A brief look at Thursday’s 18th stage of the Tour de France:
Stage: A 25-mile individual time trial around Annecy Lake.
Winner: Alberto Contador of Spain, three seconds ahead of time-trial specialist Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland. Mikhail Ignatiev of Russia finished third, 15 seconds off the pace, while seven-time champion Lance Armstrong was 90 seconds behind in 16th…Â Details
Seven times Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong will quit Astana and form a U.S.-based team in 2010 in partnership with RadioShack Corporation, the company said Thursday.
“Lance Armstrong will compete for Team RadioShack as a cyclist, runner and triathlete in events around the world, including the 2010 Tour de France,” a company statement said.
The 37-year-old American is currently riding the Tour with the Kazakh-funded Astana team.
“To be able to compete for an American team comprised of the world’s top cyclists, supported by the best …Â Details
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… “It’s OK, Mr. Bear,†I said calmly and quietly. “We’re just leaving. It’s OK.â€
The massive beast plodded to within four feet of my side and stood still. I gazed into his cold, black eyes. Blades of grass stuck out on either side of his grizzled face.
I panicked as my mind replayed all I had read. “Stay calm and talk quietly to the bear as you slowly back away,†the books had said. The problem was that I was straddled on my bike and couldn’t back away… Details
If Alberto Contador’s yellow jersey is unlikely to be threatened in Thursday’s time trial in Annecy, the battle for the podium places should heat up on the 40.5 kms of the 18th stage held around the town’s lake.
“It’s not a secret that we’re not great time trial specialists. But the time we’re going to lose, maybe we’ll take it back on the Ventoux (the final steep climb of stage 20),†said Frank Schleck after winning Wednesday’s 17th stage in Le Grand Bornand.
The Luxembourg rider and his younger brother Andy are currently third and second overall, 3:25 and 2:26 behind respectively but this unique feat may prove short-lived.
Three of the best time trial specialists in the world,  … Details