bradley sir bradley born april british professional road track racing rides continental team leaving team sky nicknamed began cycling career track transition road cycling gain significant elite level success forms professional cycling son australian born british mother belgium raised london age competed track early career won seven gold medals track world championships recent individual pursuit team pursuit madison won gold individual pursuit olympic games individual team pursuit olympic games returned track commonwealth games announced intention compete track cycling summer olympics olympics took break track focus road initially viewed time trial specialist showed ability stage races came fourth tour france later promoted lance armstrong results claimed victory major stage race finished won paris nice tour british win tour france time trial olympic games following success subject honours awards award best rider year bbc sports personality year award awarded new year honours won gold time trial road world championships june set new hour record distance early life amateur career born april belgium australian father british mother father lived belgium professional father left family bradley bradley moved mother parents flat north west london church commission flat house estate neighbouring educated junior school church_of_england high school mother secretary younger half brother ryan mother partner separated bradley late teens played football youth arsenal fan watch rivals play friends supported trials junior west discovered cycling mother told watch television coverage individual pursuit final olympic games barcelona chris won explained events father successful watched rest olympics fell love cycling olympics aged entered race west london challenge dual west london later year broke road accident received compensation injuries gave mother rest buy racing bicycle recalled told art teacher going olympic champion going wear yellow jersey tour joined archer road club father member late 1970s raced hill road crystal palace national sports centre gained domestic sponsorship cycles sport team represented westminster london youth games teenager inducted london youth games hall_of_fame won time trial junior national track championships lane sports centre leicester invited train weekends manchester leaving school enrolled foundation course business studies left cycling commitments junior national track championships won kilometre time trial individual pursuit points race scratch race british competitor junior track world championships cape_town coming 16th individual pursuit fourth points race breakthrough came june winning kilometre individual pursuit junior track world championships cuba aged following week retained titles junior national track championships manchester represented england commonwealth games finishing fourth individual pursuit member team won silver medal team pursuit senior medal time lottery funded athlete grant nearly year equivalent began training great_britain team pursuit squad rode known tour britain stage race level october competed track world championships berlin coming fifth team pursuit partner rob came tenth madison securing qualification olympic games sydney olympics won bronze medal team pursuit beating france bronze medal match came fourth madison october took silver team pursuit track world championships manchester losing germany final half second professional career early years signed racing team british professional road cycling team disbanded internal problems briefly seen sport colours collapse team secured lottery funding began racing british national team came second prologue tour rhodes seconds quick step winning general classification september crashed bike requiring metal right wrist weeks later went track world championships antwerp managing seventh place individual pursuit consecutive silver team pursuit joined french team des relocating soon finding huge contrast british cycling set commonwealth games manchester won silver medals individual pursuit losing des team mate bradley australia final team pursuit beaten australia set new world record time minutes seconds track world championships copenhagen came fifth individual pursuit won bronze medal team pursuit frustrated result individual pursuit world championships disillusioned future des british cycling enlisted newly retired chris mentor grand tour debut 18th stage eliminated race finishing outside time limit group riders summer competed track world championships qualifying fastest individual pursuit beating russia round setting place final australia luke roberts beat roberts seconds win gold medal senior world title came away silver medal team pursuit beaten australia final broke world record time minutes seconds september won stage tour beating team mate seconds november won days matthew interim signed season advised rode entire professional road career began training olympic games athens struggling illness fitness arrived peak form qualified individual pursuit time minutes seconds olympic record fifth fastest time history final beat seconds win gold medal brought team pursuit squad round france replacing advanced final team beaten australia settling silver medal partnered rob madison laps left crashed robert returning laps lost lap rivals attacked regained lost lap moving second place lost points final sprint moving taking bronze medal points switzerland australia british athlete years win medals games mary olympic games tokyo december appointed officer order british_empire new year honours services sport road early revealed desire compete road cycling april won time trial town northeastern france second stage circuit september won race stage stage tour finishing team mate placed steve coming minutes seconds later competed finishing overall came seventh time trial road world championships madrid minute seconds winner michael rogers australia moved season selected ride tour france finishing tour place march returned track track world championships appearance championships qualifying round individual pursuit set second fastest time personal best olympics athens time minutes seconds beat germany robert final win gold catching went win gold team pursuit beating ukraine final finished 13th place madison rob road won stage days prologue competing tour france finishing fourth prologue london stage launched solo racing leading race caught remaining seen tribute british rider tom simpson 40th anniversary death tour france gift wife birthday finding date significance race received stage award aggressive rider withdrew race stage failed test team mates interviewed police hotel rooms searched aftermath positive drug tests race leader alexander spoke tour threw away kit airport race team despite continued racing august won time trial stage tour september team mate won duo man team time trial course season road ended riding great_britain road world championships coming tenth time trial minutes seconds winner switzerland result disappointed hoping finish podium september signed mobile team later known team high road season joining mark forming partnership madison race days november finishing tenth place riding appearance mobile track team separate road team beijing round track world cup classics december winning gold individual pursuit silver madison track season focus track olympic games beijing deciding compete tour france february travelled united_states train rode tour california coming second prologue team march competed track world championships manchester defending individual pursuit title beating win world title discipline won team pursuit setting new world record minutes seconds final denmark partner madison failed routine blood test subsequently banned weeks brought replacement halfway race appeared contention closest rivals gaining lap laps left race launched attack helped reach field laps later taking lead superior points collected held win gold medal finishing points ahead germany rode tour preparation olympics august lead train helped win stages came fourth final stage time trial milan seconds team mate finishing race place hours minute seconds overall winner olympics began defence title individual pursuit qualifying time minutes seconds breaking olympic record semi final beat russia alexander taking gold final new_zealand rider defend olympic pursuit title successfully member team pursuit broke world record heats time minutes seconds following day team won gold medal beating denmark seconds new world record minutes seconds averaging speed mph paired madison reigning world champions favourites gold medal finished ninth felt performed best ability madison september joined american team season december came ninth bbc sports personality year award votes member british cycling team won team year award december appointed commander order british_empire new year honours tour france breakthrough switched focus road moved family city north east spain based started season february helping team win opening team time trial tour crossing line leaders jersey march came second opening time trial paris nice riding milan san placing second time trial international april won time trial final stage days seconds ahead rider second place finishes classics paris finishing position taking second place time trial final stage rome won trophy domestic day race northumberland preparation tour france weeks later arrived tour france having lost nicknamed instead usual came time trial stage seconds team bank helped second stage team time trial despite losing riders stage seven finished 12th mountain finish fifth place overall beginning second week stage second mountain finish finished fifth rising place overall stage team bank riders andy attacked final climb col measuring average gradient left lance armstrong let work attacking kilometre summit failed gain time descent finished minutes seven seconds winner dropping sixth overall moved fourth finishing second place time trial stage finishing sixth place seconds winner stage dropped yellow jersey group summit finishing tenth place kept fourth overall seconds ahead held position final stage robert highest finish british rider tour october following disqualification armstrong originally placed general classification promoted place overall decision gave podium finish british rider tour france history september won national time trial championship september road world championships switzerland course bronze medal time trial mechanical problem delay getting replacement bike ended finishing 21st place october ended season winning herald sun tour victoria australia helping team mates race led race winning time trial stage beating second placed team mate fourteen seconds contracted ride announced december leave join team sky having signed year contract new british team team sky began team leader time main target win tour france february team won opening team time trial tour taking second place time trial stage alex team bank went finish tour march winner team columbia rider second took grand tour victory wet streets amsterdam opening time trial second wear pink jersey series crashes second stage seconds general classification new leader evans racing team crash stage cost minutes seconds recovered time stage finishing fourth group riders lay tenth overall faded quickly end race losing time final stages came seventh final time trial finished race 40th overall hour minutes seconds overall winner race told press saving tour france asked form fact felt physically unfit went training camp alps testing mountain stages tour struggled find fitness poor start tour taking place prologue early starting position left exposed poor conditions finished eighth stage troubled number favourites stage mountain summit finish tour manage 19th place losing minute second stage winner andy team bank following day lost time coming 13th losing minutes seconds main contenders finished 36th place stage fourteen falling 18th overall minutes seconds race leader andy press described form consistently mediocre stage time trial finished ninth place minutes seconds winner finished tour 24th place minutes seven seconds winner seven places team mate thomas february found guilty overall position upgraded 23rd returned racing august france september retained title national time trial championships course south wales finishing season tour britain season ended forced abandon following crash winter trained great_britain squad manchester team leader team sky start opted enter concentrating instead shorter events classics undertaking altitude training improve climbing tour france season began tour february winning team pursuit manchester round track world cup classics time minutes fifth fastest time came second time trial sixth stage paris nice march seconds tony martin finished overall martin team rider april rode paris tour finishing time trial stage helped lead team mate ben swift victory final stage march finished second time trial stage international seconds won time trial stage beating leopard trek seconds finished event 14th place overall helping team mate thomas win event went altitude training alps preparation tour took overall lead finishing second time trial stage final mountain stages maintained lead second placed evans win race time biggest victory road june won national road race championship northumberland seventh stage tour crash finish forced retire race broken recovered injuries team sky confirmed ride time road world championships confirmed tour olympics follow soon world championships seen dress rehearsal difficult start team sky finished seconds winners leopard trek opening team time trial strong week brought contention leaving twentieth overall stage stage team mate chris attacked final climb finish fourth fifth respectively gaining time team rider contenders expected overall lead time trial following day expectations finishing second stage rose overall eventually took lead rest day stage fourteen saw gaining rivals lost lead juan stage finished fifth climb dropped standings second finished place podium finish grand tour september competed road world championships copenhagen won silver medal time trial finishing minute seconds germany martin seconds ahead reigning champion switzerland days later great_britain team set victory road race took lead final lap circuit setting high pace chase stop attacks developing tour france olympic gold continued focus road racing individual pursuit removed programme olympics later year december coach rod told guardian chances team pursuit slim began season place including victory concluding time trial world champion martin quick step second march finished second opening time trial paris nice second avoided wet conditions unlike favourites set later day following day took lead race man split held lead rest event winning final stage time trial col win race seconds overall british rider win race tom simpson final stage victory good points classification time fastest time traditional time trial col stage tour april took rare sprint victory group riders lost jersey rider won consecutive stages won final time trial despite suffering dropped chain overall victory win race year history june competed began defence title second place finish prologue second luke took overall lead following day dropped stage climbs won fourth stage race time trial course seconds ahead martin nearest rival extending lead seconds held lead end eventually winning minute team mate rogers second place entered tour france favourites win began tour second place prologue took yellow jersey finishing stage seven finish fifth british rider wear jersey david won time trial stage stage team attack descent col grand leading accuse extended lead stage helped bridge rivals attacked finishing climb accelerated kilometres finish ordered team radio wait leader stage fourteen mountain stage spectator threw carpet narrow road climb riders suffered including evans defending champion lost approximately minutes team repaired bicycle fellow members team sky emerged believing resulting unfortunate incident determine fate competitor team mates rest slow allow evans affected catch perceived generous act called gentleman result stage able follow attacks final climb day finished time italian stage final mountain stage finished second place respectively coming seconds later won time trial stage giving lead minutes seconds start final stage stage helped team mate achieve fourth consecutive victory confirmed overall victory process currently person history win paris nice tour tour france single season selected participate road cycling events olympic games london time trial road race finished road race won gold time trial ahead martin germany britain decorated british seven medals surpassing won sir steve record shared sir chris obtained seventh olympic medal entered world records win olympic gold medal tour france year idol won consecutive tours won gold medal olympics atlanta returned racing tour britain september pulling sixth stage stomach bug road race road world championships netherlands season october awarded prestigious trophy recognition achievements november involved road accident taken hospital suspected broken ribs released day minor injuries december won bbc sports personality year award votes cast new years honours services cycling claimed use title comedy purposes stating felt little bit inferior receiving saying won bike race know feel little bit inferior saying talking people getting stuff asking honoured historic things ground breaking sciences nominees world sports award year jamaican athlete bolt taking prize tour britain widely expected ride retain tour france title february asserted focus season ride tour france support team mate april let known desired win tour hopes achieving tour double feat achieved participated winter training camp race season tour february stage caught crash time delay pushing field remainder race helped won overall classification opted defend title paris nice ride instead participating training camp mount returned action march finishing race fifth place overall seconds winner dan martin sharp april rode day del northern italy preparation day race schedule consisted road race followed team time trial unexpected road race caused lose minutes led team victory later day team time trial stage cut deficit race leader half lifting overall fourth final stage suffered mechanical problem foot final climb ended finishing race fifth place minute seconds winner entered favourites general classification team sky won stage team time trial island covering distance seconds quicker squad stage lost seconds delayed crash final dropping standings second sixth wet stage seven saw crash making descent finish placing difficulty team mates helped pace leaders close gap finished seconds race favourites dropping race following stage time trial placed second alex team bike change compelled cost time ended finishing race seconds struggled wet roads stage losing touch descent finish group team mates helped pace gap closed following stage revealed suffering chest infection withdrew race following day losing minutes day stage presence knee injury disclosed public forced defending title tour france subsequently suggested ride tour returned racing tour winning stage seven time trial seconds ahead second placed september led team sky home race tour britain won time trial stage roads park close home lancashire held lead rest week win race time stage race victory season following week world championships took silver medal time trial winner tony martin ahead repeat podium selected ride road race abandoned lap soon followed british riders finished race world time trial champion track return stated main targets paris day classic tour california road world championships riding tour france support defending champion chris called ride tour flanders replacement injured finished 32nd minute seconds winner having helped thomas way eighth contested paris time tour france winner compete race secured hard fought ninth position finishing group seconds race winner tour california won time trial stage margin seconds second placed dennis sharp overall lead rest race despite good result selected team riding tour france prompting return track cycling team preparation commonwealth games glasgow commonwealth games july participated team pursuit andy managing win silver medal following day announced road likely ride grand tour rule road events wants concentrate training preparation team pursuit olympic games september rode tour britain winning final time trial london ending race overall winner sharp van quick step won gold time trial world road championships spain winning margin seconds tony martin course paris hour record january confirmed signed contract extension team sky end april focus attempting win paris transferring newly founded team order prepare alongside members british track endurance squad team pursuit summer olympics confirmed attempt break hour record march confirmed debut eponymous team inaugural tour yorkshire start early season rode tour lost contention general classification caught split finished race individual time trial stage opportunity wear rainbow took traditional opening race classics season finishing 44th team mate took victory returned paris nice race won race opened closed time trials finished 12th prologue feature following stages riding withdrew traditional mountain time trial col stage holds fastest time legacy victory team mate victorious race set ride march return classics lead main objective paris withdrew instead rode days later abandoned race hit severe weather conditions heavy wind rain riders finished race mid week days began march acted lead man sky convincingly won final stage short time trial expected sky colours gave 3rd place overall race paris publicised race sky primary goal early season finished 18th position attacked left race days race announced bid break hour record june lee valley participated tour yorkshire team register significant result weeks leaving team sky said felt liberated june broke hour record riding surpassing mark set weeks earlier august joined track time olympics winning madison round revolution cycling series newly opened derby october took gold medal european track championships british squad won team pursuit competed track cycling world championships london took medals team pursuit british squad qualified final took silver australia despite leading metres going set fastest time competition british quartet said happy performance stating strongest team pursuit bit life left got months bit better subsequently raced madison clinched second world title discipline pairing similar tactics win accumulating points early stages race making lap deficit french swiss rivals working spanish pairing albert taking lead holding win despite crashing laps personal life family married catherine née met commonwealth games meeting children ben isabella family lives lancashire close manchester home british cycling team sky endured difficult relationship father effort contact bradley fourteen years leaving family bradley years old bradley knew father professional meeting bradley training camp australia meeting half sisters relationships father australia mother met following year bradley australia training gone weeks advance stay bradley quickly disillusioned father alcohol drug problems met died new_south_wales aged bradley attend funeral interests known owns collection classic motor guitars 1960s 1970s keen musician guitarist december surprise appearance paul charity concert playing guitar entertainment recorded special bbc radio music discussing love music culture broadcast boxing day supports liverpool football club warriors rugby league club gave life membership described highlight year presented winner super league man steel award warriors player sam july announced collaborate fred perry clothing label develop authentic non technical range cycle wear clothing range known bradley fred perry collaboration launched july year contract launched bradley foundation draw people sport regular exercise foundation backs professional women team launched season february announced foundation wound run summer olympics interviewed young guest bbc radio desert island discs favourite musical piece sound vision david_bowie book choice dragon turn small steps great feats michael johnson luxury item family photo album served guest editor radio today programme december interviewed paul smith fashion making transition working media discussed cycling steve speaks fluent french participation french cycling teams living france number years period olympics started drink heavily struggled cope newfound fame stopped son ben born baby case got earn fucking money responsibility takes explained olympics olympic bell mark start opening ceremony inside olympic stadium written multiple books career entitled pursuit glory covers success track beijing olympics won gold medals team pursuit individual pursuit talks triumph tour france finished fourth place time talks setbacks faced tour france talks golden year won tour france days later olympic individual time trial gold medal british crowd london olympics story junior edition time fourth book hour account attempt hour record covering record history training attempt power output measured threshold march appearance episode bbc radio soap opera sport relief charitable appeal years later appeared comedy sketch filmed london olympic michael sport relief reprised mothers character frank sculpture dedicated inspired unveiled high school school career achievements major results source grand tour general classification results timeline source major stage race general classification results timeline individual time trial timeline source world records awards honours cycling weekly year officer order british_empire commander order british_empire london youth games hall_of_fame lifetime achievement sports journalists association year rider year international year memorial prize bbc sports personality year world sports year award nominated knight bachelor


edition cycling stage race stage race france began june concluded june sixteenth races world tour season viewed preview july tour france number contenders general classification tour participated race leader general classification team sky peter won opening stage lost race lead racing team rider dennis team won stage team time trial teammate van took race mountain stage stage team took lead stage van regained following stage chris team sky second van penultimate stage claimed race victory win final stage van finished second overall seconds minute seconds race classifications won points classification mountains classification won daniel achieved getting early placing highly climbs simon won young rider classification best rider born january team classification won team teams world tour event seventeen invited automatically send squad second tier professional continental teams given forming race team number riders allowed squad start list contained total riders teams entering race pre race favourites winners general classification named start list edition team chris team sky andrew leading contenders general classification tour france favourites winners previous tours thought planned use likeness tour mountainous route preparation riders considered outsiders included team van racing team trek factory racing winner young rider classification route april race sport organisation announced route presentation france stage race region france held june seen preview alpine stages tour france took place following month race opened hilly circuit stage stage crossed flat area west les covered distance stage team time trial edition route described stephen rolling seriously influence general classification stage longest moved race south alps fifth stage covered distance course stage seventeen tour france featured col mountain pass ended summit finish ski resort stage took race north route saint including climbs penultimate stage mountainous stage featured col col des climbs final accent saint les final stage took moving valley finish stages stage june race opened shortest race stage route left passed finishing city loop featured category return riders crossed finish line time lap lap climbs category fourth category highest stage race crossed finish line second time shorter circuit undertaken times primary difference exclusion opening involved crash forced abandon race injuries formed team daniel advantage increased minutes mark moved maximum seven minutes seconds mountains classification points secure dot jersey climbs dropped quartet penultimate ascent attacked passing led attack daniel racing team chasing remaining riders joined group caught final rider group holding margin seconds peter team sky attacked group took stage victory seconds ahead bunch sprint place gave second time bonus general classification took lead points classification sky topped team classification lead young rider classification stage june les stage course race stage left start crossed second category col chat smaller climbs riders came day highest climb category col route followed descent included climbs final finish les flat early formed riders team second day running daniel took maximum points col chat trio seven minutes ahead foot col took points lead dropped minute crash remaining left group riders chasing main group including pre race favourite caught final kilometre team controlled leading early overtaken riders crossing finish line placed took lead points classification best young rider stage june route team time trial stage length mark small climb preceded descent intermediate time check gradual took stage finish team set time soon displaced team start racing team team time trial world champions set time came second deficit placed second team recording time quick step time placed fourth fifth taken seconds team sky placed sixth lost lead team classification stage winners highest placed rider general classification riders required finish highest dennis new leader general young rider classifications second placed overall van general classification leader pre race favourite praised team effort confident chances race saying feel good big test going mountains feel ready good challenge moved lead points classification stage june fourth stage longest race starting route covered rolling terrain passing category col short descent led foot fourth category col pre stage highest point similarly sized climb followed long descent featured number small rises series small climbs took stage flat finish duo consisting van der escaped stage lead minutes thirty seconds passed pre climbs foot pair minute advantage van der dropped climb led summit margin seconds attacks descent saw formation group consisting team tim giant attacked passed caught final failed trio consisting daniel tony martin quick step tony launch late attack caught bunch sprint won second stage victory race changes classifications stage june les stage les classified mountainous length section stage flat passing category col des descent small rise came category climb col route dropped rising second category col saint came descent followed category col resulting descent began long technical final climb finish average gradient mountains classification leader daniel initiate early seven rider riders tim quick step team albert giant claimed points col des second aforementioned col col saint team sky set high pace head col leading large number riders dropped including race leader dennis attack dropped summit climb remaining break caught race reached summit attacked gained second advantage group thirty riders increasing minute foot climb sky controlled head chase notable riders distanced chris launched attack final van following van dropped passed second place thirty seconds stage winner new leaders classifications van general young riders sky team standings stage june saint sixth stage saint moved race high mountains climbs second longest stage opening route crossed hilly terrain featured category climbs barrage riders traversed second category col mark short descent rise category col long descent short rise race came foot category col summit remaining day highest point riders dropped final hills summit finish category climb early wet stage group riders broke away pulled second group nineteen failing unsuccessful tony martin followed attack col formation elite strong group descent tony attack reduced main group caused abandonment riders advantage break minutes climbed col briefly escaping subsequent descent martin dropped remaining advantage minutes chasing main group simon dan martin moved clear launched attack following able pull ahead passed stage win took lead general classification margin seconds team moved lead team classification stage june saint les stage seven queen stage race category climbs category col des shortest length mountain stages initial flat apart small climb riders began climb col followed ascent col decent number small hills col climbed small drop climb col des took riders descent long gradual descent flat section placed race foot des small drop stage concluded climb saint les wet stage saw thirty riders away decreased col climb team sky reduced size advantage daniel took maximum points opening climbs secure mountains classification col des split descent attack eighteen strong leading group daniel trek factory racing gained lead minutes fractured des race leader dropped start final climb leading duo joined team sky set high pace pursuit leading group chris attacked followed van soon passed leaders remaining attacked win stage margin seventeen seconds van moved lead general classification placing second stage content saying tactic mark went way follow happy yellow jersey stage june saint les final stage race left location previous stage finish saint les route riders climbed rise start went long descent second category sur middle terrain remained flat fourth category followed category saint flat section placed riders foot category subsequent descent began long gradual climb category saint small descent took race ascent summit finish ski resort length climb average gradient opening initiated thirteen riders tony martin attacked break saint foot advantage half minutes riders break caught martin saint steve attacked group lead foot final climb minute seconds remaining moved support teammate failed attack led formation elite group including general classification leaders chris rider support teammate rode attacked caught van follow eventually unable caught simon took stage victory eighteen seconds ahead finished race winner general classification classification leadership different awarded important general classification calculated adding rider finishing times stage rider accumulated time race leader identified yellow jersey blue bar winner classification considered winner race additionally points classification awarded green jersey classification received points finishing stage stages win earned points second place fourth fifth sixth seventh eighth ninth tenth stages win earned points second place fourth fifth point fewer place single point 10th points classification achieved intermediate points given riders line points second point mountains classification leadership marked red jersey white dots mountains classification points classification won reaching climb climb second fourth category points available higher climbs category climbs awarded points riders able points compared second category climbs category fourth category fourth jersey represented young rider classification marked white jersey decided way general classification riders born january eligible ranked classification team classification times best team stage added leading team end race team lowest total time final standings team classification


grand tour cycling stage race took place june edition event began stage began ended race came close june stage ended italian city milan race won swiss tony team second russian rider rider mario event leg bunch sprint allowing rider don race leader english pink jersey following stage individual time trial won gained time race lead built lead winning remaining time trial stages hilly stage retained lead duration race winning swiss rider win event addition general classification tony won points classifications rider won mountains classification finished winners team classification team points classification system teams riders awarded points placing stage points totaled team won teams total teams invited participate team sent squad riders began riders started edition total riders finish milan teams entering race pre race favorites starting included winner team brought time grand tour runner riders developed mutual writers believed swiss rider tony favorites win race adrian named sole favorite author bill believed great form coming race entered event having recently won tour aside punt simon named winner andrew russian riders challenge overall title italian seen contender win race crashed training ride recover time participate time winner chose enter race favor preparing tour france route stages route unveiled race director november milan contained time trial events individual thirteen stages containing high mountains summit finishes stage del stage stage stage stage saint jean organizers chose include rest day compared previous year race race longer contained rest day stages nineteenth stage regarded queen stage featured climbs col col race route began traveled southern half italy stages stage individual time trial riders transferred airplane race remained northern half country proceeded cross higher tougher mountains total stages started outside italy stage ended swiss city served start race sixteenth stage mountainous twentieth stage began french city nineteenth stage originally planned stretch stage finish moved way ascent col stage finished day intermediate sprint planned racing trapped fans gotten earlier cars spectators injured taken hospital believed mountains included race difficult writer found route mountainous years past addition writer mentioned increase mountains route coupled reduced time trial kilometers including lack prologue favored time winner believed route harder year tour france course race overview mario won race opening stage bike lengths don race english pink jersey lost lead tony following stage individual time trial contested rainy conditions able gain minute main general classification contenders including stage second stage victory won bunch sprint fourth stage contested set circuit covered times day managed maximum gradually pulled attacked final lap pulled chasing teammate attacked managed form gap chased caught riders passed went win stage event fifth leg saw succeed group began riders reduced riders finish won man sprint line day sixth stage resulted field sprint won seventh stage featured stage profile slight finish race final attacked marked general classification contenders managed edge dash line saw gain seconds time bonuses eighth stage featured summit finish race del day established early day managed reach final climb pursuing stage winner attacked kilometers rode solo finish time gained stage allowed overall ninth day racing resulted bunch sprint won stage race kilometer individual time trial race leader won leg minute seconds increased overall lead minutes second place overall nelson riders reach stage final climb stayed finish saw win race line kilometers left stage attempted crack attacking repeatedly attacks riders moves marked riders agreed ride finish twelfth stage race saw arrive finish ready bunch sprint originally won stage relegated place stage having found mario dash line come second stage winner thirteenth stage saw race begin enter smaller mountains day formed climb san riders approached finish richard edged stage victory following stage featured summit finish kilometer climb kilometers leading group attacked allowed ride solo victory attacked shortly able follow initially able merge riders trio rode finish lost large time stage won fifteenth leg day managed survive finish descent second climb attacked attempt join caught start stage final mountain pass repeatedly attacked final climb able attack sixteenth leg downhill stage swiss alps form caught run finish prepared sprint finish stage initially won deemed race judges irregular sprint victory awarded second placed rider day consisted climbing time trial extended advantage competitors winning stage margin minute thirty seconds eighteenth stage plagued rainy conditions course day consisted sixteen riders tony team chose chase formed attack group rode finish managed edge win main contenders time gaps stage leaving general classification unchanged nineteenth leg saw riders form racing finish line stage moved location way climb col occurred near summit prevented riders passing richard rider reach new finish line won second stage won following stage day stage wore raced remaining member richard win stage attacked marked trailed refused work extend advantage wound losing minimal time race penultimate stage marred rain second ascension attacked able distance gave attack near summit attacked race final climb rode solo win stage managed gain seconds final leg race decided bunch sprint won swiss rider win riders achieved multiple stage victories stages stages richard stages stage wins achieved competing squads won multiple stages stage wins won total stage wins richard stage teams won stages stage stage stage stage stage stage stage stage stage stage jeans won single stage stage stage stage respectively 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 col climbed prevented riders able pass roads 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 team classification awarded points team based riding finishing position stage team highest total points leader classification rows following table correspond awarded stage run final standings general classification team points classification


tour tour edition tour stage race took place june seventeenth race world tour started finished race composed stages including time trials short day long day event covered visited austria fifth stage finish aforementioned stage winner general classification simon team won race margin seconds great_britain thomas team sky ultimate selection day individual time trial tom giant squad rounded podium won individual time trials stage mountains classification awarded austria cycling featured points classification won peter victor stages team sky finished head team classification margin minutes seconds riders won stage croatian australian michael norwegian alexander team grabbed queen stage held leader jersey stages surrender day competition teams world tour event organisation obligation invite seventeen likewise seventeen teams send squad complete field professional continental teams invited join race number riders allowed team starting field contained pre race favorites team won editions race present event raced instead contenders overall classification tour france opted race mountainous winners tour starting line trek factory racing teammates swiss contenders general classification simon team team sky tom giant quick step thomas team sky van den cycling race disastrous crash form predicted uncertain italian certainly factor shape peter contender stage wins team manager said leader team target opening prologue mark quick step proved form stage victories far season favorite sprint stages riders stage glory alexander team john giant winner recovering crash suffered day race primary focus recovery route important race right tour tour france riders perfect physical conditions known french race started july route race announced march race follow particular pattern terms geographical displacement country visit austria fifth stage longest race qualified queen stage finished near situated austrian territory featured finish race came swiss territory remainder event stages likely important general classification aforementioned stage individual time trial final stage race featured total elevation gain june announced town start stage road damage caused rocky landslide town instead starting town shortened stage stages stage june short prologue contained sharp corners kilometers slightly slightly downhill rest flat best times coming tier riders cycling van racing team second slower cameron second came deficit seconds michael realized good time seconds provisional leader came finish second deficit best intermediate time day calculated remaining riders went trek factory racing beat time time trial specialist team started soon crossed finish line came seconds slower giant rider tom seconds better ultimately winner stage racing team crashed straight stretch road managed finish stage final position place team sky leader thomas fast ride seven seconds winner peter came seconds missing objective leader race robert time seconds slower team sky poles quick step seconds respectively event said prepared altitude race produced hard physical effort section went intensely parts stage june stage started right away category climb named long riders rode loop tackle climb midway stage afterward loop reach category affair named long course came circuit tackle climb second time king mountains situated finish riders negotiated descent ended finale racing cameron advantage ben king pro continental team enjoyed lead soon fell main field maximum gap allowed main group attacked climb time crashed fight position riders attacked climb second time caught remnants way accelerated close summit thomas team sky simon team initially able follow quick step lost contact thomas attacked descent followed team tom giant chased wanted protect leader jersey small group riders formed descent close final kilometer placed acceleration continued solo victory flat run group came seconds daniel team winning sprint second place overall contenders simon coming fourth sixth respectively peter won sprint following group coming tenth fourteen seconds kept leader jersey amassed mountain points earn mountains classification jersey stage june new version stage original route closed landslide stage immediately started ascent category pass summit came long false flat category climb immediately followed category named ascent finish climb race got way cloudy dry conditions tour featuring pass 34th time history break formed early slopes featured attackers cycling pair lead main field chasing got climb points pass snow covering sides road field riders descent lasted succeeded joining escape downhill competitors food stock feed zone situated shortly downhill section main field started accelerating team leader tom giant work realizing gaining ground came fore help resulting gap going gradually cover gap foot climb remaining gap significantly formed sprint trains better position leaders ascent soon dropped won mountain points point thirty seconds gap field catch race michael attacked soon followed jan enjoying second advantage team sky accelerated passed trio ultimately working small leading group bring attackers team leader peter chance victory kilometers took followed daniel team chased passing victory stage june flat reached pass category test category climbs offer climb repeated times riders accomplished loop number rises especially cover play role outcome finishing straight consistent thomas attacked early stage joined trio trek factory racing alex pass points competition summit racing gap breakers minutes seconds took maximum points atop climb riders passage main field got line descent fast riders crossed finish line time race caught later field attacked avail swiftly swept sprint specialists mark quick step alexander team struggled high pace set crossed line time race day atop climb won won riding placed attack race opened advantage seconds remaining caught attack formed immediately including riders jan team sky failed brought teams worked set sprint finish initiated sprint followed michael passed claim victory tour took second place points classification jersey stage june austria queen stage tour longest stage race featured years difficulty day long category pass altitude point riders austria brief visit following difficulty run offered respite reached town tackled stage second category climb took altitude competitors rode road finish line overall race leader tom giant said stage lost minute half pure win tour taking time final stage time trial previous stage victor michael non starter saying gotten wanted race stage win formed opening race gregory trek factory racing jersey teammate cycling ben king thomas best placed break general classification place amassed maximum points atop pass lead mountains classification jon team abandoned pass gap race organizers unrealistic fluctuations official timing long stretch flat road final climb cover took control leader team started helping chase teams riders aiming victory daniel simon duo respectively start big final climb gap half minutes break fractured later hit ascent dropped beginning resisted climbing pace attacked remaining select group early breaker minutes advantage placed acceleration lead group difficulty brought time gap rapidly decreased dubious time monitoring launched attack group resources ultimately dropped passed passive arch signaling kilometer took solo victory finished second settled soon apparent lose minute half objective passed line happy important team came win stage good legs today got lot confidence important tour france true racing switzerland suit said objective win overall like thomas tom aren far added long difficult time trial stage happens day stage june stage contained categorized ascent midway category affair named numerous rises course total elevation gain stage intermediate came run town final stage started riders remaining race seven abandoned start race day breakers riders soon tackled day left advantage stood breakers took points offer climb day cycling needed worry taking mountains classification jersey points points advantage nearest competitor thomas won amassed points came midway calculated stage average speed slower slowest prediction organizers likely severity previous stage cover rain began fall main field led quick step giant team rode intermediate sprint finish francisco team surprised attacking remaining arch break held lead seconds team riders placed groups quick step took matters hands began forming sprint train mark moved support sprint hopeful peter cover escape seconds advantage point quick step riders crashed water logged bend consequences breakers brought shortly lost wheel lead man mark struggling come crash hindered lead train technical turns finish line peter sitting wheel team train negotiated final degree corner lead opened sprint meters win day eleventh victory tour history records hugo split lost seconds general classification rival thomas team sky stage june stage flat stage category climbs second half stage opening totally flat riders tackled finishing circuit twice circuit climb descent climb covered second circuit attacked difficulty situated finish line final steep world road race champion quick step squad attempts escaping finally let race joined racing team break resolved content letting gap increase racing remaining best placed rider quartet race leader average speed hour mph giant dictated pace pulling thirty seconds race passed village misery point gap stood crash occurred outskirts misery involving ben racing team able rejoined main field abandoned hours stage contested speed mph remaining escape minute lead took maximum points atop day crossed line time breakers resisting time difference minute second lap finishing circuit dropped rider break thirty second advantage remaining team controlled field final kilometers pulled breakers decided caught sight finish line sprint won alexander team peter close second got try sprint final meters avail eighteenth victory season bad positioning lost seconds thomas team sky overall classification hard day haven felt super tour good sprint today said winner got ahead able end hold run stage june stage ridden time tour came national capital stage featured lot rises contained category event featured circuits town course stage time trial climbs present loops gave points laps riders took category climb stage finished flat plateau ascent number technical turns formed start deemed dangerous quickly citing problems trek factory racing rider abandoned race attackers continued try form break quick step finally break nineteen riders emerged containing warren giant best placed rider general classification team sky led chase despite main field effort gap grew minutes cover stage gap stood team sky working range time difference escape remaining stationary minutes marker passed finish line undertake lap circuit abandoned race confirmed later quit race stomach problems forming long single line pace high crashed abandoned shoulder remaining attacked followed jan opened gap holding companions lead kilometers claim victory described win biggest career main field arrived small groups containing team sky thomas tom giant marginal time gain seconds remained leaders jersey stage june lengthy individual time trial featured climb middle points offer course technical featured course raced times stage finish line situated place midway stage riders took difficulty day small climbs pepper course final general classification race definitely decided stage majority observers believed lose lead great time meaning best fighting wind rolling terrain thomas team sky seconds coming stage favorites overall victory tom giant won short prologue contender overall victory time trial specialist contender overall win simon team seconds fourth placed mixed performances time trials career far stage win concerned solo effort specialists trek factory racing team considered chance victory general classification far rankings noted riders started reverse order general classification start riders went starting ramp minutes got course early seventh man start time stay reference day followed starting area cycling came somewhat surprisingly time trial specialist set best time intermediate point faded little bit end coming finish line seconds time swiss stay reference time trial specialists finished effort failed beat time sixth position cameron time seconds mark time general classification hopeful starting ramp swiss racing team sixth position time minutes later race leader got starting ramp cycling crossed finish line rapid time seconds performance early time splits lost seconds thomas day stage winner confirmed good form time marker beat best time seconds fast time trial equal best time mark passing arch faster tenths second time virtually lost lead took focused corner slammed spectators exiting accident occurred needed fourteen seconds thomas general classification came time nineteen seconds better won stage average speed mph came time thomas registered difference seconds declared official winner tour seconds happy want thank teammates helped race biggest win career far said time trial hard liked way helped gave tenth victory professional ranks classification leadership tour different awarded general classification calculated adding finishing times stage leader received yellow jersey classification considered important tour winner classification considered winner race mountains classification leadership marked light blue jersey mountains classification points won reaching climb points available higher climbs category gave points rider crossing category worth points category worth points category worth points jersey represented points classification marked white red jersey points classification got points finishing highly stage stage victory awarded points points second fourth fifth points earned intermediate location finishing stage scale classification teams times best team stage added leading team end race team lowest total time award attributed rider ridden aggressively eyes judges end stage rider featured attacked classification standings


season season cycling team began january tour ended october team automatically invited obliged attend event invited event inaugural world calendar strong identity stage racing team leaders lance armstrong returned competitive cycling year absence team manager tour france team biggest success overall victory tour france main successes small stage races winning stages paris nice winning tour california team won team classification numerous events team failed live expectations widely considered favorite victory armstrong injury sustained weeks finished sixth overall team win stage away competition team season marked financial troubles sponsors government threatened team makeup existence time return alexander retirement ban ended tour france changed team makeup team roster ages january day races spring classics admission aim classics day race season best placed rider michael 35th aside podium finish maxim seventh place attained daniel team best result day race spring season brussels milan san saw participation armstrong tour flanders paris gold race rider finish higher 16th milan san fall races raced light schedule fall pinnacle season having come tour france team sent squads san france del best results crop races came alexander finished seventh fifth stage races event team participated tour armstrong event years retirement lots headlines specially promoted event team especially competitive event armstrong finished 29th overall time 28th best placed riders team finish stage february team competed tour california won individual time trial tour straight year team won teams classification tour california ongoing team sent man squad including respectively time trial stage giving overall lead retained conclusion race day paris nice march appeared line repeat victory years prior winning opening individual time trial mountainous sixth stage dramatically stage losing yellow jersey minutes ultimately finishing fourth unable chase later blamed problems team experienced success later month won event overall having ridden event support day armstrong involved crash taken hospital later revealed fractured injury thought away armstrong previously high odds win briefly speculation pull injury april claimed convincing victory taking race lead winning mountainous stage dominating final time trial race rules armstrong chris took tour end april early armstrong race injury armstrong finishing places squad riders normally ride support team took stage win second overall del april participated ongoing team win stage took overall event team won teams classification june thought favorite victory try hardest win attacking taking pulls mountainous stage work race days team took tour fourth highest placed rider sent squads tour tour tour ireland tour tour missouri franco obtain stage win podium finish classification victory squad sent tour ain successful chris obtained race lead individual time trial stage won alexander riding national team fell second tour ain champion day race concluded win points classification grand tours teams participated chose skip despite status reigning champion order concentrate tour france squad sent included armstrong grand tour tour france considered favorite win event support riders squad included chris team started coming place team time trial stage putting armstrong seconds race lead mountain stage days later finished time stage winner armstrong lost seconds day armstrong lost nearly minutes effectively lost chance general classification remained seconds stage winner fourth overall stage remained stage long irregular individual time trial rider minute winning time moved overall withdrew race stage sustaining leg injury time prevented able stand fall podium position days later stages won stage summit finish real test riders aiming general classification dropped leading riders climb wound losing minutes stage fall sixth overall hopes decided try stage wins remaining mountain days armstrong attacked stage got clear leading group unable bridge man position road franco went win stage ultimately win stage win fast team beating team columbia high road minutes tour france team receive invitation tour france armstrong named team speculation controversy began armstrong signed team team protected rider tour armstrong express goal returning retirement win eighth tour france won grand tours insisted deserved leadership team hinted leave forced support armstrong assured leader season began publicly named team leader shortly tour began team showed stage individual time trial armstrong finishing seconds time stage winner days later surprising team columbia resulted field split members team pushed man finish line ahead main armstrong group helped drive break members team second group seconds resulted armstrong rising overall displacing team best placed rider speculation ensued meant firmly install armstrong team leader visibly stunned stage result interviewed afterward won stage team time trial day putting armstrong mere second race lead fifth seventh couple friendly stages main contenders stuck trouble high mountain stage shook standings coming finish line group overall contenders ninth position road remnants morning scattered ahead instead finishing cohesive group attacked group gained seconds putting ahead armstrong best placed rider seconds new race leader armstrong said attack wasn plan nonetheless team dealt major blow stage crashing evans final kilometers stage forced leave tour broken wrist stage proved crucial tour entered switzerland stage high mountain climbs kilometers gone final climb attacked got free leading group included armstrong line stage win yellow jersey armstrong said stage given climb simply stronger rider seen settling lingering controversy squad leader protected rider cemented tour title winning time trial stage beating post day best time armstrong gained little minute finishing 16th climbed podium position result finished tour positions holding riding home safely tour largely ceremonial finale stage team receive invite having named reserve returning alexander named squad days race began quiet placed opening individual time trial fell overall standings day crash 18th place finish stage high mountain stage propelled eighth overall day lost time fell ninth stage figured winning poor positioning man sprint finish meant stage victory went simon stage held ninth overall continued hold stage rider position changed finished stage winner daniel team highest placed rider stage stages fell team achieve 13th highest placed rider race final standings away competition financial troubles shortly beginning reported team sponsors paid obligations team riders point season result sponsor state carrier air dropped sponsorship entirely concern team fold teams meet certain financial parameters stay active risk losing license protest team sponsors team decided change jersey week new_jersey revealed date stage returned italy austria having names sponsors faded point riders wore new stay original jersey squad concurrent wear faded announced june situation resolved cycling federation agreeing pay sponsors team team reverted normal tour france faded shortly announcement rumors circulated close signing away team government failed pay obligations team ownership armstrong unspecified spanish riders said close jumping american team follow team manager refused address rumors saying negotiations confidential finalized commented september close switching tour began return alexander departure riding tour france alexander tested positive blood causing entire team removed race retire banned sport national federation confirming october intention return competitive cycling stated eve tour france rejoin team believes created year ban july indicated manager bound team sponsors accept forced team publicly stated april want team ran day revealed stood forced team according armstrong riders discovery channel pro cycling team team built able choose riders wanted teammates contain exclusively spanish riders image liberty team previously rode matter addressed president new team organization place ride july armstrong holding places tour france told belgian channel currently constituted finished leaving team federation discussed season disposition riders wake announcement leaving tour said consider future race july lance armstrong announced formation new cycling team team venture addressed time armstrong announced participation august july agent announced turned offer remain new year contract felt uncomfortable caught hoping leave contract expired august close friend accepted year contract team indicating able leave agent wished confirmed august spokesperson sponsors said intended sponsor team intended enforce year contract team confirmed squad began filling transfers team addition armstrong gregory joined team day classics specialists joined grand tour support september team confirmed october confirmed october chris signed team years october confirmed reported remain order unclear reasons changed transfer team confirmed weeks later transfer entire tour france squad aside moved armstrong new team riders moved discovery channel rider george team steve michael season victories


tour france tour france edition tour france cycling grand tours race started netherlands july concluded stage paris july total riders teams entered stage race won chris team sky second places taken team riders respectively racing team dennis won stage race leader yellow jersey trek factory racing rider claimed second lose crashing following stage lead tour finish lost position quick step tony martin end fourth stage martin withdrawal race crash end sixth stage lead extended lead stages defended successfully attacks final stages took place alps british rider win tour twice victory peter won points classification won mountains classification best young rider team team winners team classification given award rider teams teams participated edition tour france seventeen automatically invited obliged attend race january tour sport organisation announced second tier professional continental teams given african registered trade team participate race history team presentation team roster introduced media local dignitaries took place park netherlands july days opening stage held city team arrived small boats canal number riders allowed squad start list contained total riders riders began race finish paris riders came countries france netherlands italy spain belgium australia germany great_britain switzerland riders race riders daniel black compete tour france average age riders youngest oldest year old youngest team trek factory racing oldest teams entering race pre race favourites lead tour main contenders general classification known media big chris team sky team won grand tour total grand tour tour france winners returned race having crashed edition riders considered outsiders van racing team team followed jean shown form season overall victories tour warm race earlier season won aiming rider achieve tour double aiming hold grand tour titles simultaneously having won thirteen days start tour won route defeating seventeen seconds placed second tour winning mountains young rider classifications absent concentrated won major victory season defending champion considered contender best result season tenth tour placed thirteenth considered favourites points classification wins flat hilly bunch sprint finishes alexander team mark quick step peter john giant showed form season coming tour eighteen wins respectively contender spearheaded sprint train like time consecutive winner points classification expected hard time repeating winner changes classification point structure fact ride support won day classic races milan san paris season lead giant team absence tour stage winner selected lack fitness route stages november announced host edition grand tour opening stages sixth time tour started netherlands record country outside france previous amsterdam paid reported host grand route tour unveiled october des paris stage second stage left city finish region south netherlands began antwerp belgium concluded steep climb known inclusion day classic race stage started ending france featured seven sectors combined distance stages crossed northern france westwards beginning region ending brittany riders took air transfer south country stages include tour climbed mountain col stage stages formed continuous stage journey eastwards alps stages took place mountain range second air transfer taking tour north east finish stage paris tour included new start finish locations stage stage stage saint martin stage stage stage announcement route race director christian described english adding climb win tour noticeable differences lack time trial kilometers mountainous terrain stages race covering total distance shorter tour longest race stage fourth stage shortest opening individual time trial long classified prologue team time trial stage stages officially classified flat finished respectively whilst hilly stage ended seven stages defined mountainous summit finishes stage saint martin stage stage plateau stage stage les stage june announced landslide route stage changed bypassing col instead climbing col stage distance remained intact rest days stage gap race overview race opening individual time trial stage won dennis racing team margin seconds quick step tony martin trek factory racing second dennis set record fastest average speed time trial tour mph win race leader yellow jersey stage coastal route finish caused main group split resulting time gaps riders stage ended bunch sprint won putting green jersey leader points classification dennis group finished minute seconds finished placed stage took race lead time bonus missed martin came ninth general classification favourites gained time leading group chris van favourites finished group dennis stage race following major crash finish riders race including continued final climb held stage second awarded dot jersey leader mountains classification took yellow gaining time general classification favourites day succession martin ended second place overall different riders partially fourth stage saw martin victory yellow jersey attack lead group finish fifth stage bunch sprint occurred got better beating peter mark respectively sixth stage quick escaping concluding small ascent port city crash final kilometer forced martin abandon tour broken second yellow jersey surrender record set stage daniel black african lead mountains classification led race rider wore yellow jersey stage seven martin finished stage earned right wear won seventh bunch sprint brittany awarded yellow jersey stage stage finishing atop saw french victory tour rider launching attack inside final kilometer victory general classification favourites finished lost seconds moved green jersey racing team won stage team time trial second team sky squad team came seconds fourth seconds following seven seconds rest day took place following day stage race arrival altitude finish saint martin day caught passed final climb select group attacked remaining win teammate minute stage saw time gaps open general classification leaders biggest loser came minutes increased lead second placed van minutes seconds took dot jersey green stage mountainous stage won early attacked slopes col line minute ahead second placed dan martin green jersey returned gained second victory race stage early rider reached final climb plateau kept lead intact stage thirteen saw brought inside kilometer marker known van racing team took victory ahead chasing stage fourteen rider reached final climb fractured led summit steve overtook victory airport plateau maximum points intermediate sprint minutes finished general classification favourites slightly distanced moved second place overall displacing van stage principal difficulty col climb saw succeeding passing climb lead group notable exception won stage tour followed john alexander respectively stage featuring col final climb plaza escaped leading group riders ascent chased descent avail plaza victory gap day second rest day spent gap stage seventeen alpine stages saw placed overall van withdraw race illness stage won giant simon escaped remaining win fifth placed overall crashed descent col losing minutes race leader stage eighteen attacked close summit col opened gap descent riding solo victory saint jean moved tenth overall joint mountains classification displacing stage nineteen broke away general classification group close summit col bridge pass group win les came second seconds later coming thirty tour penultimate stage select group riders attacked col finish met early attacked passed victory ahead came second attacking chasing general classification group gained margin eighty seconds settle second place overall final stage paris won fourth victory year tour finished race claim second tour france british rider win race occasions beat second placed seventy seconds team teammate claimed mountains classification time rider won failed win stages race won fourth consecutive points classification total ahead second best young rider followed giant warren respectively team finished winners team classification seven minutes 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 time bonuses returned tour time edition stage finishes excluding time trial stages finishers stages earned bonuses seconds respectively race director christian said want open race want race decided day tour crash happened final stage include time trials summit finishes riders involved received time group crash occurred rain final stage forced final times general classification taken crossing finish line laps riders required cross finish line final lap receive times points classification leader identified green jersey riders received points finishing highest placed stage finish intermediate stage points system changed stage win worth points instead second place awarded instead instead sprint points rule change aimed stage win valuable points available stage finish determined ranking scale new system effect tour stages classified flat stages seven stages stage stages stages rider won received points second rider mountain stages stages individual time trial stage winner received points points awarded stage team time trial changes mountains classification points awarded riders reached difficult climbs english category 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 yellow helmets addition award given stage rider considered jury greatest effort demonstrated best qualities awards given time trials final stage winner wore red number following stage conclusion tour 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 given winners stage race special awards prize given rider pass memorial summit col stage given rider pass summit highest climb tour originally col stage route change replaced col stage seventeen won simon final standings world tour rankings race eighteenth events world tour riders competing individually points contributed rankings points awarded finishers general classification finishers stage points chris moved second individual ranking despite team strong showing team sky took lead team ranking points riders spain remained leaders nations ranking


inaugural running cycling race organized sponsored newspaper sport event began milan stage finishing milan final stage total distance covered race won italian rider team fellow italians coming second respectively conceived boost circulation expense rival stage road race stages relatively compared modern grand tours longer raced today event began long primarily flat stage won lost lead stage eventual winner turn lost mountainous stage regained lead fourth stage successfully defended way finish milan winning stages route won team classification origin idea holding bicycle race italy suggested telegram sent editor sport paper owner cycling editor rival planning hold bicycle race success automobile race decided try hold race hold theirs following success creating milan san decided idea inaugural bicycle race announced august page day edition held idea race influenced success french magazine auto organization tour france newspaper lacked necessary sponsor race organizers consulted sympathetic bank proceeded donations italy succeeded raising sufficient money cover operating costs prize money came casino san employee encouraged contribute race rival donated rules course teams individual riders allowed enter race run stages rest days stage compared modern races stages long average distance compared average stage length route primarily flat contain major stage contained sixth stage contained pass seventh stage contain major climbs ascent san riders required sign stage minimize opportunities cheating photographed beginning end stage images compared judges riders receive assistance repairing allowed replace machines damaged course stage inaugural points system determine race winner organizers chose points system system based time scandal tour france factor organizer decision cheaper count riders times stage race leader determined adding rider placing stage rider placed second stage second stage total points lowest points total leader system declared winner time based event lost place finisher minutes winner general classification received grand prize rider finished race points winning prizes stages given participants total riders signed participate event riders entered non italians french german belgian time italy riders started stage race italian descent reached finish milan riders allowed enter race member team best known italians taking race successful having won day races won milan san earlier year notably italian winner race featured tour france winners louis future winners race overview inaugural stage milan began large crowd riders set starting line outside headquarters stage marred mechanical issues crashes owing bad weather mass crash occurring dawn start leading real climb near lake delayed attacked caught stopped train crossing leading riders way won stage second stage long saw finish edged stage win second place high new race leader stage naples start riders disqualified subsequently removed race taking train second stage caught failing pass unexpected set organizers start stage moved downhill opening descent found dangerous participants brakes stage featured major climbs mountains pursued leader eventually catching going win stage took race lead away fourth stage naples italian capital rome french rider louis ran road spectators riders left formed group went win stage thousands spectators race lead single point fifth stage florence like fourth plagued led flat tyre riders passed repaired chased won stage sixth stage florence genoa broke away leading group seven neared downhill finish winning stage large crowd race leader suffered managed fight way finish seventh stage scheduled run genoa massive crowds start led introduce rule forbidding riders attack kilometers outside city race proper begin rumored close spectators strike switched finish city short led stage finish attacked counter win extended race lead eighth final stage started covered finished milan crowd leading group suffered flat tyre managed fight way leaders sight leading group pulled away race directors stopped let catch escorted mounted police riders way milan arena stadium finish geared sprint finish police horse fell causing riders crash avoided incident edged stage win coming winner team won team classification results stage results general classification completed stages points received stage added general classification winner rider fewest accumulated points aftermath great success prompting organizers arrange second race substantially increased circulation starts finishes attended large audiences prize money helped start bike factory newspaper ran event company created run


edition cycling race took place march sixth race world tour defending champion peter won edition man sprint race important right spring classics season seen important riders preparation tour flanders cycling monuments takes place roads following week takes place roads flanders starting ending town primary difficulty race series short climbs known came middle race fairly flat final key race thomas team sky quick step peter riders rode kilometres maintaining gap chasing approximately kilometres remaining thomas attacked able solo victory british rider win race chased able second place caught main teammate won bunch sprint place major feature race succession crashes slipped resulted worse broken shoe major crash early race caused significant problems number riders worst affected trek factory racing major favourites victory broke ruling remainder classics season poster controversy month race took place february race organisers published publicity poster race poster showed woman dress raised underwear race logo visible hand reaching apparently pinch woman poster bore reference peter actions tour flanders podium ceremony race poster caused significant controversy especially race featured poster viewed poster described poster criticised union belgian jury advertising ethics march weeks race held poster withdrawn replaced route edition kilometres length started belgian municipality kilometre neutral zone official start initially route headed north short distance turned south east reach town kilometres route turned north east reached climb kilometres route briefly went south east reach second climb kilometres later flat sections race entered long loop significant climbs include flat section loop went north east reaching burst kilometres south loop turned west point travelling kilometres climb came kilometres longest climb day kilometres course turned north reach climb kilometres climbs came quick succession kilometres climbs kilometre flat section followed course travelled south west turn north tackle climb came kilometres followed turn east climb kilometres kilometres kilometres climbs route approached turning south kilometres remaining kilometres remaining riders climbed section expected key race climbs final climb day climb kilometres left end race past editions race section decisive formed combination climbs major feature tour flanders route continued south penultimate climb day kilometres remaining turned north west final race section flat climb kilometres finish line expected riders dropped hilly section course try regain contact section route continued west finished started teams world tour event invited automatically obliged send squad seven professional continental teams received pre race favourites spring classics season suited riders ride similar races early season tour flanders door raced roads winner peter major pre race favourites early season form mixed won race far year team preparation race affected suspension team manager owner following team poor results principal favourite trek factory racing won race relatively unsuccessful milan san finishing seventh shown good form races season important teammates crashed door earlier week potentially affecting chances quick step team expected feature race tom leader team time winner race crashed paris nice absent injury team riders compete win included second favourites included van racing team alexander team thomas team sky team entered race door preparing stages tour france competing win race report early stages race started champion missed race illness shortly start formed riders van team sean cycling col southeast pro cycling significant event took place kilometres water bottle came loose caused large crash main large number riders crashed including trek factory racing robert wagner boom john giant riders able continue favourites win race forced abandon significant pain immediately clear miss soon announced broken miss rest spring classics season kilometres continued build lead kilometres race lead minutes col dropped shortly climbed daniel racing team quick step attacked soon joined soon brought team dropped period racing abandoned race team sky took chase earnest reduced lead half minutes kilometres left racing team joined chase lead kilometres van dropped leaving riders leading group riders entered crucial section attacked group attacked riding climb road slipped mud foot damaged shoe left unable clip pedal reducing ability apply power climbs continued broken shoe able change flat section road small group riders earned gap caught soon point chase group riders half minute entered marcus racing team led climb attacked thomas team sky followed quick step brief period peter thomas riders caught dropped gap leading quickly reached seconds reduced seconds final stages gap expanded seconds foot final climb climb pressure reduced lead seconds dropped riders chasing group kilometres left leading group van team leader couple places van riding wheel team missed corner forced brake van action caused crash injuring taking contention rest race van injured longer riding group lead quickly grew seconds team leading chase gap reduced slightly seconds riders entered kilometres kilometres left thomas attacked lead group waited respond unable chase thomas built gap ahead eventually gave chase unable catch thomas race attributed loss seconds thomas continued win race ahead seconds caught left main chase group finished 30th minute thomas main led teammates teammate able block alexander attempted sprint took podium place seconds thomas result


season season cycling team began january tour ended october tour automatically invited send squad event world tour change season team manager replacing major change time tour france champion departed bank case remains unresolved spanish followed bank climbing talents spent previous season roman robert notable additions team alexander team leader alongside stated season likely year professional rider sustained crash tour france broke right retired sport time eventually went decision decision season opting instead return season true longtime identity stage racing team victories came stage races lesser presence grand tours rode achieving stage win sixth overall best placing took stage wins seven races roster ages january day races spring classics squad competitive monument races spring season coming milan san 35th tour flanders 18th paris clarke took seventh places early season classics respectively del race run difficult conditions riders finished team leaders rode strongly classics took fourth seconds winner gilbert fourth fourth monument gilbert race winner team sent squads gold race finished 16th 17th respectively fall races turned fourth place ride matched team best single day result season performances earlier season clarke provided team highest finishes later season single day races coming fifth seventh clarke turned good ride grand prix finishing tenth team sent squads san france grand prix des nations japan cup finished higher 17th races stage races took team win season paris nice winning rainy stage targeted stage fell anniversary death friend race stage slid crashed slippery downhill underneath parked truck took minutes safely needing wounds start final stage won stage tour country long solo attack took win season del winning fourth final stage day climbs gave points win mountains classification squad won teams classification later april team took wins concurrent events stage presidential cycling tour turkey took win season field sprint finish victory younger race leader day ceded winner stage later race fortunate took nearly minutes rest result fourth overall standings seconds clear man fifth minutes ahead man sixth day squad worked hard containing finish line resulted moving second overall retained position conclusion race tour won stage tony martin slipped field day principal caught stayed away allow sprint decide winner time gap fast charging finish protested results feeling sprint illegally race officials upheld order finish road felt result strong contender overall crown sitting seconds individual time trial pending race leader struggles race finished race losing time race champion evans time trial later said satisfied performance race revealed worse injuries paris nice crash thought taken prologue croatian suffering severe shoulder pain revealed cracked abandoned race hopes recovering time successful finished second prologue time trial assumed race lead day road race stage held jersey second day losing stage time trial considerably longer course prologue finished distant 14th having difficulty technical course slipped fourth overall stage assumed podium position kept race conclusion day team successful tour austria race concurrent tour france rode strong stage win summit finish horn day composition leading group changed times rolling terrain rider attack main surpassed riders ahead finish atop summit mountain bike veteran solo ride career road win year discipline result gave lead minute seconds overall standings riders finished stages built lead higher stage time trial fifth time riders overall standings extending lead half minutes easily won race overall day finishing safely stage won youth award inaugural provided team final wins tour race actually counted asia tour standings race defending champion won stage subsequently overall crown day team sent squads tour tour tour tour belgium tour tour tour ain stage win classification win podium finish grand tours leader ridden previous grand tours finished tour france twice time riding team inevitably mind leadership italian tour time ridden leader grand tour leadership access central signing offseason team experienced tenth place finisher named ride support goal finish podium team began poor team time trial finishing 17th teams immediately putting seconds race lead day selections stage hilly stage numerous sectors white roads finished race riders seconds day winner new race leader result moved places 18th time gap race leader remained close took time bonuses days later race riders narrowly missed taking rider summit finish belgian won stage place ride moved classification 14th like rest field greatly mount stage despite finishing seconds vaulted higher standings entering overall time seventh gained white jersey best young rider stage held position stage unexpectedly stage overall classification riders despite hints pink jersey day leading strong chase finished sixth day race riders remain seventh overall race best riders distanced summit finish finished sixth day losing minute half attrition riders meant actually moved fifth overall half minutes time gap unlikely badly day stage ending distant 16th day losing half minutes stage winner importantly losing minutes race riders fell ninth overall result regained position day ninth place lost time race leading riders rider fell position standings finished sixth climbing time trial climb relatively short time gaps riders small remained eighth overall result team took stage win stage support rider attacked leading group finish riders tried bridge way easily way race rode moments shared words veteran italian encouraged stage win race win year career ridden seasons remembered friend valued support rider wanted thank hard work behalf day good eighth place day moved seventh overall 16th stage time trial milan poor showing man directly ahead overall standings vastly inferior time 46th day moved past finish sixth place overall fall short goal finish podium nonetheless added grand tour best young rider jersey squad finished winners fast team traditional team classification times team riders added day finished minutes better team tour france led squad tour france entering thought final season active competitor main goal year wear yellow jersey time tour pursuit yellow strengthened addition squad riding solely support veteran paris nice stage winner named squad squad turned decent ride stage team time trial finishing ninth teams result installed 27th place seconds race lead took stage riders finish race moved places 18th result stage super team sky juan attack constituted clear bid yellow jersey starting day seconds race leader past remaining members morning eventual stage winner occupied second position road holding sufficient time gap race leadership depleted finished group result 11th team fortunes took dramatic turn day day riders johnny car race crashed van den david eventually left race injuries injuries clearly immediately walk road fell needing held revealed sustained broken right crashed witnessing took place position directly described race extremely fast road wet rider taking line left hand curve resulted taking widely falling road quoted saying expected dramatic end tour france said expected team fight stage win surgery day scheduled recovery time injury ruling remainder season meaning likely end professional career week later announced retirement sport second time weeks rehabilitation went better anticipated announced ride retiring later plan changed ride des nations instead lesser risk crashing individual time trial hilly classic september came retirement altogether announced return active rider despite hopes crashing race squad continue attain noteworthy results remainder tour took stage stages come close winning day finishing tenth sixth respectively minute winner time days finished eighth stage close tour squad best placed rider final overall standings 39th place hour minutes tour winner evans time previously rode suspended following positive test tour france transferred team effective beginning august race team ride squad leader hoped finish turned strongest team time trial performance finishing fourth teams commented ride team pleased fourth place small time gap stage winners leopard trek high stages come especially close winning taking seventh field sprint ninth minute days summit finish day sierra nevada finished rider leading seconds stage winner moved seventh overall hand finished second large group losing minutes chance overall contention moved sixth day finishing tenth climb tenth places difficult stages position improved fourth overall gaining position stage occupied fifth stage having slipped bit stage individual time trial leaving described big surprise stages lay nearly hour half race leader team manager stated pressure particular final placing sporting director expressed team dissatisfaction publicly suggesting expectation high placing obviously form attain moved highest overall position stage occupying overall seconds race leader cracked stage finishing 21st minutes pace time hand bulk field slipped sixth overall badly cracked stage losing minutes falling 26th overall team overall rider took ninth stage took seven minutes race riders result installed 16th place overall ended 18th best placed rider final position 34th season victories