Dane Nicki Sorensen powered to a solo victory in the 12th stage of the Tour de France, a 211.5-km ride from Tonnerre to Vittel on Thursday.
The Saxo Bank rider attacked twice in the finale to beat France’s Laurent Lefevre and Italian Franco Pellizotti, who were second and third respectively 48 seconds behind.
Italy’s Rinaldo Nocentini retained the overall leader’s yellow jersey ahead of Spaniard Alberto Contador and Lance Armstrong, second and third respectively… Details
Another narrow miss against Mark Cavendish has not yet shaken Tyler Farrar’s belief that he can beat the new sprint king on the Tour de France.
American Farrar came second to the Briton in Wednesday’s sprint finish as Cavendish took his fourth win on the race this year.
“We have been right there pretty much every field sprint,†Farrar told reporters on Thursday. “I had a pretty much clean run at it. I felt everything went pretty well.
“I think (the key) is just continuing what I’m doing now. I’m right there. I don’t believe he is unbeatable.â€Â  … Details
Back three centuries to the turbulent times of the “Sun King,†Louis XIV, being sent to Limoges wasn’t a whole lot of fun. The irascible monarch made a habit of exiling out-of-favor acquaintances to the central French city, where they faced public embarrassment and the termination of their political ambitions.
Fast-forward to modern times, and Limoges meant only one thing for Lance Armstrong and the Tour de France field – rest.
The first day off for this year’s Tour gave riders a rare opportunity to ease their wearied legs on Monday. But as the wheels started turning once more on Tuesday, the conjecture and speculation surrounding cycling’s biggest name had not died down any… Details
A perfectly set up sprint gave Mark Cavendish another stage victory and just the tonic he needed on Tuesday after three punishing stages of the Tour de France in the Pyrenees.
The Briton, who now has seven Tour wins to his name — including three in this year’s race—struggled in the first mountain stages but showed few ill effects as he crossed first on the 194.5-km ride from Limoges.
“It’s a good win, the finish was difficult, with an uphill part and a lot of corners,†Cavendish told reporters.
“I told myself that I had maybe started (my sprint) too soon but I was perfectly set up by (Columbia team mate) Mark (Renshaw)… Details