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Team Type 1's Ivan Melero will end his career as a professional cyclist due to an uncommon heart deformation detected in pre-season testing.

Saxo Bank-Sungard taps David Tanner to replaced injured teammate Michael Morkov in Paris-Roubaix.

Bad blood between Tom Boonen and Sebastian Chavanel is a fabrication of an overly speculative media, Chavanel said Friday. Chavanel, Boonen and their Quick Step director Wilfred Peters all said that they raced the Tour of Flanders with solid tactics, and any talk of bitterness that Boonen helped chase down Chavanel was nonsense.

The 2011 Paris-Roubaix contains 51.5km of cobbles spread out over 27 sectors. The first comes 98km into the race and the final sector is at the entrance to the Roubaix velodrome.

An Italian prosecutor's final report on a three-year investigation of doping in cycling could result in the indictments of as many as 30 defendants, including riders, team officials and doctors.

PARIS (AFP) - Garmin-Cervelo's Thor Hushovd said he is ready to step up and do justice to the world champion's rainbow jersey when he bids for a maiden victory in the Paris-Roubaix one-day classic on Sunday.

North Carolina masters racer Peter Cannell has been suspended for two years for doping and has forfeited his results dating to 2007, including three national age group titles, the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced Friday.

VeloNews' newest online rider diarist is domestic pro Phil Gaimon of Kenda-Geargrinder. Gaimon already is well known to readers of VeloNews magazine as the author of one of our most popular (and funniest) features: Ask a Pro.

Defending champion says he can’t control the Hell of the North, but Arenberg Forest will be key

Stage 5: Éibar - El Corrillo

• 1. Francesco GAVAZZI (ITA), Lampre-Farnese Vini, 4:27:03
• 2. Kristof VANDEWALLE (BEL), Quick Step, s.t.
• 3. John GADRET (FRA), Ag2r La Mondiale, s.t.
• 4. Pim LIGTHART (NED), Vacansoleil-DCM, s.t.
• 5. Egoitz GARCIA ECHEGUIBEL (ESP), Caja Rural, s.t.

Overall, after Stage 5

• 1. Joaquin RODRIGUEZ OLIVER (Spain), Team Katusha, 21:39:46
• 2. Andreas KLÖDEN (Germany), Team RadioShack, s.t.
• 3. Samuel SANCHEZ GONZALEZ (Spain), Euskaltel-Euskadi, s.t.
• 4. Christopher HORNER (United States), Team RadioShack, at 0:01
• 5. Ryder HESJEDAL (Canada), Garmin-Cervelo, at 0:06

Stage 5: Éibar - El Corrillo

• 1. Francesco GAVAZZI (ITA), Lampre-Farnese Vini, 4:27:03
• 2. Kristof VANDEWALLE (BEL), Quick Step, s.t.
• 3. John GADRET (FRA), Ag2r La Mondiale, s.t.
• 4. Pim LIGTHART (NED), Vacansoleil-DCM, s.t.
• 5. Egoitz GARCIA ECHEGUIBEL (ESP), Caja Rural, s.t.

Overall, after Stage 5

• 1. Joaquin RODRIGUEZ OLIVER (Spain), Team Katusha, 21:39:46
• 2. Andreas KLÖDEN (Germany), Team RadioShack, s.t.
• 3. Samuel SANCHEZ GONZALEZ (Spain), Euskaltel-Euskadi, s.t.
• 4. Christopher HORNER (United States), Team RadioShack, at 0:01
• 5. Ryder HESJEDAL (Canada), Garmin-Cervelo, at 0:06

PARIS, April 8, 2011 (AFP) - Australia's Baden Cooke will saddle up for Paris-Roubaix on Sunday with a chance to showcase his own ambitions in the tough one-day classic.

Check out Shonny V's Orbea Alma 29er, her Xterra world championship rig

Luna's Katerina Nash will be looking to take back her Downieville title aboard the Orbea Rallon

The weapon of choice of the Luna Pro Team on the World Cup is the Orbea Alma

Stage 4: Abbaye de l'Epau - Bonnétable

• 1. Daniele BENNATI (ITA), Leopard-Trek , 4:00:04
• 2. Nacer BOUHANNI (FRA), Française des Jeux, s.t.
• 3. Stéphane BONSERGENT (FRA), Bretagne-Schuller, s.t.
• 4. Fabien BACQUET (FRA), Auber 93, s.t.
• 5. Jure KOCJAN (SLO), Team Type 1, s.t.

Overall, after stage 4

• 1. Anthony ROUX (France), Française des Jeux , 15:51:02
• 2. Biel KADRI (France), Ag2r La Mondiale, at 0:05
• 3. David MILLAR (Great Britain), Garmin-Cervelo, at 0:09
• 4. Pierrick FEDRIGO (France), Française des Jeux, at 0:12
• 5. Alexandre GENIEZ (France), Skil-Shimano, at 0:13

Catharine Pendrel, Georgia Gould and Katerina Nash set to shoot-up the World Cup in 2011

Daniele Bennati (Leopard-Trek) won for the third time this week with victory in a bunch sprint in the final stage of the Circuit de la Sarthe in France.

When Tour of the Battenkill promoter Dieter Drake and USA Cycling staff traded barbs over rider invites in January, Mike Poe and the Sunny King Criterium were caught in the crossfire.

Check out CyclingTips's author page.

While in Oudenaarde, VeloNews managing editor Neal Rogers visited the Centrum Ronde van Vlaanderen, a two-story museum just off the Market Square, dedicated to the history of the Tour of Flanders.

• 1. Bert SCHEIRLINCKX, (BEL) Landbouwkrediet-Colnago, in 4:48:45
• 2. Marco MARCATO, (ITA) Vacansoleil-DCM, at 0
• 3. Ben HERMANS, (BEL) Team RadioShack, at 10
• 4. Anthony DELAPLACE, (FRA) Saur-Sojasun, at 36
• 5. Alessandro DONATI, (ITA) Acqua & Sapone-Caffe Mokambo, at 54

New rubber from Michelin, killer MTBing and Porsches in Alabama? Yup. Let Nick Legan explain

Lance Armstrong has confirmed that he will not be racing at the 2011 Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

"Twice, I took more than a month off from ALL forms of training during the season. Each time, I struggled to remain positive when my first rides back had a heartrate ceiling of 130 bpm and power that never got above 120 watts. "

On the cover: Alberto Contador has overcome many things over the span of his short career. Grand tour season begins May 7 in Torino, Italy. VeloNews reporter Brian Holcombe and photographer Brad Kaminski were in Italy to cover Tirreno-Adriatico. In a nine-page season preview, we rank the top teams, riders and races to watch on local roads. This year’s Amgen Tour of California has not one, but three stages that offer definitive changes on the general classification. And, in our award-winning Tech section, Lennard Zinn tests four brands’ aluminum handlebars against their carbon-fiber counterparts. Subscribe today!

KORTRIJK, Belgium (VN) — With three days until Paris-Roubaix, and months of preparation complete, the main favorites now are simply waiting with the hope that the stars of training, recovery, form and luck will align for them on Sunday.

Stage 4: Amurrio - Éibar

• 1. Samuel SANCHEZ GONZALEZ (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 4:42:37
• 2. Andreas KLÖDEN (GER), Team RadioShack, s.t.
• 3. Alexandre VINOKOUROV (KAZ), Astana, s.t.
• 4. Joaquin RODRIGUEZ OLIVER (ESP), Team Katusha, s.t.
• 5. Ryder HESJEDAL (CAN), Garmin-Cervelo, s.t.

Overall Standings

• 1. Joaquin RODRIGUEZ OLIVER (Spain), Team Katusha, 17:12:46
• 2. Andreas KLÖDEN (Germany), Team RadioShack, s.t.
• 3. Samuel SANCHEZ GONZALEZ (Spain), Euskaltel-Euskadi, s.t.
• 4. Christopher HORNER (United States), Team RadioShack, at 0:01
• 5. Ryder HESJEDAL (Canada), Garmin-Cervelo, at 0:06

EIBAR, Spain (VN) - It looks like it will all come down to Saturday’s time trial at this year’s Vuelta al País Vasco.

Anthony Roux (FDJ) won the fourth stage at the Circuit de la Sarthe and took over the race leader’s jersey at the French race.

Stage

• 1. Anthony ROUX, (FRA) Française des Jeux, at 4:26:33
• 2. Biel KADRI, (FRA) Ag2r La Mondiale, at s.t.
• 3. Pierrick FEDRIGO, (FRA) Française des Jeux, at s.t.
• 4. Thomas VOECKLER, (FRA) Europcar, at s.t.
• 5. Nicolas VOGONDY, (FRA) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne, at s.t.

GC

• 1. Anthony ROUX, (France) Française des Jeux, at 11:50:58
• 2. Biel KADRI, (France) Ag2r La Mondiale, at 5
• 3. David MILLAR, (Great Britain) Garmin-Cervelo, at 9
• 4. Pierrick FEDRIGO, (France) Française des Jeux, at 12
• 5. Alexandre GENIEZ, (France) Skil-Shimano, at 13

"As a team we ended it in second place overall by one second. Who knew second place would be such a hard pill to swallow?"

Q.Dear Explainer, As a follow-up to your answer to an earlier question on the biological passport, I’m curious whether there is any science out there on the relative benefits of micro-dosing EPO and other methods designed to avoid detection in doping controls as compared to more traditional and easily catchable doping methods.

Following the news of Taylor Phinney missing his start at Paris-Roubaix this week, BMC Racing offered updates on two of its other injured riders. Brent Bookwalter and Karsten Kroon are each recovering from broken collarbones.

At the ripe age of 25, Mark Cavendish has already amassed a wealth of experience at the world’s biggest races. He’s won Tour stages, Giro stages, Milan-San Remo and a host of one-day events. Yet he’s never done Paris-Roubaix.

14 teams hit the dirt April 3 at Fort Steilacoom in the Washington High School Cycling League

Why white tape? Why no gloves? How do I become a team doctor?

Yes, even tech meister Lennard Zinn has fouled up disc brake bleeds. He tells how not to…

Check out Brian Holcombe's author page.

Two American riders, one retired roadie and one dominant ’crosser, announced intriguing events they’re backing this July. Burke Swindlehurst will host a unique dirt/paved race, the Tushar Crusher, in Utah on July 16. In Massachusetts, Jeremy Powers will head his second annual J.A.M. GrandFUNdo July 30.

2011 Paris-Roubaix startlist, preliminary

Paris-Roubaix demands more of the machine. Every part of the bike needs to be up to the challenge. Frames, forks, wheels, tires, handlebars, cables, even pedals are all optimized.

Stage 2a: Saint-Mars-la-Jaille - Angers

• 1. Michel KREDER (NED), Garmin-Cervelo, 2:25:19
• 2. Daniele BENNATI (ITA), Leopard-Trek, s.t.
• 3. Anthony RAVARD (FRA), Ag2r La Mondiale, s.t.
• 4. Stéphane BONSERGENT (FRA), Bretagne-Schuller, s.t.
• 5. Kevin LACOMBE (CAN), SpiderTech Powered by Planet Energy, s.t.

Overall Standings, after stage 2a

• 1. Daniele BENNATI , (Italy) Leopard-Trek , 7:16:05
• 2. Samuel DUMOULIN , (France) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne, at 0:04
• 3. Thierry HUPOND , (France) Skil-Shimano, at 0:04
• 4. Nacer BOUHANNI , (France) Française des Jeux, at 0:06
• 5. Johan Esteban CHAVES RUBIO , (Colombia) Colombia Es Pasion Coldeportes, at 0:06

Ride Giant/Ride Northstar MTB development grassroots sponsorship program aims to help athletes in California

Stage 2b (ITT)

• 1. Daniele BENNATI (ITA), Leopard-Trek, 8:13
• 2. David MILLAR (GBR), Garmin-Cervelo, at 0:06
• 3. David ZABRISKIE (USA), Garmin-Cervelo, at 0:06
• 4. Anthony ROUX (FRA), Française des Jeux, at 0:07
• 5. Biel KADRI (FRA), Ag2r La Mondiale, at 0:08

Stage

• 1. Alexandre VINOKOUROV, (KAZ) Astana, at 4:20:38
• 2. Oscar FREIRE GOMEZ, (ESP) Rabobank Cycling Team, at 8
• 3. Paul MARTENS, (GER) Rabobank Cycling Team, at 8
• 4. Pim LIGTHART, (NED) Vacansoleil-DCM, at 8
• 5. Mikael CHEREL, (FRA) Ag2r La Mondiale, at 8

GC

• 1. Joaquin RODRIGUEZ OLIVER, (Spain) Team Katusha, at 12:30:09
• 2. Andreas KLÖDEN, (Germany) Team RadioShack, at 0
• 3. Samuel SANCHEZ GONZALEZ, (Spain) Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 0
• 4. Christopher HORNER, (United States) Team RadioShack, at 1
• 5. Ryder HESJEDAL, (Canada) Garmin-Cervelo, at 6

• 1. Mark CAVENDISH (GBR) HTC-Highroad, 4:29:57
• 2. Denis GALIMZYANOV (RUS) Team Katusha, same time
• 3. Yauheni HUTAROVICH (BLR) Française des Jeux, s.t.
• 4. Stefan VAN DIJK (NED), s.t.
• 5. Robbie MCEWEN (AUS) Team RadioShack, s.t.

One of cycling’s monuments, Paris-Roubaix is the grand-daddy of spring classics. With its infamous, rough, cobblestone farm roads, notorious weather and punishing speeds, the race lives up to its moniker l’enfer du Nord or “Hell of the North.” Graham Watson has been photographing the race since the 1980s, and he shares a few of his best shots here.

It’s an accepted reality for young American hopefuls — to succeed in Europe you must first live and race in Europe.

MADRID (AFP) - Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) has won the third stage of the Tour of the Basque Country, attacking in the final kilometer to win the 180km stage from Villatuerta Zuia to Murgia (180 km).

SCHOTEN, Belgium (AFP) - Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) won Wednesday's Scheldeprijs in a sprint ahead of Russian Denis Galimzyanov (Katusha) and Yauheni Hutarovich (FdJ).

Michel Kreder delivered victory for Garmin-Cervélo in the morning sprint stage at the Circuit de la Sarthe in France on Wednesday.

Scheldeprijs winners, 1907-2011

Vermarc, down an old Belgian farm road

A side-loading cage can help carry a bottle when frame space is tight

Andrew Talansky has already been impressive through the first few months of his professional career. At his pro debut with Garmin-Cervélo at the Tour Méditeranéen in February, he climbed to fourth up Mont Faron and fourth overall. At Paris-Nice and Critérium International, he finished among the top-10 in both of the respective time trials.

American cyclist Steven Cozza (Team NetApp) is offering a new cycling coloring book that is intended to educate youngsters about the wonders of road racing and raise money for disadvantaged kids.

"I am surrounded by both the very best in the sport and the up and coming “next bests.” Being somewhere in between, I am in a place where I can continue to learn, while I’m also able to share what I have learned. And, I will always be ready to do either."

This week Lennard is devoting his column to a profile of Rich Sawiris and a look at his wheelbuilding techniques.

Team Type 1—Sanofi-Aventis has received a wild card for the 2011 Tour de Suisse, allowing the team to participate in the 75th anniversary tour, the team reported Tuesday.

Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski: Post-Pan-American MTB championship report

Paris-Roubaix winners, 1896-2010

Chris Sutton's Team Sky Pinarello and Johnny Clarke's UHC Boardman