2013 Cycling Thread

[Smallville22]

Mourey triumphs in Tro-Bro Leon

France’s Francis Mourey was victorious in the 30th edition of the Tro-Bro Leon on Sunday, giving his FDJ team a fine win.
Mourey made his decisive move 3km from the line as he raced clear of a pack of 18 riders with team-mates Johan Le Bon and Anthony Geslin in tow.
The 32-year-old stormed through the 203.8km of roads through the North Finistere as his FDJ team completed a fine French treble with the top three places occupied.
Mourey recently won a stage at the Circuit de la Sarthe and was dominant in winning the race, the eighth round of the Coupe de France.

 

[Smallville22]

Plaza romps to Vuelta a Castilla y Leon victory

Ruben Plaza of Spain secured the overall victory in the Vuelta a Castilla y Leon after the third and final Queen stage.
Plaza finished in a time of 4:30.36 to conclude the third stage, which encompassed the 183.1km route from Aguilar de Cam to Cervera del Pisuerga.
The Movistar rider, 33, stormed to victory in impressive fashion, showing himself to be the strongest rider on the slopes leading to the Parador de Cervera de Pisuerga.
Plaza's overall time in the general classification was 12:35.03, with Francisco Mancebo six seconds adrift and Francesco Lasca of Italy a further three seconds back.
After a thrilling day, Plaza jumped from the elite group just after the 2km banner to keep a slender advantage that, combined with the bonus seconds, allowed him to claim the stage and the overall win.
The rider from Alicante extended the Blues' domination in the event - Movistar also claimed the teams overall crown - with the last three editions being conquered by a rider from the team.
The victory puts to an end a long unsuccessful streak - his last victory came on stage six in the 2009 Volta a Portugal.
"It's been almost four years and, after everything I went through, it's a massive victory for me," Plaza said. "I knew my condition was good because I spent 10 days at home after the Volta a Cataluyna, training well and taking some rest - all feelings were good, but getting from that to winning a race... it's a really different thing."
Mancebo, also of Spain, put the US domestic team 5 Hour Energy on the map as he finished second.
Carlos Barbero of Euskadi came through to finish in third in the third stage, with Jose Rojas of Movistar ending up fourth.

 

[Smallville22]

Kreuziger solos to surprise Amstel Gold Race win

Roman Kreuziger (Saxo Bank-Tinkoff) upset the favourites with a remarkable solo win in the Amstel Gold Race in glorious sunshine at Valkenburg.
The 26-year-old Czech rider picked up the biggest win of his career after attacking from a select group seven kilometres from the finish of the 252km race in the hilly Limberg region of the Netherlands.
Pre-race favourite Peter Sagan (Cannondale) was nowhere to be seen as the remainder of the field fought for second place, with Spaniard Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) pipping Australian Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge) to complete the podium.
The much fancied Belgian rider Philipe Gilbert (BMC) - who became world champion on a near-identical course at Valkenberg last September - crossed the line in fifth place after Poland's Michal Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-Quick Step).
Italian defending champion Enrico Gasparotto (Astana) settled for ninth place behind Columbian Segio Henao (Team Sky), Belgium's Bjorn Leukemans (Vacansoleil-DCM) and Dutchman Pieter Weening (Orica-GreenEdge).
Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) and Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) both withdrew from the race after heavy falls, the Frenchman reportedly suffering a broken collarbone.
Unlike the majority of races this spring, the opening classic of the Ardennes week was played out under blue skies and balmy temperatures that even crept above the 20-degree Celsius mark.
For the second year running fans were treated to a surprise with the sight of outsider Kreuziger crossing the line a full 22 seconds ahead of his nearest rival. It was Kreuziger's first victory for new team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff after joining Bjarne Riis's outfit in the close season after two troubled seasons at Astana. Kreuziger also became the first Czech rider to win the Amstel Gold Race in its 48-year history.
"It was a big surprise but the team was excellent today and I'm really happy to take the crown from my friend Enrico Gasparotto who won last year," Kreuziger told reporters before mounting the podium and downing the traditional race winner's pint of Amstel ****.
Kreuziger made his decisive ****** from the remnants of a nine-man break on the penultimate climb of the day, the Bemelerberg, inside the closing 10 kilometres of the race. Damiano Caruso (Katusha), Lars Petter Nordhaug (Blanco), Andriy Grivko (Astana) and Weening couldn't match the Czech for pace and were soon caught by Giro d'Italia champion Ryder Hesjedal ahead of the final ascent of the infamous Cauberg climb.
Kreuziger held a 26 second advantage over the returning peloton as he started the Cauberg - and held on to much of his advantage despite a spirited chase led by Gilbert in the rainbow jersey.
"I could only hear the people call my name on the final climb and I gave it my best," Kreuziger replied when asked to describe his emotions on the Cauberg. "I knew I had 20 seconds going over the top and so I thought I could do it."
And do it, he did. Grimacing with pain, Kreuziger time trialled his way along the flat 1.7km run-in to Valkenberg before raising his arms aloft for his first win since taking stage 19 of last year's Giro.
Gilbert, who was caught up in the crash which saw Voeckler taken to hospital with 90km remaining, led out the sprint for second place but was brushed aside by Valverde and Gerrans on a day which refused to keep to the script.
Garmin-Sharp's Johan Vansummeren instigated the day's main break after the towering Belgian put in an early ****** not long after the race rolled out of Maastricht. Vansummeren was joined by Mikel Astarloza (Euskaltel), Tim De Troyer and Nicolas Vogondy (Accent Jobs-Wanty), Alexandre Pliuschin (IAM), Arthur Van Overberghe (Topsport Vlaanderen), Klaas Sys (Crelan-Euphony).
The seven-man break built up a commanding lead of eleven minutes before some hefty pace-setting by Blanco saw the advantage drop fast. With 55km remaining, Vansummeren, Astarloza and Pliuschin rode clear on the Loorberg; 10km later, Spanish veteran Astarloza went alone after a big dig on the Gulpenerberg - one of the largest of the 34 climbs on the menu.
With Voeckler by now already in an ambulance and Andy Schleck (RadioShack-Leopard) having himself thrown in the towel after being distanced in the same incident, Spain's Rodriguez was involved in a nasty looking crash on a muddy downhill bend involving Michael Matthews of Orica-GreenEdge and Vacansoleil's Rob Ruijgh.
Rodriguez, one of the pre-race favourites, was ****** to retire from the race and is now a doubt to defend his Fleche Wallonne title on Wednesday.
Reliving the glory days, Astarloza held a two-minute lead with 20km to go but he was caught shortly after the penultimate ascent of the Cauberg. Kreuziger had attacked from the pack on the Cauberg and joined Astarloza with five other riders on the Bemelerberg, 15km from the finish.
With the leading group starting to show a bit of indecision as the pack closed in, Kreuziger took matters into his own hands with his decisive break 7km from the finish.
It was to prove a worthy winning move.

 

[Smallville22]

Contador to race in Ardennes classics

Alberto Contador will ride in the Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege one-day races this week after considering skipping them because of fatigue, the double Tour de France champion said on Monday.
"(My team) Saxo Tinkoff wanted me to be there and these are races everybody likes to take part in, even if to prepare for the Tour de France it would have been better to skip them," the Spaniard said in a statement.
"But it's only one more week of competition (...) Then I'll take some holidays before starting my preparation for the Tour."
Saxo-Tinkoff leapt from 13th to ninth in the World Tour rankings with Czech Roman Kreuziger's win in the Amstel Gold Race classic on Sunday but Contador's presence in the remaining Ardennes classics is a sponsor's *****.
The Spaniard, who started his season in January at the Tour de San Luis (Argentina) and whose main goal is to win the Tour in July, has the qualities to go for victory in both hilly races. He finished third in the Flech Wallonne in 2010.
The Fleche Wallonne will be held on Wednesday and Liege-Bastogne-Liege, cycling's oldest classic one-day race, on Sunday.

 

[Smallville22]

Sir Chris Hoy to announce retirement

Six-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy looks certain to confirm his retirement from cycling at a media conference on Thursday.
Hoy has been contemplating his future ever since he added team sprint and keirin golds at London 2012 to his four winners’ medals from Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.
The 2008 Sports Personality of the Year appeared to be tempted by performing at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, being held in his native Scotland, at the velodrome named in his honour.
But Hoy, who will be 38 by the time the Glasgow Commonwealths roll around, has announced a press conference in his home city of Edinburgh for Thursday where he is expected to call it a day.
The multiple-time world champion in a variety of track events has long been preparing for life after the sport, announcing late in 2012 he would be releasing a brand of bicycles in his name.

 

[Smallville22]

Bouet takes Trentino opener

Maxime Bouet won the opening stage of the Giro del Trentino in Lienz.
The AG2R rider beat Josef Cerny (CCC) and Michael Rodriguez (Colombia) in a three-man sprint at the end of the morning 128km road stage.
They were part of an early eight-man break and then Rodriguez broke clear from his fellow escapees on the category two climb of Iselsberg, the summit of which was 13.5km from finish.
Bouet crossed the climb 17 seconds behind but bridged the gap on the descent to the finish before producing a turn of speed to record his first victory since the 2010 Tour de L'Ain.
Bouet said: "It is really incredible! Today, I didn’t expect to be in the breakaway and I thought, we'll see what the result is. The breakaway quickly had an advantage of up to six minutes. The gap has increased to nine minutes and with only a 120km long stage, obviously you think to the stage win.
I'm happy because I adopted a very good tactic. I let the Colombian rider get tired in the final climb and the Czech rider run to increase the gap. I know I'm a good sprinter and I was confident in case of a sprint finish.
"I spent three weeks without racing and I return to competition on this Giro del Trentino. My victory proves that you can trust me, that I’m serious when I train and my efforts pay off . During this break, I left home to train to avoid being tempted. It had been two years since I had not won, and some persons doubted to my ability to win but the tide turned!”
Nicola Dal Santo (Ceramiche Flaminia), Josue Moyano (Caja Rural), Pavel Kochetkov (Rusvelo), Jacques Janse Van Rensburg (MTN-Qhubeka) and Gang Xu (Champion System) were also involved in the break that established almost immediately after the start at Tiroler Straße in Lienz.
Their lead was out to nearly nine minutes by the halfway point and Enrico Battaglin (Bardiani Valvole) led the peloton over the line, in ninth place, 6:51 behind the French stage winner.
The 37th edition of the race sees Team Sky's Bradley Wiggins face Vincenzo Nibali (Astana), Cadel Evans (BMC), Domenico Pozzovivo (Ag2r La Mondiale), Ivan Basso (Cannondale), Michele Scarponi (Lampre-Merida) and Stefano Garzelli (Farnese Vini-Selle Italia) as most of the favourites for next month's Giro d'Italia test their legs.
And despite summit finishes on Wednesday and Friday, they have given the breakaway group a big lead in the chase for GC honours in this four-day, five-stage 2.HC race that has attracted a stellar field.
A 14km team time trial follows this afternoon.

 

[Smallville22]

Gilbert looks to conquer Huy in Fleche Wallonne

After missing out in the Amstel Gold Race, world road champion Philippe Gilbert will look to add another World Tour Classic to his palmares in Wednesday's Fleche Wallonne.
The Belgian will receive support from a host of BMC climbers in the 205 kilometre race features three ascents of the finishing climb, the Mur de Huy, a 1.3km 'wall' that averages 9.3 percent.
Gilbert, who finished fifth on Sunday at Amstel, won the Ardennes Classic in 2011 and finished third last year.
Brent Bookwalter, Steve Cummings, Mathias Frank and Amaël Moinard will be the support cast for the man in the rainbow jersey.
Joaquim Rodriguez, the winner last year following successive second place finishes, suffered a crash during Amstel Gold and is unlikely to be at full power and although compatriot Alberto Contador is in the line-up, that is seemingly under duress from his Saxo-Bank team.
He may well play a support role for Amstel winner Roman Kreuziger and Nicki Sørensen.
Team Saxo-Tinkoff sports director Philippe Mauduit said: "We go in Fleche with three free riders in Roman, Alberto and Nicki, and these three must be protected throughout the race, so they come unscathed to the final.
"But I think despite Roman's stunning victory in the Amstel, the Mur de Huy suits simply other great riders better, but that does not mean that we have no hope of winning."
'Purito' Rodriguez did a two hour training ride on Tuesday to confirm his participation but was downbeat on his chances.
"I will take part in La Fleche Wallonne with the number one on my back and that gives me strong motivation - but I’m also aware I’m not in my top shape and so it will be very hard to replicate last year's victory," he said. "I hope to recover my top shape for Liege-Bastogne-Liege."
Alejandro Valverde, the 2006 champion, and Nairo Quintana are likely to carry Spanish hopes while the figure of Peter Sagan lurks.
The Slovakian showed some fatigue when he finished 36th in Amstel Gold because of severe cramps but will look to finish a spectacular spring - which also includes wins in Gent-Wevelgem and Brabantse Pijl plus second place finishes in Flanders and Milan-San Remo - with another victory.
Michael Albasini stormed up the Mur de Huy to take second last year and will lead Orica-GreenEdge with Simon Gerrans resting ahead of Liege-Bastogne-Liege.
“We have plenty of confidence coming into Fleche,” said Albasini. “We rode great as a team at Amstel Gold, and we were able to stick to our plan well. Things are looking good for us for the next two Ardennes races.
“The final time up the Mur is a real killer. It’s a bit over one kilometre long, but it’s really steep with a maximum gradient of 26 percent.”
Richie Porte, who won Paris-Nice and was second at Criterium International and the Tour of the Basque Country, will feature for Team Sky alongside plus Sergio Luis Henao and Rigoberto Uran.
Michal Kwiatkowski, the young Pole who was fourth at Amstel, will lead Omega Pharma - Quick Step.
"We can count on Kwiatkowski who is in good condition and did well on Sunday, but we will see. With him every race is like a discovery — discovering new parcour, new race situations," OPQS sport director Davide Bramati said.
"For him it's an important test to learn again on this parcour. If there is the possibility for him to be in the front, for sure we will help him out to be there and get a good result."
Jelle Vanendert, Carlos Betancour, Igor Anton, the Garmin duo of Daniel Martin and Ryder Hesjedal, Lampre pair Diego Ulissi and Damiano Cunego plus Bauke Mollema and Enrico Gasparotto are others who could feature at the business end of the 77th edition of the race which features a new starting location in Binche, 20km west of Charleroi, which has been the starting city since 1998.

Most wins - Riders

3 Marcel Kint BEL 1943, 1944, 1945

3 Eddy Merckx BEL 1967, 1970, 1972

3 Moreno Argentin ITA 1990, 1991, 1994

3 Davide Rebellin ITA 2004, 2007, 2009

2 Ferdi Kübler SUI 1951, 1952

2 Stan Ockers BEL 1953, 1955

2 Rik Van Steenbergen BEL 1949, 1958

2 André Dierickx BEL 1973, 1975

2 Bernard Hinault FRA 1979, 1983

2 Claude Criquielion BEL 1985, 1989

2 Laurent Jalabert FRA 1995, 1997

Most wins - Countries

38 Belgium

18 Italy

8 France

3 Spain

2 Switzerland

2 Denmark

1 Netherlands

1 Germany

1 United States

1 Luxembourg

1 Australia

Last 10 years

2012 Joaquim Rodríguez (ESP) Michael Albasini (SUI) Philippe Gilbert (BEL)

2011 Philippe Gilbert (BEL) Joaquim Rodríguez (ESP) Samuel Sánchez (ESP)

2010 Cadel Evans (AUS) Joaquim Rodríguez (ESP) Alberto Contador (ESP)

2009 Davide Rebellin (ITA) Andy Schleck (LUX) Damiano Cunego (ITA)

2008 Kim Kirchen (LUX) Cadel Evans (AUS) Damiano Cunego (ITA)

2007 Davide Rebellin (ITA) Alejandro Valverde (ESP) Danilo Di Luca (ITA)

2006 Alejandro Valverde (ESP) Samuel Sánchez (ESP) Karsten Kroon (NED)

2005 Danilo Di Luca (ITA) Kim Kirchen (LUX) Davide Rebellin (ITA)

2004 Davide Rebellin (ITA) Danilo Di Luca (ITA) Matthias Kessler (GER)

2003 Igor Astarloa (ESP) Aitor Osa (ESP) Alexandr Shefer (KAZ)

 

[Smallville22]

Wiggins captures first win of the year

Bradley Wiggins recorded his first victory since last summer's Olympics as Team Sky won the team time trial at the Giro del Trentino.
Tour de France champion Wiggins, Dario Cataldo, Joe Dombrowski, Peter Kennaugh, Christian Knees, Danny Pate, Kanstantsin Siutsou and Xabier Zandio finished the 14.1km course in Lienz in a time of 15:20.
That was 13 seconds quicker than Astana with Lampre three seconds further back in third.
Josef Cerny of CCC Polsat took the overall race lead from Tuesday morning's stage one winner Maxime Bouet.
"Today was a really nice result for the team," said Team Sky's Kanstantsin Siutsou.
"There was no stress. We felt good before the start and we knew what we needed to do. For preparation ahead of the Giro it is important...
"We’ve just got back from Tenerife so we will see how we get on in the mountains. The form is coming and I think it will continue to improve here in Trentino and then obviously we need to be ready at the Giro to help Bradley (Wiggins).
“The most important thing here is that we work together well as a team. Making sure every element of the team is looked at like we did today in the team time trial. Tomorrow it is on to the climbs and that will help us to see how we work in and around the big teams and the guys like Nibali, (Ivan) Basso and (Cadel) Evans.”
The 37th edition of the race sees Wiggins face Vincenzo Nibali (Astana), Cadel Evans (BMC), Domenico Pozzovivo (Ag2r La Mondiale), Ivan Basso (Cannondale), Michele Scarponi (Lampre-Merida) and Stefano Garzelli (Vini Fantini) as most of the favourites for next month's Giro d'Italia test their legs.
Wiggins took a 13 second advantage over Nibali, 16 seconds over Scarponi, 39 on Garzelli, 49 on Basso and Evans and 65 on Pozzovivo but finds himself 6:03 behind the Czech race leader who was involved in an eight-man break in the short morning stage in the Austrian town.
And despite summit finishes on Wednesday and Friday, the British star has a lot of work to do in the race for GC honours in this four-day, five-stage 2.HC event that has attracted a stellar field.
Team Sky's sporting director Marcus Ljungqvist said that the win was "great for morale" as part of the Giro preparations.
"We're happy with the race situation because we're building towards the Giro and we weren't prepared to take it on this morning," he said.
"Tomorrow is going to be a tough day with some tough climbs and a mountain top finish so we'll see some GC contenders get into the mix.
"Bradley is getting better and better and this will have been good for his confidence. He's on track for the Giro, and for these hard stages to come."

Results:

Sky 15:20

Astana 15:33

Lampre 15:36

NetApp Endura 15:44

Europcar 15:55

Bardiani Valvole 15:55

Vini Fantini 15:59

BMC 16:09

Cannondale 16:09

MTN Qhubeka 16:11

CCC Polsat 16:12

Rusvelo 16:18

Caja Rural 16:19

AG2R 16:25

Colombia 16:26

Ceramica Flaminia 16:28

Champion System 17:02

 

[Smallville22]

Jalabert steps down as France road cycling coach

Former Vuelta a Espana winner Laurent Jalabert has stepped down as France road cycling coach after four years in charge.
The French Cycling Federation announced in a statement that Jalabert, seriously injured in a road accident last month, had said he did not have enough time for the job any more.
Under his guidance the senior French road cycling team failed to produce any significant performances.
Jalabert, 44, won the 1995 Tour of Spain and the Milan-San Remo classic in the same year. He also won the time trial world championship in 1997.

 

[Smallville22]

Siutsou wins queen stage at Trentino, Wiggins fourth

Team Sky's Kanstantsin Siutsou won the queen stage of the Giro del Trentino at the summit finish of Vetriolo Terme.
Bradley Wiggins' team-mate from Belarus finished four seconds ahead of Vini Fantini-Selle Italia's Mauro Santambrogio.
Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) and Tour de France champion Wiggins were next over the line, a further 15 seconds back, and they move to fifth and fourth respectively overall.
Tuesday morning's stage one winner Maxime Bouet regained the overall lead from Josef Cerny of CCC Polsat. The duo were part of an eight-man break that finished nearly seven minutes ahead of the peloton.
Bouet is 3:48 ahead of Wiggins who has a nine-second advantage over Italian Nibali following Sky's victory in Tuesday afternoon's team time trial.
“It’s about preparation for the Giro and it was a really hard climb today. I thought maybe I could try to make an ****** and see what happened," Siutsou, who is second on GC at 3:19, said.
"A couple of riders followed me but didn’t really want to ride so I just kept pushing a little bit more and tried to control my power. Astana tried to close it down but when I saw that there was 5k to go and the gap of just over 30 seconds I tried to push a little bit harder, but not to go to the very maximum as I wanted to try and keep something for the final kilometre in case someone closed me down.”
Gregor Gazvoda (Champion System Pro Cycling Team), Filippo Savini (Ceramica Flaminia - Fondriest), Tomas Aurelio Gil Martinez (Androni Giocattoli), Michael Schwarzmann (Team Netapp - Endura) and Marco Coledan (Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox) made an ****** stick just before the quarter point of the 224.8km stage from Sillian.
They built up a 6:20 lead on Austrian roads before Savini left his fellow escapees on the 17km long category-one climb of the Passo Lavaze.
But he was caught in the valley by the other four breakaway riders before Coledan attacked ahead of the stage-ending, category-one ascent.
Coledan was the only man in front of the peloton when they began the 14km long finishing ascent but his three-minute advantage was quickly whittled down on the climb with ramps up to 10 per cent and he was caught with 10km remaining.
Siutsou then linked up with Pierre Rolland (Europcar) and Stefano Pirazzi (Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox) at the front with Wiggins sitting behind in a peloton that was whittled down to under 30 riders halfway up the climb.
Rolland was the first to crack and then Siutsou dropped Pirazzi to lead alone. Nibali was attacking behind and although Cadel Evans managed to ride his way back to the group on one occasion, the 2011 Tour de France champion was unable to deal with a second turn of pace.
Wiggins calmly rode himself back on to Nibali's wheel on both occasions before Santambroggio went off in pursuit of Siutsou inside the final 2km.
He was unable to overhaul him, however, and stayed on his wheel to the line, finishing nine seconds ahead of the fading Domenico Pozzovivo (Ag2r La Mondiale) with Evans 46 seconds behind the stage winner in tenth.
The 37th edition of the four-day, five-stage 2.HC event sees most of the favourites for next month's Giro d'Italia test their legs and concludes with a second summit finish on Friday.

 

[Smallville22]

Vos wins women's Flèche Wallonne

Marianne Vos of the Netherlands took victory in the women's Flèche Wallonne race in Huy.
Rabobank rider Vos beat Elisa Longo Borhghini (Hitec Products) and Ashleigh Moolman Pasio (Lotto Belisol) in a sprint to the line at the end of the 132km race.
Vos, the Olympic and World road race champion, finished the race in a time of three hours, 34 minutes and 32 seconds to collect her fifth victory in the race, following on from her wins in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011.
Anna van der Breggen and Emma Johansson finished fourth and fifth respectively, six seconds behind the leading trio.
Britain's Lizzie Armitstead finished 12th, with her compatriot Joanna Rowsell down in 46th place.

Results:

1. VOS Marianne Rabobank-Liv Giant 03:34:32

2. LONGO BORGHINI Elisa Hitec Products UCK "

3. MOOLMAN PASIO Ashleigh Lotto Belisol Ladies "

4. VAN DER BREGGEN Anna Sengers Ladies Cycling Team 00:06

5. JOHANSSON Emma Orica - AIS "

6. VAN DIJK Ellen Team Specialized- Lululemon 00:19

7. AMIALIUSIK Alena Be Pink 00:25

8. NEBEN Amber Pasta Zara - Cogeas 00:28

9. CROMWELL Tiffany Orica - AIS 00:33

10. DAAMS Jessie Boels - Dolmans Cycling Team "

11. PAWLOWSKA Katarzyna GSD Gestion - Kallisto "

12. ARMITSTEAD Elizabeth Boels - Dolmans Cycling Team 00:40

13. FERRAND-PREVOT Pauline Rabobank-Liv Giant 00:42

14. TAYLOR Carlee Lotto Belisol Ladies "

15. PITEL Edwige France "

16. LUPERINI Fabiana Faren-Let's Go Finland 00:46

17. KUCHINSKAYA Elena RusVelo 00:48

18. RIVAT Amelie Vienne Futuroscope "

19. DE VRIES Marijn Lotto Belisol Ladies "

20. CANTELE Noemi Be Pink 00:54

 

[Smallville22]

Moreno surprises favourites to win Flèche-Wallonne

Katusha's Daniel Moreno sprang a surprise as he claimed victory in the Fleche Wallonne.
The Spaniard upstaged team-mate and defending champion Joaquim Rodridguez to record the biggest win of his career at the summit of the Mur de Huy.
He finished comfortably ahead of Team Sky's Sergio Henao with another Colombian, Carlos Betancur, taking third in the Ardennes Classic.
A group of around 40 riders hit the foot of the Mur de Huy together as they commenced their third ascent of the 1.3km 'wall'.
AG2R La Mondiale's Betancur went early on the climb, which has an average gradient of 9.3% but has a number of sections at 17% and one corner at 26%.
But in the closing metres he was overtaken by the 31-year-old from Madrid, who claimed the 77th edition of the event and valuable World Tour points.
“Purito (Rodridguez) wasn’t in top shape due to the crash in Amstel Gold and I knew I was in a great shape instead. Joaquim predicted I would win today," said Moreno.
"I’m glad to help Rodriguez, I can’t stand the pressure like he does. I will have my chance as a leader in Tour de Romandie but then in Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana, I’ll be happy to help him in general classification: I’ll just take advantage of the chances I’ll have, just like today."
Pirmin Lang (IAM Cycling) and Gilles Devillers (Crelan - Euphony) attacked after 20km of the 205 kilometre race. They were joined by Jurgen Van Goolen (Accent Jobs - Wanty) and built up a maximum lead of 9:20 over the flat opening quarter of the race.
But that lead was whittled down as they tackled the 12 climbs on the route and they were caught on the Côte de Bohisseau with 47km remaining.
A counter-****** from Romain Bardet and Laurens Ten Dam followed as the riders looped back to Huy for a second climb up the Mur with 31.5km remaining, with Simon Geschke going over the climb in the lead.
Geschke and Ten Dam persisted with their ****** on the finishing loop but a large peloton, headed by Phillipe Gilbert's BMC team, kept them within touching distance and they were caught inside the final 10km on the penultimate climb of the Cote de Villers-le-Bouillet.
It all came down to who was the strongest man on the Mur de Huy and many of the race favourites floundered with Ireland's Dan Martin (Garmin Sharp) and Michal Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma - Quick-Step) completing the top five ahead of Rodriguez and 2006 champion Alejandro Valverde (Movistar).
World road champion Gilbert won the race in 2011 and was third last year but after being prominent in pursuit of Betancur faded to finish 15th, three places behind Peter Sagan who was unable to complete his spectacular spring - which includes wins in Gent-Wevelgem and Brabantse Pijl plus second place finishes in Flanders and Milan-San Remo - with another victory.

 

[Smallville22]

Armstrong's samples showed steroids in 1999 - UCI

Lance Armstrong returned four samples with traces of ****** corticosteroids in the 1999 Tour de France, the International Cycling Union said, although the governing body added it did not handle them as positive tests.
On Tuesday the Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad published a copy of an alleged internal UCI memo which said a lawyer for the sport's ruling body had said the American's samples from the 1999 showed traces of corticosteroids on four occasions.
Armstrong, who has been ****** for life and admitted to doping his way to seven consecutive Tour titles from 1999-2005, had already admitted to using corticosteroids for a saddle sore in 1999 although he produced a back-dated TherApeutic Use Exemption (TUE) to justify the use of a ****** substance.
"During the Tour, Armstrong was tested 15 times. In the four samples indicated below traces of triamcinolone, a corticosteroid, were found. No other prohibited substances were found," the UCI said, adding that the samples in question were collected on July 4, 14, 15 and 21.
The governing body said the French Ministry of Sports also ruled that no doping offence had been committed.
"The samples taken during the 1999 Tour de France were analysed by the French National Anti-Doping Laboratory in Châtenay-Malabry," the UCI said.
"The French Ministry came to the conclusion that there had been no anti-doping rule *********. In a conversation with the UCI's Dr Schattenberg at the time, the French Ministry doctor confirmed that the presence of traces of corticosteroids found in samples taken from Armstrong was compatible with the use of a skin cream; that the use of a skin cream was accepted as proven by the French Ministry; and that there was therefore no anti-doping rule *********.
"If the corticosteroids had been used systemically (ie. injected or taken orally), the consecutive test results would have all been positive."
The UCI agreed and said that "both the French Ministry and the UCI Anti-doping Commission found that there was conclusive evidence that no anti-doping rule ********* had taken place".

 

[Smallville22]

Sir Chris Hoy announces retirement

Six-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy confirmed his retirement from cycling at a press conference.
Hoy had been contemplating his future ever since he added team sprint and Keirin golds at London 2012 to his four winners’ medals from Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.
The 2008 Sports Personality of the Year appeared to be tempted to compete at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, being held in his native Scotland, at the velodrome named in his honour.
But Hoy, who will be 38 by the time the Glasgow Commonwealths roll around, said at a press conference in his home city of Edinburgh that he is indeed retiring.
"I am officially announcing my retirement. It was not a decision I took easily or lightly, but I know it's the right decision," Hoy said.
"Nothing would give me more pleasure than going to Glasgow, but I don't want to be there for the numbers. Being objective, I got every last drop out in London. Now it's time for younger riders to experience what it is like to compete in front of a home crowd.
"To try and go for another year would be too much, one year too far for me. I'd rather step aside and let someone else have their opportunity.
"I don't want this to be a sad moment. There's always a temptation of going on too long but you can tell when you're good, but not good enough."
The multiple-time world champion in a variety of track events has long been preparing for life after the sport, announcing late in 2012 he would be releasing a brand of bicycles in his name.
He leaves a legacy as the leading cyclist during Team GB's spell of near total dominance in the sport over recent years.
Hoy won silver in the team sprint in the 2000 Games in Sydney along with Jason Queally and Craig Maclean but graduated to gold in Athens four years later when triumphing in the 1km track time trial
In Beijing he took three golds - in the team sprint, the Keirin and the sprint - to become the most successful British competitor at a single Games in any sport for 100 years, and two more golds followed in London as he secured his status as Britain's greatest ever Olympian.
Lord Coe led the tributes on Thursday, hailing Hoy as an Olympic icon.
“Throughout his remarkable career, Sir Chris Hoy has exemplified the values that define an Olympic champion," said Lord Coe.
"His pursuit of excellence has been tireless. His respect for opponents, and commitment to clean competition, has been unwavering.
"And his dignity in victory has set an example that generations of Team GB athletes will strive to emulate. Chris is an icon and he has earned a revered place among our nation’s greatest sporting heroes.
"His gold medal triumphs this past summer in London are two of the defining moments of the Games, and were a source of pride and inspiration for millions throughout our country.
"We are grateful that Chris has chosen to continue his association with the British Olympic Association by serving as a Glasgow 2018 Champion in its bid to host the Youth Olympic Games.
"As he transitions now from his unparalleled competitive career and takes on a series of new and different challenges, we wish Sir Chris the very best for continued success, and we thank him for his commitment to Team GB and the Olympic Movement.”
Sir Dave Brailsford also praised Hoy's contribution to British cycling - claiming his dedication to Olympic success was 'second to none'.
British Cycling's performance director has seen first-hand the hours of effort that Hoy has put into his career, during energy sapping training sessions at the velodrome in Manchester.
And he believes his legacy is secure, with the likes of fellow Olympic champions Jason Kenny and Laura Trott both crediting Hoy with inspiring their careers.
“I can’t speak highly enough of Chris and his career," said Brailsford.
"On a personal note I will never forget his kilo in Athens – it was one of the most epic Olympic moments that I’ve ever experienced, the tension in the build-up was unreal.
"His application, athleticism and dedication are second to none and I’ve said it many times but he is a true Olympic champion who embodies all of the Olympic values.
"Chris is always welcome to come back to the velodrome and share his experiences and wisdom with the next generation of cyclists, and I wish him the best of luck in his retirement.”
Hoy's success also inspired thousands of people to get on bikes, according to British Cycling president Brian Cookson.
“The impact that Sir Chris Hoy has had on our sport since he won his first gold medal in Athens in 2004 is unparalleled," he said.
"It goes without saying that not only is Chris an absolutely phenomenal athlete, but he is also an exceptional individual. The fact that he’s acquired six gold medals and is Britain’s most successful ever Olympian is testament to this.
"But Chris has done so much more for cycling – he was one of the first track riders to propel cycling into the mainstream back in 2008, bringing track cycling to new audiences and inspiring thousands of people to get on their bikes.
“Chris has always been a fantastic role model – his professionalism, passion for the sport and his determination to succeed at the highest level is central to the Great Britain cycling team ethos and is something that he has helped to ****** amongst his colleagues as they look ahead to Rio."

 

[Smallville22]

Lord Coe hails lasting impact of Hoy's Olympic successes

Lord Coe has hailed Sir Chris Hoy as an Olympic icon, following the six-time gold medallist's decision to retire from track cycling.
Hoy, who carried the British flag at the London 2012 opening ceremony, is Britain's most successful Olympic athlete with six golds and one silver from four Games appearances.
But, at 37, he has decided not to continue to the 2014 Commonwealth Games, which will staged at a velodrome named after him.
“Throughout his remarkable career, Sir Chris Hoy has exemplified the values that define an Olympic champion," said Lord Coe.
"His pursuit of excellence has been tireless. His respect for opponents, and commitment to clean competition, has been unwavering.
"And his dignity in victory has set an example that generations of Team GB athletes will strive to emulate. Chris is an icon and he has earned a revered place among our nation’s greatest sporting heroes.
"His gold medal triumphs this past summer in London are two of the defining moments of the Games, and were a source of pride and inspiration for millions throughout our country.
"We are grateful that Chris has chosen to continue his association with the British Olympic Association by serving as a Glasgow 2018 Champion in its bid to host the Youth Olympic Games.
"As he transitions now from his unparalleled competitive career and takes on a series of new and different challenges, we wish Sir Chris the very best for continued success, and we thank him for his commitment to Team GB and the Olympic Movement.”
Sir Dave Brailsford also praised Hoy's contribution to British cycling - claiming his dedication to Olympic success was 'second to none'.
British Cycling's performance director has seen first-hand the hours of effort that Hoy has put into his career, during energy sapping training sessions at the velodrome in Manchester.
And he believes his legacy is secure, with the likes of fellow Olympic champions Jason Kenny and Laura Trott both crediting Hoy with inspiring their careers.
“I can’t speak highly enough of Chris and his career," said Brailsford.
"On a personal note I will never forget his kilo in Athens – it was one of the most epic Olympic moments that I’ve ever experienced, the tension in the build-up was unreal.
"His application, athleticism and dedication are second to none and I’ve said it many times but he is a true Olympic champion who embodies all of the Olympic values.
"Chris is always welcome to come back to the velodrome and share his experiences and wisdom with the next generation of cyclists, and I wish him the best of luck in his retirement.”
Hoy's success also inspired thousands of people to get on bikes, according to British Cycling president Brian Cookson.
“The impact that Sir Chris Hoy has had on our sport since he won his first gold medal in Athens in 2004 is unparalleled," he said.
"It goes without saying that not only is Chris an absolutely phenomenal athlete, but he is also an exceptional individual. The fact that he’s acquired six gold medals and is Britain’s most successful ever Olympian is testament to this.
"But Chris has done so much more for cycling – he was one of the first track riders to propel cycling into the mainstream back in 2008, bringing track cycling to new audiences and inspiring thousands of people to get on their bikes.
“Chris has always been a fantastic role model – his professionalism, passion for the sport and his determination to succeed at the highest level is central to the Great Britain cycling team ethos and is something that he has helped to ****** amongst his colleagues as they look ahead to Rio."

 

[Smallville22]

Santaromita wins Trentino stage, Wiggins moves third

Ivan Santaromita beat Paolo Tiralongo and Michele Scarponi in a three-man sprint to win stage three of the Giro del Trentino.
The BMC rider prevailed ahead of his fellow Italians at the end of the 176.1km stage from Pergine Valsugana to Condino.
Bradley Wiggins finished safely in a reduced peloton, 1:23 behind the stage winner, to move up to third on GC. He is 3:48 behind stage one winner Maxime Bouet and nine seconds ahead of chief rival Vincenzo Nibali going into Friday's final stage, which ends in a summit finish at Sega di Ala.
The rolling parcours offered a breakaway the chance to stay away and Team Sky's Dario Cataldo and Fabio Felline (Androni Giocattoli) went away early and opened up a five minute lead.
They were joined by Santaromita, Lampre-Merida's Scarponi and Kristijan Durasek, Tiralongo and Tanel Kangert (Astana), Cayetano Sarmiento (Cannondale), Emanuele Sella (Androni), Antonio Piedra (Caja Rural) and Stefano Locatelli (Bardiani) on the category two Fai della Paganella which peaked after 51.6km.
Cataldo was then dropped before the escape group - which held a two minute lead on the peloton - was split on the category three ascent to Daone 16km from home, with Scarponi, Tiralongo and Sarmiento going clear.
They stayed away on the downhill run to the flat finish to contest the sprint which Tiralongo led out only to be pipped by the 28-year-old from Varese who recorded his first professional victory outside team time trials.
Domenico Pozzovivo, who was fifth in Wednesday's queen stage, was involved in an early crash and the AG2R rider was ****** to abandon.
The 37th edition of the four-day, five-stage 2.HC event sees most of the favourites for next month's Giro d'Italia test their legs.

 

[Smallville22]

Wiggins loses temper as Nibali wins Trentino

Bradley Wiggins lost his temper with a faulty bike as he finished fifth in the Giro del Trentino, behind winner Vicenzo Nibali.
Last year's Tour de France winner had a mechanical problem on a climb which stymied his attempts to win the race ahead of the Italian.
Wiggins threw his Pinarello against a wall after breaking down with gear trouble, though the bike remarkably rested neatly against the rock face.
He charged up the mountain but Nibali pulled away just as Wiggins reeled in the leaders and came home in first to claim a Tirreno-Trentino double.
Italy's Mauro Santambrogio was second in the GC with Wiggins 1.40 down in fifth.

 

[Smallville22]

New route throws up uncertainties at Liège-Bastogne-Liège

The curtain is brought down on the Spring Classics this weekend with a modified route promising to make for an interesting Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
The 'doyenne' of the Classics has been entertaining cycling fans for close on a century with its long, steep and gruelling climbs around the Ardennes region of Belgium.
And, ahead of the 99th edition of the oldest of the five Monuments, the climbs have once again been the focus of pre-race talk, albeit for the notable absence of one particularly hellish - and crowd-pleasing - ascent.
For the first time since it was introduced in 2008, the crucial Côte de Roche aux Faucons will not feature, a decision - made by organisers due to roadworks - that is likely to result in a different type of race to those seen in recent years.
The Faucons, which comes after the Côte de La Redoute and before the final categorised climb of the Côte de Saint-Nicolas, has provided a launch pad for decisive manoeuvring in previous editions, but this year the 1.6km climb - at a 10 per cent gradient - will be replaced by the less steep and longer Côte de Colonster.
Riders were treated to a preview of the new 3km, 5.9 per cent climb earlier in the week, with the general view that the Colonster is a far easier ascent, but one which will still have a real bearing on the outcome of the race.
“I prefer the other version, but it depends on how broken up the race is at that point,” Saxo-Tinkoff rider Alberto Contador said. “I see a big difference in the change. The road is wider, so there could be wind, and teams can work together better. It will make the group arriving together in Saint-Nicolas even bigger.”
Movistar director José Luís Jaimerena said: “It’s not as steep and it’s a wider, better road, so it will not be as explosive as the other climb.
"It is longer, but there will be an uncertainty in the bunch on how it will shape the race. Perhaps because it’s not as hard, there will be more attacks earlier."
Previous winner Philippe Gilbert is among the favourites to add to his 2011 crown, and the Belgian world champion envisages more of a cat-and-mouse race this year.
"It's going to be more tactical and therefore important to rely on your team. I've got confidence in them," the BMC rider said.
“I see a group of 40-50 riders arriving at the foot of Saint-Nicolas,” he added. “It’s a short sprint up the climb and I see riders regrouping. On the final climb to Ans, it would be hard to defend a 10-15-second gap. There are a lot of riders on the same level.”
Gilbert, despite a disastrous Fleche Wallonne earlier in the week, is tipped to be there or thereabouts once the riders reach the finish line but in the absence of a standout favourite, if he does, he will not be alone.
Joaquim Rodriguez - winner of last season's Tour of Lombardy - and Katusha team-mate Daniel Moreno - winner of Wednesday's Fleche Wallonne - are expected to challenge for honours, while Alejandro Valverde - a two-times winner of this race - and Astana's Vincenzo Nibali - who came close to victory 12 months ago - should also be in the mix.

The 2013 climbs

Start: 0km - Liege

Km 70.0 - Côte de La Roche-en-Ardenne - 2.8 km climb to 6.2 %

Km 116.5 - Côte de Saint-Roch - 1.0 km climb to 11 %

Km 160.0 - Côte de Wanne - 2.7 km climb to 7.3 %

Km 166.5 - Côte de Stockeu (Stèle Eddy Merckx) - 1.0 km climb to 12.2 %

Km 172.5 - Côte de la Haute-Levée - 3.6 km climb to 5.7 %

Km 185.0 - Col du Rosier - 4.4 km climb to 5.9 %

Km 197.5 - Côte du Maquisard - 2.5 km climb to 5 %

Km 208.0 - Mont-Theux - 2.7 km climb to 5.9 %

Km 223.0 - Côte de La Redoute - 2.0 km climb to 8.8 %

Km 244.5 - Côte de Colonster - 2.4 km climb to 6 %

Km 256.0 - Côte de Saint-Nicolas - 1.2 km climb to 8.6 %

Finish: 257.5km - Ans

Winners (last 10 years)

2012 Maxim Iglinsky (KAZ) Astana

2011 Philippe Gilbert (BEL) Omega Pharma-Lotto

2010 Alexandre Vinokourov (KAZ) Astana

2009 Andy Schleck (LUX) Team Saxo Bank

2008 Alejandro Valverde (ESP) Caisse d'Epargne

2007 Danilo Di Luca (ITA) Liquigas

2006 Alejandro Valverde (ESP) Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears

2005 Alexandre Vinokourov (KAZ) T-Mobile Team

2004 Davide Rebellin (ITA) Gerolsteiner

2003 Tyler Hamilton (USA) Team CSC

Most wins - Riders

5 Eddy Merckx (BEL) 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975

4 Moreno Argentin (ITA) 1985, 1986, 1987, 1991

3 Léon Houa (BEL) 1892, 1893, 1894

3 Alfons Schepers (BEL) 1929, 1931, 1935

3 Fred De Bruyne (BEL) 1956, 1958, 1959

2 Louis Mottiat (BEL) 1921, 1922

2 René Vermandel (BEL) 1923, 1924

2 Richard Depoorter (BEL) 1943, 1947

2 Prosper Depredomme (BEL) 1946, 1950

2 Ferdi Kübler (SWI) 1951, 1952

2 Joseph Bruyère (BEL) 1976, 1978

2 Bernard Hinault (FRA) 1977, 1980

2 Seán Kelly (IRE) 1984, 1989

2 Michele Bartoli (ITA) 1997, 1998

2 Paolo Bettini (ITA) 2000, 2002

2 Alexandre Vinokourov (KAZ) 2005, 2010

2 Alejandro Valverde (ESP) 2006, 2008

Most wins – Countries

59 Belgium

12 Italy

6 Switzerland

5 France

3 Netherlands, Kazakhstan

2 Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Spain

1 Russia, Denmark, United States

Consecutive wins - Riders

3 Léon Houa (1892, 1893, 1894)

3 Eddy Merckx (1971, 1972, 1973)

3. Moreno Argentin (1985, 1986, 1987)

2 Louis Mottiat (1921, 1922)

2 René Vermandel (1923, 1924)

2 Ferdi Kübler (1951, 1952)

2 Fred De Bruyne (1958, 1959)

2 Michele Bartoli (1997, 1998)

 

[Smallville22]

Reade and Phillips impress in Manchester

Shanaze Reade and Liam Phillips completed a British double on the first day of the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup in Manchester.
Reade and Phillips both went fastest in qualifying for the time trial event at the National BMX Centre then maintained their position in the Superfinal field of 16.
Reade clocked a time of 32.351 seconds to win by almost a second ahead of America's Alise Post while Phillips posted 29.357 to edge out Canadian Tory Nyhaug.
Both Brits will now tackle the motos event in Manchester and Reade, who finished sixth at the London 2012 Olympics, is looking for more of the same from the time trials.
"It was good just to win. It's my home track so I know it pretty well," said Reade. "They put the ramp in there so that spiced things up a bit, but I'm really pleased to piece it all together and do a solid lap to finish with.
"If we get the right process, generally the result takes care of itself. If I can perform that lap every time in the motos, through the semi and the final, hopefully I'll be on top of that podium."
And Phillips, who joined Reade at the London 2012 Olympics last summer, finishing eighth, is determined to also follow up his performance in the time trail with success in the motos.
"I've never won a time trial. I've come close a couple of times and thought I was going to win at the worlds but it was not to be," said Phillips.
"Ultimately, I feel a bit weird about it because it's just a form of qualification. At the World Championships it's slightly different because there's a rainbow jersey on the line.
"So that's one you really, really want to win. These are ultimately just qualification, but it's always nice to start off the weekend.
"On paper, I've got a really good chance, but you've got seven other guys up there side by side. All it takes is for you to go a fraction of a second late out of the gate, or go a bit early, or make a mistake, and it's all over.
"So we'll just go through the motions and see where we're at."

 

[Smallville22]

Norman Hansen wins GP Herning

London 2012 hero Lasse Norman Hansen won the GP Herning in a race for the line with fellow Dane Martin Mortensen.
Blue Water Cycling rider Norman Hansen and Concordia Forsikring-Riwal rider Mortensen broke away from the leading 15-man group on the first of three finishing laps and would not be caught.
The break of the day in the 199km race - which started and finished in Herning - came after 15km and consisted of eight riders: Kasper Schonnemann (Team Trefor), Jesper Hansen (CULT Energy), Rolf Broge (Designa Kitchen Knudsgaard), Constantino Zaballa (Christina Watches-Onfone), Michael Berling (Concordia Forsikring-Riwal), Mathias Lisson (J.Jensen-Ramirent), Mathias Moller Nielsen and Aske Vorre (Blue Water Cycling).
They had a lead of two minutes after 30km then Berling, Zaballa and Lisson were dropped. At the halfway point the five-man group's lead was more than eight minutes.
The main pack began to chase in earnest on the rising second half of the race, with the gap again reduced to two minutes with 50km to go. The peloton split into three then Troels Vinther (Cult Energy), Mortensen, Rasmus Guldhammer and Lasse Norman Hansen went out from the first of those to catch the front five.
Mortensen and Lasse Norman Hansen then made their move, with Norman Hansen - gold medallist in the omnium in London - using up less energy and able to steal ahead at the finish.

Top 10

1 Lasse Norman Hansen (Blue Water Cycling) - 5:02:23

2 Martin Mortensen (Team Concordia Forsikring-Riwal)

3 Rolf Broge (Team Designa Køkken-Knudsgaard) +0.11

4 Rasmus Guldhammer (Blue Water Cycling)

5 Troels Vinther (Team CULT Energy)

6 Kasper Schønnemann (Team Trefor)

7 Mathias Møller Nielsen (Blue Water Cycling) +0.16

8 Daniel Holm Foder (Blue Water Cycling) +0.18

9 Michael Reihs (Team CULT Energy)

10 Michael Valgren (Team CULT Energy) +0.23