Road

While fans and media celebrated Alberto Contador’s apparent victory in his ongoing doping scandal, reactions were strikingly more negative north of the Pyrénées.

Stage:

• 1. Matthew Harley Goss, HTC - HighRoad, in 3:18:17
• 2. Daniele Bennati, Team Leopard-Trek, at s.t.
• 3. Boasson Hagen Edvald, Sky Procycling, at 00:00
• 4. Greg Van Avermaet, Bmc Racing Team, at s.t.
• 5. Danilo Hondo, Lampre - Isd, at s.t.

• 1. Matthew Harley Goss, HTC - HighRoad, ib 6:56:36
• 2. Daniele Bennati, Team Leopard-Trek, at s.t.
• 3. Boasson Hagen Edvald, Sky Procycling, at 00:06
• 4. Pieter Serry, Topsport Vlaanderen-Mercator, at 00:07
• 5. Tanel Kangert, Pro Team Astana, at 00:09

AUSTIN, Texas (AFP) - Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong on Wednesday announced his retirment from professional cycling at the age of 39.

Australian Matthew Goss (HTC-HighRoad) won the second stage of the Tour of Oman on Wednesday taking the leader's red jersey from Dutchman Theo Boss of Rabobank.

World cycling chief Pat McQuaid said Wednesday that he wants a definitive decision in the doping case of Alberto Contador before the start of the Tour de France in July.

Charly Wegelius is coming off the two most trying seasons of his 11-year career and feels the spark burning for the first time in a while. The new UnitedHealthcare recruit brings his grand tour palmarés to the upgraded American outfit as it embarks on its first solid European campaign Wednesday at the Volta ao Algarve.

The merits of tubular tape, more on the stack-and-reach concept, Mavic freehubs and more

Mounting up the new accessory shifters.

Soon after being cleared of doping charges by the Spanish federation, Alberto Contador is expected to travel to Portugal to arrive in time for Wednesday’s start the Volta ao Algarve.

Amateurs with professional hopes take note. The Nature Valley Grand Prix last week announced its 2011 Pro Ride calendar, which offers elites a chance to qualify for the race’s fully supported composite team.

Alberto Contador says he’s “happy and relieved” about the dramatic reversal from the Spanish cycling federation to clear him from doping charges.

The UCI on Tuesday said it had received notice of the Spanish cycling federation's decision to clear Alberto Contador of doping charges, and said it would examine the reasoning behind the decision before announcing its next step. The UCI has 30 days to decide whether to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

It’s official: the Spanish cycling federation has cleared Alberto Contador of doping charges in a dramatic U-turn in his ongoing case of alleged use of clenbuterol.

Stage 1:

• 1. Théo Bos, Rabobank Cycling Team, at 3:38:29
• 2. Mark Cavendish, Htc - Highroad, at s.t.
• 3. Roger Kluge, Skil-Shimano, at s.t.
• 4. Boasson Hagen Edvald, Sky Procycling, at s.t.
• 5. Denis Galimzyanov, Katusha Team, at s.t.

• 1. Théo Bos, Rabobank Cycling Team, at 3:38:19
• 2. Mark Cavendish, Htc - Highroad, at 3:38:23
• 3. Pieter Serry, Topsport Vlaanderen-Mercator, at 3:38:23
• 4. Roger Kluge, Skil-Shimano, at 3:38:25
• 5. Mark Mcnally, An Post-Sean Kelly, at 3:38:26

LONDON (AFP) - British cycling's Team Sky may relax its "zero tolerance" doping policy as they seek to hire staff capable of improving the outfit's performance, it was reported Tuesday.

Riccardo Riccò remains in an Italian hospital more than a week after being hospitalized for an apparent blood transfusion gone wrong.

AL SEEB, Oman (AFP) — Rabobank's Dutch rider Theo Bos saw off HTC-HighRoad's Mark Cavendish and Skil-Shimano's Roger Kluge to win the first stage of the Tour of Oman here on Tuesday.

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When Marco Pantani died of an apparent cocaine overdose, alone in a Rimini hotel room seven years ago this St. Valentine’s Day, Riccardo Riccò was racing on a small amateur team called Grassi Marco Pantani. Riccò, then 20 years old, dreamed of emulating his hero by someday winning the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France.

The Spanish sports daily AS is reporting that Spanish authorities on Tuesday will clear Alberto Contador of doping allegations stemming from a positive test at last year’s Tour de France.

Jens Voigt, who missed last year’s Critérium International, will headline the field at the two-day, three-stage French race dubbed the “mini-Tour de France.”

MADRID, Spain (VN) – Spanish politicians are rallying around Alberto Contador on the eve of a long-awaited final verdict on his ongoing doping case that could come as soon as Tuesday.

How to get to far-flung races? Judy Freeman's been there done that

MUSCAT, Oman (AFP) - Reigning world road race champion Thor Hushovd has admitted his days of pushing to the front in a bid to win every bunch sprint that is within his grasp are now practically over.

Several WorldTour riders said they plan to meet with UCI president Pat McQuaid this week at the Tour of Oman to discuss the radio ban.

World champion Thor Hushovd will make his cobbles debut at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad later this month. Organizers on Monday released the preliminary startlist for the 206 km one-day race that opens the semi-classics season in East Flanders, Belgium. Absent from the Garmin-Cervélo roster are 2010 runner-up Heinrich Haussler and last year's third-place, Tyler Farrar.

Spain's cycling federation, the RFEC, may clear three-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador of using performance-enhancing drugs, Spanish newspapers said on Monday.

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• 1. David MONCOUTIE, (FRA) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne, in 16:48:36
• 2. Jean-Christophe PERAUD, (FRA) Ag2r La Mondiale, at 11
• 3. Wouter POELS, (NED), at 24
• 4. Andrew TALANSKY, (USA) Garmin-Cervelo, at 28
• 5. Morris POSSONI, (ITA) Team Sky, at 33

American Jonathan Page falls just short of the podium as Kevin Pauwels wins the GP Heuts.

Racing in India is quite unlike anything the top pros have ever seen before.

MUMBAI, India (VN) – Robbie McEwen and Robbie Hunter – aka the “Two Robbies” – delivered a big thank you to RadioShack with top racing over the weekend in a pair of one-day races in India.

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Robbie McEwen is “95 percent sure” that this year will be his last among the pro ranks and hinted that the 2012 Tour Down Under could be a perfect way to bow out of the sport.

obbie McEwen and a handful of pros experienced India “unplugged” after they decided to ride the better part of a 200km transfer from Nashik to Mumbai on Saturday.

Stage 5:

• 1. Andrea Guardini, Farnese Vini-Neri Sottoli, in 2h 44' 06"
• 2. Francesco Chicchi, Quick Step Cycling Team, at
• 3. Théo Bos, Rabobank Cycling Team, at 0:00
• 4. Dominique Rollin, FdJ, s.t.
• 5. Roger Kluge, Skil-Shimano, s.t.

• 1. Mark Renshaw, HTC-Highroad, in 15:31:04
• 2. Heinrich Haussler,Garmin-Cervélo, at 0:08
• 3. Daniele Bennati,Leopard-Trek, at 0:17
• 4. Juan Antonio Flecha Giannoni, Sky, at 0:26
• 5. Roger Hammond,Garmin-Cervélo, at 0:38

NASHIK, India (VN) – India made history Friday by hosting its first-ever international road race, with Italian up-and-comer Elia Viviani (Liquigas-Cannondale) kicking to victory ahead of pre-race favorite Robbie McEwen (RadioShack) in wild ride across the rugged hill country of Maharashtra.

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A "disgusted" Alberto Contador hit out at the Spanish cycling federation, which he accused of “caving in” to pressure from anti-doping authorities after it proposed he serve a one-year ban from cycling.

Brakes, flats and Superman

The most anticipated professional debut for an American in a generation is set to roll next week. Taylor Phinney will make his first start for BMC Racing at the Tour of Oman February 15-20.

Officials in Barcelona are hoping to convince ASO that the Catalan city would be an ideal place to start the 2014 Tour de France.

Restructuring at the Quiznos Pro Challenge continued Wednesday when the organizers behind the new Colorado stage race announced the hiring of former AEG president Shawn Hunter as co-chairman.

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Alberto Contador recounted key moments in the hours and days following news that he tested positive for clenbuterol during this year’s Tour de France and vigorously denied allegations that the banned substance might have entered his body via blood transfusions.

Disgraced Spanish cyclist Alejandro Valverde has been out training with his Movistar teammates in Majorca while he serves a ban for doping.

Graham Watson captures the action on stage 3 of the 2011 Tour of Qatar.

Garmin-Cervélo’s Heinrich Haussler won the third stage of the Tour of Qatar Wednesday to take the race leader's jersey from three-time winner Tom Boonen (Quick Step).

The “two Robbies” – Hunter and McEwen – of RadioShack headline the field for a pair of one-day races in northern India set for Friday and Sunday this weekend.

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Robert Förster is bringing the vision he’s gained over a decade in the European trenches to the young riders at UnitedHealthcare and he’s looking for wins — whether it’s him or one of his teammates.

With Andy Schleck and Cadel Evans expected at the start, the 16.8km team time trial will also offer the year’s first good look at the Tour de France contenders’ form.

Maurice Garin was the first Tour de France champion to be stripped of his title for cheating.

Roman Kreuziger and key Astana teammates have headed to Sicily to train ahead of what will be a run at the overall crown at the Giro d’Italia for the 24-year-old Czech rider.

No, this isn’t an April Fool’s story: Alberto Contador has stopped eating beef since he tested positive for traces in clenbuterol in July’s Tour de France.

Italian cyclist Lorenzo Bernucci, a former teammate of ace sprinter Alessandro Petacchi, was slapped with a five-year ban on Tuesday by the Italian Olympic committee (CONI), while four members of his family also received bans for their involvement in a doping ring.

Rory Sutherland talks about getting to know his new UnitedHealthcare teammates, whose origins span the globe.

A newspaper reports that Spain's cycling federation justified seeking a one-year ban for Alberto Contador by saying his responsibility for a clenbuterol positive appeared to be minimal.

Italian media are reporting that Riccardo Riccò faces doping inquiries after being hospitalized on Sunday with a high fever and signs of kidney failure.

Graham Watson captures the action at stage 2 of the 2011 Tour of Qatar.

• 1. Heinrich Haussler, Team Garmin - Cervelo, in 3:04:03
• 2. Daniele Bennati, Team Leopard-Trek, at s.t.
• 3. Denis Galimzyanov, Katusha Team, at s.t.
• 4. Théo Bos, Rabobank Cycling Team, at s.t.
• 5. Roger Kluge, Skil-Shimano, at s.t.

Tom Boonen said Monday that every year it gets a bit harder to win the Tour of Qatar, a race he's won three times.

George Hincapie already holds the record for the most Tour appearances by an American. He'd like to best Joop Zoetemelk's mark of 16 completed Tours.

The Leopard-Trek rider adds, "If Contador is there he also undoubtedly would be a favorite.”

If you really want to ride when it's 10 degrees out, we've your gear

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Three-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador, facing a one-year ban from cycling after testing positive for clenbuterol, has presented his arguments against a suspension to the Spanish cycling federation.

Riccardo Riccò was hospitalized overnight in an Italian hospital with high fever and apparent kidney failure.

Haussler v. Cav'; Contador's mystery meat; Bauer dreams big

For the second consecutive day, Tyler Farrar kicks to victory at the Mallorca Challenge in Spain.

Graham Watson shoots stage 1 of the 2011 Tour of Qatar.

Stage 1

• 1. Tom Boonen, Quick Step Cycling Team, in 2:59:29
• 2. Heinrich Haussler, Team Garmin - Cervelo, at s.t.
• 3. Mark Renshaw, Htc - Highroad, at s.t.
• 4. Daniele Bennati, Team Leopard-Trek, at s.t.
• 5. Graeme Brown, Rabobank Cycling Team, at s.t.

GC after stage 1

• 1. Tom Boonen, Quick Step Cycling Team, in 3:02:32
• 2. Mark Renshaw, HTC - Highroad, at 3:02:36
• 3. Fabian Cancellara, Team Leopard-Trek, at 3:02:40
• 4. Juan Antonio Flecha Giannoni, Sky Procycling, at 3:02:41
• 5. Heinrich Haussler, Team Garmin - Cervelo, at 3:02:43