Lance Armstrong’s Astana team must straighten out its financial crisis by May 31 or risk being suspended.
Astana team manager Johan Bruyneel said Monday that the International Cycling Union sent a warning letter to Kazakhstan’s cycling federation.
“That’s the deadline to arrange the whole financial situation. If it’s not taken care of by then, the letter says that the team will be suspended,†Bruyneel said. “At least we’re going to be able to finish the Giro.â€
The Giro d’Italia, which Armstrong is racing for the first time, ends May 31 … Details
Former world cycling champion Tom Boonen drew a heavy fine from his team on top of his indefinite suspension after testing positive for cocaine a second time. His actions could keep him from the Tour de France.
The Belgian failed the drug test last month. He will enter therapy and be allowed to stay with the Quick Step team, which will announce the amount of the fine later.
Tour de France organizers barred him last year after his first positive test and are expected to decide shortly on his status for this summer’s race.
“At issue is an occasional use of cocaine, triggered by certain situations during leisure time … Details
Christian Vande Velde of the Garmin-Slipstream team broke two ribs in a fall on Monday’s Giro d’Italia third stage and is out of the race, organisers said.
The American, who wore the leader’s jersey after the first stage of last year’s race, was taken to hospital after tumbling late on… Details
Looks like China is the new center of action sports — at least for the last two weeks. A week after Andy Macdonald and Austen Seaholm won gold at the Asia X Games, Macdonald, Rodolfo Ramos and Jamie Bestwick snatched wins at the second annual China Invitational.
Macdonald edged out last year’s China champ, Pierre Luc-Gagnon, in the Skate Vert contest. Adam Taylor came in third. Meanwhile, Austen Seaholm was a distant second to Brazil’s Ramos in the Skate Park event. Last year’s Park event was rained out. Ramos’ fellow Brazillian Carlos De Andrade was third.
In BMX Vert, Jamie Bestwick started his season right with a…Â Details