Lance Armstrong’s comeback has boosted media coverage of cycling and it would be great if he would stay around for another year, the president of the International Cycling Union said on Monday.
“He brings more media interest, regardless of people’s opinion on what he has done or not done—which was not proven,†Pat McQuaid told Reuters by telephone as the Tour peloton was riding the third stage from Marseille to La Grande Motte.
The seven-times Tour de France champion, back on the saddle after 3-1/2 years in retirement, has received a warm welcome from French crowds, with whom he had a difficult relationship during his prime.
McQuaid, who was in Monaco until the start of the world’s greatest cycling race, said Armstrong’s presence on an event he dominated from 1999 to 2005 was … Details
Divisions I and II yachts in the Los Angeles to Hawaii Transpacific Yacht Race started their 2,225 nautical mile voyage in an 12-15 knot breeze from the Southwest.
Cameramen in the helicopters hovering over the starting area and following the 17-boat fleet along the racecourse to see whether they would clear the west end of Catalina, were filming the Mylar sails, white decks and glistening hulls in nearly crystal clear conditions. As the race boats moved through the white capped seas they left a frothy wake behind.
The conditions for the final start of Transpac 09 were quite a contrast to those of the earlier fleets that have been out on the Pacific since June 29th and July 2nd. Those who have been heading toward Hawaii for nearly a week have covered barely a quarter of the route in the world’s most enduring and greatest ocean race. A standard Pacific high is …Â Details
Weimer Nabs Back-to-Back Victories in 250 Class
The 2009 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship continued to provide some of the most unpredictable action in the history of the sport as JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha rookie Josh Grant, of Riverside, Calif., became the series’ seventh first-time winner of the season at the Monster Energy Motocross National from RedBud. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer made it two in a row in the 250 Class.
Grant paced the morning practice sessions on Saturday and showcased his stellar speed in each of the day’s motos. After a bad start in moto one, Grant …Â Details
An awesome winter’s day greeted competitors on Sunday July 5, for this year’s Emerald Surf City Brett Young Memorial Trials. The event started off in classic winter fashion with offshore winds, crisp sunny conditions and a clean 4-5ft south swell.
The first round saw some impressive heats as Cronulla Point dished out clean corduroy lines; with the sets holding up close to Second Reef the early contestants definitely took full advantage of the ideal boogie conditions. Early standouts were local Brendan Ryan, Chris Ward, Corey Daglish, Charles Holt, Guy Williment, Daniel Hills, Luke O’Connor, Mile Muecke, Simon Cowan, Shaun Peterson, Tristan Hogan and Simon Heale. Two reprecharge heats followed after the first round with James Kates, Chase O’Leary, Sam Strachan and Jarret Johnson all advancing to Round Two.
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The waves were still pumping as Round Two commenced, with the ground swell kicking in. The wind …Â Details