Spaniard Juan Manuel Garate dedicated his maiden victory on the Tour de France to his Rabobank team. Rabobank came to the race hoping to challenge for the yellow jersey but their team leader Denis Menchov, the Tour of Italy champion, went from bad to worse on a campaign littered with crashes and mediocre performances. Having also lost riders through injury, the Dutch outfit were set to … [Read more...]
Mighty Ventoux Will Judge Tour’s Podium Places
July 25, 2009 By Leave a Comment
by Justin Davis BOURGOIN-JALLIEU, France, July 24, 2009 (AFP) - A 14th visit to one of the most feared and ominous climbs in the history of the Tour de France is set to decide the podium places for this year's race on Saturday. The Mont Ventoux, which rises up to an altitude of 1912 metres to stand proudly over the rugged region of Provence, was first raced on the Tour de France … [Read more...]
Only Disaster On Ventoux Will Stop Contador, Says Schleck
July 25, 2009 By Leave a Comment
by Ryland James AUBENAS, France, July 24, 2009 (AFP) - Second-placed Andy Schleck says only a disaster on Mount Ventoux for yellow yersey holder Alberto Contador will give him any chance of winning the Tour de France. With just two stages left, 24-year-old Schleck is 4min 11sec behind Contador with his teammate Lance Armstrong in third and determined to finish second behind … [Read more...]
Ventoux Climb Will Decide Second, Says Armstrong
July 23, 2009 By Leave a Comment
by Ryland James ANNECY, France, July 23, 2009 (AFP) - Lance Armstrong admitted suffering during Thursday's time trial in the Tour de France, but says his aim now is to defend his third place overall in Saturday's climb up Mount Ventoux against Andy Schleck. Armstrong finished the time trial around Lake Annecy in 16th at 1min 30sec behind stage winner Alberto Contador, his Astana … [Read more...]
Schlecks Just Can’t Wait To Climb, Says O’Grady
July 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment
by Justin Davis SAINT FARGEAU, France, July 15, 2009 (AFP) - Australian Stuart O'Grady believes his Saxo Bank team leader Andy Schleck is about to show the full range of his climbing potential on the Tour de France in the coming days. Schleck began the 96th edition of the race among a handful of favourites for the race's coveted yellow jersey but ahead of five remaining days of … [Read more...]