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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.

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

To laugh or cry? New E-motor made to get DH rigs uphill

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

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.

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

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.

Italian organizers entice with special races, money, bonuses for those from abroad

Cross-country MTB set for Hadleigh Farm, in Essex — 2-hour drive from London

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.

Yes, some people still run v-brakes. LZ answers their questions too. Also, old/new helmets...

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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.

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

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

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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.

GP Heuts

• 1. Kevin Pauwels (Bel), 1:02:31
• 2. Philipp Walsleben (Ger), same time
• 3. Zdenek Stybar (Cze), s.t.
• 4. Jonathan Page (USA), 1:02:38
• 5. Bart Aernouts (Bel), 1:02:52

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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Klaas Vantornout wins the Superprestige finale as Sven Nys takes his 10th overall victory in the series.

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.

Customizable insole assembles like a puzzle

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.

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

World Bicycle Relief is distributing incredibly durable bikes across Africa

‘Cross star Katie Compton to focus on XC World Cup to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics

‘Cross star Katie Compton to focus on XC World Cup to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics

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).

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.

We ran our first comparative 26er-Vs.-29er test story way back in ‘09. Many new readers likely missed it

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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

XC world champ Jose Antonio Hermida set for Andalucía Bike Race in Spain

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.

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.

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

Arizona 24-hour race sold out in record time this year. Watch the 2010 vid

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