News

Men:

• 1. Francisco Mancebo, Realcyclist.com, with 217 points
• 2. Benjamin Jacques-Maynes, Bissell Pro Cycling Team, with 140 points
• 3. Jonathan Cantwell, with 110 points
• 4. Christopher Baldwin, with 106 points
• 5. Andres Diaz Corales, Team Exergy, with 98 points

Women:

• 1. Amber Neben, Htc - Highroad Women, with 217 points
• 2. Erinne Willock, Team Tibco/to The Top, with 130 points
• 3. Evelyn Stevens, Htc - Highroad Women, with 116 points
• 4. Carmen Small, Team Tibco/to The Top, with 113 points
• 5. Janel Holcomb, Colavita/forno D'asolo, with 103 points

Men

• 1. Jonathan Cantwell in 16:12.4
• 2. Michael Northey, at 16:12.6
• 3. Rahsaan Bahati, at 16:12.8
• 4. Patrick Bevin , Bissell/abg Cycling Club, at 16:13.0
• 5. Raymond Kreder, at 16:13.0

Andreas Klöden returns to the winner's circle in the Tour of the Basque Country as Tony Martin wins the final time trial.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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!

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.

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.

Must Reads: Horner’s Basque buddy; Athlete ‘ashamed’ to be Spanish; more

2011 Women’s Tour of Flanders

• 1. Annemiek Van Vleuten (Ned) Nederland Bloeit, in 3:36:03
• 2. Tatiana Antoshina (Rus) Gauss, at 0:01
• 3. Marianne Vos (Ned) Nederland Bloeit, at 0:10
• 4. Emma Johansson (Swe) Hitec Products-UCK, at 0:10
• 5. Judith Arndt (Ger) HTC Highroad Women, at 0:10

P.J. O'Rourke sprinkles some metaphorical tacks into the national bike lane.

Check out Nick Legan's author page.

Check out Nick Legan's author page.

Check out Nick Legan's author page.

Check out Nick Legan's author page.

Check out Nick Legan's author page.

Check out Brian Holcombe's author page.

Check out Logan VonBokel's author page.

The 2011 women's road World Cup kicks off Sunday with the Trofeo Alfredo Binda, held near Cittiglio, Italy. The 121-kilometer race is held on four laps of a hilly circuit.

The online retailer recently bought the brand from American Bicycle Group (ABG), the longtime parent company of Litespeed, another brand that made a name for itself with the lightweight metal.

In which foaming rantist Patrick O'Grady slags his own people to no particular purpose in some hideous, post-St. Patrick's Day, Roddy Doyle-meets-Shane MacGowan, Guinness-induced brain fart.

So what is the basis for the UCI’s appeal? Are they going to attack the evidence — or lack of it — or are they going to go after Spain’s decision? Where does WADA come in? Why is Contador still racing?

Touching base with Garmin-Cervelo's track ace Jack Bobridge, who will return to pro road racing after this week's world track championships

Johan Bruyneel gives an interesting interview with the Belgian daily Het Laastse Nieuws

For some, a trip across the Atlantic to ride the most hallowed roads of professional racing is a far-off fantasy. For others it’s a reality — a dream that has either been actualized or is in the works. As with many things, the difference between fantasy and reality is simply making it happen. Subscribe today!

h2>Stage

• 1. Markus EIBEGGER, (AUT) Petrochemical Tabriz Cycling Team, at 2:40:06
• 2. Rhys POLLOCK, (AUS) Drapac Porsche Cycling, at 21
• 3. Mart OJAVEE, (EST), at 44
• 4. Boris SHPILEVSKY, (RUS) Petrochemical Tabriz Cycling Team, at 1:21
• 5. Adam Phelan, (AUS) Drapac Porsche Cycling, at 1:21

GC

• 1. Markus EIBEGGER, (Austria) Petrochemical Tabriz Cycling Team, in 6:55:48
• 2. Mehdi SOHRABI, (Iran) Petrochemical Tabriz Cycling Team, at 12
• 3. David MCCANN, (Ireland), at 19
• 4. Rhys POLLOCK, (Australia) Drapac Porsche Cycling, at 1:07
• 5. Mart OJAVEE, (Estonia), at 1:19

• 1. Tobias LUDVIGSSON, (SWE), in 6:05
• 2. Luke ROWE, (GBR), at 0
• 3. Mark CHRISTIAN, (GBR), at 2
• 4. Sander OOSTLANDER, (NED), at 3
• 5. Johan LE BON, (FRA) Bretagne-Schuller, at 3

Race radio is not the problem, but rather the loose headset at UCI HQ, says foaming rantist Patrick O'Grady.

Some of Italy's greatest races continued to thrive even during World War II.

Must Reads: Spanish officials expect UCI to appeal Contador ruling; setback for Romero

BERKELEY, Calif. (VN) — This weekend a plethora of collegiate cycling teams flocked to Northern California to race, despite the finals and midterms that were looming ahead. A considerable amount of riders from the Western Collegiate Cycling Conference teams were ready to fight for the podium and score points at the University of California-Berkeley Road Race and Criterium.

BOULDER, Colo. (VN) — VeloNews, the journal of competitive cycling, and VeloPress, a leading endurance sports book publisher, have moved to a new office space in Boulder, Colorado. The new address is 3002 Sterling Circle, Suite 100, Boulder, CO 80301 USA. Staff will maintain their current phone and fax numbers.

Stage:

• 1. Cadel EVANS, (AUS) BMC Racing Team, in 4:37:58
• 2. Giovanni VISCONTI, (ITA) , at s.t.
• 3. Michele SCARPONI, (ITA) Lampre-Farnese Vini, at s.t.
• 4. Vincenzo NIBALI, (ITA) Liquigas-Doimo, at s.t.
• 5. Ivan BASSO, (ITA) Liquigas-Doimo, at s.t.

• 1. Cadel EVANS, (Australia) BMC Racing Team, in 27:26:33
• 2. Michele SCARPONI, (Italy) Lampre-Farnese Vini, at 9
• 3. Ivan BASSO, (Italy) Liquigas-Doimo, at 12
• 4. Robert GESINK, (Netherlands) Rabobank Cycling Team, at 15
• 5. Vincenzo NIBALI, (Italy) Liquigas-Doimo, at 21

CINGOLI, Italy (VN) – Training. That’s what Ivan Basso is doing at Tirreno-Adriatico this week. He also happens to be two seconds out of the lead in the general classification after Sunday’s fifth stage.

Must Reads: Saíz on the comeback trail, Lange retires

What does the passport do? How does it work? What are its limitations? Can athletes manipulate it?

On Wednesday morning Tirenno-Adriatico kicked off with a street sprint competition. The local kids cycling club "Velo Club Carrara" had the opportunity to race the first few hundred meters, on the same course the pros would ride later in the day. VeloNews photo director Brad Kaminski sent back a few shots from the event.

Stage 2

• 1. Tyler Farrar, (USA), Team Garmin-Cervelo, 4:56:06
• 2. Alessandro Petacchi, (ITA), Lampre-Isd, s.t.
• 3. José Haedo Juan, (ARG), Saxo Bank Sungard, s.t.
• 4. Mark Renshaw, (AUS), Htc-Highroad, s.t.
• 5. Marcel Sieberg, (GER), Omega Pharma-Lotto, s.t.

Overall Standings

• 1. Tyler Farrar, (USA), Team Garmin-Cervelo, 5:14:13
• 2. Thomas Leezer, (NED), Rabobank Cycling Team, at 0:01
• 3. Lars Boom, (NED), Rabobank Cycling Team, at 0:01
• 4. Sebastian Langeveld, (NED), Rabobank Cycling Team, at 0:01
• 5. Oscar Freire Gomez, (ESP), Rabobank Cycling Team, at 0:01

Stage

• 1. Andréas KlÖden, Team RadioShack, in 4:59:00
• 2. Samuel Sanchez, Euskaltel - Euskadi, at s.t.
• 3. Matteo Carrara, Vacansoleil-Dcm, at s.t.
• 4. Tony Martin, HTC—Highroad, at s.t.
• 5. Rein Taaramae, Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne, at s.t.

GC

• 1. Andréas KlÖden, Team RadioShack, in 24:26:13
• 2. Samuel Sanchez, Euskaltel - Euskadi, at 00:04
• 3. Matteo Carrara, Vacansoleil-Dcm, at 00:06
• 4. Tony Martin, HTC—Highroad, at 00:10
• 5. Robert Kiserlovski, Pro Team Astana, at 00:10

USA Cycling released its selection procedures to be used to select members of the men's road squad for the 2012 Olympics in London. The procedures outline the selection process to qualify for the men’s Olympic road race and time trial in London 2012.

Stage 4

• 1. Thomas Voeckler, Team Europcar, in 5:04:20
• 2. Rémi Pauriol, Fdj, at s.t.
• 3. Thomas De Gendt, Vacansoleil-Dcm, at 00:00
• 4. Rémy Di Gregorio, Pro Team Astana, at s.t.
• 5. Heinrich Haussler, Team Garmin - Cervelo, at 00:13

GC

• 1. Thomas De Gendt, Vacansoleil-Dcm, in 19:26:46
• 2. Thomas Voeckler, Team Europcar, at 00:10
• 3. Rémi Pauriol, Fdj, at 00:16
• 4. Harley Goss Matthew, HTC - Highroad, at 00:21
• 5. Rémy Di Gregorio, Pro Team Astana, at 00:24

Saxo Bank-Sungard boss Bjarne Riis blasts UCI leadership over what he called an arbitrary ban on race radio, saying the cycling governing body is out of touch with the elite level of the sport.

The UCI will decide later this month whether to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport over Spanish authorities' decision not to press charges against Alberto Contador.

Early Friday amidst frigid temperatures, cyclocross star Tim Johnson and company departed from Boston’s City Hall for a 5-day marathon ride to Washington D.C. leading up to the 2011 National Bike Summit.

Women's stage 1

• 1. Amanda Miller, Team HTC-Highroad, at 02:45:31.00
• 2. Flavia Oliveira, Wells Fargo Racing, at 02:45:33.00
• 3. Alison Starnes, Peanut Butter & Co. Twenty12, at 02:45:33.00
• 4. Megan Guarnier, Team Tibco/to The Top, at 02:45:33.00
• 5. Tayler Wiles, Peanut Butter & Co. Twenty12, at 02:45:38.00

Team RadioShack on Thursday announced its teams for the Three Days of West Flanders (March 4-6) and Paris-Nice (March 6-13).

• 1. Jose Rodolfo SERPA PEREZ, (COL) Androni Giocattoli-Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni, in 4:47:20
• 2. Pavel BRUTT, (RUS) Team Katusha, at 0
• 3. Nicki SÖRENSEN, (DEN) SaxoBank-Sungard, at 5
• 4. Maciej PATERSKI, (POL) Liquigas-Doimo, at 8
• 5. Simon SPILAK, (SLO) Lampre-Farnese Vini, at 8

Must Reads: Phil Anderson says Evans' plan is risky, Versus and Universal update schedules

Brent Bookwalter will enter Paris-Nice Sunday as a potential leader for his BMC Racing squad. American teammate Taylor Phinney will miss his planned start after crashing in training a week ago.

With his first road race for almost two decades behind him, Alexi Grewal can truthfully say that life begins at 50 — well, life as a racing cyclist aiming to return to the top.

• 1. Dominic Klemme (Ger), Leopard-Trek, In 4:43:44
• 2. Kevin Ista (Bel), Cofidis, at 8
• 3. Robert Wagner (Ger), Leopard-Trek, at 9
• 4. Guillaume Van Keirsbulck (Bel), Quick Step, at 9
• 5. Yauheni Hutarovich (Blr), Française Des Jeux, at 9

Cav on hometown fame, Brazilian driver charged

Arriagada tested positive during the Tour of Chile, a race he has won three times, in February. According to press reports the 35-year-old's sample tested positive for anabolic steroids. "The federation told me the news and now I have to discuss it with my lawyers," Arriagada told the website of Chilean daily El Mercurio from the Dominican Republic. He will be returning immediately "to undergo the necessary tests and prove my innocence," he added. Arriagada won three of the 10 stages on the last edition of the Tour of Chile and is a four-time national time trial champion.