cancellara

Rutierul elvetian Fabian cancellara (Saxo Bank) a castigat, sambata, etapa a 19-a din Turul Frantei, un contratimp de 52 de kilometri intre Bordeaux si Pauillac, in urma caruia spaniolul Alberto Contador (Astana) a pastrat tricoul galben, de lider al clasamentului. cancellara [detalii...]

A 97-a editie a Turului Frantei a debutat ieri cu prologul de la Rotterdam. Cursa inaugurala a fost adjudecata de rutierul celor de la Saxo Bank, elvetianul Fabian cancellara, care a strabatut cei 8.9 kilometri in 10 minute. cancellara a [detalii...]

Ciclistul elvetian de patru ori castigator al contratimpului mondial, Fabian cancellara, a semnat un contract cu echipa Luxembourg Pro Cycling Project, acolo unde isi va intalni fostii colegi de la Saxo Bank, fratii Schleck, Andy si Frank, informeaza Sky Sports. cancellara, care [detalii...]

Fabian cancellara (Team Saxo Bank) a castigat prologul Turului Frantei, un contratimp individual in lungime de 8.9 kilometri in orasul olandez [detalii...]

Swiss cyclist Fabian cancellara has denied allegations he used a motor hidden in his bike to pull off two spectacular [detalii...]

Elvetianul Fabian cancellara a mers ca vantul si ca gandul in prologul Turului Frantei din acest, rutierul echipei Saxo Bank obtinand a cincea victorie din cariera in [detalii...]

Zvonuri din lumea ciclismului il dau ca sigur pe elvetianul Fabian cancellara la echipa luxemburgheza a fratilor Schleck, dupa ce campionul mondial la contratimp a parasit-o pe Team Saxo [detalii...]

Elvetianul Fabian cancellara si-a respectat statutul de mare favorit la castigarea probei contratimp din penultima zi a editiei cu numarul 97 a Turului Frantei, impunandu-se in etapa contracronometru desfasurata, sambata, intre Bordeaux [detalii...]

Switzerlands Fabian cancellara favourite to claim victory at Sundays eagerly anticipated [detalii...]

Fabian cancellara has won the 108th edition of Paris-Roubaix after the Swiss added yet another Monument of cycling to his impressive [detalii...]

Rutierul elvetian Fabian cancellara (Team Saxo Bank) si-a trecut prima victorie din cariera in Turul Flandrei, impunandu-se intr-o maniera categorica in editia 2010 a uneia dintre cele mai importante curse din plutonul [detalii...]

Elvetianul Fabian cancellara a cistigat Turul Flandrei, dupa ce s-a descotorosit de partenerul de evadare, belgianul Tom Boonen, pe ultima catarare de calibru a zilei, celebrul Zid al Grammontului. Podiumul a fost [detalii...]

Elvetianul Fabian cancellara a cistigat Turul Flandrei, dupa ce s-a descotorosit de partenerul de evadare, belgianul Tom Boonen, pe ultima catarare de calibru a zilei, celebrul Zid al Grammontului. Podiumul a fost completat [detalii...]

Fabian cancellara of Switzerland has won the Tour of Flanders, the one-day Belgian Classic, ahead of local [detalii...]

Rutierul elvetian Fabian cancellara (Saxo Bank) a castigat, sambata, etapa a 19-a din Turul Frantei, un contratimp de 52 de kilometri intre Bordeaux si Pauillac, in urma caruia spaniolul Alberto Contador (Astana) a pastrat tricoul galben, [detalii...]

Rotterdam, The Netherlands - Switzerlands prologue specialist Fabian cancellara won Saturdays prologue of the 2010 Tour de France, an 8.9-km individual time trial through the Dutch city of [detalii...]

Fabian cancellara has said he wants to "make history" at the Road World Championships by winning both the time-trial and road race [detalii...]

Fabian cancellara has won a fourth world time trial title while Great Britains David Millar finished second to claim the silver [detalii...]

Thor Hushovd (Cervelo Test Team) a castigat etapa cu numarul trei din Turul Frantei (intre Wanze si Arenberg Porte du Hainaut - 213 km), norvegianul impunandu-se la sprint. Fabian cancellara (Saxo Bank) a primit inapoi tricoul galben dupa o pauza de o [detalii...]

Fabian cancellara a pierdut Turul Flandrei si a demonstrat ca "pina si Superman poate avea uneori slabiciuni", dar elvetianul nu s-a resemnat in privinta sanselor de a captura cel de-al treilea trofeu din cariera in Paris-Roubaix, [detalii...]

cancellara joins the Luxembourg Pro Cycling Project Says newly-formed team will be the most successful in cyclingThe four-times world time trial champion Fabian cancellara has joined the Schleck brothers Luxembourg Pro Cycling Project on a three-year deal.cancellara, who achieved a rare Tour of Flanders Paris-Roubaix classics double this year, is joining from Bjarne Riiss Saxo Bank team."I had many interesting options, but in the end I knew that the project in Luxembourg would have all the ingredients I would need to continue improving myself without skipping a beat," cancellara said."It is a unique mix of familiar personalities with new surroundings which will ensure continuity while instilling a new motivation to make this project the most successful in cycling."Tour de France runner-up Andy Schleck and his brother Frank left Saxo Bank at the end of the season to launch their own team and have attracted several team-mates to Luxembourg.The Luxembourg Pro Cycling Project is managed by Brian Nygaard, a former media officer at Saxo Bank and Team Sky.Cycling guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Matt Goss became the first Australian to win Milan-San Remo after outsprinting Fabian cancellara in northern Italy on [detalii...]

Acuzat ca ar fi folosit o bicicleta motorizata in Turul Flandrei si Paris-Roubaix, elvetianul Fabian cancellara reactioneaza prompt si virulent: "Motorul e in trupul meu"Forma extraordinara pe care rutierul celor de la Saxo [detalii...]

Lars Boom has won the two-kilometre prologue of the Tour of Qatar in Doha ahead of Switzerlands Fabian [detalii...]

In pics: Fabian cancellara blows field apart to win successive [detalii...]

Fabian cancellara has signed a three-year contract with the Luxembourg Pro Cycling Project where he will ride alongside the [detalii...]

Turul Frantei 2010 a debutat cu o etapa de contratimp individual (pe o distanta de 8.9 km la Rotterdam), Fabian cancellara stabilind cel mai bun timp (10 minute). Lance Armstrong s-a clasat pe patru, interesant fiind faptul ca texanul a reusit sa fie cu cinci secunde mai rapid decat Alberto Contador, marele favorit al [detalii...]

Turul Frantei 2010 a debutat cu o etapa de contratimp individual (pe o distanta de 8.9 km la Rotterdam), Fabian cancellara stabilind cel mai bun timp (10 minute). Lance Armstrong s-a clasat pe patru, interesant fiind faptul ca texanul a reusit sa fie cu cinci secunde mai rapid decat Alberto Contador, marele favorit al [detalii...]

Tony Martin second, with Britains David Millar third Lance Armstrong edges out Alberto Contador for fourthFabian cancellara of Switzerland won the prologue of the Tour de France on Saturday, with the seven-time champion Lance Armstrong finishing an impressive fourth at the start of what he is saying will be his last Tour.cancellara, who won the prologue of the Tour of Switzerland last month, clocked 10 minutes for the individual time trial along 8.9km (5.5 miles) of rain-dampened roads in Rotterdam. Germanys Tony Martin, who led for most of the day, was second, 10 seconds back, and David Millar of Britain came third 20 seconds off the pace.Armstrong trailed 22 seconds back in fourth. Perhaps most impressively, the American edged out Alberto Contador of Spain, the defending Tour champion and runaway pre-race favourite.Bradley Wiggins (Team Sky) took to the road in a downpour and finished 77th on the day, 56 seconds adrift of cancellara and 34 behind Armstrong.cancellara will wear the race leaders yellow jersey for Sundays 223.5km first stage across wind-swept lowlands from Rotterdam to Brussels.The three-week race ends on 25 July in Paris.Tour de FranceCycling guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Switzerlands cancellara wins record fourth time-trial title Briton Millar more than a minute off pace in GeelongFabian cancellara pushed Britains David Millar into second place as the Swiss rider won a record fourth time-trial title with a dominant ride at the road world championships today.cancellara charged through the 45.8 km circuit in the Australian port city of Geelong in 58 minutes 9.19 seconds to finish one minute 2.75 seconds ahead of Millar. Germanys Tony Martin took bronze.cancellara, one of just a handful of riders to break the hour-mark on an overcast, sometimes gusty day, endured a nervous moment when he appeared to scrape a barrier midway through his run but was otherwise a model of control."In the end I was focused on my own and tried to really do what I can and thats do a perfect ride," he said. "I think the tactic I did for this race was amazing and ... Im happy."The victory added to cancellaras 2006, 2007 and 2009 world titles and also made him the first rider to win a fifth medal in the world time trial. The 29-year-old will compete in the mens road world championship on Sunday."I want a bit more to enjoy this [today]," he said. "Tomorrow morning when I wake up, then its another day."Cycling guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Alberto Contador, triplul castigator al Turului Frantei, se va desparti la finalul acestui an de echipa Astana. Ciclistul spaniol a hotarat sa nu-si reinnoiasca intelegerea cu echipa kazaha si "va analiza cu calm" ofertele celorlalte echipe. Potrivit Gazzetta dello Sport, Contador ar putea fi coleg de la anul cu Fabian cancellara deoarece este aproape de a semna cu echipa lui Bjarne [detalii...]

American makes up two minutes in final stages time trial Fabian cancellara wins the 32.1km stage into SchaffhausenLevi Leipheimer snatched the Tour de Suisse title away from Damiano Cunego after making up a deficit of almost two minutes during the final stages individual time trial on Sunday.The Swiss rider Fabian cancellara won the ninth stage, finishing the 32.1km race in Schaffhausen in 41 minutes and 1 second, but it was Leipheimer who was the big winner. Cunego, of Team Lampre, had started the day with a 1min 36sec advantage over Steven Kruijswijk; he was 1min 59sec clear of the 37-year-old Leipheimer, in fourth.However, the American took the title after finishing third against the clock, 13 seconds behind Leopard Treks cancellara and four behind a RadioShack team-mate, Andreas Kloden. The Italian Cunego came home 2min 16sec behind cancellara - who also won the time trial on the first stage - which meant that he lost the race to Leipheimer by four seconds. Kruijswijk, of Rabobank, was third in the overall classification.Cycling guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Saxo Bank rider outpaces Tom Boonen in one-day classic Swiss adds title to Paris-Roubaix and Milan-San Remo winsFabian cancellara demonstrated his class to win the Tour of Flanders ahead of the home favourite, Tom Boonen.The Swiss added the Ronde van Vlaanderen to his long list of honours, which include three Tour de France prologue wins and victory in Paris-Roubaix and Milan-San Remo, with a superb solo success in the 258-kilometre cobbled classic.Boonen (Quick Step) clung on to second place, while his compatriot Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma Lotto) took third ahead of another Belgian Bjorn Leukemans (Vacansoleil).cancellara overcame a bike change in the final 50km and attacked on the Molenberg with 44km to go. Boonen was on his wheel and the duo forged forward together before cancellara again kicked ahead on the Kapelmuur climb with 15km remaining.The world and Olympic time-trial champion, of team Saxo Bank, opened up a gap on Boonen and was able to secure a clear win.Cycling guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Evans finishes 11 seconds ahead of Robert Gesink Switzerlands Fabian cancellara takes time trialAustralias Cadel Evans won the week-long Tirreno-Adriatico race, while the Swiss specialist Fabian cancellara took the concluding time trial.Evans finished with an 11-second lead in the overall standings ahead of the Dutch rider Robert Gesink, while Michele Scarponi of Italy was third, 15sec adrift of the winner.The 2009 world champion, Evans finished second overall in the Tour de France in 2007 and 2008.The Giro dItalia winner Ivan Basso finished fourth overall, 24sec behind, and Spanish Vuelta champion Vincenzo Nibali was fifth, 30 seconds back.cancellara clocked 10min 33sec over the 9.3-km (5.8-mile) individual time trial in San Benedetto del Tronto.The Dutch rider Lars Boom finished second in the stage, nine seconds behind, and Adriano Malori of Italy was third, 19sec back, on the flat and straight course along the Adriatic coast.Among those contending for overall victory, Gesink had the best time trial, finishing 27sec behind cancellara, but Evans was only four seconds further behind.cancellara has won the time trial world title four of the past five years and also took gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.Many riders used the race as a warm-up for Saturdays Milan-San Remo, although Evans is not planning to enter the opening single-day classic of the season.Cycling guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Echipa Saxo Bank a respins acuzatiile aparute in media in ultimele zile, potrivit carora rutierul Fabian cancellara ar fi folosit un motor electric in cursa din aprilie Paris-Roubaix, competitie pe care elvetianul a si castigat-o. Zvonurile unui presupus "dopaj motorizat" au aparut dupa ce pe Youtube a fost postat un clip in care fostul rutier Davide Cassani prezinta o "bicicleta [detalii...]

Swiss wins Paris-Roubaix in style Thor Hushovd is second, with Juan Antonio Flecha thirdFabian cancellara produced a second scintillating performance in a week to win the Paris-Roubaix classic today.The 29-year-old Swiss backed up his Tour of Flanders victory with a solo success in the cobbled classic known as "The Hell of the North".In a performance reminiscent of his win seven days ago, cancellara, of Team Saxo Bank, burst away with little more than 40 of the 259-km race remaining and no one could compete with him as he won the race for a second time, finishing with a lap of honour in the Roubaix velodrome.Thor Hushovd (Cervelo Test Team) was two minutes behind in second after winning a sprint finish with third-placed Juan Antonio Flecha, of Team Sky, while the defending champion Tom Boonen (QuickStep), who was seeking a record fourth win, was fifth behind Britains Roger Hammond, of Cervelo.cancellara, the world time-trial champion, won Paris-Roubaix for the first time in 2006 and added a second title to his list of honours, which include three Tour de France prologue wins and victories in Milan-San Remo and the Tour of Flanders to stake his claim to be the greatest all-round rider of his generation.Cycling guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

[detalii...]

On Easter Sunday the 94th Tour of Flanders took place in Belgium between Bruges and [detalii...]

Skys Geraint Thomas will be gunning for yellow when the Tour de France reaches the Alps tomorrow after stealing three seconds on Fabien cancellara in stage [detalii...]

In cursul dupa-amiezei de duminica, rutierii s-au urcat in sa pentru a evolua in cadrul campionatelor nationale de ciclism. Vezi aici care sunt marii castigatori din acest [detalii...]

Swiss rider takes rain-hit Tour de France prologue time-trial in Rotterdam, with David Millar third and Lance Armstrong [detalii...]

Frank Schleck has won the Tour of Switzerland ahead of Lance Armstrong; Tony Martin outdoes Fabian cancellara in [detalii...]

Brussels - Alessandro Petacchi of Italy won a sprint to the line to the first stage of the Tour de France on Sunday as several top riders including yellow jersey holder Fabian cancellara crashed in the closing [detalii...]

Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia) a castigat, la sprint, etapa cu numarul 5 din Turul Frantei, desfasurata intre Epernay si Montargis, pe o distanta de 187.5 km. Tricoul galben ramane la Fabio cancellara (Saxo [detalii...]

Compania "Saxo Bank" isi va retrage sprijinul financiar la finele acestui sezon de la echipa daneza, care contine rutieri precum fratii Andy si Frank Schleck sau Fabian [detalii...]

Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia) a castigat etapa cu numarul sase din Turul Frantei, desfasurata intre Montargis si Gueugnon - pe o distanta de 227.5 km, la sprint. Fabian cancellara (Saxo Bank) ramane in continuare in posesia tricoului [detalii...]

Wiggins beaten by Germanys Tony Martin Judith Arndt of Germany wins womens eventBradley Wiggins secured the silver medal in the elite mens time trial at the Road World Championships, but could do nothing to match the dominance of Tony Martin.The German was the class act over the 46.4-kilometre course, setting the fastest time at each split to triumph in a time of 53 minutes 43.85 seconds and claim his first world title.For Wiggins, 31, it was his first world road racing medal. The British champion eventually held off Fabian cancellara of Switzerland for the silver, but was one minute 15.83 seconds down on Martin.cancellara had looked set to claim the runner-up spot but he was delayed after overshooting a corner towards the end of the course, almost coming to grief against a barrier, allowing Wiggins to get the better of him by less than five seconds.In the womens time trial, Judith Arndt of Germany won the gold medal ahead of New Zealands Linda Villumsen and the defending champion Emma Pooley of Britain.Bradley WigginsCycling guardian.co.uk © 2011 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre) a castigat etapa cu numarul 4 din Turul Frantei (intre Cambrai si Reims, pe o distanta de 153.5 km), italianul castigand dupa o lupta interesanta la sprint. Tricou galben ramane Fabian cancellara (Saxo [detalii...]

Spains Alberto Contador virtually secured his third Tour de France victory following the penultimate stage time trial won by Fabian [detalii...]

Fabian cancellara has won the Tour de France prologue and Lance Armstrong finishing strongly to start what the Texan says is his last [detalii...]

Etapa a 3-a a Turului Frantei, desfasurata, marti, intre localitatile Wanze (Belgia) si Arenberg Port du Hainaut (213 km), a schimbat ierarhia la general, lider redevenind elvetianul Fabian cancellara, in timp ce Lance Armstrong a pierdut timp pretios [detalii...]

Britanicul Mark Cavendish a prins gustul victoriilor in Turul Frantei, castigand, vineri, a doua etapa consecutiva, in urma unui sprint desfasurat la Gueugnon. Lider la general inaintea intrarii in Alpi se mentine Fabian cancellara, cu un avans de [detalii...]

Fifth in last years Tour, Schleck crashed during stage three Will be out of competition for a longer period of timeFrank Schleck was poised to undergo immediate shoulder surgery after being ruled out of the Tour de France yesterday, Team Saxo Bank have announced.The champion of Luxembourg, who finished fifth in the 2009 Tour, crashed on the fourth of seven sections of cobbles on the stage from Wanze in Belgium to Arenberg Porte du Hainaut in France.A Team Saxo Bank statement read: "After the horrible crash [yesterday], Team Saxo Banks Frank Schleck was examined at a local hospital where X-rays revealed three fractures of his left collarbone which obviously stopped the national champion of Luxembourg from continuing the stage."After having congratulated his team-mates after a job well done on the cobblestones, he is undergoing immediate surgery and will be out of competition for a longer period of time."Cervelo Test Teams Thor Hushovd won the third stage, with Team Saxo Banks Fabian cancellara reclaiming the race leaders yellow jersey, while cancellara also helped Frank Schlecks brother Andys push up the general classification standings.Tour de FranceCycling guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Alessandro Petacchi has won the first stage of the Tour de France in a sprint, while Lance Armstrong and other top contenders trailing in the pack in a day marred by several [detalii...]

"Marea schisma" dintre fratii Schleck si Team Saxo Bank i-a adus pe Stuart OGrady, Jakob Fuglsang si pe Jens Voigt la noua echipa luxemburgheza. Astazi, un nou ex-rutier al echipei lui Bjarne Riis a semnat cu proiectul initiat de fratii [detalii...]

HTC rider sits up too soon in the race for green Fabian cancellara retains yellow jerseyMark Cavendish took his eye off the game today to allow Lampres Alessandro Petacchi to storm through and win the 153.5km fourth stage of the Tour de France. With 3km to go to the finish in Reims the peloton, riding at speeds approaching 70kph, caught an escape group comprising four riders.With Tony Martin organising the HTC team at the front to set up the sprint for Cavendish, the peloton stretched out on the approach to the finish. Cavendish looked to be in an excellent position, locked on to the wheel of the teams lead-out man, Mark Renshaw, but the Isle of Man sprinter sat up too soon and faded. Petacchi came through and was challenged by the three-times green jersey winner Robbie McEwen, but the Italian held on for his second stage win on this Tour.New Zealands Julian Dean was second and Norways Edvald Boasson Hagen third.The Swiss Fabian cancellara retained the yellow jersey of overall leader. The Welshman Geraint Thomas finished 19th, retaining the white jersey of best young rider, with Bradley Wiggins 20th. Cavendish will be hoping for better luck on tomorrows mostly flat 187km stage from Epernay to Montargis.Tour de FranceMark CavendishCycling guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step) a castigat etapa de luni din Turul Frantei (201 km, intre Bruxelles si Spa), rutierul francez impunandu-se dupa o evadare. In urma acestei evolutii, Chavanel este noul tricou galben al competitiei (l-a devansat pe Fabian [detalii...]

New Team Leopard-Trek is announced Fabian cancellara joins from Team Saxo Bank The identity of Andy and Frank Schlecks new Luxembourg-based team was revealed today as Team Leopard-Trek. The Luxembourg Pro Cycling Project was established by the sports director, Kim Anderson, and the general manager, Brian Nygaard - a former press officer for Team Sky - amid much secrecy and made Andy Schleck the key signing.Andy Schleck finished second in the Tour de France for the second successive season last July but is likely to start the 2011 race as its favourite due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Alberto Contadors future following his failed drugs test.The Schlecks are joined in the squad by the world and Olympic time-trial champion Fabian cancellara, who has also signed from Team Saxo Bank and will be looking to add to his impressive Spring Classics record.Nygaard said: "We have developed our new team, aiming for a fresh and innovative style. Of utmost importance, though, is to take cycling back to its proper roots: its all about the racing."With riders on the roster who can win from the first race of the season to the final, we are looking to be competitive in a lot races. We are not going to win every race but we are certainly here to make our mark in the biggest events."Cycling guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Cadel Evans has won Tirreno-Adriatico, the seven-day stage race in Italy, after Fabian cancellara sealed victory in the final day 9.3km time [detalii...]

Schleck finishes 13th on final time trial to clinch victory Overnight leader, Robert Gesink, slips to fourthFrank Schleck clinched overall victory ahead of Lance Armstrong on the final day of the Tour de Suisse.Germanys Tony Martin won todays final 26.9km time trial ahead of Fabian cancellara but Luxembourgs Schleck prevailed overall after the overnight leader Robert Gesink of Holland was unable to hang on to the lead and finished fifth overall.Armstrong moved up from seventh overall overnight as the seven-time Tour de France winner completed his preparations for cyclings most prestigious race, which begins in Rotterdam on 3 July.The final-stage time trial around Liestal saw Gesink concede his 29-second advantage with a disastrous showing, as he limped in 2min 19sec down in 40th place.Schleck was 13th quickest on the day, 1min 14sec down on Martin, and Armstrong was 11th, five seconds faster. But it was not enough for the American, who finished 12 seconds down on Schleck, with his fellow Saxo Bank rider Jakob Fuglsang in third."I was a little bit surprised myself that it went so well but the good thing about being on the same team as Fabian cancellara is that you get to know a trick or two about time trialling and he said I could pull it off before the stage," said Schleck, whose first thoughts were for his compatriot Kim Kirchen, who was yesterday rushed to hospital with a suspected heart problem."Winning here so close to the Tour de France means a lot to me but my thoughts go to Kim Kirchen and his family who are having a hard time right now."CyclingLance Armstrong guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Fabian cancellara (Team Saxo Bank) a invins in etapa a nouasprezecea a Turului Frantei, dominand contratimpul individual dintre Bordeaux si Pauillac. Desi a avut o zi execrabila, spaniolul Alberto Contador (Astana) a castigat Turul Frantei, cu un avans de 39 de secunde fata de luxemburghezul Andy Schleck (Team Saxo [detalii...]

Francezul Sylvain Chavanel (QuickStep) a castigat cea de-a saptea etapa a Turului Frantei, desfasurata pe o distanta de 165,5 km, intre Tournus si Les Rousses si a preluat tricoul galben de la elvetianul Fabian cancellara. Spaniolii Rafael Valls Ferri (Footon-Servetto) si Juan Manuel Garate (Rabobank) au incheiat etapa pe locurile doi, respectiv [detalii...]

Ciclistul spaniol Alberto Contador s-a distantat la 39 de secunde fata de principalul sau contra-candidat, luxemburghezul Andy Schleck, in penultima etapa a Turului Frantei, si va castiga duminica cel de-al treilea sau titlu din aceasta competitie. Cea de-a 19-a etapa a Turului a fost castigata de Fabian cancellara, elvetianul dominand contra-timpul individual de 52 de [detalii...]

Frenchman claims yellow jersey from Fabian cancellara Peloton in go-slow safety protest after another pile-upFrances Sylvain Chavanel broke almost from the starting gun to win a rain-soaked second stage of the Tour de France in which most of the favourites crashed.The 31-year-old Chavanel attacked after 11 kilometres in the 201km ride, was joined by seven other riders and finally broke on his own to snatch his second Tour stage victory after a previous one in 2008 in Montlucon.The three-times French time-trial champion also took the yellow jersey off the Swiss rider Fabian cancellara. Chavanel leads him now by 2 minutes 57 seconds with the German Tony Martin third a further 10 seconds in arrears.His victory, helped by a pile-up in one of the seven climbs of the day, was sweet revenge for the Frenchman as he was seriously injured on the same roads two months ago in the Liege-Bastogne-Liege classic and was doubtful for the Tour. "Its a lot of emotion and it shows how the wheel can turn in cycling," Chavanel said.This time he was among the few riders not to hit the canvas. Rain and nerves on a hilly, tricky course, caused havoc in the peloton and nearly ruined the Tour chances of last years runner-up, Andy Schleck of Luxembourg.A series of crashes took place in the descent of the Stockeu climb, 30km from the finish line and the younger of the Schleck brothers was among the most seriously hurt.The 25-year-old Saxo Bank team leader was seen holding his bleeding right arm and was able to start again on the bike of his Danish team-mate Matti Breschel.His brother Frank was also caught in the crash.The other two favourites, the defending champion Alberto Contador and seven-times winner Lance Armstrong, who had a big bruise on the thigh, were not spared either.Held up by the pile-up, they found themselves chasing the first pack, comprising cancellara. Escorted by their team-mates, both made their way back into the main peloton.As for the Schleck brothers, they also finally caught the main pack with 15km to go, thanks to an intense effort by their team captain, Jens Voigt, who led the chase.At the end of the stage the peloton crossed the line together at a slow pace in protest against the crashes.If Tour contenders eventually limited the damage, the stage was a warning before tomorrows 201km stage to Arenberg, which comprises seven cobbled sections.Tour de FranceCycling guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Britains Mark Cavendish crashes out in final kilometres Fabian cancellara of Switzerland retains yellow jerseyA crash-strewn final three kilometres of the first road stage of the Tour de France between Rotterdam and Brussels was won by Alessandro Petacchi.Mark Cavendish and Oscar Freire went wide on a right-hand bend with 3,000 metres of the 223.5-kilometre first stage to go, before a second - and this time more serious - crash one kilometre later wiped out Tyler Farrars hopes of an American success on Independence Day.Italys Petacchi was the major benefactor, winning the sprint for the line with the 20 or so riders to emerge unscathed from the second collision. Cavendishs HTC-Columbia lead-out man Mark Renshaw was second and third place went to Cervelo TestTeams Thor Hushovd, the winner of the points classification in 2009.Petacchi takes the green jersey from Britains David Millar (Garmin-Transitions), whose progress earlier in the day was temporarily halted by a collision with a dog.As the major incidents happened in the final stages, all riders were awarded the same time, so there was no effect on the general classification standings. Fabian cancellara (Team Saxo Bank) retained the race leaders yellow jersey, with Tony Martin (HTC-Columbia) second, Millar third, Lance Armstrong (Team Radioshack) fourth, Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) fifth and the race favourite Alberto Contador (Astana) sixth.The Team Sky leader, Bradley Wiggins, and Andy and Frank Schleck (both Team Saxo Bank) remained around one minute off the pace.Tour de FranceCyclingMark CavendishAlberto Contador guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

GB rider Thomas second overall as cancellara claims yellow View the overall standings after stage three of the TourThe British rider Geraint Thomas finished second in the third stage of the Tour de France as Norways Thor Hushovd sprinted home ahead of him on another day marred by crashes, punctures and injuries to cyclists.Thomas, who rides for Team Sky, will wear the white jersey signifying the best young rider, having kept pace to move into second place overall, 23 seconds off Switzerlands Fabian cancellara, who claimed the yellow jersey after finishing sixth. Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step), who went into todays 213km ride from Wanze in Belgium to Arenberg Porte du Hainaut in France wearing the yellow jersey, finished down the order having suffered multiple punctures, forcing him to change his bike. Australias Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) came home third in a stage that had seven cobbled sections totalling 13.2-km of the total distance. The drama began when the Luxembourg rider Frank Schleck crashed to the ground and broke his collarbone on the first section of pavement after coming off the cobbles as the stage entered France. Schleck was unable to finish the stage, ending his Tour before he has even had the chance to tackle the challenge of the mountains. His brother Andy Schleck, Thomas and Evans avoided the stages many hazards to enhance their positions in the overall standings, while the favourite Alberto Contador (Astana) claimed bragging rights over his fierce rival and seven-time winner Lance Armstrong (Team RadioShack).Bradley Wiggins, also of Team Sky, finished in a small group ahead of Contador, pulling back some time lost in the opening prologue.Tour de FranceTeam SkyCycling guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Wiggins considering change to Tour de France strategy Saturdays 52km time-trial is opportunity for stage victoryTeam Sky leader Bradley Wiggins is considering shelving his overall classification bid to target a stage victory at the Tour de France.Tomorrows 174-kilometre stage 17 from Pau to the summit of the Col du Tourmalet is crucial in the race for the leaders yellow jersey between Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck - they are separated by eight seconds with four days of racing remaining - and in the general classification standings.But Saturdays 52km time-trial from Bordeaux to Pauillac represents an opportunity for success for Wiggins, who finished fourth in the 2009 Tour but currently lies 21st in the overall standings."I dont know whether to persist and finish in 23rd or 24th overall or really put everything into that last time-trial now," said Wiggins."Im looking forward to the time-trial. Looking at how everyone is, everyones on their knees - [Fabian] cancellara and all those guys. Ive maybe got a chance of picking up a stage win, but I dont know."cancellara won the prologue in Rotterdam on 3 July, when Wiggins - usually adept against the clock - finished 77th, almost one minute down.The 30-year-old Londoner recovered in the first week and was well placed until losing time on each occasion the Tour went uphill - first in the Alps and then in the Pyrenees.It means his bid to be the first Briton on the Tour podium, having equalled Robert Millars 1984 best in 2009, must wait for another year.Following Sundays stage to Ax-3-Domaines, Wiggins issued a scathing assessment of his 2010 Tour."The minute I came out and said it, it felt like a weight off my shoulders," he said.Wiggins, though, believes he can bounce back in 2011 and perform again in the Tour, although his preparation might be different.The three-time Olympic champion used the calendar years first grand tour - Mays Giro dItalia - as a warm-up for July, but next year plans a new approach."I wont do the Giro again," he said. "Its just too demanding now. Im already thinking for next year that the classics-Tour approach might be the way to do it, maybe experimenting with some altitude training as well, because Ive never done it."Bradley WigginsTour de FranceCycling guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Frenchman takes yellow jersey from Fabian cancellara Andy Schleck among those that crashed during 201km stageWet weather contributed to another tumultuous day as the Tour de France visited spring classics country in Belgium today.The 201 kilometres stage from Brussels to Spa saw the 97th Tours first climbs and further crashes, following an incident-packed first road stage from Holland yesterday.Frances Sylvain Chavanel (QuickStep) avoided trouble to surge to a solo victory and seize the race leaders yellow jersey from Fabian cancellara, who was unable to force the pace following a crash involving his Team Saxo Bank colleague Andy Schleck.It was Chavanels second career Tour stage win and ensures he will be in the maillot jaune when the race reaches his native country tomorrow. The remainder of the peloton finished together, almost four minutes down, to avoid further incident.Last years runner-up Andy Schleck (Team Saxo Bank) tumbled to the tarmac on the penultimate descent, suffering injuries which are sure to require a medical assessment to deem whether the Luxembourg rider can continue.Schleck was anticipated to be the closest challenger to Tour favourite and two-time champion Alberto Contador, who today was forced into a bike change with 20km remaining. And he will be indebted to his Team Saxo Bank squad for helping him finish alongside his general classification rivals in Spa.Seven-time champion Lance Armstrong, who was in fourth place overall entering the second road stage and third day, was also unseated, as was Team Skys Michael Barry and Bradley Wiggins. Team Garmin-Transitions leader Christian Vande Velde also hit the road.Tomorrows third road stage is the 213km from Wanze to Arenberg Porte du Hainaut, featuring four cobbled sections - totalling 13.2km - used in the Paris-Roubaix spring classic.Tour de FranceCycling guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Press the autorefresh button for the latest updates. Click here for our interactive Tour map and email barry.glendenningguardian.co.uk with your thoughtsGood afternoon everybody, and welcome to the first of this years annual sporadic-depending-on-who-happens-to-be-in-the-office, probably not brilliantly informed rolling report on the Tour De France.The story so far: This years Tour kicked off in Rotterdam last Saturday, with a short prologue won by powerful pedallings Fabian cancellara from Switzerland, who went into Sundays first official stage wearing the yellow jersey. Run over 223.5km from Rotterdam to Brussels, this instalment of the race ended in chaos, with Italian veteran Alessandro Petacchi managing to avoid Foinavon style carnage to win it in a sprint. Stage three saw an angry peloton wind its way from Brussels to Spa, refusing to race in protest at the conditions of the previous day and allowing breakaway rider Sylvain Chavanel to win courtesy of a heroic solo effort and take the yellow jersey. The fourth stage, over 153.5km from Cambrai to Reims, took in the teeth-jarring cobbles of the famous Hell of the North, the Paris-Roubaix classic, which did for Tour contender Frank "Brother of Andy" Schleck, who shattered his collarbone in a horrible spill on the the Sars-et-Rosieres sector 25km from the finish. Fabian cancellara was first past the post and went back into yellow after Sylvain Chavanel, according to the Guardians excellent Tim Lewis, "punctured twice and then threw his bike in the ditch". Skys British rider Geraint Thomas finished a highly commendable second in a tricky stage, earning himself the white jersey for leading young rider. The business end of the general classification remained unaltered in the wake of stages five (187.5km from Epernay to Montargis) and six (227.5km from Montargis to Gueugnon), which ended in sprints won by Petacchi and confident Manx speed-merchant Mark Cavendish respectively. Yes, that Mark Cavendish, who we knew when he barely had an arse in his Lycra shorts.Tour de FranceCyclingBarry Glendenning guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Im here for Brad confirms second-placed Thomas Hes starting to come into his own, says team-leader WigginsGeraint Thomas showed his potential with a stunning second-place finish on a dramatic day yesterday but will sacrifice personal ambitions at the Tour de France to aid Team Sky leader Bradley Wiggins podium push.Thomas maintains his focus is on helping his fellow Olympic team pursuit gold medal winner become the first Briton on the Tour podium in Paris on 25 July."Im here for Brad, but its a nice bonus," said the 24-year-old from Cardiff, who moved up to second overall following the 213km third stage from Wanze to Arenberg Porte du Hainaut."It was a massive buzz going across the cobbles in the front group with [Fabian] cancellara and Thor [Hushovd] and Cadel [Evans] - you dont get any better group than that. It was a good day."Mark Cavendish will be eyeing todays anticipated sprint finish on the 153.5km stage from Cambrai to Reims, in a day that will give the general classification contenders a chance to recover from seven sections of cobble stones.cancellara (Team Saxo Bank) reclaimed the race leaders yellow jersey after finishing in a six-man group along with team-mate Andy Schleck, Evans (BMC Racing), Ryder Hesjedal (Team Garmin-Transitions), Thomas and stage winner Hushovd (Cervelo Test Team).The six had a 53-second advantage over Wiggins group, but the 30-year-old Londoner was still able to make amends for his below-par prologue showing, moving up the general classification standings to 14th overall.Wiggins predicts Thomas will soon inherit his mantle as Team Skys talisman: "Hes just showing the talent weve always known he had, hes blossoming now and starting to come into his own. Hes going to be the new British name in the next few years in these kind of races."Sky team principal Dave Brailsford was delighted as Wiggins returned to contention: "Andy and Evans had a good day, but equally Brad had a good day. Would we have taken that at the start? I think we would. And I think to cap it all off Geraint running second on the stage just shows what this teams all about."It was all about developing young British talent and giving Geraint a decent team to be able to develop his career in, in a professional environment. Its proving fruitful - its absolutely brilliant."Bradley WigginsTour de FranceCycling guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

All the latest classifications from the Tour de FranceProvisional result and overall standings after the 8.9-km prologue stage of the Tour de France in Rotterdam, Holland1) Fabian cancellara (Switzerland / Saxo Bank) 10 mins 00 secs 2) Tony Martin (Germany / HTC - Columbia) +10" 3) David Millar (Britain / Garmin) +20" 4) Lance Armstrong (U.S. / RadioShack) +22" 5) Geraint Thomas (Britain / Team Sky) +23" 6) Alberto Contador (Spain / Astana) +27" 7) Tyler Farrar (U.S. / Garmin) +28" 8) Levi Leipheimer (U.S. / RadioShack) 9) Edvald Boasson Hagen (Norway / Team Sky) +32" 10) Linus Gerdemann (Germany / Milram) +35"Tour de FranceCycling guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

British riders express preference for Vuelta a Espana Technical director keen for Fabian cancellara to join raceThe route for the 2010 Tour of Britain was unveiled today but it seems likely that the countrys biggest cycling event will be missing its two most famous cyclists, Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins, who have both expressed a preference for the Tour of Spain.Wiggins made his feelings known via Twitter: "No TT [time trial] again in race around Britain, looks like a race for the sprinter again, looks like Vuelta [a Espana] this year then." Cavendishs HTC-Columbia teams spokesperson, meanwhile, said that Cavendishs programme has not been decided beyond the Tour de France, but described the possibility of him participating in the Tour of Britain as "unlikely", adding that he is likely to opt for the Spanish tour, which clashes with the British event, as preparation for the World Championships.Mick Bennett, the technical director of the Tour of Britain, responded to Wigginss implied criticism by claiming that the race, which starts in Rochdale on 11 September and finishes in London seven days later, will be "the hardest edition yet". He also rejected the Team Sky leaders suggestion that it would be dominated by sprinters: "Weve got eight first-category climbs.""Wed love Brad to ride," said Bennett. "But we cant design a race with a time trial in it, mainly because of the volume of cars on our roads." A time trial would give Wiggins a good chance of winning, but the discipline has not featured since 2005, when Birmingham staged a 4km race against the clock. The problem, explained Bennett, is that a time trial would require an extended road closure, something the tour, which operates a rolling road closure, would find difficult to manage.Cavendish has not ridden his home tour since 2007, the year before his Tour de France debut, when he won four stages. Clashes with the Tour of Missouri have been to blame for his absence from the last two editions, with his American team insisting on his presence in the States, though Spain is a more likely destination this time. Another two of Britains top riders, Russell Downing and David Millar, have also indicated that they want to ride the Tour of Spain.Otherwise, the Tour avoids Scotland for the first time since the inaugural edition in 2004, but visits the north-west, Wales, the south-west, East Anglia and Essex, before a final stagein London has been altered on the recommendation of the police. Due to a clash with the Popes visitit has been moved from Westminster to a 10km circuit in the London borough of Newham, adjacent to the Thames and a stones throw from the Olympic site.Teams confirmed include Team Sky, HTC-Columbia, Garmin-Transitions and Saxo Bank, whose star rider, Fabian cancellara, is being pursued by Bennett. Last years winner, Edvald Boasson Hagen, rides for Team Sky, and would be the favourite if selected by the new British squad.CyclingBradley WigginsMark CavendishTeam SkyRichard Moore guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Early start backfires as rain leaves Wiggins 76th after time-trial David Millar finishes third behind leader Fabian cancellaraSince their entry into professional cycling this year, Team Sky have adopted an exacting, Formula One-inspired approach to control "everything". They employ a dedicated chef, a head of apparel, even a "mechanic of the mind".But yesterday, as the Tour de France got underway with a 5.5-mile individual time-trial around the streets of Rotterdam, it emerged that one thing the team could not control was, well, the sky.The gamble to send out their team leader Bradley Wiggins in an early time slot backfired, as the rain and brisk winds that were predicted for later in the day arrived ahead of schedule. The 30-year-old recorded a disappointing 10min 56sec, leaving him in 76th place, almost a minute behind the prologue winner, Fabian cancellara. In the initial skirmishes for the overall classification, Lance Armstrong inflicted a satisfying five-second deficit on last years champion Alberto Contador. David Millar, riding in his ninth Tour, was the highest-placed Briton in third.A silver lining for Team Sky was the performance of Wiggins track team-mate Geraint Thomas, who spent much of the afternoon in second place before dropping to fifth. After crossing the line, he was stoic about the treacherous conditions. "You cant affect the rain," he said. "Thats just bike racing, thats the risk you take. We decided to go off early and thats that."The Welshman, who recently became the British road race champion, even had the good humour to deal with a Dutch version of Dennis Pennis. The reporter started by asking Thomas if he was enjoying Amsterdam - which Thomas corrected - before advising him to avoid the Dutch capital because "you wont pass the doping test". Thomas replied, "I dont party anyway, I live like a monk," before pedalling off to the sanctuary of the team bus.Despite the conditions, the Rotterdammers were certainly in good spirits, screaming for three hours like they were experiencing a sudden flashback to Wesley Sneijders goal against Brazil. Their trademark orange was replaced by walls of yellow plastic macs handed out by the Tour caravan and they bashed branded rumble sticks against the barriers.cancellaras comprehensive victory was no great surprise, having won the equivalent time-trials in 2007 and 2009. It does not seem to matter if the course is hilly or flat, short or long, the Swiss rider is so dominant he has recently had to deny charges that he has a tiny motor fitted in the frame of his bike.This might sound outlandish, but "motorised doping" has become a hot topic. An unnamed French rider claimed to have heard a "strange noise" rumbling from cancellaras bike, while a YouTube video showing how it could be done has 2.6 million views. It is serious enough for the International Cycling Union to have decided to scan bikes randomly before each stage in the 2010 Tour. When asked to respond, cancellara spluttered: "Its so stupid, Im speechless."cancellara also showed his superstitious side, with his intention of riding the whole of the three-week Tour wearing his bib, No13, upside down because he thinks the number might otherwise bring bad luck.Doping of a more conventional nature was also on the agenda as the Wall Street Journal published further allegations from Floyd Landis, the disgraced 2006 Tour "winner" and former team-mate of Armstrong. His claims range from Armstrong entertaining strippers and personally supplying Landis with testosterone patches in front of his wife, to detailed descriptions of blood transfusions that have the pace and subterfuge of film plots.The question is why we should now believe Landis, who lied for many years about his own use of performance-enhancing drugs. Armstrong, who has never failed a drugs test and who revealed last week that this would be his final Tour, issued a trademark robust denial. "Landiss credibility is like a carton of sour milk," he said. "Once you take the first sip, you dont have to drink the rest to know it has all gone bad."It is hard to know if the new allegations inspired the 38-year-old Texan - he always rides like a man with a feud - but after the prologue he revealed he felt in much better shape than year, when he finished third."That was the best time-trial I have done since the comeback," he said. "If you had told me before the start, Sign up right now for fifth and put time on your rivals, I would have grabbed it with both hands. But lets not get ahead of ourselves. It was a good ride, I felt good, the team went good, but this a long three weeks, beginning tomorrow."That stage, which covers 139 miles from Rotterdam across the Zeeland polders to Brussels, could be a nervy one for the 197 riders.cancellara will start in the yellow jersey, and is likely to hold on to it until next weekend, while Millar will wear the green points jersey Mark Cavendish so covets. Heavy wind is expected, but Team Sky will believe it when they feel it.Tour de FranceCyclingBradley WigginsTim Lewis guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Contador extends lead over Andy Schleck to 39 seconds Spaniard close to second successive Tour titleThe tussle for the 2010 Tour de France title is set to end in Alberto Contadors favour after the defending champion increased his advantage in todays penultimate stage.Contador (Astana) held an eight-second overall lead over Andy Schleck (Team Saxo Bank) ahead of the 52-kilometre time-trial from Bordeaux to Pauillac.The Spaniard finished the route in one hour six minutes 39 seconds, 31 seconds ahead of Schleck, who is set to finish runner-up for the second successive year.Schleck crossed the line in 1hr 7min 10sec and is now 39 seconds adrift overall ahead of tomorrows final day, which will - barring a freak accident or illness - see Contador crowned the Tour champion for the third time in four years.World and Olympic time-trial champion Fabian cancellara (Team Saxo Bank), who won the Rotterdam prologue on 3 July, clocked 1hr 56sec through the vineyards north of Bordeaux to win stage 19, but Contador was the real victor.Tour de FranceAlberto ContadorCycling guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Alessandro Petacchi wins first full stage Fabian cancellara keeps overall leadMark Cavendish was at the centre of controversy again today, as the first full stage of the Tour de France descended into chaos with two crashes in the last 2km. The stage was won by the Italian veteran Alessandro Petacchi but he was almost the last man riding as more than half the peloton was unable to contest the finish. David Millar, the best-placed British rider in third overall, wheeled his bike over the line and Lance Armstrong tweeted straight afterwards, "That was Sa€‘Ta€‘Ra€‘Ea€‘Sa€‘Sa€‘Fa€‘Ua€‘L!!"Overhead shots were not conclusive but Cavendish seemed responsible for the more dramatic spill, losing his balance on a tight right-hand corner and taking down Oscar Freire and Jeremy Hunt. He climbed back on his bike, apparently not seriously injured, and pedalled to the finish with an expression that might be described as "wistful".Cavendish has had a difficult few months - both on and off the bike - and he has already attracted criticism for his uncompromising style of riding. He was at the centre of an even more spectacular crash last month at the Tour of Switzerland, causing an avalanche of riders, one of whom fractured his elbow. This led to a two-minute protest from the rest of the field to "send a message to Cavendish to ask him for more respect" - although the 25-year-old from the Isle of Man contests that this ever happened.It is a frustrating start to the Tour for Cavendish, who appeared certain to add to his 10 stage victories, but Petacchi thinks he may have had the match of him anyway. "It was not unexpected for me," said the 36-year-old, who has won five stages of the Tour de France previously, but has not competed in the race for six years. "I hope I will have the chance to sprint against Cavendish again. It was tough that he crashed but maybe I would have won anyway, as I did a great sprint."And it had all been going so smoothly. Stage one had been identified by many riders as one of the trickiest in the race. The danger came not from the terrain, which flatlined for 139 miles, but from the wind that traditionally buffets the first section of the course, across the Zeeland polders that have been reclaimed from the North Sea. Comparisons were made to the seemingly innocuous stage of last years race to La Grande Motte, where many of the main contenders were surprised by a sudden change in wind direction and lost time. Armstrong, one of those who was not and did not, famously sniped: "You know what the wind is doing and you see a turn coming up, so it doesnt take a rocket scientist to figure out that you have to go to the front."We sat back and waited for an exciting and potentially decisive day. In reality the stage was for the most part formulaic. As soon as the race commissars flag dropped in Rotterdam, the local favourite Lars Boom made a break, quickly tailed by Maarten Wynants, a former mountain biker from Belgium, and a Spanish rider Alan Perez Lezaun. Boom, who has stage wins in the Vuelta a Espana and Paris-Nice, is considered a promising rider but one suspects the rest of the field were happy to let them suffer out in front in temperatures that neared 30C before reeling them in for the sprint.As the breakaway hit the polders it quickly became clear that the breeze was refreshing rather than Tour-wrecking. By the time they reached the attractive town of Goes, where a brass band harrumphed and a churchs sign proclaimed "Jesus loves all cyclists" (what, even the ones that run red lights?), their lead had extended to more than six minutes.In the pack the main drama was a ginger mutt bolting out of the crowd and unseating David Millar, Ivan Basso and Nicolas "son of Stephen" Roche - this happens every year, so hopefully the riders are fine, the dog is fine and we have got it out of the way for 2010.As the Tour moved from Holland towards Belgium, there was more animal cruelty with cows painted yellow, green and polka dot (in honour of the races different jerseys), and the gap to the front riders started falling away in chunks. They were finally overhauled with a little under 10km to the line and the mind started to wander to what victory salute Cavendish would give this time.For all the excitement of the final throes, precious little has changed in the overall standings. Fabian cancellara remains in yellow but Millar has had to pass on the natty green jersey to Petacchi. s stage, a 125-mile run through Belgium from Brussels to Spa, is likely to be sedate on the road and mayhem behind the barriers, as the Tour moves across arguably the worlds most obsessive cycling nation. There are a couple of nasty climbs but most minds will be on Tuesdays cobblestones, only the second time the Tour has braved the pave since the 1990s."I think maybe another sprint tomorrow," said cancellara. "But everybody will be thinking about the day after, which could have a big impact on the race."Tour de FranceMark CavendishLance ArmstrongCyclingTim Lewis guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Former yellow jersey holder regains overall lead in style Fabian cancellara and Geraint Thomas both struggle in heatSylvain Chavanel reclaimed the race leaders yellow jersey with victory on stage seven of the Tour de France today. Frances Chavanel (QuickStep) won his second stage of the 97th Tour on the 165.5kilometre route from Tournus to Station des Rousses.Fabian cancellaras capitulation in the mid-mountains handed the maillot jaune away and Chavanel was the man to benefit after attacking at the foot of the days final climb, the 14km-long second category Lamoura.Rafael Valls Ferri (Footon-Servetto) was second, 57 seconds behind, with Rabobanks Juan Manuel Garate third, 30 seconds further adrift.With the finish coming at the end of a plateau, none of the general classification contenders deemed an attack worthwhile, meaning Tour favourite and two-time winner Alberto Contador (Astana), seven-time winner Lance Armstrong (Team RadioShack), Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) and Bradley Wiggins (Team Sky) were among those content to take a watchful approach at the front of the peloton.Tomorrows 189km eighth stage from Station des Rousses to Morzine-Avoriaz is sure to be where the race for the yellow jersey explodes for the first time.Tour de FranceCycling guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Evans finishes two minutes faster than Schleck Will become first Australian to win Tour de FranceAustralia will have its first winner of the Tour de France after Cadel Evans took the yellow jersey from Andy Schleck in todays 42.5km time trial in the shadow of the Chartreuse mountains, and there was nothing close about it. Starting the day 57 seconds behind the younger of the two Luxembourg brothers, Evans completed the ride in a time two and a half minutes faster than his rival, and the former mountain bike champion needs only to stay upright on Sundays stage from Creteil to Paris to make his dreams come true.The 34-year-old Evans is an emotional man beneath his often awkward, sometimes closed facade, and he wept in the arms of his colleagues in the Swiss-American BMC team as he prepared to accept the maillot jaune for the first time in this years race.He had held it briefly in 2008 and 2010, but this time one day in yellow will be enough to make him the fourth Anglophone winner in 98 years of the race, following two Americans, Greg LeMond and Lance Armstrong, and an Irishman, Stephen Roche.Barring accidents, he will be followed on to the podium by Mark Cavendish, who will start in the green jersey of the points leader, Samuel Sanchez, the king of the mountains, and Pierre Rolland, the best young rider.It is three decades since the 22-year-old Phil Anderson, born in London but brought up in Melbourne, took the chance of moving to Europe and joining an amateur club outside Paris. A curiosity at first, he quickly turned professional and in 1981, competing against the likes of Bernard Hinault and Lucien Van Impe, he became the first rider from outside Europe to lead the Tour.Since then half a dozen Australian riders have won stages, most of them as sprinters, but Evans is the first since the pioneer to make himself a contender for overall victory. Anderson now leads parties of amateur cyclists to the race each year, and was celebrating his compatriots success by the roadside on Saturday.Evans is well known to be a more effective rider against the clock than either of the Schlecks, but there was a surprise when Andy could post a time only three seconds faster than his older brother, Frank, who is usually much the less impressive of the two in time trials. Perhaps weakened by his efforts in the Alps, the 26-year-old little brother was defeated by a course which included 1,000ft of climbing and a tricky descent.So his courageous ride on Thursday, when he attacked his rivals and dominated the long stage across the Col dAgnel and the Col dIzoard to the summit of the Galibier, availed him nothing. For the third year in a row he will stand on the podium in the Champs-Elysees as the runner-up, wondering again whether it is in his destiny to win this race and looking up at a man who was a second-place finisher in 2007 and 2008.Perhaps the lesson to be learnt is that one attack is seldom enough. Schleck is surely talented enough to base his campaign on a more sustained offensive, particularly given the help of his brother and a posse of talented colleagues in their newly formed Leopard Trek team. To leave it until the 18th stage to abandon the tentative short attacks that had become his trademark was surely a piece of poor strategic planning.Yesterdays preparations by the Schlecks - a training lap in the morning, followed by a trip in the team car to follow the early run of Fabian cancellara, their specialist in the race against the clock - were in vain. Nor was there a dividend from the efforts Andy Schleck has put into his time-trialling, including sessions in a San Diego wind tunnel and special stretching exercises to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of his position on the bike.Grenoble awoke to wet roads with the probability of improvement later. cancellara, the reigning world and Olympic time trial champion, had expended so much energy in support of the Schlecks during the first week of the race that a low placing in the overall standings condemned him to a start time before noon.On the highest part of the course it was raining enough to make the tight, steep descent from the village of Saint-Martin-dUriage particularly treacherous. Although cancellaras time easily outshone those of the other early starters, it was eclipsed soon after the sun came out to dry the roads.His example was therefore of limited value to the Schlecks, who enjoyed greatly improved conditions when they and the other leading riders left the start line just over four hours later.Richie Porte, Saxo Banks Tasmanian rider, was the first to push cancellara down the standings. Then came Thomas De Gendt, the Belgian with Vacansoleil, who clipped a second off Portes time. Team Skys Edvald Boasson Hagen was challenging them when his handlebar came loose.But it was Tony Martin, Mark Cavendishs colleague in the HTC-Highroad team, who posted a time more than a minute faster than any other rider - except Evans, crouching down on his streamlined bike, pounding the pedals to produce a phenomenal ride that left him a mere 7sec short of the Germans time. And when he heard that Australias prime minister had declared a public holiday in his honour, he wept again.Tour de FranceCyclingTour de France 2011Gregg Roughley guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]