The final stage for the Tour de France saw the glory of its riders in Paris. There’s much to look forward to for 2011’s Tour de France and despite the scandals and controversies, it remains the most exciting race of the year.
The 97th Tour de France saw Alberto Contador of Astana taking the crown without a stage win. Amidst all the controversy, Contador raised the bar after winning for the third time. Contador shares, “It was a Tour where I had a lot of pressure, especially physically as I was not at my best form. It took a lot of confidence to face difficult situations…The three victories were very different. The first, in 2007, was special, because that was the first; last year, the situation was difficult and this made it difficult. And this year I had difficult moments; but I could count on a strong team. I realize that…
On stage 20 of the Tour de France, Lance Armstrong and the rest of Team RadioShack wore black Livestrong jerseys with the number 28, this represents the 28 million people in the world with Cancer.
Officials at the 2010 Tour de France demanded Team Radioshack take off the black Livestrong 28 jerseys and put back on the regular red and grey jerseys, and the cyclists had to add their assigned number. This resulted in a delay in the Tour.
Team RadioShack was upset at the situation, including director Johan Bruyneel, who expressed his anger on Twitter writing: Ok people! Now it’s official!” he tweeted. “To be a race commisar (sic), you don’t need brains but only know the rules! Their motto: “c’est le reglement!”
As you can expect, the UCI is unhappy on Bruyneel’s statement. Acting in somewhat good faith, the UCI said any fines from the incident will be donated…
Mark Cavendish of HTC-Columbia adds Stage 20 of Tour de France to his name as he bested Alessandro Petacchi of Lampre-Farnese and Julian Dean of Garmin-Transitions at the 102.5km ride from Longjumeau to Paris. Alberto Contador remains at the top overall, winning his third Tour de France in four years.
The stage began about half an hour later due to a media circus when leading team classification Radioshack has its riders Lance Armstrong and the rest, wearing black jerseys with the number 28. This was a tribute to the 28 million cancer patients worldwide, however UCI forbade them to ride in it and ordered them to get back into team jerseys or get disqualified. After some media exposure, team RadioShack team complied.
The stage began with a breakaway of 12 riders at 35km, including Lance Armstrong. They maintained a 20 second lead but sprinters began to dominate and relay. At 12km, Christian…
Stage 19 of the 2010 Tour de France was one to remember. At the start of Stage 19, Alberto Contador had a 8 second lead on Andy Schleck, but Schleck had promised to give his all in the time trial, and going after the yellow jersey.
Other then climbs, Contador is known for his time trial ability, and was favored to win the stage. With winds picking up which affected Schleck, Contador kept riding.
Winning stage 19 was Fabian Cancellara. Contador came in 45th place, finishing 4 minutes, 52 seconds behind, and Schleck finished in 41st, 5 minutes 9 seconds behind Cancellara. Dennis Menchov of Rabobank pushed Samuel Sanchez out of third place.
From the start of the time trial, a rumored spread that he had a 4 second lead over Schleck. Throughout the stage, Contador continued to extended that lead, and now is 39 seconds ahead of…
HTC Columbia’s Mark Cavendish wins Stage 18 of Tour de France, beating Julian Dean of Garmin-Transitions and Alessandro Petacchi of Lampre-Farnese Vini in a bunch sprint. Fourth place went to Robbie McEwen of Team Katusha and crossing the finish line at fifth was Oscar Freire of RaboBank.
Thor Hushovd of Cervelo Test Team failed to hold on to the green jersey by coming in at 14th place, leaving Petacchi now the bearer of the maillot vert and with a ten-point advantage over Hushovd. Cavendish is now at third place for the race of the green jersey.
There’s no change on the overall standings after the 198km stage. Alberto Contador of Astana still wears the yellow jersey and Andy Schleck of Saxo Bank trails 8 seconds behind the Spaniard.
Stage 18 Top 5 Results:
1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) HTC-Columbia
2. Julian Dean (NZl) Garmin-Transitions
3. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini
4. Robbie McEwen (Aus) Team Katusha
5….
Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank) vowed that he would put Alberto Contador (Astana) off his back on the Col du Tourmalet, Schleck kept his word by winning stage 17 of the 2010 Tour de France.
Despite the hazy dump weather conditions, the two titans were seen clashing their way down on one of the Tour’s notorious mountains. Schleck and Contador were just 8 seconds apart in the general classification and to the delight of the excited crowd, the Luxemborg rider challenged Contador who followed him throughout the race. The defending champion Astana rider denied Schleck a glorious win by crossing the line tailing him at half a bike length to keep the yellow jersey.
Schleck did what he could to get Contador off his back to no avail. Both riders staged an attack against each other resulting to an exchange of riding expertise and maneuvers. The Luxembourg rider failed to leave Contador…
Pierrick Fedrigo of Bbox Bouyges Telecom spoils Lance Armstrong and the rest of the breakaway’s chance on winning Stage 16 of the Tour de France. Sandy Casar of Francaise des Jeux came in at second place while third place went to Ruben Plaza of Caisse de Espargne.
The 199km stage from Bagnères-de-Luchon to Pau began with a lead of ten riders: Lance Armstrong, Chris Horner, Sandy Casar, Ignatas Konovalovas, Carlos Barredo, Jurgen Van de Walle, Pierrick Fedrigo, Christophe Moreau, Ruben Plaza Molina and Damiano Cunego.
The breakaway which came together at the beginning of the stage encountered little change until the finish. Fedrigo won the stage with a sprint finish after an attack from Carlos Barredo of Quick Step.
At the final stretch, the peloton arrived led by Thor Hushovd who won the sprint at 10th place. This allowed him to take back the green jersey from Alessandro Petacchi.
Stage 16 Top 10:
1. Pierrick…
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