It is the iconic Tour de France photo opportunity, the victor sipping champagne as he cruises toward the finish of one of sport’s toughest challenges.
With every passing day the chances increase that it will be Lance Armstrong who will once again be savoring the bubbly and posing for the cameras on July 26, as what some suspected would be little more than a publicity stunt turns into a dedicated challenge for his eighth Tour title.
In past years Armstrong’s raising of the champagne flute has been appropriate. In many of his seven victories it was all too easy, if a couple of thousand miles on a bike can ever be easy… Details
Giro d’Italia champion Denis Menchov and two other Rabobank riders met the Austrian Federal Criminal Police office (BKA) as part of an anti-doping investigation in Vienna, the team said on Tuesday.
“Three of our riders, Denis Menchov, Joost Posthuma and Pieter Weening went to Vienna (to meet the BKA) in April 2009,†Rabobank said in a statement.
“There is no reason why they should be summoned again. They are not involved in a doping scandal.â€Â … Details
The Tour de France jinx continued for Giro d’Italia winner Denis Menchov on Tuesday when the Russian crashed in the fourth stage team time-trial.
Menchov was unable to keep his line at a sharp turn early on the 39-km course and crashed into a barrier. He was able to make it back on his bike and ride on, helped by team-mates, but the whole Rabobank team lost valuable time.
World champion Alessandro Ballan of Italy also crashed at the same spot.
Menchov, one of the favourites to win this year, has had an unhappy start to the race…Â Details
A brief look at Tuesday’s fourth stage of the Tour de France:
Stage: A 39-kilometer (24.2-mile) team time-trial in and around Montpellier.
Winner: Lance Armstrong’s Astana team, in 46 minutes and 29 seconds. American team Garmin finished in second place, 18 seconds back. Fabian Cancellara’s Saxo Bank was third, trailing the winning team by 40 seconds.
Yellow Jersey: Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland, who maintained his lead by a fraction of a second over Armstrong…Â Details