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We present the VN Bike Lab — data from two labs, long-term ride testing and expert analysis — in the April issue of VeloNews.

ALBUFEIRA, Portugal (VN) – There are not that many fans that come to watch the five-day Volta ao Algarve, but a good-sized crowd waited outside the Saxo Bank-Sungard team bus Saturday morning to catch a glimpse of Alberto Contador.

Roaming Rantist Patrick O'Grady has a religious experience — or perhaps it's just the wine and wafers backing up on him again.

The Spanish cycling community is clamoring for the introduction of a minimum threshold for clenbuterol in the wake of the highly divisive doping case involving star rider Alberto Contador.

The three-time national cyclocross champion has spent every summer since 2001 racing in the domestic peloton, however that’s about to change — he’ll spend the next two years preparing solely for cyclocross, with the objective of reaching the podium at the 2013 world cyclocross championship in Louisville, Kentucky.

Joe Eldridge has one of the most unique stories in the peloton. As one of the founders of Team Type 1 as well as a multiple winner at the Race Across America, Eldridge is racing his bike to send a message that type-1 diabetes doesn’t need to slow you down.

Results and highlights from Armstrong's return from his first retirement

Alberto Contador plans on racing full-bore as he enters a nervous waiting game to see if international governing bodies will appeal the Spanish cycling federation’s dramatic decision to clear him of doping charges

After the Alberto Contador ruling, readers offer up a number of interesting questions

In an exit interview with The Associated Press, Lance Armstrong says he will not race his bike again.

The organizing committee of the 2012 Olympic Games announced dates and ticket prices for cycling events at the London Games on Tuesday.

How does ‘cross queen Compton plan to fit in MTB at Rabobank-Giant Off-Road?

Does one bit of lunacy deserves another? Foaming Rantist Patrick O'Grady considers the case of Riccardo Riccò.

Vacansoleil has suspended controversial Italian rider Riccardo Riccò, who was hospitalized earlier this week after an apparent botched blood transfusion.

DOHA, Qatar ─ Australian Mark Renshaw (HTC-HighRoad) won the Tour of Qatar here Friday after the fifth and final stage was claimed by Italy's Andrea Guardini (Farnese Vini-Neri Sottoli).

More than ever, early season racing is the domain of international events. This week sees many of the sport’s top names at the Tour of Qatar, only to be followed up by the second year of the Tour of Oman.

Manolo Saíz, the controversial Spanish team manager caught up in the Operación Puerto doping scandal of 2006, is plotting his return to the elite pro ranks.

Stage 4:

• 1. Mark Renshaw, HTC-Highroad, in 3:12:36
• 2. Daniele Bennati, Leopard-Trek, at
• 3. Tom Boonen, Quick Step, s.t.
• 4. Heinrich Haussler, Garmin-Cervelo, s.t.
• 5. Denis Galimzyanov, Katusha, s.t.

• 1. Mark Renshaw, HTC-Highroad, in 12h 47' 00"
• 2. Heinrich Haussler, Garmin-Cervelo, at
• 3. Daniele Bennati, Leopard-Trek, at 00:15
• 4. Juan Antonio Flecha Giannoni, Sky, at 00:24
• 5. Roger Hammond, Garmin-Cervelo, at 00:36

Stage 3

• 1. Heinrich Haussler, Team Garmin-Cervelo, 3h 28' 04
• 2. Mark Renshaw, HTC-Highroad, at 00:00
• 3. Daniele Bennati, Team Leopard-Trek, at 00:00
• 4. Dominique Rollin, Fdj, s.t.
• 5. Lars Boom, Rabobank Cycling Team, s.t.

• 1. Heinrich Haussler, Team Garmin-Cervelo, in 9:34:30
• 2. Mark Renshaw, HTC-Highroad, at 00:04
• 3. Daniele Bennati, Team Leopard-Trek, at 00:15
• 4. Juan Antonio Flecha Giannoni, Sky Procycling, at 00:18
• 5. Jérémy Hunt, Sky Procycling, at 00:28

Garmin-Cervelo's Heinrich Haussler told VeloNews Wednesday that he had accepted an apology from Mark Cavendish for a crash that ended Haussler's season last year at the Tour de Suisse.

Retül's three-dimensional fit system has steadily gained popularity in the pro peloton over the last few years. The Retül crew just got back from team camps with Team Sky and Team Geox, where they did fits for many riders, including grand tour winners Carlos Sastre and Denis Menchov.

Óscar Pereiro on Tuesday angrily denied doping allegations leveled against him by Floyd Landis.

Check out CyclingTips's author page.

Who do you think will win Paris-Roubaix this year? Is Andy Schleck guaranteed the top spot at the Tour de France with Alberto Contador sidelined? VeloNews walks you through the full season ahead, listing our podium picks for every major race plus highlighting the riders and the factors that will shape the year ahead. Plus: we test six carbon clinchers on steep mountain roads, reveal the power output needed to ride at the world-class level, and take you inside the complete meltdown of Australia's greatest team that never was. Subscribe today!

Pegasus riders convened for a team-bonding camp in Queensland, Australia, in late November. But once learning the team had been denied Pro Continental status in late December, the exodus to other teams began. Many have found new rides for 2011, however several riders are still without confirmed jobs.

Fly Mellow Johnny's Aviation, South Africa and Bahamas tours set

After what the World’s Federation for the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) called a “fruitful” meeting with the UCI, the cycling unions released a revised approval process Friday.

Is pro cycling sport or entertainment? Master of ceremonies Patrick O'Grady has the envelope.

After the general classification battles of the past two days, the Tour de Langkawi returned to flatter terrain, and Andrea Guardini (Farnese Vini –Neri Sottoli) clocked up his hat-trick of sprint victories in the race.

Stage

• 1. Jonathan MONSALVE, (VEN) Androni Giocattoli-Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni, at 3:33:31
• 2. Libardo NINO CORREDOR, (COL) Letua Cycling Team, at s.t.
• 3. Samad POOR SEIEDI, (IRI) Azad University Iran, at 1
• 4. Dennis VAN NIEKERK, (RSA) Mtn Cycling, at 3
• 5. Rahim EMEMI, (IRI) Azad University Iran, at 3

• 1. Libardo NINO CORREDOR, (COL) Letua Cycling Team, at 15:59:46
• 2. Jonathan MONSALVE, (VEN) Androni Giocattoli-Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni, at 2
• 3. Emanuele SELLA, (ITA) Androni Giocattoli-Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni, at 19
• 4. Dennis VAN NIEKERK, (RSA) Mtn Cycling, at 22
• 5. Rahim EMEMI, (IRI) Azad University Iran, at 22

Swart memorial, Dowsett set for Qatar debut, Armstrong for Greenville? and more

• 1. Cameron Meyer, Team Garmin-Cervelo, with 106 points
• 2. Harley Goss Matthew, HTC-HighRoad, with 93 points
• 3. Ben Swift, Sky Procycling, with 82 points
• 4. Michael Matthews, Rabobank Cycling Team, with 70 points
• 5. Laurens Ten Dam, Rabobank Cycling Team, with 52 points

You’ve probably never heard of Robbert De Kock or the World Federation for the Sporting Goods Industry, but pay attention. As the secretary general of the WFSGI, De Kock may be the man to unite the cycling industry and give it real power in its dealings with the UCI.

The UCI rocked the cycling industry in December when it announced that a new bicycle approval process would be implemented on January 1, 2011. The UCI later delayed the program by a month.

• 1. Andrea Guardini, (ITA) Farnese Vini - Neri Sotttoli, in 3:26:26
• 2. Boris Shpilevsky, (RUS) Tabriz Petrochemical Team, s.t.
• 3. Anuar Manan, (MAS) Terengganu Proasia Cycling, s.t.
• 4. Vidal Celis Zabala, (ESP) Le Tua Cycling Team, s.t.
• 5. Marcel Kittel, (GER) Skil Shimano Cycling Team, s.t.

Garmin's Matt White has been fired for violating a team rule concerning riders and outside medical care.

Stage 6:

• 1. Hector AGUILAR FIGUEIRAS, (URU), in 3:45:55
• 2. Marcos CRESPO, (ARG), at s.t.
• 3. Mauro Abel RICHEZE, (ARG), at s.t.
• 4. Bernardo RICCIO, (ITA), at s.t.
• 5. Roberto FERRARI, (ITA) Androni Giocattoli-Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni, at s.t.

• 1. Marco ARRIAGADA, (CHI), at 25:51:54
• 2. Jose Rodolfo SERPA PEREZ, (COL) Androni Giocattoli-Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni, at 38
• 3. Enzo MOYANO, (ARG), at 1:49
• 4. Eros CAPECCHI, (ITA) Liquigas-Doimo, at 1:50
• 5. Miguel Angel RUBIANO CHAVEZ, (COL), at 2:42

Urbane Innovations, Scott Bikes and Stance Films have teamed up for a Park City, Utah, event to benefit the son of Oakley sports marketing manager Steve Blick. Blick’s five-year-old son Tyler is fighting a well-publicized battle against acute lymphomatic leukemia and Urbane’s Greg Parry will host a premiere of the mountain bike film “Lifecycles” Friday evening.

Many of the charges being leveled against Lance Armstrong have been around for years. Have they ever been proven or disproven?

As well as speaking with HighRoad’s spokesperson Kristy Scrymgeour at the start of the third stage of the Tour Down Under, VeloNews asked Bernhard Eisel and Mark Renshaw to comment on their fallen teammate Carla Swart, who on Wednesday was tragically killed while out training in her native South Africa. She was 23.

The UCI delays its bike labeling program by a month

Acqua e Sapone and Farnese Vini-Neri Sottoli snagged “wild card” spots to round the 20-squad lineup for Tirreno-Adriatico.

UCI president Pat McQuaid says cycling will weather the doping storm involving some of the biggest names in the sport.

• 1. Michael Matthews, Rabobank, 129km in 3:11:47
• 2. Andre Greipel, Omega Pharma-Lotto, s.t.
• 3. Matthew Goss, HTC-Highroad, s.t.
• 4. Simon Gerrans, Sky Procycling, s.t.
• 5. Luke Roberts, Uni Sa-Australia, s.t.

HTC-HighRoad's Matthew Goss reclaimed the leader's ochre jersey at the Tour Down Under as fellow Australian Michael Matthews (Rabobank) romped to victory on stage three on Thursday.

• 1. Roberto FERRARI, (ITA) Androni Giocattoli-Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni, in 3:19:49
• 2. Marcos CRESPO, (ARG), at s.t.
• 3. Ariel Maximiliano RICHEZE, (ARG), at s.t.
• 4. Hector AGUILAR FIGUEIRAS, (URU), at s.t.
• 5. Sébastien HINAULT, (FRA) Ag2r La Mondiale, at s.t.

Don Catlin, founder of the UCLA Olympic Analytical Laboratory and a highly regarded authority on performance-enhancing drug tests, found his decade-old practices under scrutiny Tuesday as a Sports Illustrated article about Lance Armstrong suggests he was complicit in covering up positive tests during the 1990s

Jack Bobridge is Australia's latest road champion. We speak with him about his big win and the seemingly limitless prospects for his career.

• 1. Ben Swift, Sky Procycling, in 3:27:44
• 2. Robbie McEwen, Radio Shack, s.t.
• 3. Graeme Brown, Rabobank, s.t.
• 4. Romain Feillu, Vacansoleil-Dcm, s.t.
• 5. Jurgen Roelandts, Omega Pharma-Lotto, s.t.

• 1. Jose Rodolfo SERPA PEREZ, (COL) Androni Giocattoli-Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni, in 3:52:58
• 2. Eros CAPECCHI, (ITA) Liquigas-Doimo, s.t.
• 3. Marco ARRIAGADA, (CHI), s.t.
• 4. Xavier TONDO VOLPINI, (ESP), s.t.
• 5. Enzo MOYANO, (ARG), at 14

Garmin-Cervélo’s Tyler Farrar hasn’t featured prominently in the first two field sprints Down Under, but that shouldn’t be read as a predictor of how his 2011 season might develop.

Veteran racer Jaan Kirsipuu will captain Team CS in 2011 while the company’s cycling-crazy founders look to the future.