paris paris day professional bicycle road race northern france starting north paris finishing belgian frontier cycling oldest races monuments classics european calendar contributes points world ranking paris famous rough terrain tour flanders classics called hell north sunday hell title film race queen classics easter race winner paris received stone prize terrain led development specialised frames wheels tyres mechanical problems common influence result despite esteem race dismiss difficult conditions race seen controversies winners disqualified beginning started paris ended start moved starts kilometres north east paris centre finish race organised media group sport organisation annually mid april course maintained les paris group fans race formed seek course safe riders maintaining difficulty history paris oldest races professional road cycling run stopped world wars race created textile manufacturers born july building square metres corner route opened june held meetings track including appearance france american major taylor looked ideas february hit idea holding race paris track presented problems biggest races started ended paris provincial destination second organize start finish spoke louis editor french daily sports paper enthusiastic said decision paper organize start provide publicity belonged director paul suggested indirect approach mill owners recommended race merits preparation wrote dear paris approaching great annual event promote cycling given idea think training race preceded paris weeks distance paris roughly child play future participants paris finish place laps track assured enthusiastic welcome citizens privilege seeing spectacle major road race count friends believe truly town prizes prize busy establishing generous prize list satisfaction moment count patronage support organising start proposed prize represented seven months wages time enthusiastic sent cycling editor victor find route travelled driven colleague paul following morning later deputy tour france leading official union continued bike wind blew rain fell temperature dropped reached exhausted day riding swore send telegram urging drop idea saying dangerous send race way ridden evening meal drinks team changed mind easter mystery scheduled race easter sunday roman_catholic_church objected held sacred day year suggesting riders time attend mass spectators bother attend tracts distributed venture happened uncertain legend says promised mass said riders chapel start boulevard story repeated historian race historian sport general goes far saying victor says said service scheduled cancelled early mentions date race subsequently changed paris according held april easter sunday occurred weeks earlier april paris easter sunday year race news ride spread half entered turn race headquarters start dropped race began included prominent track rider went organize tour france starters include went win tour local hope brothers opened cycle shop boulevard paris previous year came minutes fischer german won race finished hour winner come second knocked crash ridden finished exhausted obliged attend man run machines said second race won following year beating kilometres said champions appeared greeted excitement feet acclaim heroes difficult recognise followed mud soaked figure suddenly slipped fell cement surface believe luck time bike lost metres remained laps cover miserable kilometres catch crowd held breath watched incredible pursuit match bell lap remained lap metres lead metres classic victory grasp feel adversary breath neck held lead metres little metres legendary victory stands exploded ovation united men cheers crowd cried bitter tears disappointment hell north race usually leaves riders mud roads tracks northern france coal mining region race earned hell north term describe route race world war organisers journalists set paris route survived years trench warfare reported knew little permanent effects war million died france lost news knew road car organisers journalists way route riders gone looked destruction poverty strange shortage men france survived neared north air began broken drains raw sewage rotting cattle trees begun look forward spring instead ragged stumps twisted branches pushed sky like crippled arms dying man mud knows described hell better word appeared day papers little party seen hell north words auto enter centre battlefield tree flattened square metre upside shell hole things stand earth crosses blue white red hell wasn race pilgrimage history seeking challenge racing relatively recent began time paris tour flanders widespread improvements roads second world war brought character races changing race bad roads won controversies said war course roads bad moment left paris started days stretches surfaced roads cycle path pavement thin stretch knew best ride switching jump bike pavement got harder tired got wheel wheel happened course bring riders fall bring cycle paths compressed got soft rain got riders got stuck lost balance come got covered coal dust changed compare coming live television prompted route surface roads fear rest france backward invest region albert said things don change soon calling paris reference flat race good roads ends mass sprint said riders don deserve editor called paris great madness cycling jean formed les paris president bernard led enthusiasts look maintain obscure paths said war paris routes spirit race riders try ride cycle paths paris roads things began change course started moving east use remained began disappear feared predictions going come true started going looking old tracks abandoned roads didn maps 1970s race village mayor order road surfaced mayor said wanted race help years ago barely village area wanted paris came way felt exposing bad roads went surfaced ringing found stretch like use bernard found race significant stretches sunday ride turned main road found bad finish bleak area bar crossroads bernard said bar cafe open day year france bar open day year licence middle went drink fame race brought open year busy restaurant paris spend year restoring rebuilding supply sand material repairs training students schools section costs paid equally organisers local bernard said trouble come race pull stone home gone real confident paris safe race strategic places historic races strategic places earlier races won lost include hill bend sections deteriorated point safety repair resurfaced lost significance sections excluded route race moved east early races run competitions era cars allowed pace historian says cars allowed open road competitors race hair breadth disappearing riders start following year organisation decided allow help help stopped good option lifted paris background pushed terms interest ahead prestigious paris course originally race paris start moved north north follows winding route north hitting extend race smooth concrete large outdoor route adjusted year year older roads resurfaced organisers seek maintain character race example race included start race started numerous places opening kilometres rolling procession racing started ride start open racing main sectors organisers grade length general condition position race sector usually section typically race highest sector named bernard winner features frequently race starts finishes begins gentle rise finishes gentle fall trench symbol paris officially des laid time napoleon forest saint close road proposed paris professional jean worked woods closed passage preserved sector usually proves decisive said memorial stands end road introduced passage closed office national des entry slightly downhill leading sprint best position route reversed reduce speed result crash world cup leader resulted severe leg considered left organisers saying conditions deteriorated safety limits abandoned mines caused sections regional local councils spent adding restore original width metres race continued italian rider said trying road repairs true definition hell dangerous especially kilometre enter unbelievable bike goes directions real spectacle don know necessary impose french rider broke falling start leading said went know knee cap completely turned right ball blood forming leg bone broke able body pain pain wouldn wish surgeon placed big support leg bone moved breaking open break athlete high level going flat tears muscles beats minute heart blood pumped meant leg blood grateful untouched spent month half bed unable fitted section fixed knee head screw fans taken away paris replace second sectors usually graded star difficulty sector includes rise right angled turns year section hardest level difficulty stars crossroads open land route departs westward half series corners irregular second half finishes café restaurant sector proved decisive proximity cumulative difficulty charles final stretch stadium named local rider charles won tour france predicted win race went war returned hero sector created centenary event laying strip smooth new centre wide street plaques race winner giving road official des road giants finish finish original track clinic stands finish points route avenue dairy stadium jean avenue des avenue avenue des horse track avenue avenue des avenue des nations present march race moved current stadium stayed exceptions finish avenue des nations outside offices mail order company sponsored race shower room inside distinctive open sided low walled concrete stalls brass plaque commemorate winner include peter van roger van stand showers actually start preparation year commemorative plaque avenue honours win paris presents technical challenge riders team personnel equipment special frames wheels wider tires brakes dual brake teams disperse personnel course spare wheels equipment help locations accessible team car winner said recent riders experimented second world war tried wooden sort start cycle racing wrapped strips foam 1970s gilbert experimented suspension 1990s riders receive special frames stability comfort different materials ride comfortable tom time frame longer time won race continued use bike longer george frame featuring insert seat stays manufacturers claimed took nearly shock trek bicycle fared aluminum tube snapped crash injuring shoulder bicycle peter van time distance rear axle normal distance hub instead depth instead spaced tyres steel column cut higher usual raise needed start bad roads cause frequent service fleet consisting cars provides riders regardless team equipment company provides coverage said year change fewer wheels wheels tyres getting better better changed wheels today years ago worse choosing tyres better yes job easier race generally goes faster bit pressure year new types gears new aluminium frames new frames getting complex offer neutral service list car riding moment gets flat tyre need think lot things frame carbon frame steel frame controversies wrong broke away small leading group knew couldn finished chased way belgian van tension high crowd heard reached stadium rode track leader ride stepped path check bicycle tax plate attached hard day shouting match broke allowed continue wrong team jean finished seconds ahead belgian moved second trying pass belgian ditch according hit belgian shoulder causing fall historian tour france said riding individual little bike maker got happiness short lived accused having provoked fall broken away disqualified sort hearing important detail belonged powerful team run powerful wrong bike roger disqualified changing second placed rider awarded victory officials discovered bike missing race wrong man belgian appeared win judges declared winner second shouting began stands moment looked fighting start calm returned result upheld belgian won seven wrong route result took months international conferences sort win challenged took wrong course break reached lead officials entered track wrong gate declared winner minutes later riders arrived correct route brother famous won sprint assumed minor protest months named joint winner said est stupid talk break attacked brother gave push away wanted brother win waited bit attacked caught break went going win paris entrance crowds blocking way looked directed round outside wall track team cars park wasn like television chaotic road blocked people said known way track know thing like end paris raced day roads like signalled way way went journalist managed shouting way way turned round road rode beneath outside wall saw gateway went track gateway journalists way went came track proper entrance bunch came won sprint brother told judges object told hadn ridden entire precise course wanted brother big victory great champion protest like victory brother wasn champion champion like low spoke wrong race bernard said winning race times rode finished fourth defending champion criticised said don offices tell people work harder people ask strongest fell seven times race including finish small black dog called ran bend ran wheel clear roger incident angry raced won star refuse called lottery end took seriously riders table start line following year stayed home wrote won far time winner tour year gives winner celebration stone behalf organisers contributed queen classics words contributed indifference stay away fact isn new phenomenon getting worse concerning grown point paris tight group specialists especially capable maintaining high speed wrong place time race contained rare spectacle early morning group held finish kilometres race group unknown riders broke away pack chase race section outside thomas broke away lead group try victory success wasn paris deliver cruel irony entered ran plastic bag flew jammed unable change gears crucial sprint finish got assistance team car remove bag gears change knowing bicycle change chances continued damaged bike continued draft came final sprint watch past victory finished late chasing wrong train peter van disqualified riding closed train crossing finish ahead approaching freight train won tom given remaining places podium know rules yes don understand stopped said followed told minutes going podium disqualified deserved victory second place disqualified crazy belgium stopped train comments american television channel cbs covered paris 1980s promising position win race crashed losing chance winning covered mud offered thoughts race cbs john race race said working like animal don time wet pants riding mud like slipping pile shit asked start race replied sure beautiful race world observations paris rain true paris throw little snow sean kelly paris horrible race ride beautiful win sean kelly let tell huge difference tour flanders paris close day cars kept stuff like completely different best describe like dirt road flew helicopter dropped bunch rocks helicopter paris bad ridiculous chris race suits having good day hand don legs worst place possibly circus don want chris speaking start british les paris les paris friends race enthusiasts group founded jean based france open members world roots paris participants events course petition calling saved gathered signatures jean valleys jean club founded formed les paris photo exhibition paris aim find stretches road preserve nature race roads resurfaced said risk fast race smooth roads won fought hell bernard succeeded says succeeded today association looks maintenance paths legend working local preserve alongside things preserve value race building impressive collection documents holding exhibitions winners holding tours route les says late save sector removed race dangerous state situation critical says section disappearance fatal blow queen classics says association les weather bad riders frequently worse literally march les published account work saturday march cold wind sweeps plain alternating showers hail melted snow cold rain day venture outside foot ridge busy soaked roadway backs bent gusts scratch ground primitive tools dozen souls work gang era treasure hunters members paris trying clean mud earth left farm work important section paris intervention greatest cycling classics held days able come routes paris disappear world sport intense gripping events know weekends race far media officials soon passion drives stronger bad weather current storms cycling world servants queen classics ambition clean stones day comes champion crowned hold trophy high winners records winners year races paris compared famous race tour flanders belgium paris difficult tour flanders contains series hills like addition paris tour flanders called classics spring races like feature extensive related events paris paris raced early summer paris organised club june allows experience finishing laps showers choice levels sectors finishers receive small wooden paris classic challenge organised day pro race april


english tour italy week grand tour cycling stage race took place running took place principally italy stages visited france switzerland kilometre race included stages beginning san mare concluding milan fifteenth race world tour won second teammate took lead stage race finish defence pink jersey awarded winner race doubt injured left shoulder crash sixth stage held lead stages stage caught crash stage caused lose lead took lead following day kilometre individual time trial gained lead minutes rivals despite aggressive riding final week able defend lead finish race second title race finishing second overall won white jersey best young rider week trek factory racing won points competition won mountains classification finished team ranking time team ranking points won classifications winning stage victories teams world tour event seventeen automatically invited obliged send squad professional continental teams given places race sport race organisers italian based teams southeast pro cycling southeast entry race earned victory competed invited despite recent cases team final place awarded polish based team invitation immediately received attention team roster included prominent riders previously served day announcement cycling weekly reported team riders squad race prominent teams applied places unsuccessful colombia rural team presentation took place san evening stage team sent riders race contained riders george bennett withdrawn night race blood test revealed low levels team movement credible cycling allowed start began race riders riders beginning race included riders different countries largest numbers coming italy france belgium netherlands average age riders ranged year old racing team year old southeast pre race favourites winner team chose defend title order focus tour france principal favourite race especially chris team sky successful active grand tour riders chose focus tour skip won attempting win tour season rider achieved double described ambition people remember forever attempt win tour season ended failure finished managed fifth place tour results subsequently removed ban case rider considered likely challenge general classification sky achieved race victories including overall victories paris nice del expected particularly strong individual time trial mountains shown consistent form grand tour recent years doubts ability maintain form week race quick step finished second favourites long individual time trial expected suit finished expected perform described best pure race riders expected challenge higher places included team won tour van den winner winners started edition prominent riders start race included large number prominent including michael expected perform flat stages ability win stages team strength team time trial expected week worn jersey week tom quick step world champion participated time career route stages announcement route came july sport announced begin team time trial san mare coast san route use cycle path start foot climb famous inclusion milan san classic route climb san kept coastline entirely flat stage end italo san following stages announced time second stage mass start stage race suit stage riders small climb come end stage route announcement mid september race director announced return climb madonna time won stage finished climb race lead tested positive expelled race route announcement milan october event attended riders expected participate additional stage included route new stage stage stage additional stage hilly long flat section finish summit finish race came second category climb end stage flat stage followed hilly stage longest stage kilometres took riders south coast inland southern race entered mountains stages stage summit finish stage included mountains hills followed race rest day rest day included transfer adriatic coast subsequent stages took riders coast immediately rest day relatively flat stages included hills end followed race individual time trial kilometres length longest time trials recent years began kilometres flat roads followed rolling roads finish line time trial came stage madonna included difficult climbs followed second rest day final week race began stage crossed difficult way finish category climb cycling weekly described year blockbuster stage followed stages race took italy time crossed switzerland finish consecutive days high mountains eighteenth stage race started switzerland switzerland took riders difficult difficult descent finish consecutive summit finishes final stage largely ceremonial flat stage finish milan highest climb known penultimate stage metres sea level general climbs lower previous years following controversy crossing race organisers tried transfers stages shorter race overview stage team time trial won simon rider cross line leader race second seven seconds slower best placed rider general classification favourites gained seconds seconds won sprint stage took lead points classification michael finished seventh stage moved extended lead winning stage sprint reduced group particular concern stage crashed descent abandoned race taken hospital fourth stage won early raced aggressively second stage significant pressure general classification riders lost seconds appeared weak support lost minutes simon clarke took lead race clarke australian rider team lead stage summit finish won rider time jan attacked final climb won minute general classification favourites attacked final climb attack followed joined teammate gained time riders clarke lost minutes lost new leader race seconds ahead ahead lead came threat following day stage won sprint finish large crash final metres caused spectator leaning crash barriers camera collided caused large number riders crash riders crash finished stage time treated shoulder injury team doctor unable leader jersey podium despite suffering injury started finished following day stage won sprint finish diego retained race lead continued troubled injury stage finished climb stage won day early attacked final climb rode hard pressure riders eventually group formed attacked finished second stage seconds ahead riders moved fifth place overall increased lead winning bonus seconds intermediate sprint stage won rider took solo victory group end stage came finish took second sprint moved seconds following day rest day race rest day stage won rider victory small group large group including finished suffered mechanical problem final kilometres unable regain contact main group despite assistance teammates michael fellow australian lost seconds general classification favourites stage revealed given assistance australian rider simon clarke clarke seen waiting assistance given wheels illegal rules prohibit non regulation assistance rider team given minute time penalty dropped twelfth place minutes moving place stage won attacked day kilometres finish line rode solo finish general classification favourites finished stage finished short steep climb won gilbert finished second win bonus seconds lead extended lost seconds climb lost lead following day stage won bunch sprint kilometres finish line large crash delayed large number riders riders delayed crash lost seconds took race lead caught crash lost minutes stage individual time trial won sky finished stage nearly minutes ahead moved race lead passed road despite starting minutes lost minutes fell seventh place overall moved stage final stage second week climb madonna won stage rode hard final climb finished seconds ahead moved fourth place finished second ahead extended lead bonus seconds place finish lost minutes weekend following crash stage withdrew race stage rest day won second consecutive stage suffered foot penultimate climb point nearly minute caught attacked able follow attack final climb attacked won stage seconds ahead lost nearly minutes moved second place minutes won second stage following day sprint finish trek factory racing moving lead points classification gilbert won second stage stage escaping early day attacking kilometres finish solo victory increased lead caught crash ordered team attack suggested revenge attack stage attacked cooperation gained minute rivals second minutes seconds stage consecutive summit finishes stage won attacked early final climb content let riders pace chasing group finished minute finished group moved ahead second place overall won stage final difficult stage isolated teammates early day climbs roads climb gravel attacked point unable follow struggling riders group attacked minute summit ahead foot final climb ordered team wait hope working riders time win attacked final kilometres final climb won stage seconds despite losing minutes retained race lead final stage flat stage ending laps circuit milan expected affect general classification bunch sprint likely conclusion attack finishing circuit quick step luke minute lead able stay away finish won sprint pair stage victory finished leading group secure overall victory minutes ahead won overall winning stage victories classification leadership different awarded important general classification calculated adding rider finishing times stage riders received time bonuses finishing places stage excluding team time trial individual time trial rider lowest cumulative time awarded pink jersey considered winner additionally points classification riders won points finishing stage flat stages award points mountainous stages meaning classification tends favour addition points won intermediate winner points classification won red jersey mountains classification points awarded reaching climb race climb categorized second fourth category points available higher categorized climbs race highest point elevation awards points category climbs metres fourth jersey represented young rider classification decided way general classification riders born january eligible winner classification awarded white jersey classifications teams fast team classification times best team stage added leading team team lowest total time super team team points classification placed riders stage earning points place second place single point 20th team notes stage second young riders classification wore white jersey michael place wore pink jersey leader general classification stage stage second young riders classification wore white jersey place wore pink jersey leader general classification stage final standings


paris paris day classic cycling race took place april northern france edition paris tenth race world tour monument season race took place kilometres principal difficulty provided sectors roads cover total distance kilometres difficult conditions caused earned race hell north came end classics season week tour flanders favourites included winner race peter trek tom quick step race hard beginning major attacks kilometres finish held crashes rider group formed final kilometres despite attacks closing race came sprint won ahead team sky route route paris significantly changed edition slightly longer kilometres sectors roads included addition route sector sections including difficult renovated despite race start paris started kilometres north travelled generally north main difficulty came sectors total distance kilometres race organisers gave sectors difficulty rating star sectors difficult star sector easiest kilometres generally flat normal roads sector coming following kilometres sectors star sector english trench kilometres length riders turned times sectors route heading north riders crossed sectors rated star star difficulty way star sector kilometre road end sector kilometres finish line seven sectors final star sector kilometre end kilometres finish line included sectors star sectors final star sector route entered route ended riders enter half way round ride half laps metre circuit complete race maps maps paris route sectors shown green sectors teams paris world tour event world teams invited automatically obliged send squad february race organisers announced seven professional continental teams received completing team team allowed enter riders maximum size team submit seven riders team failed start race race began riders pre race favourites recent editions paris won ways seven previous editions won riders solo recent editions won small group riders finish paris riders john giant won sprint unable defend title edition injuries sustained collision car winter training van racing team finished unable start race breaking crash tour flanders previous week principal favourites win race peter trek reigning world champion won tour flanders monument raced roads solo able win group sprint best previous result paris sixth place finish won race previous occasions finished occasions racing final paris announcing retire end season main rivals classics races career tom quick step won paris occasions past strong form season struggled wrist injury tour flanders team strong possible winners race possible winners included tour flanders alexander team boom team sky team dimension data race summary high speed start race groups attempting form chased main initial group riders caught kilometres start group briefly held second lead recaptured attacks total kilometres riders group group sixteen riders attacked built lead despite efforts quick step teams chase riders arrived sectors sky took protect riders advantage increased minutes reduced fourteen riders riders direct trek tim sky van dimension data daniel team notable presence announced race career finished tour flanders week earlier having early kilometres completed kilometres remaining crash eighth sector quick step immediately sent tony martin van group accelerated hard caused group split group included chasing group riders group gap second chasing groups quickly grew minute thanks particular martin work spent kilometres group martin effort reduced group riders riders dropped reached break minute lead chasing group group seconds group minute making efforts group try bring chase group kilometres remaining group merged forming man group seconds group alexander dropped group containing following kilometres attacked solo trek rode hard bring teammate seconds chasing group brought rest group dropped help group kilometres remaining sector group caught remainder formed group riders led team sky seconds ahead group worked hard second group road shortly group disrupted team sky riders group crashed corners leaving team rider leading group kilometres remaining seconds lead group riders crossed star crashed muddy section slipping crown road riding immediately managed hop foot bike continued pursuit lead group able continue race rejoined group crash incident cycling weekly described manoeuvre unbelievable bike handling rejoined leading group cycling form man leading group led group minute kilometres remaining tired coming crash agreed work fully strong effort kilometres remaining dropped formed chase group man group formed sector riders remaining big attack briefly significant gap riders brought section attacked kilometres remaining metres advantage group able come final kilometres attacked times attacks accelerated past riders came joining soon metre lap remaining rejoined group led sprint wheel came outside able come crossed line victory second finished fourth place seconds fifth place chase group finished minute seven seconds finish ninth group arrived minutes direct tenth place result post race analysis reactions race given widespread praise bernard won race described magnificent particularly praised quick step aggression long way finish describing kind exist seen long time similarly manager team winner race described beautiful race great quality praised fine winner described epic battle day racing absolute best cycling journalist daniel lloyd tweeted best races seen david wrote exhausting watching race described reaction disbelief broken arm crash beginning classics season barely raced race began said realised riders superior failed away closing kilometres stated paid team manager described professional suggested helped good preparation motivation combined lack expectation called incredible ride praised victory said rider looking ridden good sprint energy left faded final metres boxed track stated received text message morning race doctor treated fractured skull tour doctor said day race day able bike noted couldn won race described race close far thought managed better result place attacked final kilometres said super happy win said steps work way finished final paris 40th place seven minutes said sad happy hospital happy finished hurting crashing race crashed said happy described race crazy day said lucky crashed race point described paris hard win world tour standings world tour season long competition standings remained relatively unchanged race points ahead moved eighth fifth moved tenth place remained ahead team sky team rankings nations rankings australia moved lead belgium moving second pushing spain


edition cycling grand tours began prologue race came close mass start road stage stretched con milan teams entered race won italian discovery channel team second italian riders led race occasions gained lead thirteenth stage led australian lancaster won race opening prologue lost lead day gained race lead separate times took leader race days lost lead held lead race conclusion having previously won general classification nineteenth rider repeat winner classifications race awarded quick step team won points classification colombia rider won mountains classification italian won classification finished winners fast team classification ranking teams race lowest cumulative time team classification super team classification teams riders awarded points placing stage points totaled team won teams teams invited race organizers participate edition teams teams colombia wild card teams invited organizers team sent squad riders meant race started riders began race finish milan teams entering race route stages route unveiled race director january milan contained time trial events individual organizers divided remaining eighteen stages categories flat stages medium mountain stages mountain stages stages declared flat stages stages remaining stages designated medium mountain stages ranked mountain stages stages containing categorized climbs summit finishes stage alto stage stage stage organizers chose include rest day compared previous year race race longer contained rest day individual time trial event addition races contained prologue open race fifteenth originally intended start poor weather conditions start moved villa stage shortened route originally riders crossing mountain located outside original start bad weather base climb organizers forced exclude pass race overview began prologue streets event won australian lancaster won second margin second placed rider competing rider took course famed mario took course final farewell announcing retirement days stage came bunch sprint managed win stage victory took overall lead race second stage ended sprint finish won saw race lead stage saw distance group riders broke free finish ahead win stage race lead fell hands fourth stage closed sprint finish italian won later disqualified judges saw caused fellow fall gave stage victory second place finisher seventh stage saw succeed liberty rider took downhill stage win regained lead race time gaps widened climb placed shortly finish stage individual time trial won american david managed place tenth overall maintain race leader pink jersey general classification contenders gained valuable seconds won stage means bunch sprint general classification remained largely stage took place rest day stage came bunch sprint won australian captured second stage win stage big mountain stage began eventually swept climb day attacked remaining stage able pace raced alto won sprint line claimed race lead twelfth stage race downhill lone categorized climb san stage ultimately came field sprint won thirteenth stage saw succeed beat fellow members stage win claimed overall lead lost minute suffering problem stage stage contained climbs lesser severity struck winning stage minutes second place finisher lost time illness general classification contenders gained valuable seconds race leader fifteenth stage start moved villa route shortened poor weather conditions stage scheduled mountain pass exclusion earlier portion stage route relatively flat led stage ending bunch sprint won second rest day riders began stage sixteen containing eighteen men got away managed stay away length stage fellow members win stage earn professional victory race seventeenth stage contained summit finish final climb day race headed lead group contained race leader general classification favorites managed slip away left climb win stage stage individual time trial stretched team won stage seconds russian penultimate stage featured summit finish race leader trouble stage lead jeopardy final climb received aid riders finish minutes stage winner lead seconds second placed rider twentieth final stage came ended bunch sprint streets milan italian edged robert win stage won second crossing finish 24th place stage success stages limited competing teams achieved multiple stage victories individual riders won multiple stages riders won stages stages stages stages stages won stages lancaster prologue stage won stages won stages team won stages david stage time trial stages won stages colombia won stages stages stage quick step liberty discovery channel won stage quick step won stage rest field liberty rider won stage means long discovery channel won stage second attack rider stage classification leadership different worn leader general classification calculated adding stage finish times rider allowing time bonuses finishers mass start stages wore pink jersey classification important race winner considered winner points classification awarded purple jersey leader given points finishing stage additional points won intermediate green jersey awarded mountains classification leader ranking points won reaching summit climb ahead climb ranked second category points available higher category climbs race highest point elevation awarded points category climbs rider cross colombia classification marked blue jersey calculation similar general classification stage midway point riders pass point time stopped race goes times compiled person lowest time leader classification wears blue jersey jersey awarded classification teams stage finish times best team added leading team lowest total time classification teams classification fast team classification times best team stage added leading team team lowest total time super team team points classification placed riders stage earning points place second place single point 20th team rows following table correspond awarded stage run final standings minor classifications known classifications leaders receive special jersey awarded awards included classification compilation points gained position crossing intermediate mountain passes stage finishes won classification classification based finishing order points awarded finishers stage won classification classification rewarded riders took head field rider escape fewer riders getting point kilometre group stayed clear classification won teams given penalty points minor technical mobile team successful avoiding penalties shared leadership fair play classification


season season cycling team began january tour ended october team automatically invited obliged attend event changed drastically seasons manager replaced dissolved discovery channel pro cycling team following riders team including finished respectively tour france discovery numerous riders left team including alexander tested positive team biggest successes overall victories team barred competing tour france year events organized sport organisation unable defend championship year team competitive season nearing end lance armstrong announced planned return competitive cycling year absence armstrong team manager seven tour france victories speculation immediately armstrong sign comeback eventually team roster ages january day races spring classics admission aim classics team participated march 31st best placed rider 7th gold race proved team best results season spring races competed brussels tour flanders rider place higher 13th ban imposed sport organisation participating races organized team compete milan san paris races team caliber normally march earned team lone day victory spring season winning sprint finish van hart fall races team entered san august 26th highest placed finisher like riders event rode preparation road cycling events olympic games took paris del september october obtain place higher 11th august took spots los race rode preparation final race season successful season attaining fourth podium finish day race year broken away field kilometers left race win event won sprint second reacted won race chris highly placed event finishing seventh stage races attended tour time year event team competitive event fifth place sprint finish stage aaron best stage result led teams classification stage team best placed rider final overall classification ranked 31st team attended tour california february team leader event defending champion team discovery assumed race lead stage having worked rider robert gain time claiming stage win overall lead lead winning individual time trial days later held win tour second straight year tour california ongoing sent squad claiming win stage victor early march queen stage stage refused race weather safety conditions team paris nice stage race race discovery channel participated year team win stage finished event final podium entered squad thought greatly squads entered teams won opening time trial mountainous fourth stage route winning race overall showed finishing seconds winning time time trial falling stage rode support finish fourth overall april team achieved great success winning opening stage seven categorized climbs final individual time trial win race overall tour country presidential cycling tour turkey event won stage points classification later month team sent squad headed chris tour georgia win stage took overall fourth team greatly successful tour later month maxim winning stages race overall concurrent team win stage second stage closest result win teams classification tour june entered defending champion considered favorites team win stage finish podium won prologue time trial later month wound finishing overall race took second overall tour later june following month raced riders event cascade cycling classic able overall win largely thanks convincing victory stage time trial day won stage tour austria later month won tour winning stage team sent squads tour tour ain tour ireland tour obtain stage win classification win podium finish grand tours invited days race began sport organizers went decision exclude extended late invitation change heart partly contingent participating race having thought months prior compete riders planned break tour italy actually beach called tell team headed team lay low race week half fourth sprint stage fifth stage maxim stages showed strongly stage individual time trial missing stage win seconds seconds winning time moving eighth fourth overall classification high mountain stage italian alps saw rise second overall seconds race leader day finished minutes ahead took race leader pink jersey main rival point gained seconds day overall lead slightly short time trial stage stayed trouble stages stages contenders finished long mountainous stage saw time late attacks jersey found effected day losing minutes falling contention finished separated seconds entering stage time trial unable challenge finale finishing stage losing close minutes 11th team won stage took overall victory general classification entered big favorite win overall title complete career sweep grand tours actually began disappointment 8th place finish stage team time trial bank thought win staying trouble stages won stage individual time trial fourth seconds gave race leader golden jersey margin seconds lead intended defend day team drove catch morning stage bonus seconds intermediate jersey stage rest day longest contained numerous mountain climbs difficult consistent downfall rain cold temperatures marked competition finished stage fifth respectively maintain high overall regained race lead day essentially default won difficult stage quickly faded stage work race lead included sufficient time took golden jersey day local newspapers criticized bank tried pull choice defend jersey unable force hand reacted assumption race lead gift manager following stages won test riders legendary alto stage morning afforded minutes dropped ascent called difficult climb professional cycling support riders leading group going climb alternately tried set protect competition left pace conclusion climb reached hardest kilometers finish went win stage took race lead added stage win day respond repeated attacks won sprint general classification finished stages friendly stage time trial finish time trial won convincingly minute winning time ride seconds time final stage flat largely ceremonial akin stage tour france stood final result winning complete career triple won combination classification white jersey minor controversy followed alleged team player ride stage time trial aim winning apparently decided team leader team firmly chosen leader race began away competition exclusion races february announced sport organisation invite races season included tour france paris nice numerous day races decision previous seasons chief scandals blood alexander tour france team reacted surprise disappointment particularly ban punish team longer existed result able defend tour france championship dismissal june team fired irregular values given internal check program run proprietor noted anti system previously team values confirm taken indication firing caused removed russia team olympic games originally intended sue team time olympics september began appeal firing case eventually reaching court arbitration sport june ruled wrong dismissal ordered team pay lost wages legal fees damages return lance armstrong seven time tour france winner lance armstrong revealed interview vanity_fair magazine published september intended return competitive cycling years retirement aside trying win eighth tour france goal raise public awareness money cancer research ride salary speculated immediately armstrong return team headed armstrong sporting director seven tour france victories team denied plans sign armstrong commented days later ongoing spoken armstrong return imagine riding team september armstrong signed armstrong return received asserted earned right team leader said consider leaving team relegated role supporting armstrong team gave assurances offseason remain team leader remained team controversy fact team leader lasted tour france season victories


tour france tour france edition tour france cycling grand tours started belgian city june finished paris july tour consisted race stages including opening prologue covered total distance prologue race stages took place belgium stage finished switzerland bradley team sky won overall general classification british rider win tour teammate chris placed second race leader yellow jersey worn week won prologue second prologue took leadership race stage seven mountainous stage won maintained lead remainder race winning longest time trials losing time main overall title mountains came second long time trials alongside mountainous stages points classification won teammate peter won stages team sky rider mark won stages team thomas winner mountain stages won mountains classification racing team van fifth place overall won young rider classification team classification won chris bank bank given award rider teams teams participated edition tour france eighteen entitled obliged enter race april tour sport organisation announced second tier professional continental teams given dutch based french presentation teams team roster introduced media local dignitaries took place outside prince bishops palace belgium june days opening stage held city number riders allowed squad resulting start list total riders riders began race crossed finish line paris riders came countries france spain netherlands italy belgium germany australia riders race average rider age year old youngest rider year old senior youngest team oldest teams entering race pre race favourites according observers race favourite general classification bradley closest rivals thought evans racing team winner serving suspension start tour winner runner andy able recover injury suffered riders considered outsiders general classification sharp samuel van den tony martin quick step team quick step team robert highest finishes grand tour fourth tour later promoted lance armstrong result shown form season winning general classifications stage races paris nice tour time thought rider suited race course tour winner evans came illness earlier season win day international place winner shown form season winning stage race considered favourites points classification wins bunch sprint finishes mark team sky matthew peter world road race champion defending points classification winner support team sky focus general classification ambitions won stage race thirteen days start tour backing team shown form season thirteen victories second world championships new sprint leader team win year equal wins came tour california tour won stages tour route stages october announced host edition grand tour opening stages details stages held belgium event city prince bishops palace november time grand outside france hosted location twice occasion entire route race accidentally published website october days official presentation des paris clash start olympics end july tour moved forward week earlier usual opening prologue stage left city finish second stage took place race moved north west france stage ended coastal city sur fourth ending fifth saint stage took race east seventh ending mountains stage entered switzerland finish return france saw stage place arc stages went alps taking tour mediterranean_sea cap stage fourteen moved race east transitional stage taking western mountain range eighteen stage south country air transfer took race north east finish stage paris stages race covering total distance shorter tour longest race stage twelfth stage shortest race featured total individual time trials summit finishes stage des stage les stage col grand alps included time english category rated climbs race rest days stage race overview opening prologue stage won bradley quick step placed second respectively seven seconds faster claimed yellow jersey leader general classification green jersey leader points classification stage large group riders reached ending climb attacked followed peter team sky won sprint finish summit michael bank bank took dot jersey leader mountains classification stage won mark bunch sprint finish belgium taking green jersey stage france saw win crossing finish line comfortable margin short steep climb sur fourth ended bunch sprint won crash remaining took contention bunch finish came stage victorious sixth stage won field sprint stage seven altitude day riders caught remaining final climb des select group teammate chris evans pulled clear final kilometre evans attacked countered win stage dot jersey lost minutes day surrendered yellow jersey fifth british rider wear jersey david eighth stage saw rider attack reduced break final climb col solo finish switzerland taking victory margin seconds rider took stage individual time trial taken seconds second moved overall day rest day tour tenth stage classified mountainous col grand broke apart rider leaving small group contest finish sur thomas team claimed stage win dot jersey mountain stage followed day saw large break crossed climbs col col caught chasing group containing overall contenders number attacks followed team escaped took win les ski resort group overall contenders followed seconds later evans absent dropped second fourth overall minutes took lead mountains classification stage large formed later reduced riders col stayed finish kilometer remaining david sharp escaped victory closely followed jean transitional stage came bunch sprint finish cap took win second stage fourteenth large escaped point amassed lead minutes remaining riders final climb attacked ascent remaining finish main group passed race large number riders suffered tyre carpet evans waited minute replacement wheel descent forced wait evans return group stage ran foothills rider finish christian sharp escaped won sprint finish following day tour second rest day sixteenth stage race entered high mountains queen stage crossing climbs col col followed category climbs col col completing called circle death rider crossed attacked took stage win margin minute seconds stage victory maximum points lead mountains classification came seven minutes evans lost minutes trio falling fourth seventh general classification final stage number leading group containing overall contenders moved clear port held lead summit finish ski resort group attacked rivals finish nineteen seconds later came seventh eighteen following stage riders caught finishing straight head chasing taking victory ahead matthew respectively secured general classification penultimate stage individual time trial place second minute sixteen seconds thirty final stage won fourth consecutive stage stage win race finished race british rider win tour france finished minutes seconds clear teammate placed minutes nineteen seconds won points classification total ahead second mountains classification points ahead second placed best young rider racing team rider van followed respectively finished winners team classification minutes seconds ahead second placed team sky classification leadership main individual classifications contested tour france team competition important general classification calculated adding rider finishing times stage rider accumulated time race leader identified yellow jersey winner classification considered winner tour crash happened final stage including time trials summit finishes riders involved received time group crash occurred time bonuses given edition tour points classification leader identified green jersey riders received points finishing highest placed stage finish intermediate stage points available stage finish determined ranking scale changes mountains classification points awarded riders reached difficult climbs second fourth category points available higher climbs overall leader wore dot jersey double points awarded summit finishes stages young rider classification denoted white jersey calculated way general classification classification restricted riders born january team classification calculated finishing times best riders team stage team time trial leading team team lowest cumulative time number stage victories team determined outcome tie riders team lead classification identified yellow number time tour history leading wore yellow helmets addition award given stage rider considered jury greatest effort demonstrated best qualities winner wore red number following stage conclusion tour chris won overall super award total awarded cash prizes race overall winner general classification received second placed riders getting respectively finishers race awarded money holders classifications benefited stage lead final winners points mountains given best young rider rider got team prizes available team time trial winners team classification special awards prize given rider pass memorial summit col stage sixteen given rider pass summit highest climb tour col stage thomas won final standings world tour rankings race eighteenth events world tour riders competing individually points contributed rankings points awarded finishers general classification finishers stage moved lead individual ranking dropping second points chris moved 52nd 6th team sky retained lead team ranking ahead spain remained leaders nations ranking italy second


known born june australian track tony won tandem event summer olympics melbourne unusually tall strongly built little formal training won australian title mile event team early promptly won tandem event national championships earn national selection pair eliminated losing races given soviet_union pair hospitalised crash forced withdraw unbeaten progressed unlikely olympic gold combination broken olympics retired won mile event national titles went win event british_empire commonwealth games went compete olympics tandem event times new partners times eliminated round oldest track represent australia olympics age won national titles age tandem event overlooked olympic selection australian officials retired later involved cycling administration early years born melbourne alex second brothers father printer took elementary education chatham public school moving box hill high school later took university education royal melbourne institute technology university worked sunshine laboratory assistant age graduated took job state electricity commission worked years continuously riding bicycle work daily journey learned ride bicycle age enter formal cycling competition age joined amateur cycling club habit riding training ordinary bike heavy wheels club carrying lighter racing tyres changing tyres arrival earned extra money fund bicycle upgrade working newspaper boy little formal coaching club learned individual application watching copying club mates raced saturdays trained sundays success major competition won mile australian championships team tony start months start melbourne olympics risen prominence winning time trial australian championships prompting select partner based raw speed final test run formally committing racing pair simply tandem track sitting seat contrasting pair short man stood unusually tall pair went win metre tandem event australian championships going melbourne olympics included regarded realistic medal chances mentor champion billy convinced potential progress international level training schedule consisted individual training times week days week coordinated tandem training olympic year main tactical responsibility look outside impending attacks patrolled inside devised signal system head bump hip verbal shout opposition olympic gold nations entered tandem competition round drawn germany south_africa fielded silver pairing tom ray robinson summer olympics australians early led ringing bell start lap overhauled line faded final straight given chance round later day australians lead quarters distance overhauled opponent final metres defeated photo finish normally meant australians eliminated final soviet_union germans resulted resulting heavy pile teams finished race soviets hospitalised cycling officials decided bruised germans forced compete sequel previous qualify allowed united_states australians australians seized good fortune set fastest time date seconds having beaten twice leading australians sat sweeping past injured germans americans final lap australia drawn south_africa quarter final defeated easily heats time fastest team competition final progress final faced italy appeared control start final lap moved alongside australians half laps australians surprised start final lap italians came pull level start straight australians held pulled away win length half italians lodged protest interference dismissed australians finished time later claimed convinced performance win gold medal final took place day racing australians came conclusion wheels tyres heavy sought buy better cycling equipment defeated germans germans agreed saying win gold medal australia pitted reasons australia return form return role assisted national championships assigned coach olympics regarded marketing style attempted psychological boost equipped new machines employed tactical trick devised australian staff noticed final burst certain point finish final australian team manager bill young stood said point australian led came point pulled upwards pre blocked expected attack helped attack australia went win gold medal later career following olympics retired went win individual mile race australian championships went british_empire commonwealth games cardiff wales sprint won mile race collect gold medal intended retire returning cardiff lure second olympics proved won tandem smith australian championships selected summer olympics rome repeat triumph melbourne pair eliminated second australian older represented nation cycling oldest male represent australia olympics continued british_empire commonwealth games perth western_australia unable win gold home crowd finishing bronze sprint won tandem event australian championships combining new partner pair went summer olympics tokyo beat mark oldest represent australia olympics age time australians eliminated quarter final continued compete national level successfully defending tandem title time new partner gordon johnson won fifth final tandem australian championship johnson australian overlooked instead selecting clarke partner johnson tandem summer olympics mexico_city ending career regarded intelligent meticulous athlete known logical somewhat introspective style approach sport felt raw speed match likes cox dick selection australia sprint team suited long road races instead focusing medium length track racing typically rider tandem races liking control regarded behaved careful scholarly manner known higher levels performance younger partners respected technical knowledge tandem success attributed vast experience cycling retirement continued involvement sport vast experience serve sport administrator served vice president victorian amateur cycling association strongly advocated use handicap system racing believing improve standard racing improve australia success rate age married primary school teacher children girl boys


tour france tour france fourth tour france second use point system taking place july total race distance kilometres run stages winner averaging kilometres hour mph new year mountain climbs central like predecessors cheating sabotage taking place competitors disqualified taking trains spectators threw nails road stop taking big lead stages free plagued chances dominated entire race changes tour france tour happy increased length tour france decided stages version introduction mountain stages successful year included central increased length possible follow borders france perimeter closely followed points system tour france successful reducing cheating tour organisers tour france changes time differences effect points distribution time differences points given order finished winner stage received point second rider points eighth stage remaining results stages remaining points remaining riders accordance positions stages stage ended second stage started time stage start previous stage ended time tour went outside france second stage germany germany visited tour saw introduction red flame red flag indicates kilometre participants signed race came start winner tour france belgian later winner german rest french louis winner tour france present riders grouped teams sponsor allowed work race started expected divided categories sur machines riders category allowed change advantage mountains use bicycle lower gears sponsors enthusiastic entering category learned commercial advantage starting category average french citizen identify half started category including pre favourites race details previous years spectators tried assist preferred riders trying opponents stage nails thrown road stage won sprint second stage shown climbing abilities previous edition aimed victory stopped kilometres mechanical failure lost minutes main contenders worked stay away chased kilometres caught kilometres finish left winning stage margin minutes rest stage disqualified taking train real mountain tour france previous year featured year mounted stage won minutes ahead rest won fourth stage fifth stage leading hour halfway point cycling legend says decided stop entered bar ordered bottle wine drank completely saw passing mounted bicycle went won stage point leading overall classification firmly winner tour france louis bad half tour points rediscovered form second half race won 7th 9th 10th 11th stages challenging second place defended position winning 12th stage stage showed strength winning stage finishing paris results stage results 13th stage race followed timed exhibition laps paris result counted overall classification winner finished metres general classification entered tour france showed start finished stage number active quickly fell stage stage stage point points given stages remaining riders accordance positions stages end tour france finished grouped teams sponsor allowed work classifications winner machines category organising newspaper auto named unofficial title precursor mountains classification aftermath tour organisers changes rules route race worked tour france revised points system kept form changed little bit replaced time system introduced indicate final kilometre stage kept use defend title tour france commit suicide discovering wife affair riding tour start tour duel overall victory won honor achievements monument placed mountain


day classic cycling race took place northern germany august 20th edition day cycling race race world tour race started kiel ended hamburg course mainly flat race generally suits defending champion alexander team despite attacks late race outcome decided sprint finish pre race favourite giant dropped final climb mark quick step caught crash kilometres remaining started sprint able follow come past victory day world tour race finishing second place taken trek factory racing route background world tour race held germany season celebrate twentieth anniversary race organizers picked new route starting board ferry harbour kiel heading southwesterly direction hamburg overall distance shortened kilometres previous year kilometres final kilometers inside city remained finish line course largely flat kilometres gradient climbed times ascent came kilometres left ride second kilometres kilometres respectively race director said course race profile appear suitable ultimately won types great rider exactly kind race needed balanced world tour came germany midst renaissance german cycling latest successes country interest sport series setbacks past stricken years time german public broadcaster decided provide live footage race route kiel hamburg chosen boost cities joint bid summer olympics time race run announced extend sponsorship energy provider significant role establishment race earlier event forced search new sponsor provide estimated euro previously supplied race budget teams automatically entered obliged send team race professional continental teams invited teams entered riders meaning riders took course pre race favourites given nature course large number sprint specialists came race including local favourites giant came having recently won career best stages tour france stage win tour rode captain giant teammate winner john went compete returned competition illness week earlier tour winning stage race support teammates gave hope local fans german victory event renamed german winner coming race carrying good form tour france seen likely contender race victory racing team considered ambitions win race attack tony martin quick step deemed distinct possibility martin race broke wearing yellow jersey tour france main non german favourites win previous year winner alexander team mark quick step came disappointing tour france count support teammates mark tom preparing road world championships late september won race competing winner riders contention victory ben swift team sky michael samuel trek factory racing aimed odds sprint finish named captain sam bennett named strong outsider race report shortly left ferry kiel harbour early formed including jan alex team martin cult energy pro cycling group able establish lead minutes controlled pace field day quick step joined respective team captains kilometres finish lead group broken left lead minute kilometres left ride joined road race world champion gilbert racing team cycling leading half minute finish caught escape group field riders set ride race victory late attack came cult energy pro cycling julian quick step unable build significant gap kilometres favourite dropped field ascend ruling contention mark involved crash kilometres sprint trains fought lead field touched wheels rider brought ground able continue eventually finished unable compete victory finish line victory decided bunch sprint open sprint able claim win day world tour race italian rider claimed trek factory racing results


born march nicknamed swiss professional road bicycle trek born switzerland began road cycling falling love old bike age thirteen began sport seriously won consecutive world junior time trial championships age nineteen turned professional signed quick step team rode known quality time classics specialist teammates general classification aspirations winning stages small races starting years earned major victory tour france won opening prologue time trial wore race leader yellow jersey day following season saw fewer victories season saw victory men time trial road world championships victory paris repeated world champion time trial year winning stages tour france calendar won gold summer olympics individual time trial event milan san season saw world time trial champion lead tour france won paris tour flanders campaigns short number victories hampered injuries lackluster year period won tour flanders paris double repeated winner tour flanders turning professional ridden professional teams achieved great success classics won paris times milan san tour flanders times won opening stage tour france times led race days total rider won tour success limited time trials classics won general classification tour tour won gold individual time trial silver men road race summer olympics addition time trial world champion times career early life amateur career born march switzerland italian parents discovered cycling age falling love old family bike found garage immediately gave football concentrate cycling addition excelled cross country skiing youth cycling skills began early age impressed time dominated swiss junior cycling swiss national junior team coach quoted saying head shoulders time trials won junior world time trial championship age came second world time trial championship professional career beginning years second place finish time trial championship turned professional quick step strongest teams world time rode quick step team late joining team season member young riders project victory professional came prologue tour rhodes won overall final general classification team split formations regulations team riders iii youth group develop young talents joined riders including michael rogers head firm later said interview sport took way junior category team order let avoid category suggested worse professionals said going future seasons time skills great effect winning individual time trials total victories rise following folding quick step end season joined work lead man victory came tour helped lead squad victory race final stage team time trial april raced classic tour flanders finished place minutes winner success came brief kilometres prologue tour consistent finisher race won points classification tour won stage individual time trial tour belgium margin seconds second place finisher final victory season came tour prologue beat oscar little second win earned victory tour won race fourth stage attacking final kilometers race riders able pace win stage victory came stage won opening stage bunch sprint calendar tour flanders crossed line 42nd place little minutes winner weekend raced paris second time showed great form race member man group reach finish line lost sprint line crossed line fourth success came tour won stage individual time trial fourteen seconds second place finisher went win second swiss national time trial championship late june success came tour france won prologue belgian city took race leader lost lead second stage participate time trial road race road world championships performed time trial came eighth place finished minutes winner entered men road race days later finish course victory season came paris nice won fourth stage fellow member stage win won race final stage individual time trial seven seconds american tom raced tour flanders finished 42nd overall minutes winner tom weekend race paris finished eighth place flat tire killed chances winning race victory came tour won stage individual time trial finished tour time winner given second overall organizers tour won swiss national time trial championship time started tour france win stages race tour rode finished fourth place amidst bunch sprint race win competed road race time trial road world championships finished place time trial event missed silver second place medal second days later finished road race place minutes winner classic win team disbanded cycling season signed year contract team tour france victory new team came stage individual time trial raced milan san finished time winner places week later lined start figured early led race good distance caught ultimately finishing 37th place tour flanders finished sixth overall lead chase group pursuit winner tom second place finisher weekend rode final classic season paris leading group riders stage race reached powered away fellow riders went win race classic victory victory came stage individual time trial late june won straight swiss national time trial champion title selected ride team tour france outside repeating time trial champion june quiet june july victories season came won second stage took race lead riding solo victory expanded lead winning stage fifth time trial eighteen seconds second placed finisher day won race completing final stage addition race general classification won youth classification later month rode helped team opening team time trial competed elite men time trial road race road world championships september won men time trial event minute american david world champion time trial discipline days later finished road race 31st place success summer autumn early portion campaign began victories credit started tour california came closest stage win stage time trial finished fourth place finished place milan san minutes winner week lined race missed victory belgian rider tom edged win days later raced tour flanders came 53rd place moves successful classic raced season famed paris finished 19th place slow start season began achieve success june rode tour won opening time trial final stage time trial opening stage victory tour led race stages losing teammate stage continued success time trial victory swiss national time trial won prologue tour france london defeating thirteen seconds stage caught large crash brought estimated thirty riders crossed finish line nursing left hand appeared fine yellow jersey presentation day won stage caught overtook group metres finish line held yellow jersey stage seven tour mountain stage returned road world championships september aims defend time trial crown achieved goal won time trial seconds second place finisher days later raced road race finish course olympic champion won prologue tour california ahead olympic track gold medalist bradley race season weeks later won second edition italian ahead italian rider rode won stage time trial allowed race lead win race sixteen seconds second place rider days later milan san classic monument race broke away leading group final kilometres win race second swiss rider triumphant race paris finished second winner preparation second half season rode tour tour won prologue tour briefly held overall lead victory finishing tour started tour saw great success won seventh ninth stages attacks closing kilometers stage addition stage wins won points classification joined team tour france proved valuable asset squad helped teammate overall victory tour later awarded stage win penultimate stage initial winner tested positive olympic road race beijing chasing group attacked successfully gap leading group left race race came sprint finish won samuel coming second coming bronze medal later found tested positive continuous generation form medal removed subsequently promoted second place initial fourth place finisher promoted place riders initially receive new medals new december received physical medal initially given ceremony held hometown switzerland bronze given days racing road race raced time trial event won gold medal winning race thirty seconds swedish rider finishing olympics decided defend world time trial title mental fatigue success road season named swiss male athlete year credit sports awards domination time trial victory season came prologue tour california second victory row prologue tour california returned injury prevented efforts repeat winner event finish sixth stage race left event winning single stage poor performance marred early portion season achieved success early season classics finish tour flanders suffering problem bike chain early race finished 49th overall paris began achieve success june tour won opening time trial race time trial stage route overall victory addition general classification won secondary points classification tour week finishing tour won swiss national road racing crown june frank line continued win july won opening stage tour france took yellow jersey race successfully defended lead seventh stage unable bridge gap leaders mountain finish victories season came won opening time trial held lead race race fourth stage briefly regained lead race winning time trial stage seven lost lead stage conclusion road world championships took place native country switzerland stated wished win events dominated time trial event won margin close minute half second place finisher world championship time trial discipline tied australia michael rogers goal road race place days later final lap race crossed gap race leading group formed final climb evans australia attacked riders reacted crossed line fifth victories kicked campaign overall victory tour gained lead race final stage won race winning single stage late march won riding away juan kilometres remaining race april raced famed tour flanders attacked race kilometres remaining race able mark efforts second major attack took place van attack proved successful able drop solo victory winning tour flanders twelfth win opening monuments cycling year milan san tour flanders paris career winning tour flanders stated wished win cycling monuments week victory tour flanders raced paris portion race kilometres race able match efforts rode solo way finish finished minutes ahead second place finisher winning decided skip rest classics race tour california warm tour france completed tour california winning single stage victory came tour won prologue individual time trial city came close stage win stage individual time trial fell short seventeen seconds won prologue tour france held lead second stage came end stage winner took away regained lead day held stage seven took lead later tour won stage nineteen individual time trial stretched seventeen seconds german rider tony martin road world championships took place melbourne returned event defend title world champion time trial discipline won time trial minute second place finisher time men world champion time trial days later competed road race finished 50th overall allegation mechanical claimed youtube video bike victories tour flanders paris year video showed normal road bike stand pressed button began rotate alleged motor easily bike button turn located youtube video showed clips races allegedly turning motor riding showing drastic increase speed claims caught steam rumors going riders possibly new motor assist produce power aid rider union stated whilst investigating specific teams riders review need new bicycle inspection system detect cheating stated case claims gained prominence dismissed claims saying stupid far risky told belgian newspaper batteries bike close cigar year new team leopard trek lacked high caliber past meaning winning tougher major race year won race final stage individual time trial came milan san hopes winning race second time positioned man way finish group approached finish line sprint line australian matthew crossed line second seen favorite contender day races tour flanders paris great performance season good form early portion season lived expectations won having flat tires bike changes launched solo attack kilometres rode finish line victory weekend began tour flanders launched attack kilometres left race caught leader cracked help pacing picked chasing group van kilometres left race launched attacks attack marked group second attack matched nick rode finish taking win second paris calendar finished second place crash hurt early member chasing group work catch leading riders june began tour won prologue wear race leader yellow jersey held lead second stage came close stage winner took lead away raced tour won opening closing stages race individual time trials closed june winning swiss national road race steve win second swiss national road race title entered tour france july unable come away victory team time trial lone individual time trial helped team achieve victory stage team time trial final events season road race time trial road world championships came hopes winning consecutive time trial world crown finish place winner martin runner days later lined race road race race came sprint finish won mark barely missed medal finishing fourth place injury ridden season races season showed good form powered second victory gravel roads took victory closing time trial final monument year milan san strongest rider descent victory simon great form belgian spring classics fall material malfunction kept playing final favourites win renewed tour flanders played final crash feed zone caused discarded water bottle suffered fracture right ruined spring campaign came competition june homeland racing tour stated nervous start prologue finished second position seconds winner peter tour france won opening day prologue fifth victory tour fifth day yellow jersey race broke longstanding record rider career yellow won tour overall subsequently lost jersey team sky conceding minutes seventh stage finished steep category climb leading des withdrew tour eleventh stage return home support wife birth second child returned compete road race olympics games leading rider massive badly negotiated right turn kilometres cover fell heavily right shoulder completed race finishing approximately minutes winner alexander obvious pain hold properly right hand crossed line tears sent hospital revealed suffer days incident announced able defend olympic time trial title event subsequently finished seventh august announced putting end season required surgery body return form began campaign tour tour failed collect victories finishing aforementioned tours raced finished fourth place raced came close stage victory race stage seven individual time trial missed win seconds days later lined milan san considered favorite win race race marred poor weather conditions remained near managed place overall losing sprint finish line win year came attack remaining race victory solidified contender upcoming tour flanders lap tour flanders attacked peter able match rode remaining race attacked hill remaining attack successful powered solo finish won second tour flanders tour flanders started belgium race crashed finished race day fell riding sector paris despite crashes considered favorite win paris paris april attacked multiple times competitors managed counter attacks follow dropped spectator leaving ride finish finish claim paris win race stated enter tour france instead ride order prepare road world championships june announced ride tour austria race started tour placed sixteenth overall stage individual time trial win stage expressed excitement teammate gregory victory race sixth stage days finishing tour entered won men time trial event swiss road championships eighth time career announced july signed year deal trek effective january including season short hiatus racing lined tour austria june won stage individual time trial margin seconds second place finisher completing race day friday july attended formal team presentation tour day finished sixteen minutes stage winner leg race finished second stage seven time trial seconds stage winner bradley went hoping win time trial second place finish stage left disappointed entered helped assist leopard second place finish race opening team time trial won stage individual time trial margin seconds reigning world champion tony martin rode support team leader eventual winner chris seventeenth stage left race order focus world championships seen contender gold medal men time trial road race events road world championships finished time trial position seconds winner tony martin earning bronze medal days completing time trial event entered elite men road race race stayed near race dropped final climb day fighting way tenth place late december leopard general manager announced attempt break hour record season tour flanders victory began cycling season competing inaugural tour stage race brief individual time trial managed complete seconds slower stage winner taylor managed hold fifth place overall race finish ended began tour highest stage finish fourth place came race stage individual time trial finished race overall general classification february started tour days later completed race thirty place overall entered finished sixth place winner march started result second place finish stage seven individual time trial calendar milan san took place march day race came bunch sprint kilometres racing norwegian alexander won bunch sprint race finished second position days later competed finished ninth place caught crash having change tire days later started came race favorite goal winning race erased came field sprint finished thirty eighth position week raced tour flanders penultimate climb day attacked able mark pair traveled course caught leaders road group rode finish riders win edition tour flanders days later raced days following began paris sector led formation lead group group came line seconds winner managing sprint place finish september announced compete world championship time trial event concentrating energy road race profile said suited withdrew stage better prepare race crashes injuries campaign started strong victory stage tour leading man group honours italian race good prologue taking second place single second went win final time trial race milan san leading group seventh place following week crashed badly suffering minor transverse processes lower injuries prevented defending tour flanders title ending spring classics campaign came tour des late registering significant result home soil tour second opening prologue final individual time trial times new time trial star tom tour france came stage individual time trial second stage donned yellow jersey thanks place gave bonus seconds involved mass pile stage finished race slowly visit hospital revealed suffered transverse process lower abandon restarted competition aiming regain form world championships lingering stomach forced abandon race stage ruling competition world championships richmond november having suffered season injuries illness announced retire end season final season entering season professional started win late january weeks later won time trial ahead tony martin early march claimed early season win victory race earning sector race gravel roads named honour won final stage sixth time trial stage win entering milan san personal life born southern italian parents lived switzerland sport cross country skiing adopted cycling main pursuit married wife later year father gave birth baby girl named second daughter born july family resides switzerland speaks english italian french german source monuments results timeline source finish compete


officially flanders fields day cycling classic took place march edition race seventh event world tour race followed kilometre course started ended belgium portion race spent northern france race included climbs provided principal difficulty race difficult climb favourites race included alexander team trek peter race won escaped series splits occurred half race joined team day early man group came finish won sprint second french portion race belgian rider crashed hit race died evening route route significantly changed edition previous editions different climbs central decision use different core climb race previous years route chosen maximum gradient edition road section described cycling weekly race director gave reasons change recently edition marked 60th anniversary inclusion difficult occasion desire race balance attackers belgian work lists grades climbs country rated difficult climb flanders grading points van traditional route race started east flanders kilometres route took riders immediately west flanders kilometres flat roads came near coast route took riders south northern france kilometres passed continued south climbs race climbs came quickly packed kilometres stretch road climb followed riders returned belgium climbed section final climbs repeat combination final climb kilometres fairly flat roads finish participating teams teams selected race automatically invited race organisers gave seven professional continental teams included belgian teams french teams direct dutch team italian team polish team team include riders team seven submitted fewer riders riders team sky team alexander start race riders departed pre race favourites uncertainty race favour attacked hills alexander winner tour flanders favourite mark team dimension data team sky quick step considered possible winners pull race fever started days earlier riders potential attack earlier race included tom quick step won race previous occasions teammates peter reigning world champion won race solo attack ability perform strongly sprint won race riders likely attack early race included trek luke sky van racing team dimension data won edition race winner present defend title suspension following positive test cocaine tour france race summary race took place weather combined crash conditions caused break groups race group rider composed simon cycling lead extended minutes point quickly reduced pace main increased broke halfway stage chasing group seconds contained race favourites including van chased group led trek group minute kilometres remaining chasing group caught kilometres later group turn caught chasing group rider group head race calm climbs remaining raced trek controlled climb climbs crashed forced retire race kilometres remaining riders attacked initiated daniel racing team trek chased dimension data took kilometres bring caught attacked minute lead second climb attacked chased led second climb difficult attacked followed caught formed man leading group chased group luke van able increase advantage chasing group caught leaders came finish comfortable advantage lead seconds slowed significantly preparation sprint sprint followed came past race victory finished ahead second place finishing fourth finished seconds winning sprint fifth place death race marred death crashed riders near marie french section race approximately kilometres racing remaining crash lying road hit race following riders initially taken hospital transferred intensive care unit university hospital severity injuries team released statement describing condition extremely hours later spokesman local confirmed died crash seen team said group chasing travelling downhill kilometres hour mph said riders crashed time rider brake immediately recognised incident results post race analysis reaction death widespread sadness involved professional cycling following death especially second young belgian died suffering heart attack international tweeted suddenly 2nd place longer important terrible news riders especially team expressed sadness team van der paid tribute rider saying happy appearance world tour race days previously day main following strong performance asked allowed stay main search good finish team withdrew days following week tributes riders called improved safety professional bike races riders involved crashes race previous years including peter taylor van tweeted regulations races needed riders called clear rules speed limits exams race riders described rider safety issue needed priority anti press officer said rider experienced blame accident president cycling governing body union said emergency meeting road commission discuss incident said needed wait result police important sure right decisions reaction race peter victory race winning rainbow jersey world championships road race previous year end cycling weekly called frustrating run included second place days previously said happy won rainbow jersey especially important race said determined mistake previous races working hard final race early sprint set sprint said pleased second place difficult race trapped second race split early took long pursuit leaders able follow final climb rode aggressively descent got said tired end race hard beat said sure happy easter day happy day finished fourth riders final sprint happy race crashed wrote principal favourite following sunday tour flanders world tour standings following second place victory moved lead season long world tour competition seven points ahead teammate moved place moved lead teams rankings australia remained nations rankings