107th Paris – Roubaix – In the Roubaix Velodrome
The day in the life of a spectator winds up in Roubaix. An eventful race and popular winner produce a day full of positive memories. Here is Paris-Roubaix through the eyes of one of the many who witnessed the race first hand today…
Onward to our third and final stop of this wonderful week of racing, Paris-Roubaix. The Hell of the North, as it is endearingly known to some, is one of the most feared races in world cycling. Many have started but not finished it. It has reduced grown men to tears. It was even described as the hardest and most unpleasant race of all by Bernard Hinault, one of the hardest men in the history of cycling who could only bring himself to start (and subsequently win) this classic once in his distinguished career… Details & Pictures
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No team will be able to control the Tour de France during all three weeks because the route is too difficult, race director Christian Prudhomme said on Friday.
Astana’s Alberto Contador, a Tour winner in 2007, will be the overwhelming favourite when the race starts with a 15-km time trial in Monaco, on July 4.
But despite possible support from team mates Lance Armstrong, a seven-times Tour champion, Levi Leipheimer and Andreas Kloeden, keeping the yellow jersey all the way to Paris should prove too tricky.
“I don’t believe one team will be able to control the whole race,†Prudhomme told reporters at the Monte Carlo tennis Masters.
“A team could seize power early in the race but given the route, they should not be able to keep it all the way,†he said … Details
 Known for hosting performance racing events, motorcycle enthusiasts can enjoy all sorts of two-wheeled fun at Laguna Seca this weekend.
Motorcyclists, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts are expected to come together this weekend for the Sea Otter Classic, a four-day celebration of sport. Taking place at the Laguna Seca area in Monterey, California the event on April 17th-20th, promising more activities and exhibits.
One such exhibit will have rider’s adrenaline potentially pumping with Ducati’s Hyper Truck offering Hypermotard demo rides. Ducati’s tractor trailer full of performance motorcycles is touring all summer offering demo rides and world-class hospitality and is calling Laguna Seca home this weekend. When the Italian motorcycle manufacturer sets up shop, not only will demo rides be in the offering, but For those wanting to fill out the riding wardrobe the latest in Ducati Fashion will be available.
Interested riders should note … Details
American cyclist Tyler Hamilton will hold a teleconference Friday to announce he is retiring after testing positive for the steroid DHEA, which he said he knowingly ingested in an over-the-counter herbal antidepressant.
It was the second doping offense for the veteran rider, who tested positive for homologous blood transfusion in 2004 and served a mandatory two-year suspension even as he disputed the test results through two rounds of arbitration.
Hamilton likely would face a suspension of eight years to life for his second offense…Â Details