ellen van maria ellen van dutch pronunciation born february dutch professional road racing riding cycling team road cycling track van known time trial specialist times world champion won world title track scratch race road world champion team time trial individual time trial won time trial european games silver medal team time trial world championships van started speed skating training undertook cycling cross training summer excelled competing nationally junior level national cycling champion fifth time quit speed skating time world title successes van twice european track champion twice european time trial champion won world cup races competed disciplines olympic games london helped win gold medal road race finished eighth time trial sixth team pursuit personal life ellen van grew older brothers father mother speed skating cycling played performed child van left study amsterdam lives years amsterdam shared apartment best friend dutch moved years later van shared apartment dutch hannah walter december van moved van graduated college earned bachelor degree human movement sciences university amsterdam olympics started master degree didn time complete sport career speed skating van started career speed young child performed natural ice skating tours age member local speed skating club winter months van trained day local speed skating aged years old van competed times junior dutch championships finished tenth place occasions competition fourth place rode track record metres early cycling years years old van started brothers cross training bike summer began competing regional races van performed started competing national races age year national championship finished fourth place following year won dutch national road championship category van won national titles time junior road race road individual time trial beat avenge defeat road world championships italy won junior road race world title van finishing van won dutch national junior title individual time trial finished second road race van considered selection regional speed skating choose speed skating cycling ultimately chose cycling professional career van achieved stage victories tour middle season van suffered fracture result hampered national championships finished 10th european championships world university cycling championship van won individual time trial finished second road race end season van reserve road world championships race dutch national track championships won bronze individual pursuit van won stage tour island finished second general classification national time trial championships time dutch champion elite category time trial european championships finished fifth good results time trials chosen represent netherlands time trial road world championships finished 17th good results year van spare time winter speed skating invited join dutch national track cycling team national track championships dutch champion individual pursuit ahead wild finished fourth scratch race points race good results national track cycling championships van chosen ride individual pursuit remaining track cycling world cups world ranking system potentially earn qualification olympic games finished los_angeles copenhagen fifth fourth places respectively finishing fifth individual pursuit world track championships manchester van missed qualification olympic games finished 12th world rankings riders qualified day took revenge winning major senior title scratch race world cycling championships laps attacked rode solo finish line later year european track championships scratch points race rode silver medal individual pursuit events despite winning medal dutch time trial championships won time trial european championships selected ride time trial summer olympics course heavy track van followed competitors riding heavier gear change bear fruit february track cycling world cup copenhagen won world cup victories individual pursuit points race won silver medal team pursuit month later track cycling world championships poland failed live billing world champion performances good copenhagen february manchester year van reach podium event spite disappointing performance van approached soon agreed join professional road cycling team team columbia high road women team changed number occasions van rode team road season start van suffered concussion crash van april unable ride nearly weeks immediately having recovered injury defended successfully european time trial title european road championships july riding time trial road world championships van took rest preparation track cycling world cups national track championships held weeks world championships van reach finals track cycling world championships melbourne finishing fifth individual pursuit team pursuit events participated points race late replacement finished eighth van won time trial road holland ladies tour route finishing final general classification standings won finished second open world cup race sweden dutch track championships van won medals including gold individual pursuit van team pursuit national team time trial record track cycling world cup manchester month later rode team seconds slower track cycling world championships finished 5th place position van finished individual pursuit van started road cycling season winning classifications yellow jersey points young rider ladies tour including winning second stage van dedicated stage overall win teammate died whilst training hit truck weeks earlier price money earned sent family riding stage races netherlands china spain finished second dutch time trial championships qualified world championships later year month later sweden rode world cup races winning open finishing second open preparation world championships won time trial holland ladies tour world championships copenhagen finished 6th time trial best dutch rider returning track van won track cycling world cup new national record fourth world cup victory end year successfully defended dutch individual pursuit title dutch national track championships national champion madison knee injury accident weeks required rest adjusted training van won stage tour earn bonus seconds tour finished second general classification van won individual time trial road race van days later started won prologue stage helped team mate stevens win general classification netherlands dutch time trial champion elite category second time career van selected represent country olympic games london competed road race individual time trial road team pursuit track road race van won gold medal van attacked times finished outside time limit victory seen team performance van van subsequently honoured holland house time trial van finished eighth said afraid start fast subsequently lost lot time race team pursuit van finished sixth wild amy qualification heats team held olympic record short period rode new dutch national record round according van sixth place highest place team hoped achieve preparation road world championships van team specialized won team time trials world cup holland ladies tour victories van won final stages tour result topped general classification finishing ahead wild second place world road championships van world champion team time trial team specialized days later van finished fifth individual time trial hilly course described road race casualty crash involving riders finish race winter period chose ride track focus completely road cycling season van started season place general classification ladies tour season van rode highlighted victory des world cup races van finished times second van tour flanders rode place italy second stage race season tour included individual time trial season won big difference finishing times second won general classification time trial said later tested time trial position stay italy day testing adjusting position steer found better position able maintain half hour said rode higher power time trials summer olympics world championships van improved riding finished fourth world cup race hilly time trial continued won time trials van time trial stages won mountain stage queen stage general classification june successfully defended national time trial title days later rode medal position national road race championships abandon race broken second lap prestigious stage race women cycling won stage individual time trial specialized won world cup team time trial open world cup races open finished fourth ride prepare stage races finished overall world cup standings rode strong stage races won general classification belgium tour holland ladies tour including team time trial stages preparation world championships van went season times italy time trial course trained morning avoid traffic video recordings course know turns week world championships won french time trial preparations paid world championships successful van team won second consecutive year world title team time trial van won time trials year main favourite individual time trial despite pressure won time trial convincing victory second dutch women win title end championships van finished 16th non hilly road race course successful season ended women road world ranking end year van won title amsterdam year nominated previous years won title nominated dutch year lost october van announced signed year contract cycling team teammate time trial summer olympics big goal focus time trials world cup races flat short stage races focus road cycling compete track van able start ladies tour recover time illness riding pier got shape fist races missed podium world cup race season van van helped team mate victory closing massive gap final race van won tour flanders solo kilometres april time trial victory world championships major victory career according end april ellen van won consecutive time trial van day van finished road race ended bunch sprint time trial competition van win time trial month later finished second team mate lisa van responded average power time trial great bad world class time days later finished second prologue stage race seconds rental hills classic van group consisted riders fell apart group riders finish van lost sprint finished second ahead amy van won mountain classification race june van started main favourite dutch national time trial championships win fourth time trial title finished second margin seconds van van disappointed responded good having real explanation van participated course tour france inaugural edition women race final day circuit tour france worldwide broadcasting van attacked multiple times women able clear laps advantage half minute open finished team got confidence time trial performances begin september van won time trial rental ladies tour seconds gap main rival lisa international time trial victory season stages ending bunch sprint winning seconds van finished general classification final test time trial capabilities world championships halfway kilometres miles time trial seconds advantage finished second seconds lost minute riding wrong direction van started season usual ladies tour won second stage took lead general classification day team mate took leading jersey van ended tour place overall classification european race season van escaped group riders anna van der able follow duo extended advantage sections followed holding chase group line van lost sprint days later van rode strong des final kilometers closed minute gap group closing gap victory injury van start van world cup season van team eager win final van lead lost van kilometer van continued rode place happy result found shame team win second world cup race van couldn ride fastest riders finished eighth team mate taking win tour flanders van heard day race leader team van won world cup race previous year van prepared race disappointed didn ride good race finishing 24th van rode races netherlands belgium spain april begin june notable results race second place team time trial tour second place van selected represent netherlands european games time trial road race june time trial big goal favorite win good race straight circuit seconds faster ukrainian won gold medal netherlands road race group riders anna van der lap appeared van der rode polish trade team mate netherlands van tactics finished fourth days later netherlands able win national time trial championships finishing half minute van der course tour france rain poured course slippery van involved crashes broke abandon race home installed high tent recovery went iris switzerland train high altitude weeks crash race started rental ladies tour september rode stage race stronger day finished second time trial seconds lisa moved place general classification able position road world championships richmond united_states won silver medal team team time trial time trial finished seventh reason performance rear attached frame wheel ran frame damaging tire inner tube road race rode anna van der won silver medal finished tenth place van started road race season year ladies tour van lost time second stage rode second stage group kilometres able ride away won stage city won year moved place general classification maintained position team mate finishing second place overall end february van attacked climb caught finished race bike change crash race went hospital appears broken bruised ribs achievements results championships games time limit finish major achievements dutch national records team pursuit women team pursuit track cycling introduced track cycling season dutch team consisting ellen van rode team pursuit time round track cycling world cup copenhagen time broke record later day ridden team pursuit time record broken times van woman squad record broken current record settled summer olympics van wild time august track cycling season changed discipline team pursuit riders personal records


gregory james born june american professional road racing won road race world championship twice tour france times entrepreneur anti advocate born california raised ranch country eastern slopes sierra nevada mountain range near married children wife supports variety charitable causes organizations non european professional win tour france remains official winner united_states accidentally shot multiple hunting missed tours returned tour completing comeback winning dramatic fashion race final stage successfully defended title following year claiming final tour victory seven riders won tours retired competition december inducted united_states hall_of_fame american win elite road world championship professional sign million dollar contract appear cover sports_illustrated magazine named year career championed technological pro cycling including introduction aerodynamic carbon fiber bicycle frames later marketed company business interests included restaurants real estate consumer fitness equipment vocal opponent performance enhancing drug use times commercial ventures suffered anti stance accused lance armstrong sparked conflict led eventually dissolution brand licensed armstrong primary sponsor trek lone american winner cycling prestigious race enjoyed public stature expected figure continues campaign publicly ineffective leadership international federation cycling december articulated willingness replace president interim basis called december brand revived manufactured partnership time sport international early life amateur career born california raised valley ranch country eastern slopes sierra nevada mountain range miles north city miles south parents bob sisters karen attended earl high school frequently rode bike high school cutting class home early ride loop west rose south lake east city follow street hill valley home introduction cycling came thanks freestyle skiing pioneer wayne recommended bike ideal season training aid started competing dominating intermediate category winning races entered received permission ride older seasoned competitors junior category finished second tour john howard united_states road pan american games champion caught attention eddie cycling federation national team coach described diamond clear diamond represented united_states junior world championships washington finished ninth road race junior world championships argentina won gold silver bronze medals highlight victory road race age selected olympic cycling team youngest team boycott summer olympics moscow prevented competing described real coach wanted retain protégé olympic cycle discouraged turning pro determined reigning junior world road champion received professional offers spring joined national cycling team week european racing campaign finished overall circuit des winning circuit stage race france american youngest rider history sport win major pro cycling event europe victory subsequent press coverage raised profile europe scouted event stage race french cycling coach said impressed spirit told fire great champion offering professional contract returned united_states won nevada city classic considered historic challenging professional cycling races united_states despite eventually receiving offers turn professional consider seriously signed paris day tour france finished professional career standout amateur rider quality exceptionally gifted quickly established talented professional circuit respected cycling journalist john reported tour france years described rider early years professional victory came months debut won stage french tour followed win classic united_states finishing ahead olympic road champion major step forward occurred stage race placed achievement remarkable rode race support team leader bernard missed standing podium race winner simon finished ahead weeks later simon assessed minute penalty discovered considered race major career said showed kind climbing ability need win european stage races won total races rookie season broke april racing cycling classic injury forced ride reduced schedule entering world championships england year men road race competition broke line italian following race american teammate accused chasing final meters strong end race flew past winning seconds seconds kelly placed tenth bronze medalist sean kelly favorite win race caught meters hold wheel said kelly don think fading got good gap wanted yes chased man road supported teammate george mount observed going throw bike everybody good buddy hell going start meters sprint going couple meters good good sprint going win race best got fifth sixth place apologize team set european teams independent race determine national champion instead highest finisher world considered national champion argued team compete european teams team management voted unlike teams world championship riders competing aged american pro win medal world frank took silver said racing racing business living second place good winning especially age weeks later september won mountainous day mile tour world record minutes seconds victory time advantage held end stunned europe provided broad confirmation following year won world championship outright american rider cycling talent overall strength climbing ability ability ride fast time trial capacity recover quickly suggested excellent prospect demanding grand tours grand tours rode tour france finishing support team leader winning white jersey young rider classification following year brought claire ride support team captain bernard regained form attempting win fifth tour french businessman team owner bernard signed million contract years race led early mountain stages suffered crash came difficulty point clear elite rider capable winning tour right possessed natural talent riding grand tours got stronger course week race injured vulnerable competitors knew stage included major climbs second col followed stephen attack given permission help build gap field managers claire team ordered year old ride sit wheel tactic use rider cover wind resistance following rider uses energy pace eventually slowed riders came join men recovered regain lead group end stage frustrated point tears later revealed team management coach paul far dropped crucial stage mountain stage won tour finishing second ridden lieutenant support enabled win fifth tour sacrifice promised help win tour following year tour leader claire team alongside support certain closer race approached condition help contingent demonstrating clearly better rider superb form chance win unprecedented sixth tour chose let stage individual time trial rider receive support team claire won stage time trial finishing seconds bad luck stage having suffered tire requiring wheel change later stage bicycle change required broke wheel frustrated outcome impact team function remainder race stage mountain stage race attacked lead group built overall lead end stage minute lead riders claimed trying draw rivals attacks planned clearly willing ride aggressively advantage opportunities presented placed difficulty teammate following day broke away early caught dropped final climb stage allowing gain half minutes stages brought tour alps stage dropped leading group end day saw pulling yellow jersey race leader time worn rider united_states following day alps saw attack early climb pulled attempting escape descent unable separate claire team leaders excellent ascended col continued pull away field maintained gap reached base final climb pressed crowd ascending reaching summit arm gave smile stage win unity attacked stage brought teammates andy steve commenting team situation prior final individual time trial stage offered following smile attacked beginning tour france helped don feel confident eye teammate rival race rode aggressively repeatedly attacked division created claire team yellow jersey end race win tour felt betrayed claire team leadership later stated tour difficult race career shooting accident recovery planned defend title tour france claire unable participate earlier year riding spring tune race fell fractured left wrist returned united_states recover injury week returning europe went turkey hunting ranch owned father lincoln california foothills sierra nevada barber patrick blades uncle brother law trio separated blades heard movement turned fired bush movement come hit right devastating blast approximately sized injuries life threatening fortunately police helicopter airborne near scene transported minute air medical flight medical center university california davis taken emergency surgery suffered right lung extensive bleeding having lost percent blood volume physician informed later minutes bleeding death operation saved life months later developed small formed following shooting underwent surgery relieve concerned team drop knew shooting accident required second surgery asked remove appendix time informed team appendix removed rest story left somewhat vague events effectively ended season october announced return competition following february dutch team shotgun body including lining heart embedded liver attempted return racing comeback hampered training resulted right requiring surgery missed tour second year running tensions relationship aggravated discovered going squad result moved strongest teams team based belgium team sponsored light american races deal completed new year eve hours legally ride season dutch team joining belgian squad allowed continue compete teammates like better suited riding classics grand tours return elite level struggling paris nice early season race failing improve condition informed wife intended retire professional cycling tour france flashes form day international sharing escape finishing 5th overall started preparation tour follow struggled mountains contention leaders final individual time trial florence placed second minute ahead overall winner improvement attributed anti treatment received twice race coming tour france considered contender general classification optimistic hope finish final tour weight expectation pressures tour favorite surprised observers strong ride prologue finishing fourth riders result continued ride opening flat stages winning stage individual time trial gaining yellow jersey race leader time years ride better condition week flat stages coming peak form time tour reached mountains remained race lost lead teammate rival stage days later reclaimed yellow alps stage mountain time trial gap saw battle continued attacked upper slopes unable placing yellow jersey shoulders held second advantage going 21st final stage rare individual time trial versailles paris won tour twice capable time seconds short course require gain seconds kilometer fastest specialists world wind tunnel testing season perfected riding position rode time trial rear disc wheel cut helmet scott clip bars helped stage time trial win holding time position able generate aerodynamic drag pair disc wheels chose use bars commonplace time trials instructing support car split times rode flat finished record pace beat seconds claim second tour france victory embraced wife collapsed sat shock final margin victory seconds closest tour history mph average speed stage time trial time fastest tour history david time trial performance faster press immediately labeled come triumph astonishing victory tour france history admitted felt good true personally rated satisfying overall tour win return pinnacle cycling confirmed august won world championships road race france defeating sean kelly line attacked repeatedly wet final climb select group caught rival perfect sprint title finished 6th fifth person history win tour france world championship year december sports_illustrated magazine named year time received honor tour win success season richest contract sport history signing million deal years france entered tour france defending champion pre race favorite leaving join stronger team team mates included robert finishes tour france unified roster strong riders appeared capable supporting mountains controlling race flats squad tactical plan upset day included teammate major favorites arrived minutes ahead field prevented challenging lead yellow jersey left shoulders teammate closed race leader finally overtaking final individual time trial stage finished minutes ahead italian yellow jersey wearing following day tour rode paris distinction winning tour taking individual stages remains rider win tour wearing world champion jersey course tour perceived strength team confirmed led team classification race adding team title yellow jersey september attempted defend title road world championships finished fourth seconds winner teammate belgium change retirement felt confident tour france defending champion trained solid team support leaders going stage individual time trial finished second felt riding extremely effort propelled yellow jersey losing seconds shook confidence held yellow jersey days stage challenging mountain stage experienced difficulty climb cracked col losing significant time eventual winner continued race unable seriously challenge lead finishing tour seventh overall won tour major win career tour france quit race mountains day andy won atop claimed saddle sore caused abandon earlier stated climbing like usual climbed better past tours year feeling usual self extensive endurance training road following winter performances following spring failed improve abandon days final stage difficult racing left exhausted enter tour france following season hired renowned dutch van advise new technique monitor training measure performance power based training use guide power output november sam power output key metric gained wide acceptance best measure training performance following year began tour france found unable race effectively abandon week race reached difficult mountain stages december announced retirement time reasons increasing difficulties entirely known loss speculated condition known mitochondrial responsible difficulty having performing current riders speculated condition suggested lead shotgun embedded body responsible effects increased heavy training acknowledged increasing prevalence contributed lack said changed cycling speeds faster riders easily performed dropping time team team demanding concerned stated told need blood order win focus solely difficulties frankly admitted figure months went right hunting accident months won tours world road race championship rest pure suffering struggling fatigue tired wide ranging interview american novelist asked career interrupted hunting accident feel compare time tour winners bernard responded course rewrite racing history confident won tours years retirement inducted united_states hall_of_fame ceremony park pennsylvania event held june olympic cycling team trials july espn announced premiere new film titled centers teammate tour france film based book richard moore premiered july espn business interests pioneer use carbon fiber bicycle frames european professional road cycling tour france win ahead bernard carbon framed bicycle ironically given rivalry existed time american french teammate rode bernard signature model look prototype year won tour france world championship final tour france carbon fiber frames bicycle frames featured branding cycles founded develop machines marketed sold public following year searching equipment edge team tour france concluded exclusive licensing agreement company inc access advanced technology briefly led tour overall riding produced bicycle company eventually blamed poor management father cycles parted years later company allegedly nearly bankrupt reached licensing agreement trek bicycle corporation according wisconsin based company manufacture distribute designed sold brand later claim going business trek destroyed relationship father lucrative partnership generated revenue trek excess usd renewed times course years ultimately ended relationship trek deteriorated staunch anti advocacy parties found odds july expressed public concern relationship italian doctor ferrari trek star athlete lance armstrong heard working ferrari devastated quoted saying armstrong lance clean greatest comeback history sports isn greatest fraud trek president john pressured apologize claiming public comments hurt brand trek brand allegedly justified demand apology advising contractual partner criticize generally point finger specific athletes particularly happens company main cash cow april trek announced dropping product line sue licensing agreement quickly emerged march filed complaint trek breach contract claiming best efforts attempt sell describing attempts silence including incidents complaint included statistics detailing slow sales markets including fact september june trek sold worth france country famous popular promised trek counter sued stopped producing brand nearly years litigation february reached court settlement trek breach contract dispute terms confidential settlement permitted case dismissed prejudice meaning produce claims future lawsuit settlement terms disclosed reportedly obtained control trek donation usd charity founding member board directors fitness revolution founded fitness inc help individuals achieve fitness performance goals train effectively company primary business development manufacture bicycle trainers indoor exercise consumers united_states internationally serves chairman board according company sources involved development design products programs fitness negotiated purchase interest company announced plans headquarters offices san_diego late purchased revolution new management team minneapolis formed introduce suite brands late early professional cycling sharp team recently renewed sponsorship use revolution trainers seasons team won stages tour france plus general classification partnership time trade september announced returning business bicycle manufacture sales french company time new line began series commemorative designed followed road gravel road models purchased time sport usa distributor company responsible distribution company line frames components said excited bike industry real estate joined parents law david morris friend michael snow morgan fund manager invest exclusive club big sky montana private ski golf community founded timber baron tim wife partners paid percent shares exclusive resort purchased building lots maintained property resort years later partners sued following reports credit loan resort million reportedly took million disputed partial ownership stake credit loan based billion resort partners sought million percent shares settled suit million partners remained creditors million payment having paid group million followed divorce bankruptcy club restaurants august partnership wife parents opened scott tour france france avenue minneapolis suburb minnesota described restaurant named chef brother law dream years come true explaining origin concept said eaten finest establishments france italy belgium favorites small places family owned partnered café franchises broadcasting joined channel cycling coverage providing analysis paris tour france hosting monthly programme cycling anti stance controversies longtime vocal opponent performance enhancing drug use spoke record cycling winning tour france received intense criticism publicly expressed doubts legitimacy lance armstrong tour success learning relationship ferrari placed center anti controversy consistently questioned relationship riders sports doctors like ferrari pointed products ultimately professional use said speak people translate think riders actually feel like advocate riders look treated like lab rats test vehicles doctors doctors management officials ones corrupted riders riders ones pay price notable conflicts fellow tour riders lance armstrong floyd critical president pat december claimed change needed head leadership stated called willing position necessary lead cycling said act earthquake caused armstrong case chance arise willing invest institution democratic transparent look best candidate longer term rejected new leadership dismissive ultimately defeated bid term british cycling president brian september congress florence italy supported presidential battle personal life grew living active outdoor life hiking hunting skiing ranch country sierra nevada mountain range lent pursuits believes outdoor activities helped trouble boy sit trouble focusing school parents skill set cope know classic case attention deficit disorder certainly frequently childhood disease today triumph symptoms found atop thin tires dusty miles said traits inability sit listen interested absorb interested people add good ways got cycling sport took fog brain able absorb stuff read changed life married wife previously morris children sons scott daughter wife live minnesota retirement increasingly involved efforts relating causes affected personally including sexual abuse sit board non profit avid outdoor fly racing time world record fly fishing catch pound bass reel pound record certified national freshwater fishing hall_of_fame wisconsin catch exceeded previous record pounds size confessed pack fly fishing equipment travel bike events fish chance retiring pro cycling competed formula ford series auto racing speaker guest speaker drive technologies international sales meeting mexico narrated award winning documentary adventures cure year july rode tour son found defining moment post competition life time life said despite getting place impressed finished continued decided day going cycling trek armstrong anybody time series public private disputes related anti advocacy hampered enjoyment cycling especially significant appearance witness floyd case eve testimony business manager called threatened disclose publicly victim childhood sexual abuse appear court scheduled following day took stand testified admitting world weeks later wife gave extensive interview paul sunday_times provided additional details concerning circumstances apology armstrong stating trek longtime manufacturer distributor racing cycles threatened end relationship behest armstrong described years following forced apology worst life marked self destructive behavior ultimately led disclose sexual abuse wife seek help described victim impacted racing career life september founding board member non profit organization mission help men unwanted abusive sexual experiences childhood live healthy happy lives car crash morning january driving conditions minnesota lost control car suffered concussion left memory incident according associated_press plymouth police report says left road hit fence shrubs hit embankment ending backyard home lost consciousness accident according wife suffered compression fracture wear months accident curtailed public appearances half recovery career achievements major results grand tour world championship overall results timeline awards sports_illustrated year international trophy lifetime achievement award


tour france stage stage stage tour france contested july race concluded stage july second half race situated entirely france starting mountain stage les incorporating climbs stage customary race concluding stage finish paris following victory ninth stage individual time trial team sky rider bradley held lead second half race maintained race lead second half race holding lead minutes seconds stage race final individual time trial held penultimate day race won stage minute seconds ahead team mate chris ultimately held lead paris following day win race overall minutes seconds rider great_britain win grand tour race finished second final podium completed winner riding team rider finish minutes final overall time team mate mark able win stage second half race winning final stages including fourth consecutive final stage victory paris victory allowed prolific tour france stage victories surpassing record held years france french riders thomas took stage victory second half race victory queen stage helping eventual winner mountains classification stage victories taken david fourteenth stage race descent climb carpet found responsible thirty climb delayed defending champion evans suffered climb lost minutes called truce main field allowing finish stage eighteen minutes clear pack following raid team hotel rest day second rest day marked positive drugs test rider placed rider race quit race traces banned drug found sample later confirmed sample classification standings stage july les stage spent entirely alps climbs col col higher finish les col highest point reached alps tour leader summit win finish category climb average gradient like previous day large formed different groups advanced clear main field approached climb day col total riders group point climb pace picked group mini groups quick step peter scored maximum points offer climb followed closely rider pulled second advantage descent riders eventually gap rejoined duo col team riders group setting pace team mate tempo splitting group young rider classification leader van racing team attacked climb later team mate evans acquired second lead point team sky brought bradley mountains points atop col minutes group containing overall contenders dropped minute early parts col consisted bank bank chris robert team later joining crashed descent climb having taken place points summit difficulty stay lead rider tried breach occasions final climb catching van den escaped eighth stage winner evans cracked climb losing time team mate chris contenders difficulty point backed pace team radio remaining rider second tour stage win team second stage win row led yellow jersey group line minute evans lost seconds filled places overall conclusion stage stage july saint jean twelfth stage longest tour race left alps pair category climbs col grand col category climb final finish case previous stages large group set tempo outside early running maximum group contained nineteen riders reduced time group reached foot opening climb col grand robert took maximum points offer climb help protect lead classification held team mate rider david tried bridge gap reach lead group crashed heavily descent climb abandon race took maximum points col lead safe day reaching mid stage feeding zone saint joseph lead group split riders david sharp rider jean looking team win row accelerated away near minute lead maximum riders overall contention let group decided chase finish attacked remained final stage played hand launching attack remaining closed immediately secondary took equation stage victory accelerated wheel unable follow pair took inside final remained wheel launched attack beat line fourth individual stage victory tour fourth different british rider stage win tour led line minutes points classification matthew peter protested sprint finish feeling closing metres race officials agreed demoted seventh helped second time gap rest field points classification seconds overall stage july saint paul cap transitional stage took tour mediterranean_sea day climb saint wind sea potential race final stage celebration day extensive french representation rider rider samuel jimmy representing quick step team country group rounded bank bank michael rider roy escape opening stage advantage eventually stemmed maximum minutes mark sent riders forward order bring gap led group line stage intermediate sprint point points classification leader peter able launch sprint line matthew extended lead standings result looked clear anticipated attacked accord held minute advantage companions way foot saint able close advantage summit climb racing team evans rider van den attacked saint accelerated pace ripped apart riders falling riders remained lead group van den team mate making group moves came rider alexander michael closed looking finish team sky race leader bradley led team mate sprint launched wheel managed fend quick finishing stage win tour half wheel feat german rider stage july race entered lower category climbs port reaching elevation featuring time tour france sections climb excess small attacks set course early running stage field remaining hour racing attacks closed shortly quarter way stage allowed established road riders went clear including points classification leader peter looking extend points advantage rivals rider matthew time crossed intermediate sprint line sur leaders advantage thirteen minutes increasing kilometre wet conditions roads port riders minutes clear team developed problem bike stop change equipment losing seconds companions bridge ultimately lost fourteen minutes stage finish attacked gilbert racing team rider sandy able follow originally later brought group pulled seconds clear summit summit climb carpet thrown road causing thirty riders including gilbert team mates evans steve race leader bradley team sky changed bike precaution result called temporary halt racing descent time team attacked gained minute margin combination tempo set realising situation later actions meant brought field continued slowly roll finish attacked remaining eventually way fourth career stage victory tour led home group riders minute eventually crossed line eighteen minutes stage july stage ran foothills departments minor climbs final stage expected suit remaining like previous day small attacks set course early running stage field remaining hour racing attacks unsuccessful prominent rider involving quick step sharp rider david team representing team allow gain advantage seconds eventually brought main field mark rider group formed immediately consisting christian sharp team mate thomas rider samuel quick step bank bank rider chased eventually group team set tempo main field reduced gap leaders minutes point eventually decided allow battle stage honours took maximum points climbs prior closing launched sustained attacks prior finish gained ground attack contested sprint tried launch sprint saw remained second stage win previous victory fourth career remaining members came main field leading home stage july second final rest day race entered high mountains queen stage crossing climbs col col followed category climbs col col completing called circle death dropping finish rider highest point reached tour received riders quarter race start stage early including riders lower reaches overall mountains classification leader stage winners thomas team rider led group col group remaining foot col group started fragment sharp dan martin accelerated dam tow racing team rider george chris bank bank later joined group remained climb cut dot jersey lead crossed summit minutes later advantage minutes col martin dropped french pairing joined riders added pressure rider dropped group aided efforts lead mountains classification tempo set team sky reducing numbers group eventually racing team evans lost contact climb team mates able rejoin group final climb col way climb left companion set solo attack evans fell group decided preliminary attack rivals team sky bradley chris able way trio cemented mountains classification lead reaching summit col remaining riders spread group trailed minute half attacked twice climb kept descended finish lead held lead end second stage win race repeated stage victory town remained second rider alexander place came seven minutes evans lost minutes trio falling fourth seventh general classification rider van den team mate van rider jan finished seconds outside stage time given continue tour making new stage july final day mountains saw race cross category col second category col des reaching climb tour port race dropped returning col crossing summit second consecutive day followed summit finish ski resort scheduled stage shortest mountain stages tour small attacks set course early running stage field remaining half hour racing attacks closed gap established col early foundations laid mountains classification combatants team thomas battling points prevailed ahead riders seven rider formed descent climb group bolstered time rider place general classification team sky duo bradley chris eventually sat group likely given advantage group rider chase group formed leaders eventually joined halfway stage extend lead classification minutes closing gradually following pair riders team attacked group set team leader followed kilometres later paced time went clear built second lead summit port closed half minute trail half minutes caught group including quick step rider descent remaining ahead hit col second ascent col race riders climb opposite direction previous day slight descent final climb held lead pass handful riders remaining group including general classification holding gap fluctuating kilometres neared summit came point van den tried attack pulled tandem accelerated away rivals set ultimately came short having wait times race leader metres certain parts climb achieved fourth career stage victory tour nineteen seconds ahead turn extended advantage rest field stage july despite ranked flat stage ranked climbs day potential produce successful break early kilometres stage group riders instigated day allowed create advantage roads brought confines long later uneventful period action major attacks going climb day saint climb bank bank rider nick team attacked hill joined fourteen riders create second major day stage best placed rider group team half hour race leader bradley team sky fresh set work team mate previous day halfway stage advantage sixteen leaders main field reached highest point day mark racing team set tempo start bringing leaders riders fell ground dog ran path slowing pace involved racing team gilbert restrained feet sent riders forward set pace group hopes setting peter fourth stage victory race gap reduced minutes inside remaining head race sharp david attacked moves team mate followed long later riders rider adam alexander team roy came sur roy dropped climb replaced group rider riders remaining finishing straight attacked line riders finish team sky mark following lead went outside pairing took 22nd tour stage victory line matching lance armstrong fourth place time tour stage wins list tying record victories matthew managed ahead closing stages second places respectively lengths finish stage july penultimate stage tour final individual time trial good roads centre city noted specialists time trial discipline having abandoned race riders general classification team sky pairing bradley chris expected favourites stage having finished second ninth stage time trial customary time trial stages riders set reverse order ranked general classification end previous stage jimmy place trailed overall leader hours minutes seconds rider set stage recorded time hour minutes seconds course reach line lead short lived minutes later rider went round course minutes quicker time sharp rider record time hour minutes time hour minutes seconds rider patrick recorded time minutes quicker having passed riders started directly minute intervals course finish line time held considerable time hours ultimately good place sixth final stage results rider start course time beaten set best time intermediate time checks eventually crossed finish line time hour minutes seconds surpass time thirty seconds spanish national champion time held right final riders course minute intervals riders racing team van holder white jersey young rider classification leader went beneath time split faded rest course eventually finished seconds outside time place passed team mate evans started minutes ahead course boulder colorado native later dedicated performance victims shooting nearby aurora beat time van time point beating dozen seconds continued extend lead course holding second second time check crossed line time hour minutes seconds beat time seconds achieved second stage win race adding second advantage time check finish punching air crossed finish line change positions general classification inside evans passed sixth place despite nearly hitting barrier pass course margin seconds stage july paris tour concluded customary stage finish paris stage easy start fourth category climbs apart inside stage high speed laps followed finish expected result sprint line keeping tradition final stage began slow pace largely ceremonial procession suburbs paris shortly riders reached circuit centre city racing began earnest unsuccessful attempts main break initiated led field final intermediate sprint point race remain eventually joined riders form advantage eventually reaching maximum thirty seconds closing stages later crashed final lap rider riders eventually finish stage closed leaders advantage mainly work team sky bank bank lost members caught remaining lead train mark team sky held lead race final corners won final stage fourth successive year incumbent world champion win 23rd stage victory allowed fourth place time tour stage wins list leaders classifications finished secure victories traditional prize giving shortly race

2012 Tour de France, Stage 11 to Stage 20


tour flanders tour flanders day classic cycling race took place belgium sunday april 100th edition tour flanders eighth event world tour day classics second monument race cycling season race started finished total distance kilometres covering categorized climbs seven flat sectors principal favourites overall victory trek tom quick step peter riders abandoned race crashes injuries decisive break formed kilometres team sky climb dropped followed shortly final climb race dropped set finish collaborated effort chase able ride finish finished second seconds route route 100th edition presented november brussels airport contained small changes previous editions west flanders omitted flemish flat sector cut race replaced road change needed iconic climb route recent tradition announcing van village tour abandoned route passed tribute roger oldest living winner tour flanders respectively race started market square zone leaving town south racing started outside city took riders southwest east south east passing sector day flat route continued series circuits hilly area south east kilometres came climb metre partially climb feature twice later race route turned north following climb non riders entered kilometre section roads included climbs flat climb finally metres flat route turned south west flat non climbs brought route second ascent followed immediately steep climb metres long average gradient sections summit kilometres left finish climbs kilometre loop includes roads race followed flat climbs roads took riders south climb north west foot combination second time kilometres finish took place mainly flat roads long finishing straight outskirts climbs roads total race included eighteen categorized climbs additionally seven sectors flat roads participating teams automatically invited obliged participate race additional seven professional continental teams given entries belgian teams dutch team german team french team direct italian team southeast polish team team start race included riders reached finish line pre race favourites principal favourites race tom quick step quick step won race previous occasions strong form having won having come fourth previous week strong form won major classic performed strongly previous week races cycling weekly wrote write time flanders winner race like winners present start alexander team defending champion teammate strong sprint gave advantage group finished ill previous week expected work major favourite race peter reigning world road race champion come second advantage able follow attacks wait use strong sprint came finish riders riders chance victory included team sky won ahead strong team thomas luke van racing team teammates race summary race began minute silence memory rider killed crash kilometres riders arrived birthplace rider died following heart attack international rode slowly town memory day took long time form hour day racing kilometres covered man broke free riders hugo van earned lead minutes broke apart day climbs began middle race riders forced withdraw crashes winner milan san crashed kilometres marcus crashed shortly kilometres later riders crashed forced withdraw included van broke kilometres remaining hard effort tony martin quick step caused split main riders group groups came shortly attacked allowed followed riders joined van original break dropped soon form man leading group minute lead foot second ascent climb quick step van attacked group including attacked went solo climb van caught group leaders attacks climb small group favourites formed quickly caught shortly kilometres remaining peter attacked joined crossed caught remainder kilometres remaining seconds ahead final climb unable follow rode clear summit seconds caught final climb rode away caught climb rode pursuit second lead summit chasing pair unable bring rode finish win monument finished second seconds allowing second place won sprint fourth place ahead luke sky seconds result post race analysis rider reactions celebrated victory finishing line said hardest tour flanders raced having gas suggested mistake following attack emotional finishing final tour flanders said missed second referring attack said chase strong said struggled crashes middle race suffered attacked described decisive moment race finished fifteenth described strong deserved winner said way rode good showcase ride bike turned attention paris following week van described disappointed following crash ruled paris luke fifth place team sky best performance tour flanders praised said better legs described strongest guys race kilometres finished seventh cycling weekly described phenomenal best result world tour standings remained world tour standings following victory total points ahead rider teammate moved thirteenth fourth sixteenth sixth total slovakia place nations rankings ahead great_britain spain scored world tour points


50th edition stage race took place march race world tour race important races early cycling season riders preparing grand tours classics season route edition started finished individual time trials rescheduled team time trial shortly race began race consisted stages suitable key stage race stage involved summit finish defending champion edition expected challenged strongest stage world team chris team sky pulled shortly race individual time trial won team kept lead stages van racing team team sky won stages taking race lead day queen stage won took overall lead able defend end race trek factory racing finished second seconds quick step peter won points classification won stage finished mountains classification won colombia won young riders classification overall race victory teams world tour event invited automatically obliged send squad professional continental teams received pre race favourites key stages general classification expected time trials summit finish race originally expected contest season riders expected contest tour france champion champion team chris team sky shortly race withdrew account chest infection withdrawn minute following withdrawal seen main favourite race demonstrated form fought close battle weeks earlier shown good form season raced weeks following crash riders considered chance general classification included quick step team dan martin losing general classification battle race lost riders expected challenge stage wins giant withdrew race virus principal left race mark quick step team sky tyler sam bennett race notable time peter raced alongside team expected feature sprint stages finish stage route important race early road cycling season world tour race year running time paris nice races seen competition prestige best riders important test riders preparations grand tours classics races milan san race generally takes riders east central italy sea adriatic_sea race known race seas italian names seas race originally intended begin kilometres team time trial expected difficult test result significant gaps general classification heavy wind rain week race forced race organisers sport change stage start finish lines unchanged stage shortened kilometres kilometres changed individual time trial expected result smaller gaps particular blow team based squad team time trial stage fairly flat stage expected suit preparing milan san stage unlikely change general classification included steep finish key stages came weekend stage difficult mountainous stage downhill finish following day route summit finish climb stage fairly flat stage race ended adriatic coast individual time trial san del stages stage march stage originally intended kilometre team time trial bad weather high wind torrential rain week leading event impossible race organisers reduced race kilometre individual time trial day race shortened metres course based holiday resort coast entirely flat course meant riders half course second early time set daniel racing team completed course good time set peter time best young rider prologue set good time hit pavement early ride nearly fell kept lead long time eventually overtaken cycling immediately overtaken team italian national time trial champion previous stage wins time trials time steve van racing team came close time unable beat principal favourite stage world time trial champion trek factory racing finished second won stage winning blue jersey overall leader race red jersey points classification leader quick step fastest general classification contenders finishing 19th stage major favourites race second team lost time stage march second stage race kilometre route location stage course started half laps circuit including climbs day heading south east city leaving course turned west headed north enter riders completed laps kilometre finishing circuit final circuit flat sharp turn bridge final kilometres early formed circuit seven riders racing team patrick colombia built lead minutes took mountains classification points won ahead beat second climb went jersey leader mountains classification thanks better general classification standing stage carefully controlled teams principally quick step kilometres remaining minutes lead gap reduced seconds entered finishing circuit kilometres remaining kilometres later attacked followed riders continued minute lead entered final lap circuit kilometres remaining caught soon crash kilometres finish eliminated contention causing delay general classification rider adam going final kilometres race teams competing quick step tried set particularly prominent led group kilometre remaining attempted lead teammate tyler final metres large crash mark quick step suddenly moved right wheels team sky unable continue thrown bike riding mph riders brought incident including giant crash left small group riders contest stage finish riding colours belgian national champion peter line sam bennett finished revealed stage sudden movement caused chain falling big loss power caused right unable avoid suffered cuts crash avoided broken bones able complete stage quick step keen investigate incident tom suffered similar problem tour thanks time bonus won coming second moved second place overall time moved lead points classification stage march stage took riders kilometre route route similar stage previous year race long route east including climbs finishing circuit edition riders laps kilometre circuit final kilometre circuit difficult section narrow gate section road previous year stage peter beaten quick step sprint early formed colombia giant racing team leader mountains classification won mountain times kilometres left race minute lead team controlled race carefully christopher long efforts bring group lead minute kilometres left race split kilometres end riders group caught controlled following kilometres racing team team sky cycling close teammates quickly running kilometres remaining left support riders left support van van perfectly positioned climb began attacked won small gap ahead quick step able hold lead stage victory quickest final metres started far able pass finish second stage unable catch van lead points classification van took lead general classification thanks bonus seconds won stage stage march fourth stage race longest stage race kilometres route took riders east intermediate classified climbs riders entered kilometre finishing circuit town riders laps circuit included climb kilometre climb average gradient following climb technical kilometre descent stage finish early formed riders luke riders built lead seven minutes ahead main riders crashed point route away view television cameras separate chasing groups formed colombia formed walter colombia racing team chase groups successful lead pair stayed clear tired kilometres remaining caught soon climb team attacked trek factory racing cross summit daniel team catching group descent riders caught flat section climbs approximately kilometres race led point group caught came forwards support led foot final climb dropping van race leader kilometres left team attack approaching summit looking group team sky attacked came past left entered descent seconds lead main group main favourites general classification taking chase allowing build lead eventually attempted chase able difficult descent built second lead reduced way finish held win team sky moved overall lead race second advantage quick step won sprint second place group leading sky absence chris expressed hope stage able defend race lead summit finish following day classifications moved lead young riders competition moved fourth place general classification having day running took mountain points stage lead mountains classification stage march stage queen stage summit finish race took riders kilometre course travelled south crossing significant climbs kilometres middle stage flat riders travelled southwest final stage difficult route passed turned east summit finish ski station final climb kilometres length average gradient total ascent metres sections climb section gradient rest climb steady final metres false flat stage took place cold difficult conditions temperatures rumours stage cancelled refuted race organisers stage took place planned day main formed early racing team paul angel team jesus team built lead seven minutes kilometres racing won mountain early stage second occasions climbs main effort reduce lead gap reduced minutes base final climb day final climb forming lead group team sky setting pace pulled clear lead race solo roman briefly pulled clear main pack riders entered final kilometres snow began fall drifted pack team attacked immediately broke clear pack tried respond unable wheel ended group riders chasing dropped point quickly caught twice attacks chasing group occasions unable break free race leader team sky dropped quick step unsuccessful attack finally trek factory racing successful attack dropped group work group riders including team adam group steady pace able reach finish line lead seconds seconds group moved lead overall classification seconds ahead minute ahead finished 16th stage dropped tenth general classification stage riders expressed displeasure extreme weather conditions trek factory racing prominent dispute hot weather tour team expressing similar concerns conditions particularly difficult riders conditions faced final kilometres significantly worse faced race leaders riders called extreme weather policy govern racing conditions stage march sixth stage final road stage race took riders city foot northeast finish adriatic coast stage length kilometres route took riders medium mountains difficult climb came kilometres finish line riders reached entered kilometres finishing circuit rode final kilometres circuit crossed finish line final intermediate sprint day completed complete laps circuit final kilometres entirely straight stage took place rainy conditions early formed kilometres involving team trek factory racing caught climb increased pace team leader riders set pace behalf peter climb race main unable stay included mark quick step giant advantage reduced soon summit climb sat caught caught soon kilometres race attacked built second gap led joined lead riders rode kilometres remaining attacked joined pack caught kilometres remaining time group containing main race unable reduce advantage kilometres race entire sprint train pulled race crossed finish line time order rest ahead milan san main approached finish line led riders main pack riders left support positioned final rider led passed final metres win stage finished second win months won stage tour general classification riders finished main group standings unchanged stage march san del san del seventh final stage individual time trial stage kilometres length took place entirely resort san del adriatic course route headed south intermediate time check kilometres pair degree right hand turns halfway course course headed north entirely straight roads stage flat significant climbs early lead taken set time time soon beaten team winner stage italian national time trial champion time team sky came close seconds finish trek factory racing come second stage set finishing second time intermediate seconds quicker second course took stage lead seconds time beaten remaining riders won stage second general classification riders chance victory stage positions won lost best time general classification riders seconds stayed fifth place overall team sky steve good times moving defending fourth place ahead trek factory racing strong ride finishing ahead quick step seen better time defended second place overall able catch race leader finished 55th place took overall race victory ahead peter leader points competition finish stage time limit win classification came close failing slowest rider stage finishing prevent exclusion allow classification victory classifications main classifications important general classification calculated adding finishing times stage time bonuses awarded finishers road stages stages stage winner won second bonus seconds second riders respectively bonus seconds awarded riders intermediate seconds winner sprint seconds rider second second rider leader general classification received blue jersey winner classification considered overall winner race second classification points classification stage race points awarded riders winner won points second placed rider placed rider point fewer place tenth place points awarded riders intermediate points winner sprint points riders second fourth places respectively originally intended points awarded stage team time trial changed individual time trial points awarded stage scale intermediate sprint winner points classification awarded red jersey classification mountains classification road stages classified climbs route riders climb awarded points mountains classification climbs riders won points points respectively points awarded difficult climbs race summit finish stage san stage climbs winner won points classification riders winning points rider points awarded green jersey final classification young riders classification based general classification highest placed rider born january leader classification awarded white jersey classification standings team classification


paris nice paris nice road cycling stage race took place france march edition paris nice second event world tour race took place stages travelling south finish des nice stage cancelled weather conditions prologue individual time trial stages suited decisive stages came final days routes taking riders alps favourites victory including defending champion racing team thomas team sky michael won prologue took leader yellow jersey kept jersey days winning stages sprint lost jersey summit finish stage thomas turn came close losing final day dropped final climb race col chase end race thomas beat seconds seconds won points classification direct mountains classification won team classification route route paris nice announced december race began kilometre prologue individual time trial near paris sunday march continued following seven days remaining stages road stages time trials stage included dirt tracks final stage exposed roads possibility stage scheduled finish kilometre climb gradient stage included climb came beginning stage followed kilometres roads finish crucial stages expected final stage finished kilometres climb final stage included climbs col final climb descent nice finish des stage underway weather conditions poor snow final climb attempting restart race race organisers cancelled stage sport organisation christian saying road slippery safe conditions assured participating teams race organisers invited teams participate automatically invited obliged send squad race organisers invited professional continental teams french teams direct vital concept team include riders teams filled slots team seven meant start race included riders chose compete different rest season fix taking product normal sponsor wore grey white place normal red white pre race favourites stages expected favour stages likely decisive general classification large number present paris nice overwhelming favourite racing possibly final season won race previous occasions participation shown form stage win grand tour contenders start paris nice riding chris team sky team opted wait begin european seasons defending champion racing team won paris nice winning individual time trial final day won edition victory moved team sky absence traditional col time trial route expected favour previous editions strength mountains meant major favourites strong beginning season tour struggled tour replaced team sky leader race thomas finished fifth previous year thomas won expected perform strongly prologue time trial major general classification riders included tom giant jon team andrew biggest quick step won stages far season overall title tour prominent included alexander team stages prologue march individual time trial prologue kilometre individual time trial began bank kilometre straight road sharp left hand turn road turned away river corners end stage riders set minute intervals defending champion set riders started earlier day affected rain final riders set patrick lead time tom beat second turn beaten second michael seventh rider course final riders including thomas unable beat time thomas finished seventh losing seven seconds eleventh seconds finished 27th sixteen seconds finishing described special beat best time world said hoped stay yellow jersey race leader long possible stage march sur stage broadly flat stage covered kilometre route sur classified climbs kilometres final kilometres followed circuit included climbs gravel roads riders entered circuit half way round crossed gravel sector second sector included category climb kilometres finish line end second sector riders rode complete lap circuit crossing gravel roads climb second time reaching stage finish stage took place difficult conditions snow rain wind cold temperatures stage began man formed thomas vital concept direct trying hard chase built minute lead middle stage second half stage sunshine strong sky quick step working hard splits group alexander second group road able groups came gravel section lead reduced seconds soon caught sky luke working vital concept attacked time climb caught work riders rode second lap dropped final climb despite attack tony followed thomas large group crossed final climb kilometres finish edward trek attacked went caught sky sky ben swift sprint came close taking victory passed final metres finishing michael increased lead winning bonus seconds intermediate sprint finishing fifth end stage retained yellow jersey significant changes general classification said stage victory immense relief failed win races stage march second road stage held kilometre route route flat entire stage category climb came kilometres finish line reached lap kilometre circuit small climb final kilometres slightly degree turn roundabout metres finish line main beginning stage anthony vital concept cycling earning minute lead time raced kilometres quickly reduced minutes quick step climb won maximum points dropped break kilometres remaining riders reached second lead attacked start final lap unable follow kilometres remaining caught final kilometres came behalf gave good lead followed wheel opened sprint metres remaining right hand road michael coming left final metres drifted left riders nearly crashed crossed line beating trek second place result changed shortly stage relegated place jury decided driven sprint dangerously giving stage victory putting second alexander led rest field home second favourites stage victory finished stage march stage scheduled follow kilometre route took riders east climb route crossed climbs kilometres entered circuit took riders climbs kilometre climb final metres group sixteen riders escaped early stage attacked trek joined team thomas rest group caught stage took place cold conditions increasing quantities snow falling temperatures low recorded climb day racing suspended initially intended restart way road minutes later decision taken stage results count general classification points awarded intermediate mountains contested stage march romans sur stage took kilometres south romans sur department climbs stage category second category final climb came kilometres finish early included riders thomas direct matthew dimension data vital concept allowed build large advantage keeping minutes ahead main action day came second category final climb minute ahead attacked dropped riders dimension data attacked climb mistake corner ended field climb dropped pulling race thomas riders crash climb able return climb caught direct attacked built lead kilometres remaining second lead rode hard bring finally caught kilometre remaining gave strong lead comfortably won sprint edward trek finished second finished fifth retain lead general points classifications said stage victory disqualification stage stage march saint paul salon fifth road stage followed kilometre route saint paul salon stage included climbs significant partial climb category climb taking riders kilometres average gradient riding way summit riders descended climb came kilometres remaining stage category climb second category climbs came kilometres finish line section flat sharp left hand turns final metres early included quick step boom edward trek direct kilometres lead extended minutes climb dropped dropped seven riders drop stage dropped boom temporarily dropped able rejoin group group lead reduced minutes climb day won climbs day came second following lead mountains classification dropped attacked penultimate climb second lead descent final climb attacked came quickly dropped kilometres remaining built second lead putting virtual lead race chase began earnest final kilometres chasing behalf alexander unable catch crossed line solo victory seconds ahead chasing group won sprint second finishing moved second place overall seconds stage said felt win overall general classification said think survive saturday stage win way climbing think possible said final climb stage steep difficult significant time stage march nice penultimate stage race took riders kilometres route started des nice left city north course included seven climbs kilometres racing crossed second category climbs followed kilometre section flat roads followed second category climb category climb kilometre average gradient long descent came second category climbs bringing riders summit finish shrine city kilometre climb average gradient climb fairly regular sections including final metres day included riders direct vital concept quick step trek andrew thomas gap exceeded half minutes chasing hard behalf kilometres remaining minute won climbs second mountains classification dropped crashed abandoned race wrist injury dropped rest continued kilometres left minute ahead won fifth sixth climbs day moved lead mountains classification riders approached final climb day sky came kilometres remaining caught reduced riders race leader dropped leading group kilometres remaining attacked following caused group size sky reduced riders thomas left group kilometres remaining pulled group leaders formed thomas attempted attacks unable escape group supporting thomas final kilometre dropped accelerated thomas followed took stage victory thomas finished second time second thomas moved race lead seconds ahead stage march nice nice final stage kilometre loop started ended des nice route took riders nice north crossed category climbs came south second category climbs final kilometres included category climbs kilometre climb riders descended outskirts nice turned inland final climb kilometres col average gradient descended nice final kilometres fairly flat ended des albert garden stage began rider minutes racing included teammate robert group joined shortly riders including rider dropped returned thomas won climbs day second occasion won points secure victory mountains classification attacked quickly built advantage dropping assist built lead minute team sky pulled lead group caught foot col tim ahead attacked chased attacked times sky team chasing thomas appeared struggling final climb got away initially climb caught second advantage chasing group thomas dropped chasing group included thomas joined sky riders joined tony chased hard kilometre descent caught chasing group descent forming man group gap gradually reduced seconds finish won man sprint second won sprint fourth place thomas won overall general classification beating seconds post race analysis thomas said race victory demonstrated compete stage world said presence crucial victory stage chosen tooth help chase dropped final climb said owed assistance chasing leading groups final stage said happy contribute chase second group final stage order man leading group chasing group added glad help thomas men friends exchanged text messages thomas wales played france rugby approach stage described cycling weekly tactical masterpiece said team executed strategy perfectly sean said team nearly attempt overall victory suggested cancellation stage prevented winning race said performance especially final stage given confidence going rest season said sure form going stage good sign future paris nice difficult world tour standings place finish second consecutive podium place season long world tour competition following second place finish tour moved place overall moved second previous leader simon dropping thomas moved fourth fifth moving australia remained nations ranking sky moved teams ranking classification leadership table paris nice awarded general classification calculated adding finishing times stage time bonuses awarded finishers road stages stages stage winner won second bonus seconds second riders respectively bonus seconds awarded riders intermediate seconds winner sprint seconds rider second second rider leader general classification received yellow jersey second classification points classification riders awarded points finishing stage unlike points classification tour france winners stages awarded number points points won intermediate points crossing sprint line points second place leader points classification awarded green jersey mountains classification points awarded reaching climb riders climb second category points available difficult higher climbs category climbs seven riders earned points second category climbs riders won points category climbs riders earned points leadership mountains classification marked white jersey red dots classification teams times best team stage added leading team end race team lowest cumulative time


tour france tour france tour france held july organized newspaper auto following tour france changes rules important general classification time points race saw introduction mountains tour france excelled mountain finish race rule changes tour france cheating sabotage previous years completely eliminated won louis won stages changes tour france tour france disqualified notably original overall classification originally banned years life ineligible start tour france warned inflicted started tour disqualified union based accusations cheating race officials tour difficult observe continuously significant portions race run overnight long stages difficult officials end tour france event changed important ways race easier supervise stages shortened night riding occurred number stages increased stages double previous year winner selected points time cross finish line received point received point passed line directly plus additional point minutes maximum points way points crossed finish line example point system result seven stage table important introduction mountains took trip col metres metres average gradient places convince use climbs route accepted saying blame mountains hard climb previous editions highest point col metres chose focused instead introduction saw missed opportunity publicity previously categories riders sur machines riders category allowed change advantage mountains use bicycle lower gears riders machines category use bicycle entire race verify marked participants race started riders signed race eighteen start race tour began riders including winner future winners riders grouped teams rode individual sponsor belgian french leading start tour considered likely contenders win event race details despite rule changes protesters spectators stage riders jean nails spread road stage won louis serving army requested commander leave tour france allowed hours won stage led classification leave extended end tour starting reached finish line time limit reached finish limit rest took train tour organizer wanted stop race persuaded allowed continue points second stage major climb debut riders fastest dropped drop final kilometers reached average speed reached second wait minutes bicycle higher gear support car broken later caught dropped won stage second stage led classification seven reach finish time allowed start stage stage abandon lead won stage fourth stage col climbed second mountains tour france reached tops won stage finished second place leading overall classification number points fifth stage won finished twelfth place big lead general classification fifth stage longer challenge lead seventh stage kilometers rest quickly sped away follow kilometers caught rest managed win sprint louis kept lead end race winning stages accused bad reportedly smashed control post prevent opponents signing unlike tour france stage winners general classification disqualified results stage results stage allowed use stages won general classification officially grouped teams sponsor allowed work classifications winner sur machines category having bicycle event organising newspaper auto named unofficial title precursor mountains classification aftermath tour organizers liked effect points system remained active tour france reverted time system years anniversary tour france points system reintroduced points classification winner given green jersey points classification active introduction mountains tour france successful introduction tour france central climbed followed alps winner received victory night won drank friends lost money later years win tour france won stages finished podium year unofficial mountain champion tour france successful year won overall classification stages auto newspaper organized tour france race success circulation increased


day cycling classic took place belgium france march edition race took place march seventh race world tour defending champion john giant won edition bunch sprint spring classics season known classic terrain challenging classics edition followed kilometre route started ended race took place difficult weather conditions heavy wind rain result riders finished race started race won team attacked small group final kilometres took solo victory quick step second place ahead thomas team sky route kilometres length starting belgian city west city finishing spring classics centre small hills nearby region travels west west flanders france fewer hills making suitable race began route took riders west coast kilometres flat roads reached southwest route turned south travelled kilometres reaching kilometres entered department france kilometres french roads took west turned south climb day came kilometres later riders climbed kilometres loop brought round climb second time different direction route turned east final french climb came kilometres riders continued east kilometres entered belgium outskirts enter key section race began climb kilometres start kilometres later climbed town kilometres climbed succession climbs interspersed steep including difficult descent flat kilometres section road followed route went east gradually looped west flat section riders returned roads ridden previously repeated sequence climbs second climb kilometres remaining flat roads route turned north east roads route turned east teams world tour event invited automatically obliged send squad professional continental teams received riders team beginning race riders pre race favourites main classics riders tom quick step trek factory racing injured races earlier spring absence expected affect race races classics season tour flanders following weekend particularly suited fewer climbs spring classics difficulty comes exposed parts west flanders defending champion john giant principal favourite victory race won milan san week good form seen good ability getting short climbs having difficulty alexander team second milan san fourth days earlier favourites especially bad weather expected peter champion form following expected able win bunch sprint attack quick step team expected feature strongly race absence led mark strongest won brussels similar options team included second team sky brought strong squad team included thomas winner winner bradley expected support riders considered chance victory race included classics riders daniel van racing team sam bennett cycling adam tyler expected favourites withdrew day race illness race report race took place wet conditions included early stages race delayed formation form included seven riders built minute lead hour racing riders tim team albert giant alex team trek factory racing southeast pro cycling soon split groups riders began withdraw race principal difficulty race wind described riders constantly balancing bike leaning wind trying blown road riders entered flat lands near belgian coast winds problematic quarters dropped withdrawn race time riders turned inland trek factory racing blown sideways ditch wind knocked riders caused martin quick step withdraw race mark crashed forced chase attempt rejoin leading riders conditions severe team officials called race ensure riders safety shortly large groups came main riders approximately minutes caught soon split small groups strong winds group reduced riders bradley left withdrew race hit pole road broken group included thomas van joining soon attacked gained minute lead main group riders attacked group able away came attacked summit initially built small lead chasing group led riders quick step stopped chasing suffered allowed riders attack group quick step attack joined daniel thomas despite superior numbers able maintain lead quickly fell long way riders continued crash period including cycling mat jack suffered crash rider rain jacket got caught wheels picked bike threw ditch team cars riders asked directions ride directly team hotels completing race attacked main group caught quick step shortly chasing thomas blown violently bike landing left shoulder landed grass able rejoin group appeared shaken crash riders approached final time lead minutes led climb thomas following closely riders struggling soon caught quickly following eventually returned group unable crossed final climb day kilometres remaining minute lead ahead man group point led solo kilometres beginning struggle caught kilometres remaining caught suffered quickly returned group immediately attacked joining thomas led chase looking tired riders came final kilometres kilometres remaining attacked chased riders attacked built gap able maintain finish beat thomas second place followed minute main came minutes winning sprint ninth place ahead riders finished race results post race analysis widespread comment media race weather conditions described races recent years said crashed twice way victory total lucky later race said north real cycling pointed head heart crossed finish line gesture performed winning stage explained gesture indicating wins required head heart legs patrick quick step team manager described team bad luck race included crashes martin pointed absence tom reason riders thomas felt riders looking particular chase win said didn left sprint end race wrote riders come close calling race extreme weather conditions winds reached approximately mph strong riders unable form website quoted brian president described conditions difficult impossible race real classic


gold race gold race 50th edition gold race day race took place april eleventh race world tour gold race classics season takes place region netherlands belgian takes place week principal classics defending champion edition race gilbert won race times won world championships similar course race took place kilometres route centred town route included short climbs repeated decisive climb fourth ascent came kilometres finishing line race typically suits attacking groups caught decisive action came final ascent small group formed climb race victory sprint won reigning world champion road race victory won world championships team second michael teams gold race world tour meant automatically invited obliged send team race organisers professional continental teams teams riders team total riders entered cycling thomas forced pull start stomach upset sore riders started race route kilometre route gold race began left city north riders passed towns way climbs day climb day passed climbed climbs came kilometres racing route turned south riders climbed climb east direction course turned reached heading south climb west point route entered series circuits town riders climbed time climb came kilometres loops longest kilometres riders climbed left turned south east kilometres contained climbs roads far flat climb came kilometres followed quickly climb route briefly turned north turning south outskirts climb came kilometres racing kilometres later riders entered short circuit town came kilometres route returned roads climb route crossed turned east cross riders reached turned west final loop took climb entered riders climbed second time riders crossed finish line completed kilometres kilometres remaining second loop shorter kilometres began climb travelled outskirts route turned north time climb turn south east route roads loop riders climbed second time turned north second climb point took different route included climbs loop riders climb proceeded directly climb seen moment early attack succeed came kilometres remaining final loop shortest day kilometres riders climbed time second time penultimate climb day final climb fourth ascent base climb metres remaining climb metres length average gradient maximum gradient climb approximately metres fairly flat roads finish line pre race favourites gold race won past riders attacked long distance finish line happened recently roman attacked shortly penultimate climb normally race decided final ascent edition gilbert racing team attacked midway climb able solo victory flat section climb opportunity riders dropped rejoin bring race sprint finish race expected suit especially able defend solo lead ahead chasing group gilbert defending champion main favourite race victory won race won world championships road race raced similar course gilbert demonstrated good form coming previous week champions took trek factory racing team come fourth major favourites strong form following stage wins quick step current world champion team michael considered strong chance winning race particular favourite win small bunch sprint group came race report early formed riders kilometres climb riders jan cult energy pro cycling van mike team initially letting break escape soon relented leading group advantage grew approximately minutes time reached kilometres racing led racing team crashes phase race second riders forced abandon race riders crossed finish line second time kilometres remaining lead approximately minutes riders began chase second loop team came chase support reduced lead minutes briefly broke small group free descent mechanical problem forced stop chasing bring riders came end loop riders dropped group lead minute attacks came david cycling simon clarke attacking forming lead group second group attacked tony martin quick step diego alex kilometres remaining clarke second lead second group seconds original caught missed corner shortly forced ride field rejoin race unable catch leading riders groups came shortly disagreement group riders commitment attempt crashed corner reducing group riders leading chasing group caught kilometres remaining clarke attacked caught kilometres later final attack van racing team van refused assist setting pace soon caught final ascent samuel attacked foot behalf teammate gilbert subsequent attack allowed race victory attempted replicate strategy attack ben place gilbert attack successful effort riders dropped michael able hold wheel chasing point gilbert riders joining group shortly long way metres remaining able stay riders recover climb began long sprint able rest group finished second win win rainbow jersey world champion results post race analysis riders reactions win road race victory victory world championships victory prologue individual time trial paris nice fourth rider win gold race wearing rainbow jersey jan bernard described race amazing day said dot following quick step team second place finishes tour flanders paris praised tactics race despite gilbert failure repeat victory tenth place finish worst result years gilbert attributed failure stay away chasing pack lack final flat section reputation main favourite race worked disadvantage delighted second place finish best result career gold race declaring happy second looking forward remainder classics world tour rankings winning points victory race moved thirteenth place fourth place world tour rankings total points left points leader team sky moved world tour rankings quick step moved ahead team sky lead teams ranking australia remained lead nations rankings