routes. Race leaders will be cautious not to lose ground while those sprinters able make the last climbs easily could cause trouble at the finish line.
- Mark Cavendish Interview - Stage 13
July 18th, 2008Cavendish Cannot Be Beaten
When it comes to bunch sprints, there are no riders who are even close to being at the same level as Mark Cavendish. The rider from the Isle of Man has set himself up for a hat-trick of victories after claiming first place in the two transitional stages between the Pyrenees [...] - Tour de France Mark Cavendish Stage 13 Interview by Versus
July 18th, 2008This Bicycle.net video is brought to us by our friends at Versus.com
Re-Writing the Record Book
By Phil Liggett
At last the hot sun in the South of France and in the end in the Roman city of Nimes, one of the fresh young faces of the Tour de France won again. Mark Cavendish really is the fastest [...] - Tour de France Video - Violent Crash
July 18th, 2008This Bicycle.net video is brought to us by our friends at Versus.com
This has to be the most violent crash we have seen so far this Tor de France. Not only does the riders bike break in half but he nearly flattens a road sign. That had to hurt.
DayPortPlayer.newPlayer({articleID:”72589″,playerInstanceID:”8147AD6F-483B-6CC3-07BA-880F34AD8D61″,liveStreamFileTypeID:”16″,domain:”oln.dayport.com”}); - No Joking For Cavendish, The Manx Express
July 18th, 2008by Justin Davis
NIMES, France, July 18, 2008 (AFP) - He’s known for being a joker among a
cosmopolitan team that came to the Tour de France proclaiming their “clean”
approach to racing would help smooth their way to success.
But when it gets serious in the hectic bunch sprints, curly-haired Briton
Mark Cavendish [...] - Video: Mark Cavendish Does It Again by Versus
July 18th, 2008This Bicycle.net video is brought to us by our friends at Versus.com
Cavendish Emerges From Sprint
By Bob Roll
Today in the Tour de France was a transitional stage to link up to the mountain. The racing action returned to center stage, thankfully and Mark Cavendish proved not just to be the fastest, but also the most dominant [...] - Basso Worth A Second Chance, Says Liquigas Chief
July 18th, 2008by Justin Davis
NARBONNE, France, July 18, 2008 (AFP) - Disgraced Italian cycling star Ivan
Basso deserves a second chance of resurrecting his career, the Italian’s
future manager at the Liquigas team said Friday.
Basso is nearing the end of a ban handed down after he admitted, without
having tested positive for banned substances, [...] - Tour de France Results - Stage 13, Overall, Classifications
July 18th, 2008Standings from the 13th stage of the
Tour de France, a 182.0km ride from Narbonne to Nimes on Friday:
1. Mark Cavendish (IDM/COL) 4h25min 42sec
2. Robbie [...] - Ricco Remanded After Doping Scandal
July 18th, 2008FOIX, France, July 18, 2008 (AFP) - Italian racer Riccardo Ricco, kicked
off the Tour de France for doping, was Friday remanded in custody for “using a
poisonous substance,” the public prosecutor at Foix said.
Prosecutor Antoine Leroy said Ricco had been remanded for “using a
substance classed poisonous under the terms of the public [...] - A Prognostication We Hoped We’d Be Wrong About
July 18th, 2008A Prognostication We Hoped We’d Be Wrong About
Sometimes The Labs Confirm What Our Noses Already Sensed…
As the Tour headed into the Pyrenees in recent days we wrote that “young gun” Ricardo Ricco was positively en fiero, and we added a few innocuous words as a sort of footnote, or perhaps as a garlic clove intended [...] - Ricco Swears Innocence, But Sacked Along With Piepoli
July 18th, 2008by Justin Davis
NIMES, France, July 18, 2008 (AFP) - Spanish cycling team Saunier Duval
have sacked Italian star Riccardo Ricco following his positive doping control
for EPO (erythropoietin) at the Tour de France, it was announced Friday.
Team manager Mauro Gianetti said that both Ricco and his Italian teammate
Leonardo Piepoli, who was [...] - Ricco Positive A Blow For Italian Cycling, Says Stefano Zanatta
July 18th, 2008by Justin Davis
NARBONNE, France, July 18, 2008 (AFP) - Liquigas manager Stefano Zanatta
has admitted the latest doping scandal to hit the Tour de France is also a
major blow to Italian cycling.
The race was rocked on Thursday by news of Riccardo Ricco’s positive test
for banned blood booster EPO (erythropoietin), the [...] - Christian Prudhomme Cast Suspicious Eye At Saunier Duval Team
July 17th, 2008NARBONNE, France, July 17, 2008 (AFP) - Tour de France chief Christian Prudhomme left the future of Saunier Duval in the balance after declaring he doubted the integrity of the cycling team’s manager.
The Spanish outfit volunteered to quit the race prior to the 12th stage following news that their [...] - Cadel Evans Takes A Swipe At “Un-Tested” Sports
July 17th, 2008by Justin Davis
NARBONNE, France, July 17, 2008 (AFP) - Australia’s Cadel Evans has called on cycling’s detractors to take a long hard look at what is being done in the sport to clean up its image.
For the second consecutive day the Tour de France was rocked [...] - Barloworld Can Stay For Now, Says Tour Official Patrice Clerc
July 17th, 2008by Justin Davis
NARBONNE, France, July 17, 2008 (AFP) - Top Tour de France official Patrice Clerc said Barloworld would remain in the race unless new evidence from a police investigation pointed to organized doping within the team.
Barloworld, along with two other teams, have come under the [...] - Tour de France - Ricco Test Positive Video by Versus
July 17th, 2008This Bicycle.net video is supplied by our friends at Versus.com
Ricco, Doping Take Center Stage
By Bob Roll
The theme of doping reared its ugly head once again in the 2008 TDF. The difference between Manuel Beltran and Moises Duenas was that this time, it involved a big star of the sport and a double-stage winner at the [...] - Tour de France Finishing Sprint Video by Versus
July 17th, 2008This Bicycle.net Stage 12 video is supplied by our friends at Versus.com
Cavendish Brightens Dark Day
By Paul Sherwen
Aargh! I was looking forward to a good transition stage with the sprinters fighting it out for glory, not the bombshell that landed about an hour before the start. Riccardo Ricco was surrounded by mystery and suspicion because of [...] - Tour de France Stage 12 Recap Video by Versus
July 17th, 2008This Bicycle.net Stage 12 Recap Video is brought to us by our friends at Versus.com
Cavendish Sets British Mark
By Phil Liggett
It was a very sad day in the Tour with one of the new young faces of the future turning out to be a cheat. Riccardo Ricco, targeted by the dope testers caught using a brand [...] - The Dopers and Cheats Won’t Stop Cavendish From Winning Stages
July 17th, 2008by Justin Davis
NARBONNE, France, July 17, 2008 (AFP) - Britain’s Mark Cavendish was forced to hold back his anger and frustration here at the Tour de France Thursday on a day when celebration should have been his sole priority.
The 23-year-old Isle of Man sprinter made cycling [...] - More Scandal For Tour de France As Ricco Tests Positive
July 17th, 2008by Justin Davis
LAVELANET, France, July 17, 2008 (AFP) - The Tour de France was rocked by a third positive doping scandal Thursday after Italian Riccardo Ricco tested positive for banned substances.
Ricco, who won two climbing stages last week, was taken into custody by French police amid [...] - Give Dopers and Cheats A Lifetime Ban, says Stuart O’Grady
July 17th, 2008by Justin Davis
LAVELANET, France, July 17, 2008 (AFP) - Australian Stuart O’Grady has called for dope cheats to be handed life bans following the latest scandal to hit the Tour de France on Thursday.
O’Grady spoke out after Ricardo Ricco, one of Italy’s biggest cycling stars, left [...] - Riccardo Ricco Fails Drug Test At The Tour de France
July 17th, 2008LAVELANET, France, July 17, 2008 (AFP) - Italian rider Ricardo Ricco of Saunier Duval has tested positive for blood booster erythropoietin (EPO), the French national anti-doping agency (AFLD) confirmed on Thursday.
The 24-year-old Ricco, winner of two mountain stages, provided a urine sample which contained the banned subtance CERA (Continuous [...] - Cavendish Makes Tour History, Evans Still In Yellow
July 17th, 2008NARBONNE, France, July 17, 2008 (AFP) - Mark Cavendish made cycling history on Thursday when he became the first ever Briton to claim three stage wins in a single edition of the Tour de France.
Cavendish dominated a bunch sprint at the end of the race’s 167.5km [...] - Baden Cooke Abadons And Leaves Barloworld Down To Four Riders
July 17th, 2008PUIVERT, France, July 17, 2008 (AFP) - Australian Baden Cooke became the fifth rider from the Barloworld team to pull out of the Tour de France here Thursday.
Cooke got off his bike after just 25km of the race’s 12th stage, according to official race radio. He had crashed earlier [...] - Cadel Evans Mellow In Yellow As The Tour Catches Another Dope(r)
July 16th, 2008by Justin Davis
FOIX, France, July 16, 2008 (AFP) - Australian Cadel Evans spent a relaxing first day in the Tour de France yellow jersey on Wednesday as the peloton reeled from a second doping positive control at the race.
Kurt-Asle Arvesen of Norway beat Swiss Martin Elmiger [...] - Tour de France Stage 12 Preview
July 16th, 2008This will be a fast-riding stage with a good chance that riders will tear through the kilometers at high speed under the impetus of the sprinters competing for the green jersey.
- Cadel Evans Video Interview by Versus
July 16th, 2008This Bicycle.net Cadel Evans Interview Video by Versus.com
Drugs = Not Cool
By Phil Liggett
The Tour, after its rest day in Pau, was perfect for Cadel Evans. A breakaway and, for the peloton, a meander through the Ariege meant an easy day for the new leader. The scenery was stunning and the Pyrenees produced their nicer side!
There [...] - Tour de France Stage 11 Recap Video by Versus
July 16th, 2008This Bicycle.net Stage 11 recap video by Versus.com
No Threat to Evans
By Paul Sherwen
The final day in the Pyrenees was a good day for Cadel Evans to spend his first in the yellow jersey and I am sure he enjoyed it. There was a
breakaway of 12 riders, but not one of them was in any way [...] - UCI Chief Pat McQuaid Calls For Spanish To Clean Up Cycling
July 16th, 2008by Justin Davis
FOIX, France, July 16, 2008 (AFP) - World cycling chief Pat McQuaid has called on the Spanish authorities to increase their efforts in the fight against doping after the latest doping affair at the Tour de France.
Moises Duenas of the Barloworld team became the [...] - Kurt Arvesen Breaks Duck, But Ready To Fly For CSC
July 16th, 2008by Justin Davis
FOIX, France, July 16, 2008 (AFP) - CSC’s Kurt-Asle Arvesen is digesting his maiden stage win on the Tour de France as quickly as he can. After all, he knows he has plenty of work ahead to keep him occupied this week.
Arvesen did justice [...] - Tour de France Stage 11 Finishing Sprint Video by Versus
July 16th, 2008This Bicycle.net video is supplied by our friends at Versus.com
Arvesen Claims His Initial Stage Win
By Bob Roll
The mountains of the Tour always provide us with a spectacle and today was no different. The stage into Foix had a couple of firsts for the 2008 edition of the Tour de France. Foix is one of the [...] - Tour de France Results - Stage 11, Overall, Classifications
July 16th, 2008STAGE 11
1. Kurt Asle Arvesen (NOR/CSC) 3h58min 13sec
(average: 42,188 km/h)
2. Martin Elmiger (SUI/A2R) [...] - Spanish Rider Moises Duenas of BarloWorld Tests Positive In Tour de France
July 16th, 2008LANNEMEZAN, France, July 16, 2008 (AFP) - Spanish rider Moises Duenas of the Barloworld team has tested positive for the banned blood booster erythropoietin (EPO) during the Tour de France and banned products have been found in his room during a search, his team revealed on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old tested positive during the [...] - Barloworld Loses Fourth Rider Felix Cardenas From Tour Roster
July 16th, 2008FOIX, France, July 16, 2008 (AFP) - British-registered Tour de France team Barloworld lost their fourth rider from the race Wednesday after Colombian Felix Cardenas pulled out during the 11th stage with a leg injury.
Earlier in the stage Italian Paolo Longo crashed out. According to official race radio he [...] - Cavendish Looks To History-Making Tour Stage
July 16th, 2008by Justin Davis
FOIX, France, July 16, 2008 (AFP) - If team Columbia deliver their ‘train’
on time again for Britain’s Mark Cavendish, sprint rivals Oscar Freire and Robbie McEwen are likely to be left on the Tour de France platform.
After 10 stages on this year’s race both [...] - Stage 11 Preview & Predictions
July 15th, 2008Cadel’s Fitness To Be Tested
Coming off a well-needed rest day on Tuesday, the riders return on Wednesday to a testy stage of 167.5 kilometers, or about 120 miles, with an elevation profile that resembles your third cousin Dewey’s dental chart.
The first 100km won’t provide any reason for riders to come off the back [...] - Evans Bathes In Yellow, But On Rocky Road To Paris
July 15th, 2008by Justin Davis
PAU, France, July 15, 2008 (AFP) - Cadel Evans spent his first day in the Tour de France yellow jersey being treated like a rock star - although there was at least one vital ingredient missing.
“I don’t see any screaming girls here!” said the [...] - Silence May Not Be Golden For Cadel Evans, Says Valverde
July 15th, 2008PAU, France, July 15, 2008 (AFP) - Australian rider Cadel Evans’ grip on the Tour de France yellow jersey is likely to be undone because of the “weakness” of his Silence team, according to Spaniard Alejandro Valverde.
Valverde virtually dropped out of the running for the race’s big prize on [...] - Team CSC Prepares For Show Of Power In The Alps
July 15th, 2008by Justin Davis
PAU, France, July 15, 2008 (AFP) - CSC have promised a repeat of the collective power which virtually eliminated Alejandro Valverde from yellow jersey contention once the Tour de France hits the Alps this weekend.
But this time, it is Australian Cadel Evans and Denis [...] - Cadel Evans of Silence Lotto Can Hold Off The Threat Of The Big Teams, Says Team Manager
July 14th, 2008by Justin Davis
HAUTACAM, France, July 15, 2008 (AFP) - Silence-Lotto team manager Marc Sergeant believes Australia’s Cadel Evans has shown his rivals the tools that could land him an historic Tour de France yellow jersey in Paris.
But the Belgian admitted after a thrilling 10th stage [...] - Seven Observations From The First Week Of The Tour de France
July 14th, 20081) Craig Hummer needs a nickname. I suggest The Leprechaun. Why? Because until this swim coach/bull riding commentator showed up at the Tour de France, I thought there was no announcer on earth worse than Al Trautwig. But nope, Versus achieved the impossible and found that mythical creature without all the hassle of going to [...]
- Interview With Cadel Evans After Stage 10 by Versus
July 14th, 2008This Bicycle.net video is supplied by our friends by Versus.com
Evans Shows Mettle
By Phil Liggett
Every one in the compound where we work at the finish line each day agreed: this was the best stage in a Tour de France in a very long time. No punches were pulled on the climb of the Col du Tourmalet [...] - Tour de France Stage 10 Finish Video by Versus
July 14th, 2008This Bicycle.net video is supplied by our friends at Versus.com
Evans Shows Mettle
By Phil Liggett
Every one in the compound where we work at the finish line each day agreed: this was the best stage in a Tour de France in a very long time. No punches were pulled on the climb of the Col du Tourmalet [...] - Tour de France Stage 10 Recap by Versus
July 14th, 2008This Bicycle.net video is supplied by Versus.com
Two Teams Emerge
By Bob Roll
There was bright sunshine to greet the riders this morning, but as they climbed into the mountains, it would be all the way into the clouds that they would fly.
Two teams came ready to rumble on today’s stage and established themselves as the top two [...] - Tour de France Stage 11 Preview
July 14th, 2008
- Tour de France Results - Stage 10, Overall, Classifications
July 14th, 2008OVERALL
1. Cadel Evans (AUS/SIL) 42h29min 09sec
2. Frank Schleck (LUX/CSC) [...] - Ricco Sticks To Promise As Piepoli Wins On Hautacam
July 14th, 2008by Justin Davis
HAUTACAM, France, July 14, 2008 (AFP) - Italian Riccardo Ricco would be forgiven for looking forward to a career as a bookmaker, especially given his rate of success on this year’s Tour de France.
Ricco, a brash 24-year-old Italian, has won twice here including [...] - Alejandro Valverde’s Yellow Jersey Dream Is A Nightmare
July 14th, 2008HAUTACAM, France, July 13, 2008 (AFP) - Leading Spanish contender Alejandro Valverde’s hopes of winning the Tour de France yellow jersey suffered a huge blow on a thrilling second day of racing in the Pyrenees here Monday.
Valverde, who began the day in sixth place overall at 1min 12sec behind [...] - Cadel Evans In Yellow As Piepoli Wins Tour’s 10th stage
July 14th, 2008HAUTACAM, France, July 14, 2008 (AFP) - Title favourite Cadel Evans of Australia finally took possession of the Tour de France yellow jersey here Monday after a thrilling end to the 10th stage.
Italian Leonardo Piepoli of the Saunier Duval team won the 156km ride from Pau to here in the Pyrenees, which [...] - Russian Yuriy Trofimov Abandons The Tour
July 14th, 2008HAUTACAM, France, July 13, 2008 (AFP) - Russian race debutant Yuriy Trofimov became the latest victim of the Tour de France when he abandoned during the race’s 10th stage here on Monday.
Trofimov, who rides for the French team Bouygues Telecom, pulled up after 75km of racing in the 156km [...] - Tour de France Stage 10 Preview
July 13th, 2008A short, intense stage with the climb of the Tourmalet as a burst of fireworks and that of the Hautacam as the grand finale. The leading riders need be on top of the action to hold on to their chances of winning.
Pau
61 times stage host.
First time in 1930; winner: Alfredo Binda.
Most recently in 2007; start [...] - Tour de France Stage 9 Finish Video by Versus
July 13th, 2008This Bicycle.net Stage 9 Finishing video supplied by our friends at Versus.com
Ricco Took On Cold d’Aspin
By Bob Roll
The mountains of the Tour always provide us with a thrilling spectacle and today was no different. Stage 9, the first day in the Pyrenees, it was the Italian Riccardo Ricco with a great attack on the climb [...] - Tour de France Stage 9 Recap Video by Versus
July 13th, 2008This Bicycle.net stage 9 recap video is supplied by our friends at Versus.com
First Taste of the Mountains
By Paul Sherwen
The first taste of the mountains in any grand Tour is always hard to predict as the body reacts strangely after pushing the big gears on the flat. The physiological change is always hard to accept — [...] - Riccardo Ricco Loves Pantani, But Not The Doping Rumors
July 13th, 2008by Justin Davis
BAGNERES-DE-BIGORRE, France, July 13, 2008 (AFP) - Italian Riccardo Ricco has pleaded to be left alone following days of reports which claim he could be among several cyclists to be targeted by the anti-doping authorities.
Ricco claimed his second victory win on the Tour de [...] - Riccardo Ricco Rocks The Favorites As Evans Falls To A Crash
July 13th, 2008by Justin Davis
BAGNERES-DE-BIGORRE, France, July 13, 2008 (AFP) - Italian Riccardo Ricco recovered from a heavy crash on the race’s eighth stage to win the Tour de France ninth stage in spectacular fashion here on Sunday.
Luxembourg’s Kim Kirchen overcame a difficult first day in the Pyrenees [...] - Evans Recovers After Crashing On Tour’s Stage 9
July 13th, 2008BAGNERES-DE-BIGORRE, France, July 13, 2008 (AFP) - Australia’s yellow jersey favourite Cadel Evans skirted with disaster on Sunday after crashing during the Tour de France ninth stage.
The 31-year-old did not appear seriously hurt and got back on a new bike to continue the race after crashing and apparently picking up [...] - Tour de France Stage 9 Preview
July 12th, 2008
- Tour de France Stage 9 Preview
July 12th, 2008The big moves will start happening now with no less than three mountain passes – Col des Ares, Col de Peyresourdre et Col d’Aspin, and a very tough final descent to Bagnères-de-Bigorre.The climbers must take this opportunity to rise to the top of the overall placings.
Toulouse
25 times a stage town
First time in 1903, winner : [...] - Beltran Tests Positive - Reaction Video by Versus
July 12th, 2008This Bicycle.net video is supplied by our friends at Versus.com
Beltran Caught, Expelled
By Bob Roll
Stage 8 of the 2008 Tour de France will be marked as the great statement for Mark Cavendish, but it will also be remembered as the day that Manual Beltran was expelled from the Tour for giving a positive sample of the [...] - Tour de France Stage 8 Finish Video by Versus
July 12th, 2008This Bicycle.net video is supplied by our friends at Versus.com
The Isle of Man
By Paul Sherwen
Fifty years after the first British rider won a stage in the Tour de France, Mark Cavendish from the Isle of Man has just won two. His team did a phenomenal job getting him into an ideal position to win the [...] - Tour de France Stage 8 Recap Video by Versus
July 12th, 2008This Bicycle.net Tour de France Stage 8 Recap video is supplied by our friends at Versus.com
Cavendish, Our Future
By Phil Liggett
It was not a very pleasant day to restart the Tour de France and it was made worse overnight with the news that Manual Beltran, once a trusted teammate of Lance Armstrong, had given a positive [...] - Can Cadel Evans Pull Off A Feat Lance Never Faced? or, “Why Cadel Can’t Win This Year’s Tour”
July 12th, 2008Watching the Tour thus far, it’s hard not to be impressed by Cadel Evans’ steady performance. That’s what people say when they think of him — steady, consistent, and strong. He can climb with anyone, he can time trial with the best, and his head is always in the game.
Clever like [...] - Cavendish Wins Tour de France Stage 8, Kim Kirchen Still In Yellow
July 12th, 2008TOULOUSE, France, July 12, 2008 (AFP) - British sprint specialist Mark Cavendish of the Columbia team won the Tour de France eighth stage, a 172.5km ride from Figeac to here on Saturday to record his second win of this year’s edition.
The 23-year-old from the Isle of Man’s victory - [...] - Vino, Mayo and Moreni To Face Criminal Charges
July 12th, 2008PAU, France, July 12, 2008 (AFP) - Former Astana team leader Alexandre Vinokourov is among three riders set to face criminal charges following the discovery of drugs at last year’s Tour de France, a report said on Friday.
According to Sud Ouest newspaper Vinokourov, kicked off last year’s race along [...] - Mark Cavendish Wins His Second Stage At The Tour de France
July 12th, 2008by Justin Davis
TOULOUSE, France, July 12, 2008 (AFP) - Britain’s Mark Cavendish wrote a notable page in the history of British cycling at the Tour de France when he won his second stage of this year’s edition here on Saturday.
Cavendish, a 23-year-old from the Isle of [...] - Tour de France President Patrice Clerc Calls For Calm After First Doping Case
July 12th, 2008TOULOUSE, France, July 12, 2008 (AFP) - Tour de France president Patrice Clerc has backed the news of the first positive doping test at this year’s race, and said it proves the current system is effective.
Liquigas rider Manuel Beltran was taken away for questioning by police on Friday after [...] - Product Review: Camelbak Podium Bottle
July 12th, 2008By Neil Leventhal
They said it couldn’t be done, but it looks like Camelbak may have accomplished what has long been considered impossible, “building a better mouse trap”. I have to admit that when I first received the Camelbak Podium bottle for review I was skeptical, but after the first ride I was hooked. [...] - Tour de France Stage 8 Preview
July 11th, 2008This connecting stage to the Pyrenees has no major difficulties. Some riders will use this stage to recover from the Massif Central stages, but others might try hard to seize a last chance at a stage win before the mountains. The sprinters should be on the ready approaching Toulouse
Figeac
Twice a stage town.
Stage for the first [...] - Cadel Evans Keeps A Cool Head As Peloton Explodes
July 11th, 2008by Justin Davis
AURILLAC, France, July 11, 2008 (AFP) - There’s a golden rule in cycling which is usually respected. When the yellow jersey wearer needs a loo stop, the peloton usually slows down considerably to let him catch up.
On Friday’s second day of climbing, that rule [...] - Tour de France Stage 7 Finish Video by Versus
July 11th, 2008This Bicycle.net Stage 7 video is supplied to us by Versus.com
Early Desparation
By Phil Liggett
Without doubt, this was the best stage so far in this year’s Tour de France with the first 50 kilometers providing desperate moments for the field. You could see that as soon as the crosswinds hit the peloton; those caught at the [...] - Tour de France Stage 7 Race Recap Video by Versus
July 11th, 2008This Bicycle.net Stage 7 Recap Video is supplied by our friends at Versus.com
Puy Mary Climb Was the Difference
By Paul Sherwen
Stage 7 would have been called a transitional stage a couple of years ago, but today it was a serious race. Once again the hammer was down from the gun and this was because of [...] - Luxemburgers Go To War Over Tour’s Yellow Jersey
July 11th, 2008by Justin Davis
AURILLAC, France, July 11, 2008 (AFP) - The first skirmishes in the battle for the Tour de France yellow jersey left damage in their wake during the tumultuous seventh stage to here on Friday.
But the biggest souvenir from the second day of climbing in [...] - 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 [...] - Sanchez Wins Tour de France Seventh Stage, Kirchen Keeps Yellow Jersey
July 11th, 2008by Justin Davis
AURILLAC, France, July 11, 2008 (AFP) - Spain’s Luis Leon Sanchez stepped out of the shadow of Caisse d’Epargne team-mate Alejandro Valverde to win a dramatic 7th stage of the Tour de France here on Friday.
Luxembourg’s Kim Kirchen, of Team Columbia, survived an audacious [...] - Tour de France Results - Stage 7, Overall, Classifications
July 11th, 2008Overall standings after the 7th stage of the Tour de France, a 159.0km ride from Brioude to Aurillac on Friday:
1. Kim Kirchen (LUX/COL) 28h23min 40sec
[...] - Tour Pace Too Fast For French Veteran Christophe Moreau of Agritubel
July 11th, 2008AURILLAC, France, July 11, 2008 (AFP) - The second day of climbing on the Tour de France proved too much for former French champion Christophe Moreau, who abandoned during the seventh stage here on Friday.
Moreau pulled over to the side at the feeding station, near the 85th kilometer of [...] - AFLD Shhots Down Doping Report At Tour de France
July 11th, 2008AURILLAC, France, July 11, 2008 (AFP) - The agency charged with carrying out anti-doping controls at this year’s Tour de France has played down a report that 10 riders are about to be issued warnings for “suspect” blood samples.
A report in Le Monde newspaper suggested that the riders were [...] - Sanchez Is The Leon King As He Wins Tour de France Stage 7
July 11th, 2008AURILLAC, France, July 11, 2008 (AFP) - Spanish rider Luis Leon Sanchez of the Caisse d’Epargne team won a dramatic 7th stage of the Tour de France, a
159 kilometres ride from Brioude here on Friday.
Luxembourg’s Kim Kirchen retained the overall leader’s yellow jersey, six seconds ahead of Australian Cadel [...] - Tour de France Stage 7 Preview by Versus
July 10th, 2008This Bicycle.net video is supplied by our friends over at Versus.com. Thanks Guys. Keep Up The Good Work.
A short, but very nervy stage along the steep roads of the Massif Central. Climbing the Puy Mary before descending on to Aurillac could hold some interesting surprises. The riders need to be careful not to lose precious [...] - Tour de France Stage 7 Preview
July 10th, 2008The route : discover the stage 7
François Lemarchand (10 Tours de France as a rider, 5 as an organizer)
A short, but very nervy stage along the steep roads of the Massif Central. Climbing the Puy Mary before descending on to Aurillac could hold some interesting surprises. The riders need to be careful not to lose [...] - David Millar Gives Up Much Hope Of Yellow, But Now Eyeing Stage Win
July 10th, 2008by Justin Davis
SUPER-BESSE, France, July 10, 2008 (AFP) - Britain’s David Millar has all but given up hope of finally ending his eight-year wait to wear the Tour de France yellow jersey again.
However, the Garmin team leader said his encouraging performance on the race’s first foray [...] - Stage 6 Recap — And How To Bet Tomorrow’s Stage 7
July 10th, 2008Dear God. We’re good, and we just keep getting better. I challenge the Versus crew to match our results so far in telling you each day what the next day’s stage will entail. Our crystal ball is warmer than the underside of your Mac AirBook. You techies will appreciate what that [...]
- Sastre Down, But Looking Up To The Pyrenees
July 10th, 2008SUPER-BESSE, France, July 10, 2008 (AFP) - Spaniard Carlos Sastre said he is looking ahead to the first Tour de France stage in the Pyrenees this Sunday after losing more ground in his bid to stay close to the yellow jersey.
Sastre lost over a minute to Australia’s race favourite [...] - Stage 6 Finishing Sprint Video by Versus
July 10th, 2008This excellent video of the finish of stage 6 is supplied by our friends at Versus.com
Ricco Shows He’s Ready
By: Paul Sherwen
We expected a lot out of the first mountaintop finish of the Tour at Super-Besse and the day did not let us down. Ricardo Ricco proved that his successes in the Giro d’Italia were not [...] - Cadel Evans Sits In Second As Kirchen Takes The Yellow
July 10th, 2008by Justin Davis
SUPER-BESSE, France, July 10, 2008 (AFP) - Cadel Evans kept his powder dry for the Tour de France’s first big Pyrenean battle this weekend with a solid sixth stage performance which moved him up to second place on Thursday.
Team Columbia’s Kim Kirchen created his [...] - Fourth Place for Fränk Schleck in Super-Besse
July 10th, 2008[10.07 17:33] Fränk Schleck took a fourth place in the 195-kilometer sixth stage of Tour de France, which began in Aigurande and finished with two category-2 climbs the last of which was in Super-Besse.
Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval) won the stage ahead of Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d’Epargne) and Team CSC Saxo Bank was well represented at [...] - Tour de France Stage 6 Results
July 10th, 2008Tour de France class standings after 6th stage
SUPER-BESSE, France, July 10, 2008 (AFP) - Class standings from the 6th stage of the Tour de France, a 195.5km ride from Aigurande to Super-Besse on
Thursday:
OVERALL
1. Kim Kirchen (LUX/COL) [...] - Riccardo Ricco of Saunier Duval Wins Tour de France Stage 6
July 10th, 2008Ricco wins Tour’s sixth stage
SUPER-BESSE, France, July 10, 2008 (AFP) - Italian Riccardo Ricco of Saunier Duval won the Tour de France sixth stage, a 195.5km race from Aigurande to here in the Massif Central, here Thursday, with Kim Kirchner of Luxembourg, riding for the Colombia team, taking the race leader’s yellow [...] - Kirchen of Team Columbia In Yellow, As Ricco Wins Tour de France Stage 6
July 10th, 2008SUPER-BESSE, France, July 10, 2008 (AFP) - Team Columbia’s Kim Kirchen created his own piece of Tour de France history by becoming the first Luxemburger in nearly 50 years to pull on the race’s yellow jersey on Thursday.
Italian Riccardo Ricco of Saunier Duval won the sixth stage, [...] - Cavendish Takes The Wind Out Of McEwen Sails
July 9th, 2008by Justin Davis
CHATEAUROUX, France, July 10, 2008 (AFP) - Robbie McEwen’s bid to add to his impressive haul of wins on the Tour de France was kicked into touch by bad luck and a fast Team Columbia train, highlighting Hincapie and Kirchen on the longest stage of the race [...] - Tour de France Stage 5 Finishing Sprint Video by Versus
July 9th, 2008American Teams Asserting Themselves
By Phil Liggett
After you lead a stage of the Tour de France for virtually the entire length – and the longest one this year, at that – then you deserve to win. But it does not work that way and French champion Nicolas Vogondy was swept up with about 50 yards to [...] - Stage 5 Recap — And How To Bet Tomorrow’s Stage 6
July 9th, 2008By now you’re wondering if we have some kind of inside connection to the Tour, because pretty much what we have been saying is going to happen — happens.
Yesterday, was a good example.
Refreshing your memory, we said a lot of things, all of them very sage and insightful, and then offered the prediction that Stage [...] - Tour de France Stage 5 Recap by Versus
July 9th, 2008This video on Bicycle.net is supplied by our friends at Versus.com
Surprises Continue in Tour’s “New Era”
By Bob Roll
As the French were finally treated to a day of bright sunshine after a few days of cold and miserable conditions, the surprises continued on today’s stage of the Tour de France.
The winner, no surprise, was Mark Cavendish, [...] - Mark Cavendish Post Stage Interview by Versus
July 9th, 2008This video on Bicycle.net is supplied to us by our friends at Versus.com
Cavendish Makes Early Move
By Paul Sherwen
July 9, 2008
I can’t help it, but I love a good bunch sprint. That was a great one today, even though I do feel a little sorry for the French champion Nicolas Vogondy, who was caught inside of [...] - Cavendish Hits The Jackpot In Tour de France
July 9th, 2008Chateauroux, France, 9 July 2008 - Team Columbia’s Mark Cavendish blasted to a first stage win in the Tour de France on Wednesday’s stage from Cholet to Chateauroux. The 23-year-old Briton finished over a bike length ahead of three-times World Champion Oscar Freire of Spain, with German Erik Zabel in third.
It was Cavendish eighth [...] - Valverde Plays Down Extent Of Tour de France Crash Injuries
July 9th, 2008by Justin Davis
CHATEAUROUX, France, July 9, 2008 (AFP) - Spaniard Alejandro Valverde played down the effects of a crash which came close to ending his yellow jersey bid during the 232km fifth stage of the Tour de France here Wednesday.
The former race leader and winner of [...] - Gert Steegmans Misses The Stage Win And The Boonen Touch
July 9th, 2008by Justin Davis
CHATEAUROUX, France, July 9, 2008 (AFP) - Quick Step sprinter Gert Steegmans admitted the absence of teammate Tom Boonen is adding to his woes on what he labeled a “strange” Tour de France.
Steegmans’ plan to battle to his second career win on the race [...] - Tour de France Stage 5 Results
July 9th, 20081 043 CAVENDISH, Mark GBR THR 05:27:52 00:00:00
2 133 FREIRE, Oscar ESP RAB 05:27:52 00:00:00
3 151 ZABEL, Erik GER MRM 05:27:52 00:00:00
4 081 HUSHOVD, Thor NOR C.A 05:27:52 00:00:00
5 055 COOKE, Baden AUS BAR 05:27:52 00:00:00
6 058 HUNTER, Robert RSA BAR 05:27:52 00:00:00
7 186 DUQUE, [...] - Mark Cavendish Wins Tour de France Stage 5, Schumacher Retains Yellow Jersey
July 9th, 2008CHATEAUROUX, France, July 9, 2008 (AFP) - Britain’s Mark Cavendish labelled himself the best sprinter in the world after claiming his first Tour de France victory on the race’s fifth stage over 232km here Wednesday.
Germany’s Stefan Schumacher of Gerolsteiner finished with the bunch to retain the yellow jersey with a 12-sec [...] - After The ‘Crocodile’, Adam Hansen of Team Columbia Making Impact At The Tour de France
July 9th, 2008by Justin Davis
CHATEAUROUX, France, July 9, 2008 (AFP) - As far as Tour de France cyclists
go, Adam Hansen would admit he sticks out from the bunch.
But the all-round talents of the Aussie who grew up in Cairns are not being
wasted by Team Columbia as their leader Kim Kirchen edges [...] - Valverde Suffers Crash But Continues At Tour de France
July 9th, 2008CHATEAUROUX, France, July 9, 2008 (AFP) - Spain’s Tour de France hopeful
Alejandro Valverde, of Caisse d’Epargne, suffered a setback Wednesday when he
fell during the 232km stage from Cholet to here.
The former race leader and winner of the opening stage fell at the 90km
mark, suffering knee and forearm injuries according to officials, [...] - Soler Breaks Colombian Hearts At The Tour de France
July 9th, 2008CHATEAUROUX, France, July 9, 2008 (AFP) - Colombia’s Mauricio Soler, who
won the “King of the Mountains” title last year, was forced to pull out of the
Tour de France on Wednesday because of an injured wrist.
Soler, who rides for the British-registered Barloworld team, fractured a
bone in his left wrist in a crash [...] - Kim Kirchen Has Thrown His Hat Into The Yellow Jersey Hunt
July 9th, 2008by Justin Davis
CHOLET, France, July 9, 2008 (AFP) - Cadel Evans and Alejandro Valverde would normally be happy to wait for the Pyrenees stages this weekend before launching part two of their expected fight for the Tour de France yellow jersey.
However, the outcome of Tuesday’s first [...] - David Millar Profile by Versus
July 8th, 2008This Bicycle.net video is brought to you by our friends at Versus.com
Time Trial Alters Leaderboard
By Bob Roll
The man of the hour during Stage 4 was German Stefan Schumacher. He produced the ride of his life to win to win the stage and take over the yellow jersey. He has a 12-second cushion on both Kim [...] - Tour de France Through Stage 4 — All You Really Need To Know
July 8th, 2008There’s little exciting about a time trial unless you’re the guy on the bike. For fans, it’s just “there goes one, there goes another.”
But we all know the Tour actually started today. Everything before has been about pageantry and trying not to fall off the bike or otherwise embarrass yourself with stinkin’ thinkin’ (ahem, Menchov).
Not to [...] - Stefan Schumacher Post Race Interview by Versus
July 8th, 2008This Bicycle.net video is brought to you by our friends at Versus.com
Schumacher Remains in Top Form
By Paul Sherwen
This Tour has been unpredictable since the start and that trend continued today in Cholet with the first individual time trial. While awaiting the duel between Alejandro Valverde or Cadel Evans in the race of truth, it was [...] - Stage 4 Recap by Versus
July 8th, 2008Unexpected Result Rules Another Day
By Phil Liggett
Time trials are always exciting on television because the time checks create suspense. But this short test was a cracker and a victory by Stefan Schumacher was so unexpected.
So for the second day, there was a winner and wearer of the yellow jersey from an unexpected quarter, which [...] - Timing Goes Awry For Swiss Time Trial Specialist Cancellara
July 8th, 2008by Justin Davis
CHOLET, France, July 8, 2008 (AFP) - Switzerland’s Fabian Cancellara admitted to suffering an off day after he failed to deliver an anticipated stage victory on the Tour de France’s fourth stage time trial.
CSC’s reigning world time trial champion could only finish in fifth [...] - Speedy Schumacher Forced To Defend His Past Drug Bust, Say It Is Not So
July 8th, 2008by Justin Davis
CHOLET, France, July 8, 2008 (AFP) - Germany’s Stefan Schumacher pulled on the Tour de France yellow jersey here Tuesday, and was then forced to defend himself quickly over a positive test for amphetamines.
Schumacher, who rides for the Gerolsteiner team, took the race lead [...] - Cadel Evans Ahead Of Valverde, But Schmacher Takes The Yellow Jersey
July 8th, 2008by Justin Davis
CHOLET, France, July 8, 2008 (AFP) - Australia’s Cadel Evans struck a first blow to Alejandro Valverde at the Tour de France here Tuesday after leaving his yellow jersey rival trailing on the fourth stage time trial.
Germany’s Stefan Schumacher of the Gerolsteiner team stunned [...] - Cadel Evans Taking A Guarded Approach To The Yellow Jersey
July 8th, 2008by Justin Davis
CHOLET, France, July 8, 2008 (AFP) - He might be small in height, but the imposing figure of a Belgian police inspector with magic hands could play a major role in Cadel Evans’ yellow jersey bid on the Tour de France.
For the last five [...] - Tour de France Stage 3 For Dummies
July 7th, 2008Ok, you’re back. Good. You saw what we wrote yesterday, you made a TON of money with your bookie based on our recommendations, and now you want more. Naturally. We’ll, we won’t disappoint. We never do. So let’s get started.
Yesterday, we said Stage 3 would be a major BORE-FEST. In fact, if we underestimated anything [...] - Time For A Fresh Start
July 7th, 2008
- Video: Dumoulin Wins Stage 3 For All Of France
July 7th, 2008The video is supplied to Bicycle.net by our friends at Versus.com
No Ordinary Stage
By Phil Liggett
July 7, 2008
Roman Feillu. Remember the name. All of France will after he became the new leader of the Tour at the end of what everybody thought would be a routine day before the time trial tomorrow.
I suppose there is no [...] - Tour de France Stage 4 Video - Crash In The Peleton
July 7th, 2008This video was supplied to Bicycle.net by our friends at Versus.com
Home Country Proud of Feillu
Chaos Rules Stage 3
By Bob Roll
July 7, 2008
Stage 3 in the 2008 Tour de France on paper looked like another yawner that we see in the flat stages of the Tour. The normal format being: breakaway takes off, peloton [...] - Tour de France Stage 4 Preview Video
July 7th, 2008Tour de France Stage 4 Preview
This course is short and intense, but also smooth, so solitary specialists should take the first spots, yet without creating any significant time lead.
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Depart and arrive: Cholet
Twice a stage town.
Stage for the first time in 1936; winner: Félicien Vervaecke.
Most recently in 1998; winner: Jeroen Blijlevens.
Sub-prefecture town of the Maine-et-Loire.
56.300 inhabitants.
Sports [...] - Rabobank’s Dennis Menchov Yellow Jersey Dreams Get Serious Setback
July 7th, 2008by Justin Davis
NANTES, France, July 7, 2008 (AFP) - Russian Denis Menchov became the first victim of the Tour de France’s yellow jersey contenders here Monday when he got caught napping in a hectic finish to the 208km stage.
Menchov, a two-time Tour of Spain winner, found [...] - Tour de France Stage 3 Points Standings
July 7th, 2008Class standings from the 3th stage of the Tour de France, a 208km ride from Saint-Malo to Nantes on Monday:
Points:
1. Kim Kirchen (LUX/COL) [...] - Tour de France Stage 3 Overall Results
July 7th, 2008Overall standings after the 3rd stage of the Tour de France, a 208.0km ride from Saint Malo to Nantes on Monday:
1. Romain Feillu (FRA/AGR) 13h27min 05sec
2. Paolo [...] - French Sprinter Romain Feillu Wearing Yellow, As Cofidis Rider Dumoulin Wins Stage 3
July 7th, 2008by Justin Davis
NANTES, France, July 7, 2008 (AFP) - Frenchman Romain Feillu took the biggest accolade of his career Monday when a successful breakaway that foxed the sprinters’ teams handed him the Tour de France yellow jersey Monday.
Compatriot Samuel Dumoulin, of Cofidis, won the third stage [...] - Team CSC Saxo Bank Defiant As Carlos Sastre Fears Time Trial Test
July 7th, 2008NANTES, France, July 7, 2008 (AFP) - The first big test of the Tour de
France for the yellow jersey contenders may be putting the fear of God into
Carlos Sastre.
But his manager at the CSC team, Denmark’s 1996 Tour winner Bjarne Riis,
believes they will make up any time shortfall for their yellow [...] - Tour de France Stage 3 Leaders Held Up By Union Demonstration
July 7th, 2008NANTES, France, July 7, 2008 (AFP) - The Tour de France third stage was
momentarily held up by demonstrators here on Monday.
Race chief Christian Prudhomme was forced to stop and negotiate with trade
union leaders as dozens of striking demonstrators threatened to cause a total
blockage of the road leading to Nantes.
At [...] - Alejandro Valverde Gives Up The Lead For Today, But Keeps Yellow At Hand
July 7th, 2008by Justin Davis
NANTES, France, July 7, 2008 (AFP) - Yellow jersey hopeful Alejandro Valverde gave up the Tour de France lead willingly on Tuesday, but admitted he had raced the hectic third stage with one eye on the crucial fourth stage.
“We controlled things in the first [...] - Robbie McEwen Is A Little Off Target, As Renshaw Delivers For Hushovd
July 6th, 2008by Justin Davis
SAINT BRIEUC, France, July 7, 2008 (AFP) - Robbie McEwen’s bid for a first stage win on this year’s Tour de France was postponed for another day Sunday, but on the third stage the Aussie sprinter will be one to watch.
Sunday’s second stage - [...] - Stage 3 Video Preview
July 6th, 2008This video content was supplied to Bicycle.net by our friends at Versus.com
7 times a stage town.
Stage for the first time in 1949; winner: Ferdi Kübler.
Most recently in 1980; winner: Bert Oosterbosch.
Sub-prefecture of the Ille-et-Vilaine.
53.000 inhabitants.
Have you ever taken a stroll along Sillon beach? Before you, across the emerald sea, lie Fort de la Conchée, Cézembre [...] - Stage 2 Recap with Bob Roll
July 6th, 2008This video content is supplied to Bicycle.net by our friends at Versus.com
Opportunity Missed
By Phil Liggett
July 6, 2008
I would describe this second day of the Tour as an interesting race to commentate on, but a disappointing day. I was very happy for Thor Hushovd, who really does enjoy winning and now has a total of six [...] - Tour de France Stage 2 Thor Hushvod Video Interview
July 6th, 2008This video content provided to Bicycle.net courtesy of Versus.com.
Hushovd Leaves Them Gasping
By Paul Sherwen
July 6, 2008
Ouch, that was a tough run in to the finish line in Saint Brieuc and I am certain that a lot of riders didn’t know how tough the final climb into town really was. It left most of the sprinters [...] - What You Need To Know About The Tour After First 2 Stages
July 6th, 2008Your Talking Points, Mon Ami…
Alright, you’re headed for the shop, or the office, or the neighborhood party, or whatever, and, as a fully-outed cycling nut, you know you’re going to get questions about how the Tour’s going.
Sure, you could snap off a quick “Valverde, a Spanish guy, is leading so far.” Of course [...] - French Cycling Fans Left Frustrated After Another Futile attack
July 6th, 2008SAINT BRIEUC, France, July 6, 2008 (AFP) - Breakaway optimism gave way to frustration at the finish for the second day in a row for the hosts at the Tour de France Sunday.
A two-man breakaway involving Sylvain Chavanel of Cofidis and Thomas Voeckler of Bouygues Telecom turned into a [...] - Fabian Cancellara of CSC Saxo Bank Happy To Leave ‘Danger’ Stages Behind
July 6th, 2008by Justin Davis
SAINT BRIEUC, France, July 6, 2008 (AFP) - Fabian Cancellara is looking forward to a day of rest, in relative terms, when the Tour de France starts to leave the “dangerous” stages held in Brittany behind.
After two days of nervous riding in the wind [...] - Tour de France 2nd Stage Classification Standings
July 6th, 2008Class standings from the 2nd stage of the Tour de France, a 164.5km ride from Auray to Saint-Brieuc on Sunday:
Points:
1. Kim Kirchen (LUX/COL) [...] - Tour de France Stage 2 Overall Standings
July 6th, 2008Overall standings after the 2nd stage of the Tour de France, a 164.5km ride from Auray to Saint-Brieuc on Sunday:
1. Alejandro Valverde (ESP/GCE) [...] - Thor Hushovd Hammers To Win Stage 2, As Valverde Maintains Lead
July 6th, 2008by Justin Davis
SAINT BRIEUC, France, July 6, 2008 (AFP) - Norwegian Thor Hushovd of Credit Agricole claimed his sixth victory from the Tour de France after powering his way to the second stage over 164.5km from Auray to here Sunday.
Spaniard Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d’Epargne) retained the [...] - Russian Tinkoff Team Signs Gert Steegmans To A two Year Deal
July 6th, 2008Steegmans to ditch Quick Step for Tinkoff
SAINT BRIEUC, France, July 6, 2008 (AFP) - Belgian sprinter Gert Steegmans, a former stage winner here at the Tour de France, will join the Russian Tinkoff team on a two-year deal, it was revealed at the race here Sunday.
Steegmans is currently a [...] - Mauricio Soler of Barloworld To Start 2nd Stage With Injured Wrist
July 6th, 2008AURAY, France, July 6, 2008 (AFP) - Colombia’s Tour de France ‘King of the Mountains’ Mauricio Soler will start the second stage here on Sunday despite injuring his wrist in a crash on the first stage.
Soler, who rides for the British-registered Barloworld team, picked up a suspected fractured scaphoid [...] - Tour de France - Stage 2 Preview
July 5th, 2008
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