known tour day cycling classic took place lake northern italy october edition day cycling race final cycling monument season final race world tour race organised sport organise course difficult taking hard climbs kilometre route including famous madonna del climb started reached coast lake halfway race final kilometres contained climbing final climb coming kilometres followed descent finish line aggressive racing climb madonna del difficult followed small group came final climbs targeted race following expulsion attacked penultimate descent despite losing time final climb came finish line monument victory daniel team second background final race world tour change recent years tour beijing final race individual victory world tour won team won day classics took place early season took places tour france team leading team rankings ahead team sky spain leading country rankings ahead colombia great_britain series italian classics important came groups races formed came second won remaining races second group races world tour diego teammate won teams seventeen automatically invited obliged attend race race organisers sport invited professional continental teams entries included teams italian based colombia received entries rejected receiving final place team expected enter riders riders failed start race initially comprised riders riders finished race teams entering race route route announced september little weeks race took place numerous changes previous year route race took place northern italy october course kilometres length difficult hills coming second half route began race finished neutral zone took riders south city racing started san heading south route turned east north kilometres riders reached joined main valley road heading north east roads point entirely flat kilometres joining valley road route turned west cross climb day kilometres average gradient descent climb route continued west returned outskirts point riders completed kilometres racing route left time north west went past course turned west come second climb day moderate climb approximately kilometres descent followed flat roads took riders north came shore lake time course turned gradually south pass eastern coast southern tip approximately half way point race roads travelled north riding coast lake point riders covered kilometres remaining kilometres far difficult race climb madonna del kilometre climb average gradient middle kilometres climb flat remaining kilometres average gradient sections steep immediately descent riders faced kilometres climb average gradient came wall kilometre section road average gradient sections climb kilometres finish line descent shores lake kilometres flat roads took riders south west riders got far eastern outskirts turned east day penultimate climb kilometres summit came kilometres finish riders descended reached kilometres remaining route left town west climbed san kilometres summit came kilometres remaining descent town descent ended riders went kilometre remaining final corner metres finish line shore lake pre race favourites defending champion race dan martin won edition late attack crashed forced retire race injury recovering injury raced crash finished 14th place form race unclear especially longer difficult final race martin season final race team martin form uncertain favourite race performing strongly early season hilly classics season close success past finished second max racing team said increased difficulty edition suited suits good classics riders climb descend fast sprint finish cycling weekly suggested ability recover time work favour team strong favourite race won editions come second injured knee hit sign post training forced withdraw race cited potential winner race following difficult season struggled tour france subsequently thrown holding team car significant target performed strongly late season italian classics team shown strength supporting diego victory won present riding tour instead absent champions started race gilbert winner won gilbert particular considered potential winner race favourites race victory included diego simon robert warren giant quick step tim race report race began grey skies rain falling race began succession attacks eventually rider group escaped form day principal jan southeast pro cycling dennis van simon giant cycling oscar break lead extended minutes controlled principally assistance team sky foot madonna del lead cut half minutes madonna del location attacks van broke away riders attack joined quick step tom jon robert trek factory racing tim climb came led beginning climb soon passed struggle rode hard main reducing riders gilbert dan martin riders unable stay group despite gilbert efforts unable regain contact descent led diego led behalf leading pair advantage reduced descent flat section leading climb started approximately kilometres remaining attacked caught kilometres later continued lead pace reduced group seven riders riders dropped worked sky return group riders attack sky attacks successful daniel brought riders leaders group came climb attacked summit rode descent despite race point strong descending skills gain advantage rest group width road coming close crash barriers moments came head group attempt slow chase lead foot descent seconds final climb began kilometres remaining seconds ahead group attacked soon caught passed set pursuit time ascent unable catch descent finish line superior skill descending allowed stay ahead reached finish line victory finished seconds later seconds won sprint fourth ahead result post race analysis reactions said race victory expulsion good thing helped find anger went success got season track particularly italian win monuments long time italian win cycling monuments described victory good win said despite risks took descent peter descending described proud end race major goal described strongest rider race time finished monument dan martin unable follow leading riders finished race order repay team faith following injury earlier season finished 52nd nearly minutes said strong follow attacks climb world tour rankings despite points won second place finish able win points win world tour rankings points won secure overall victory team competition increasing margin victory individual classification place finish earned points moved tenth place world tour rankings success italian riders moved italy ahead colombia great_britain finish second spain national rankings


second edition cycling race organized sponsored newspaper sport race began milan stage stretched finishing milan june stage total distance covered race won italian rider continental team fellow italians coming second respectively rider lead race winning stage second stage took lead race successfully defended lead way race finish milan route overall victory won stages continental team finished winners team classification changes major change calculation general classification start second originally point given rider placing stage organizers chose riders placed 51st higher stage points point distribution system riders placed 1st 50th stage organizers chose increase length race success edition original race stages long edition increased stages overall length race increased close kilometers race close kilometers longer inaugural edition race participants total riders started second signed participate riders began finish milan june riders allowed ride member team teams competed race continental notable participants included reigning champion contained famous italian time time tour france champion rode second straight year fellow jean successful tour saw german participants completed race race overview stage second began large send start city milan finish contested riders came finish line pack managed sprint riders leading group win stage stage saw non italian stage winner history jean managed fellow group member solo stage victory riders chased close second place finish stage high lead race french success enraged italian fans led competing riders ban unite foreign riders stage saw major italian riders attack early stage riders rode way finish went win stage following quick succession fourth stage saw tough stage poor conditions riders ultimately led withdrawal riders including likes ranked overall time pace slower poor conditions caused riders arrive hours later expected naples beat seconds stage victory prior fifth stage start jean withdrew race citing illness police suspected foul play looked situation results disputed stories impassable roads start fifth stage moved naples decreased distance stage won fifth stage leading race remained intact roughly half sixth stage broke away pack finish rome edged stage victory stage group riders lead broke away riders way finish genoa large crowd spectators came finish went win second consecutive stage extended lead rest field race eighth stage contained harsh climbs notably finish stage contested finished time winning stage end dominated difficult ninth stage contained major climbs san went win stage close minutes second place finisher race tenth final stage marred rain race leader crashed hay wagon early stage sustained heavy wounds bike finish stage fifth place despite rain milan spectators came watch riders arrive rider cross finish line milan won stage won margin eighteen points team continental won team classification final standings stage results general classification completed stages points received stage placing added general classification accumulated points winner


racing team season season racing team began january tour ended october automatically invited send squad event world tour team captain evans provided majority victories notably overall crown tour france twice runner race age oldest post world war winner evans took different race program previous years rode relatively races prior tour overall victor tour considered team strong classics pedigree active races tens win single day race spring season van won late season paris tours stages stage races earlier season team classics leader italian win race briefly suspended racing ongoing investigation roster ages january day races spring classics active traditional season opening races attaining seventh place italian opener eighth belgian opener narrowly missed victory week later finishing second line gilbert acknowledged gilbert optimal tactics final sprint felt nonetheless pleased early season form rider group selections sectors roads finish monument race season milan san teams riders present leading group road crash climb kilometers finish effectively split field teams lacking field tom surviving split captain struck deal send men lead group help away left second group group possible tactic worked teams plus pulling head leading group kept lead end race later figured crucial rider selection took place kilometers end kilometers day racing riders represented different teams teammate perform proper gilbert opened sprint momentarily manage fourth race winner matthew van group split occupied position road kilometers descent caught select group finished head race second monument tour flanders noted bringing strong squad headed van went attack early portions race brought short attack day fourteenth climb quickly took sizable time gap team organized chase bring placed riders seven rider chase group succeeded bringing usually happened classics races riders remained head giving riders race caught van followed eventual race winner nick finished group seconds sixth place day rode seventh place classic later april time winner mark rode placing monument paris marked odds favorite day having teammates road groups contribute work led lightly heralded team winning race solo escape able finish sixth staying best losing contact attack near finish race came days named ongoing investigation rider blood riding team unlike accusations broke chose suspend competition felt suspension team attained highest level sport rely attend level races attained status guaranteed invites team president jim denied case saying team cleared accusations new require action suspended later reactivated time van team finisher classics come especially close victory finishing 24th gold race 16th seventh fourth monument record early season single day races ended series near misses june murphy essentially unknown rider international scene sixth place finisher inaugural berlin leopard trek level professional teams race second losing dan martin final sprint van narrowly missed podium losing sprint place taking fourth day team sent squads brussels del door finished higher 13th races fall races van opened team later season podium finish san winning seven rider sprint place seconds day winner gilbert like earlier season finished especially close victory classic paris brussels september taking seventh place rider sprint turned similar performance week later championship flanders seventh rider sprint days grand prix fifth group added second place large sprint grand prix murphy took second finish year van sixth place sprint van quick step van finished race threatened victory finishing seventh 13th rider lead group van took team lone single day victory season paris tours despite expectation race come sprint finish van attackers provided different sort finish teams worked chase morning effect actually allowing van shorter distance bridge main field race leading group advantage exceeded minutes proved van took win ahead rider seconds van team best finisher italian races traditionally conclude season missed victory del finishing second riders sprint daniel team distant 12th nonetheless strong result race profile team sent squads france grand prix grand prix grand prix finished higher 14th races stage races evans took team wins despite fact raced days prior season planned light program meant victory tour france evans showed fine form race seas finished near race hilly stages kilometers length took race lead second day won stage extending race lead seconds short individual time trial remaining riders directly evans overall standings lesser time trial skills seconds significant advantage evans managed 12th kilometers race clock closed race easily preserve overall victory april evans won tour winning stage greatest time win came stage individual time trial sitting point finished eighth day took sufficient time overtake alexander race lead flat final stage provided meaningful changes overall standings securing evans win win evans showed strongly race bradley proved far strongest overall classification stage individual time trial evans sixth place day moved second overall finished sufficiently near race days assuring second place overall event team principal winner later season van tour austria won stage photo finish matt margins took points jersey stage win adding fourth eighth place secured earlier event won event conclusion van tour van riders finish race stages van won stage van took race lead higher finish stage stage occurred day evans sealed tour france championship paris team posted news van race leadership calling yellow jersey taken van successfully retained race lead event conclusion adding stage win day beating van team took victories august earned win professional career prologue time trial tour finishing kilometers course seconds faster second place returned winners circle time years usa pro cycling challenge finishing best riders stage team sent squads tour tour tour paris nice tour country del tour tour utah circuit franco tour beijing achieve stage win classification win podium finish grand tours came real overall classification hopeful sporting director stated team man squad designed chance stage win day frank climbs rounding squad young americans butler riding mainly experience constituted seven americans team preparation affected investigation resulted team banning second time previous ban april reactivated shortly concluded squad middle pack stage team time trial finishing 13th teams squad active stage white roads went attack kilometers principal single rider advantage minutes highest point began fall fall kilometers left race minutes main field category climbs course mountains leader took maximum points took green jersey day end retained jersey stage seventh stage winner assumed took stage half race fourth stage second attacking oscar ninth stage traditional field finished best team riders reach finish finishing 16th overall team shared fair play award teams avoiding penalty points minor technical tour france tour france main focal point season leader evans team ridden grand tours past seasons past focused solely tour rode different race program preparation tour previous years riding fewer races early season stage races tour evans won finished podium second overall squad named race chosen sole goal helping evans win race overall consisted classics specialists aim keeping evans trouble stages help mountains strong time stage team time trial 16th consecutive tour start tie record held having finished evans active finale road race stage completely flat finish stage kept way crash kilometers end split field evans stayed gilbert finish atop des belgian won stage evans finished clear second place seconds positioned team stage team time trial despite considered lesser squads team sky squad finished second seconds tied team sky leopard trek result left riders david tied time overall classification norwegian taking yellow jersey evans installed overall single second evans said stage pleased team effort confidence continuation race stage flat finish important day team evans approached finish select group head race including race overall favorites race leader evans finish claim second career tour stage win finishing safely stages favoring evans took gilbert super stage despite finish stage profile finished group meaning evans expected yellow jersey day featured change race leader including thomas gained minutes evans remained placed overall significant changes overall standings stage medium mountain stage heading gradually second category climb kilometers finish gap won stage samuel evans attacked descent gained minute race riders notably andy stage extremely important race overall standings kilometers finish andy attacked group race favorites followed bridge teammate morning escape paced maximum minute advantage race evans intensive effort kilometers mark limit losses easily won stage evans remained seconds time gap easily stage individual time trial evans mounted final chase riders near contributing work took little time view finish line field finished scattered evans long largely solo chase characterized saving overall chances andy bid tour victory status quo largely held day fell race lead putting andy yellow jersey characterized missing important chance pad race lead time trial evans recognized better race tour came stage time trial evans certainly stronger event surpassed expectations long time trial tour france speculation time hand win tour second riders course rode different time trials hour earlier tony martin set dominant best time finishing minute better rider field evans rode best time trials life seconds martin pace time check seven seconds lesser finish line ride half minutes evans finishing 17th day speculated close challenge ended challenge evans took race lead minute half tour final stage largely ceremonial competitive overall classification time trial clinched tour evans grand tour win evans long level career featured previous previous tens riders reached tour finish evans triumph meant set new record man ride tour winning squads australia prime minister evans personally later honored parade state reception melbourne thousands supporters attending shortly tour france ended team reiterated evans season plan grand tour ride team debut having ridden italian french grand tours invites receiving invite tour spain squad chosen stage wins mind van grand tour try frank climbs rounded squad squad star power sent tour france middle pack team time trial finishing 11th teams squad stage finished stage took fifth place stage individual time trial minute half pace day winner tony martin frank rode fourth stage minute half pace day winner time david team second half seventh place van field sprint finish stage riders reached finish van place highest overall finisher season victories


tour tour road cycling stage race took place netherlands belgium august 11th edition tour stage race race world tour tour unusual race cycling season primarily classics riders stages race suitable fourth stage individual time trial final stages suitable classics riders team sky won stage rider wear leader jersey team took lead second stage time bonuses losing time trial van took lead fifth stage lost tim following day defended lead final stage win second successive tour defending champion victory van racing team second points classification won award van won team classification teams world tour teams automatically entitled obliged start race professional continental teams invited form team team entered riders form rider rider racing team daniel withdrew race fall training riders started race schedule stages race flat road stages classified climbs stages expected suit potential stages difficult decisive section race expect start individual time trial stage final stages race expected suit classics riders fifth sixth stages hilly stages style classics final stage roads feature classics change regulations introduction golden kilometre series intermediate road stage approximately kilometres finish riders sprint points won bonus seconds general classification replicated system tour belgium golden kilometre system played victory van racing team pre race favourites world tour stage races won strong tour unusual favourites overall victory classics riders perform strongly classics classics feature early cycling season defending champion tim won tour penultimate stage favourites cycling weekly predicted given freedom attack defending champion winner race took boom won strong favourite especially race included longer time trial recent editions race favourites included quick step van racing team strong form coming close victory san gilbert stages race flat particularly suitable prominent taking race included trek factory racing team sky edward stages stage august stage kilometre flat stage netherlands starting finishing race began large loop south town north coast returning time finish line race turned north shorter loop south coast returning second time finish line laps kilometre finishing circuit stage contained climbs day early formed team david racing conditions fairly easy lead seven minutes point quickly closed reduced minutes kilometres remaining intermediate space kilometre described golden kilometre won respectively caught team sky drove finish line sky andy leading teammate metres remaining able follow wheel opened sprint long distance finish line able follow come past stage victory van trek factory racing finished second jean racing team fourth place stage august second stage race started south netherlands starting finishing course kilometres length like stage entirely flat stage began loop south crossed finish line begin larger loop second loop took riders north south west south east tour entered belgium time route turned north passing east returning cross finish line second time final stage laps finishing circuit east laps included golden kilometre early formed riders van second day running riders briefly lead seven minutes controlled team sky especially allowed van win early jersey return allowed win golden kilometre riders minute advantage point main gilbert competed remaining second bonuses gilbert won won second van caught led kilometres remaining despite crashes final kilometres stage came finish quick step attempted lead tom entered final kilometre able bring open sprint metres finish line finished comfortably ahead finished place stage time result bonus seconds won golden kilometre moved overall lead race second place seconds time time rider team worn leader jersey race stage august stage race took place entirely belgium kilometre course contained classified climbs final flat stage race route began circuit municipality course took riders west far turning south west riders crossed finish line time began laps finishing circuit town included golden kilometre formed riders early race david edward built lead reached minutes control team lot work controlling kilometres remaining team hugo touched wheels crashed sharp corner continued forced abandon race taken hospital ambulance following blow head traffic signal won golden kilometre bonus seconds moved fifth place overall end stage caught kilometres remaining apart brief attack came finish led giant quick step split slightly quick step work start tom able follow despite wheels point came past final metres stage victory second moved second place overall following stage second time stage thrown race team recently told contract renewed team orders day stage august stage kilometre individual time trial netherlands course fairly flat slight downhill section start gentle section finish early leading time set team time average speed mph soon time beaten van van seven seconds quicker rider complete course average speed mph rider come close van time teammate finished course seconds second place van won stage victory year van moved overall lead race contenders overall victory finished course good times included van gilbert boom quick step riders successful best placed rider julian seconds van considered favourite overall victory suffered mechanical problems changed twice finished stage august fifth stage race hilly stage climbs climbs known feature gold race began belgian province riders completed half laps circuit town included climb day course left town east crossing crossing border dutch province route continued east riders climbed route turned north frequently turned climbs included route entered half laps finishing circuit complete laps riders climbed golden kilometre came lap climbs complete laps riders climbed finishing formed kilometres van van better placed riders seconds van seconds controlled behalf van assisted quick step van lead minutes point reduced half minutes kilometres remaining riders contest bonus seconds golden kilometre van gilbert took remaining seconds main heavy thunderstorm started riders entered finishing circuit disrupted chasing group team taking responsibility chase van lead minutes entered final lap team sky boom brief attacks soon sat lead reduced minute kilometres remaining point riders crossed attack joined giant form chase group man chase group work consistently working group brief surge final climb reduce van lead group able bring leading pair van worked final kilometres attacked following race van continued chasing riders exhausted efforts day unable properly regain contact able hold sprint stage victory van finishing second time won sprint time took race lead second ahead van dropping fourth stage august sixth stage hilly stage climbs coming kilometres race started netherlands circuit included climb route left town south crossing entering belgium route continued south entered riders climbed col way finishing town course climbed saint climb course kilometre length average gradient route loops south town entering laps finishing circuit circuit crossed saint des finishing significant difference previous year editions tour absence finish day early formed jan cycling giant minute lead stage caught race entered finishing circuit team attack numerous attacks following new man leading group formed initially include race leader able rejoin lead group grew nineteen riders attacked briefly led race caught work van simon giant attacked joined michael rogers soon attacked group caught passed rogers saint won seconds golden kilometre van attacked main group passed rogers second place win seconds dropped main group able rejoin group able chase van rode jan tom attacked main group lead extended downhill run won stage seconds ahead van moved overall lead ahead van dropping stage august final stage race took place entirely belgium kilometre route started outskirts brussels ended area east flanders known flemish principal feature stage series climbs stage began circuit headed west climb climb kilometres racing final kilometres included climbs came route turned north followed riders turned east crossed series climbs tour flanders riders crossed entering half laps finishing circuit included climbs van final climb tour flanders complete laps route finished halfway van fourteen rider formed beginning day racing group large advantage broke ascent lead group climb formed men racing team quick step attacks came main group eventually man chasing group formed leading riders kept lead approximately minute riders came went chasing group caught main led approximately kilometres finish line weakest leading riders attacked summit penultimate climb day quickly dropping attempted hold wheel dropped flat soon half minute lead entered base difficulty climb reached quickly began catch eventually crossed line seconds spare second professional victory career years come tour finished large group seconds sealed overall victory race classification leadership table principal classifications race general classification calculated adding time rider took ride stage time bonuses applied winning stages seconds riders golden kilometre stage riders given second bonuses respectively rider lowest cumulative time winner general classification rider leading classification won white jersey points classification road stage riders awarded points finishing places points awarded intermediate rider accumulated points leader classification won red jersey classification based solely points won intermediate leading rider won green jersey final stage team classification stage times best riders team added team lowest cumulative time seven stages won team classification


cycling grand tours race started team time trial celebrate anniversary italian unification city served capital single state route difficult modern history race substantial criticism simply hard week long race seven stages categorized high mountain summit arrivals highlighted stages second rest day ending austria exceptionally steep tall steep peak near valley fifth consecutive climbing time trial race mass start stages ended majority field race stage leopard trek rider crashed coming del near town suffering catastrophic injury despite substantial efforts established died spot fourth stage raced instead run cycling procession second rest day member team killed accident home participant death caused teammates members pay tribute subsequent stages strong overall favorite race original winner constituted second championship winning margin ahead second placed minutes won points competition consistent high finisher substantial lead second place completed podium sub classifications won mountains competition roman finished best rider aged general classification finished race fifth overall february court arbitration sport decided following positive test tour france lost results event stripped title new victor race winner points classification teams invited automatically attend professional continental teams announced ahead time rules normally limit races riders received special rider allowing 23rd team additional invited teams despite talk excluded scandals involving team members included rules list participating teams pre race favorites notable riders including grand tour winners odds favorite bank champion likewise won editions tour france announced april contest status doubt positive test tour france cleared national federation february able return racing case final appeal court arbitration sport later overwhelming favorite overall victory reigning champion chose return preferring focus tour france later season briefly considered riding opted physical condition time feeling race successive edition fourth reigning champion return defend championship grand tour winners field considered realistic overall contenders riders named contenders included roman riding leader team protected rider grand tour time career runner david captain fourth place finisher riders noted included teammate main support rider italian national champion team dual leaders given irregular race number wearing italian national champion commemorate years italian unification squads normally given numbers group numbers ending zero seldom issued squad wore numbers ongoing investigation involving members team known effect race greatly affected team manager implicated investigation stepped team manager shortly began replaced sporting director contingent specifically excluded riders staff implicated investigation foremost riders winner felt eventually cleared wrongdoing racing team unlikely field overall favorite given man evans chose focus tour france affected investigation second year row team suspended members team named investigation team reactivated riders ended near total flat friendly stages stop mark tyler taking start expected race start list sporting director presidential cycling tour turkey promised place win stages event win stages turkey team believed better served continuing somewhat smaller races mainly came smaller teams teams little overall ambition quick step team sent apiece belgian team hunter american squad squad team francisco season prolific winners date small sent ferrari stage winner respectively leopard trek team intended send winner points classification great success recently run circuit crash tour sustained multiple lung forced squad turned hopes rider originally set man belgian route stages route unveiled october immediately recognized difficult featuring categorized climbs mass start stages seven summit finishes seventeen regions italy visited race race commemorated anniversary unification italy attention immediately drawn stages preceding second rest day stages featured summit finishes multiple high rated climbs tallest climb route originally announced length shy maximum length allowed regulations summit finish mount faced twice stage final major climb return featuring stages classified flat italian claimed saw seven potential sprint finishes consensus overwhelming majority route favored strongest expense riders route positive critiques critical opinion simply difficult particularly comparison similarly difficult difficult route tour france revealed days earlier team sky sporting director sean called route brutal said tour france contenders bother coming race difficult seen early indication team leader bradley skip additional critical analysis concurred route excessively difficult incredible vertical climbing route originally announced number summit finishes long transfers white roads featured stages race director criticisms saying simply hard hard stages second half courses altered shortly run notable stage début mandated removed night stage run maintained pass officials set detailed protocol team cars follow race mountain offering wheel changes present riders team managers expressed concern fully able fulfill duties present riders like normal given basis decision held organizers sufficiently ensured rider safety course necessary protect sporting aspect race eliminated stage reduced length originally planned length second category climb added route day offset loss protests spectators disappointed removal route including volunteered works parts road safe led cancellation climb route diverted stage progress avoid small village foot protesters gathered exact distance stage likewise entire unknown stage individual time trial milan shortened course shortened days stage took place special election taking place milan day stage city officials expected high voter turnout want city center tied race day revised route began outskirts milan instead center ended original design spite hand criticism riders following race route excessively difficult dangerous remained staunch defense route race overview began team time trial city served italy federal capital squad won stage making rider race leader pink jersey team focus day defend race lead try deliver star mark victory indirect effect overtaking pink jersey new race leader awkward final sprint italian won day david race leader days finished group seconds better main field stage result overshadowed death earlier stage chose run stage following death instead stage ridden procession memory remaining members team leopard trek training partner tyler squad crossed finish line arms withdrawing race evening stage held dirt roads provided spectacular stages dutch rider won stage second time gap field coupled second time bonus winning day gave pink jersey stability overall standings point race riders finished nearly stages stage major mountain stage featuring mount including summit finish day strong overall favorite seized control race attacked leading group road way time likewise struggled hold wheel came close reaching pair won stage stage win despite having won italian grand tour immediately attained minute advantage overall classification previous grand tour wins lost race lead taking taken early race teams riders legitimate chance win race overall generally try avoid defending lead days tire support riders early leave leader vulnerable speculation relinquish jersey hinted plans happen heavily stage group stage hard fought late forming number potentially new race leader entered day overall occasions come time bonus claiming jersey group destined pink largely impetus team group caught finish rest overall favorites finished race riders standings claiming time bonuses meaning retained race leadership took time main field day stage day ended austria finished ahead main field approached finish line attempt sprint win allowing minute half time gap plus time bonus second place gave lead minutes overall standings tour france held larger lead days extremely difficult high mountain stages won members team finished best rider overall days advantage wearing black fellow spanish participant race died run won stage individual time trial result nearly minutes clear best rider largest advantage held race stage finished rider ahead main field time teammate earlier appeared allow companion stage win easily taken later commented victory year career meant gesture thanks italian support riding squad claimed going strongest effort stage individual time trial final stage ride good place extending winning margin minutes giving sixth dominant grand tour championship stage wins numerous winner points competition substantial margin completed podium order having targeted obvious advantage held second place stages overtook finishing minute half better seconds lesser relinquished second place stage took maximum points day climbs second place points largely thanks performance won mountains classification end race roman eligible matter months won youth competition ride sixth place overall success proved fairly widespread won stages stages prior second victory team let individual rider won individual stages teams team eventually repeated stage winners won ill fated stage later stage wins came difficult stages race high mountain stages preceded second rest day leader won controversy laden day ending climb removed route day won stage described hardest life seven half hour day high climbs ending following win contentious sprint finished road stage team took stage win young diego stage contentious sprint italian national champion actually crossed line relegated team winners stage francisco sprint road race stage solo finished minutes better rest field won single stage claiming mountains classification team teams completed race came away sort victory like occurred final podium celebrations tour france wrong national anthem played race organizers mistakenly played old spanish anthem lyrics favored spanish dictator francisco franco spanish national anthem played purely instrumental death descent del stage leopard trek rider crashed suffered catastrophic injury race doctor doctor team cars near group road administered approximately minutes doctors gave adrenaline try restart heart stated efforts clearly vain dead time got doctors able revive declared dead spot short time later body descent taken nearby hospital conducting autopsy concluded belgian died immediately crashing death years cycling grand tours died tour france team nearest crashed stated touched small retaining wall left road pedal road collided looked exact position race wall teammate tom witnessed accident saying hard fall italian police conducting death took official statement portuguese rider team hotel memorial placed crash site pregnant girlfriend mother residents nearby villages placed flowers leopard trek team remained race day encouragement family david taken race lead day spent evening discussing members leopard trek best friend tyler girlfriend mother best pay tribute fallen rider race director said post stage press conference race officials respect decision day stage usually occurs rider dies midst multi day cycling event day raced instead stage preceded minute silence ridden procession memory teams took minutes members leopard trek allowed finish arms led rest field line seconds later results stage recorded count general classification points competitions stage instead podium presentations jersey classification leaders jan appeared stage leopard trek team lead moment silence subsequently remaining leopard trek squad decided leave race later revealed inclusion leopard trek squad final moments stage decision solely felt extremely grateful moment silence held stage funeral took place day gave pink jersey presented podium surviving family stage winner john stated thoughts crossed line dedicated win acquainted death second rest day reigning champion leaders season team killed freak accident home preparing train teammates reportedly crushed car garage door despite taking edition taken edition popular liked rider race leader eventual winner rode stage individual time trial black stage preceded minute silence teammate posted time best day visibly overcome emotion interviewed assembled media ride won time trial dedicated victory acquainted despite having teammates days later teammate close friend rode victory solo effort dedicated stage victory pointing crossed finish line team met consider withdrawing race death instead riders unanimously voted ride commented squad hoped stage win francisco win come death honor members team family final days race fans wrote signs earlier aftermath immediately death officials announced issue number future editions race number prominent signs held fans events later season including tour california death reason stage race canceled safety concerns races held native belgium began practice issuing number belgian federation criticized gesture saying bring serve continually remind fans sport death issued number belgian national road race championships month race concluded reports began stated director going ousted position praised delicate handling death handling teams protest eventual removal race route seen month later sport owners race confirmed removed largely position race director replaced general director team professional riders remains consultant director road world championships florence held position beginning new organizational team came certain measure fan involvement direction fans race able vote official facebook page climbs initial pool appear race rounds voting del chosen later announced stage fans given opportunity choose prototypes design pink jersey fans participate promotion called submit character fewer twitter messages describing pink jersey means set printed jersey evans respective riders native languages printed italian english spanish french eventually chosen fan voting results stripped rode knowledge answer court arbitration sport positive test tour france national federation cleared charges world anti agency chose appeal ruling rode won dominant grand tour performance career later rode relatively normal season date continually pushed originally scheduled june occur soon decide status prior tour france instead pushed august november hearing held november verdict expected january subject delay finally february court spoke spanish federation decision clear assessing rider year ban date adverse test tour france ban meant results obtained time test time court announced verdict vacated awarded turn previously second placed riders effectively new champion points winner stage winners decision reminiscent handed case court ruling opinion minute found probably caused strict liability rules meant nonetheless violated world anti code court held adverse finding doubt merely substance entered athlete body matter reaction decision protracted nature case widespread negative time winner expressed surprise result disappointment sport image saying like wants kill cycling ousted race director called decision strip championship nonsense noting permitted ride time irregularities kind race successor upset decision believing damage noting sport need commission new trophy award john rider elevated podium place overall expressed sympathy feeling awarded prestigious results court law nearly year race concluded kept feeling good attained road overall championship podium finish constituted results grand tour supported presence race began position saying attendance changed race reactions personalities sport ruling case near universally negative celebrated decision calling court robust thorough world anti code classification leadership different awarded general classification calculated adding finishing times stage allowing time bonuses finishers mass start stages leader received pink jersey classification considered important winner considered winner additionally points classification awarded red jersey points classification got points finishing stage unlike better known points classification tour france type stage effect points offer stage points available scale win earned points second place earned points fourth fifth sixth point fewer place single point 15th addition points won intermediate mountains classification leadership marked green jersey mountains classifications points won reaching climb climb categorized second fourth category points available higher categorized climbs race highest point elevation awarded points category climbs fourth jersey represented young rider classification marked white jersey decided way general classification riders born january eligible classifications teams fast team classification times best team stage added leading team team lowest total time super team team points classification placed riders stage earning points place second place single point 20th team fair play classification rewarded teams best avoided penalty points minor technical rows following table correspond awarded stage run shows jersey awarded day removed standings race ongoing final standings minor classifications known classifications leaders receive special jersey awarded awards based points earned weeks tour mass start stage intermediate sprint gave bonus seconds general classification points regular points classification points classification award known names previous years previously time based won jan team awards included classification compilation points gained position crossing intermediate mountain passes stage finishes original general classification winner won award race conclusion disqualification passed mountains category winner classification based finishing order points awarded finishers stage originally won like closely associated points classification passed results stripped additionally rewarded riders took head field rider escape fewer riders getting point kilometre group stayed clear team competition teams given penalty points minor technical different teams quick step racing team avoided penalties course race shared winning fair play classification world rankings points events season contributed points world tour points awarded finishers overall finishers stage early points earned overall placing gained stage finishes removed riders non world tour teams initially allocated points received


tour island world cup tour island world cup day road cycling race run ninth tour island includes multi stage event single stage event single stage race women road world cup held shanghai china wide flat highways significant half race duo china champion system established minute lead advantage slowly broken work team products riders kilometres bunch sprint italian rider won beating winners wild team products france national team entry women team entered race featuring riders joined national teams containing riders bringing total entry riders course route changed previous years race started shanghai oriental sports center took place entirely wide straight highways corners predominantly expansive ninety degree bends course initially followed middle ring road elevated road shanghai ring expressway entering kilometre long tunnel river reach island shortly followed kilometre long bridge island route followed course previous years slightly smaller roads finish preview rounds women road world cup different winners van tour flanders anna van der anna van der led world cup standings racing moved china tour island points team invited event wild won stage race world cup event repeated success stage race pre race favourite win world cup race course favoured race early attacks asian teams china champion system korean national team occasion caught reasonably quickly intermediate sprint won subsequent queen mountain climb won kitchen team products crossing shanghai river bridge riders fell strong shortly riders china champion system broke away established lead roughly minute claimed second intermediate sprint team products riders close gap group threatened split kilometres finish caught leading duo kilometres race remaining closing finish bunch sprint intended try win got caught crash final kilometre acted lead initially intended wild team products sprint metres room stayed wild draft found able follow opted defend position launch late sprint pass wild won followed wild riding france national team riders designated time results world cup standings


paris nice paris nice running paris nice cycling stage race known race sun started march ended march nice consisted stages including time trials race second race world tour season race won great_britain bradley team sky took lead second stage race held race leader yellow jersey finish british rider win race tom simpson took home green jersey highest number points stages intermediate stage finishes won general classification seconds runner winner race queen stage team completed podium seconds seconds race classifications van racing team won white jersey highest placed rider born later placing fifth overall general classification rider won king mountains classification finished head teams classification end week team riders claimed stage victories teams competing paris nice world tour event invited automatically send squad squads given places race formed event team teams competed race stages stage march saint individual time trial race began time reverted opening individual time trial stage race organisers elected run road stage apart category climb des hill seventeen turns stage relatively flat dropping metres altitude start end rain expected disrupt stage teams decided spread time trial specialists field order potential winning stage rider depart start project weather conditions cloudy grey slightly damp roads overnight rains ultimately recorded time stage held lead minutes team improved time seconds rider thomas rider set time minutes recording time second improvement time michael team bank later improved time end wave riders depart quick step held lead recording time following quick start stage thomas rider hold provisional best time stage time second won opening stage race ultimately picked dot jersey lead mountains classification held quickest time intermediate timing point summit des time held riders struggled match pace set coming touching distance time finishing second team mate swedish national champion discipline time beaten seconds slower intermediate better second element race eventually crossing finish line eventual stage winning time quick step deployed half riders complete course time seconds slower weather closed batch riders providing tougher test riders wanting position highly stage classification racing team van team sky bradley attacked course late rewarded finishes inside van finished seconds winner time trial stage february fell short second ensured advantage seconds defending race winner world time trial champion tony martin quick step finish 28th stage march following crash opening day time trial team bank nick race abandonment attempted ride pain barrier withdraw zone prior real start stage remained race strong field allow formed efficiently attacking field moved managed extend advantage minutes reached summit day climb les mountains classification leader thomas placed second quick step field reached midway point stage conditions earlier plagued potential forming returned provided large split field forming time race finished thirty riders lead group road including overall contenders bradley team sky quick step racing team rider van group later reduced riders small crashes eliminated handful riders contention time rivals taking intermediate sprint bonus seconds offer gave virtual race lead considering fact overnight leader failed split gap lead pack group remained half minutes rest stage teams bridge gap mainly rain commenced closing team mate attacked remaining effort quickly number quick step riders group hoping help tom sprint finish lead following failed attack rider left battle stage honours project john recovered group remaining attempt line closely followed team went inside took victory 100th individual victory career team world tour level beat second place line rounding respectively following finish lead group assumed overall lead taking points classification lead moving place overall team mate thanks bonus seconds offer finish stage march trio riders project roy rider jimmy michael team bank early field managed extend advantage main field half minutes point stage eventually mark majority stage team sky quick step riders occupied portion protecting respective lead riders bradley order lose time final climb pack fronted team steadily cut lead reached climb advantage minutes summit posed threat mountains classification leader thomas kept hold dot jersey climb lifted pace cut leaders advantage minutes space left companions remaining quick step hit time points classification leader tom held slim lead intermediate sprint field rider attacked team mate previous day unsuccessful eventually caught final kilometre stage attacked covered immediately setting sprint line french pair launched attacks closing stages overhauled bunch riders team looked legs rest field briefly troubled sprint australian road race champion simon ultimately prevailing line case tour sprint half wheel length rounding podium ahead team launched attacks closing metres victory fourth season returning ban lead points classification bonus seconds awarded line moved sixth place overall seconds race leader stage march riders jean rider howard rider early field managed extend advantage main field excess minutes point stage riders managed sub classification points offer stage single intermediate sprint coming saint sur climbs stage advantage quickly led gathered pace leaving seconds lead later sat knee stemming crash stage having lead mountains classification away thomas picked pace quick step remaining members caught short time later attacked penultimate climb limit points gap picking points offer reaching summit reducing gap points short period field caught small riders ultimately rest field moments later team team sky squads making moves order respective classification leaders bradley safe positions run tried clear inside final taking points final climb caught gradient set sprint line launching early eventually passed rider previous day held win ahead bonus seconds line enabled surpass sixth place general classification assuming mountains lead changed hands van racing team finished safely pack stage march race queen stage consisted climbs including category climbs final climb climb average gradient named honour time paris nice winner featured twice summit finish won occasions riders teams believed stage suited team finished second stage result suspension later year riders rider simon clarke david team advanced clear main field stage managed extend advantage maximum seven minutes point stage earned majority points offer mountains classification stage climbs ahead team riders began step pace looking set basis eventual attack exited race breaking left crash kevin dam attacked main field set chase lead quartet continued rack points mountains classification lead dam continued close lead group remaining group outskirts caught bar short time later foot final climb main field advancing pace teams pack team sky took recent winner protecting overall leader bradley high tempo riders remained lead group race reached final kilometre arnold attacked group gaining bike lengths pace putting youth classification leader van racing team difficulty sixth place general classification overnight attacked pulling clear earned stage victory seconds ahead small group consisting quick step simon team moved second place general classification reducing deficit seconds moved ahead van late stage attack beneficial overall position moved inside seventh position stage march occurred second stage race caused early fracture main field inside group thirty riders including overall general classification contenders exception team got clear race moved second group thirty riders formed main bunch quickly caught mainly acceleration team helping stage equation main field reformed day second climb seven riders mountains classification leader project rider simon anthony daniel team bank went clear form day primary time reached climb day gap main field minutes race winner minutes overall leader bradley team sky men field order limit potential gains gap reduced minutes inside final stage leaders way finishing circuit lead went clear companions final climb day des left stage dropped minutes later main bunch closing quickly force field sprint honours left battle launched held reserve sprint rival wheel length fourth career paris nice stage victory led home main field place fourteen seconds overall contenders finished safely pack causing changes stage march nice mini attacks set course stage field remained hour racing stage primary formed riders thomas originally managed breach confines field set bid extend substantial advantage main field riders featured long way general classification presence came suffered accident main field looking reduce minute deficit race leader bradley team sky half margin trailing time reached stage opening climb day col des duo held advantage minutes main field later extending gap minutes later gave chase eventually recaptured minutes lead duo process attacking col eventually breaking resistance ultimately remaining stage team victory race prior victories remained clear main field finishing second minutes minutes passed main field crossed finish line des led line project rider john henderson racing team maintained second lead overall classification riders finished safely pack case lying place overnight quick step second half stage crashed separate occasions finished seven minutes rivals overall victory ending chances winning race chances american floyd win race stage march nice col individual time trial final time trial stage race returned col mountain time trial time time traditional place final stage race team half minute nearest rivals customary time trial stages set reverse order ranked general classification end previous stage team bank place trailed overall leader bradley team sky hour eighteen minutes seconds rider set final stage set time average gradient climb rider break minutes climb stay standings short team mate world time trial champion level went substantially quicker setting climb team mate run car following hill gather information lay ahead start time time held minutes time breaking minute barrier french riders lowered david finished fourth race time trial col recorded time jean sub minute time rider national time trial champion recorded time time left team manager vincent later expressing surprise quick time time remained untouched final group riders set team simon coming closest time having faded similar time intermediate point col des stage battle ultimately came riders contention overall honours set minutes noted proficient time trial discipline left hill set fastest time intermediate recording time taking seconds kilometre time minutes later passed point seconds slower stronger second half stage sealed victory hill flattened time trial experience proved pivotal overhauled deficit finished stage second advantage taking stage win overall victory points classification fell team held lead points classification prior stage muster sixth stage result good claim final remaining place podium classification leadership progress paris nice different awarded general classification calculated adding finishing times stage allowing time bonuses finishers mass start stages leader received yellow jersey classification considered important paris nice winner classification considered winner race additionally points classification awarded green jersey points classification got points finishing stage unlike better known points classification tour france type stage effect points offer stage points available scale win earned points second place earned points fourth fifth point fewer place single point 20th addition points won intermediate points crossing sprint line points second place mountains classification leadership marked red white dot jersey mountains classification points won reaching climb climb second category points available higher climbs category climbs points awarded scale points climb second place earned points fourth point fewer place single point seventh second category climbs awarded points scale points place second place earned points point fewer place single point fifth category climbs awarded points riders points climb second place earned points place earned point fourth jersey represented young rider classification marked white jersey decided way general classification riders born january eligible ranked classification classification teams times best team stage added leading team end race team lowest total time


46th running cycling stage race known race seas started march marina ended march san del consisted seven stages including team time trial begin race individual time trial conclude race world tour season race won racing team rider evans claimed leader blue jersey stage stage win stage evans winning margin runner robert seconds overhauled final time trial stage winner fourth stage completed podium seconds evans race classifications second place overall won white jersey highest placed rider aged took home red jersey highest number points stages intermediate stage finishes quick step rider won king mountains classification finishing head teams classification teams world tour invited automatically attend professional continental teams awarded team defending champion team italian national champion present race list participating teams race previews favorites numerous notable riders present race reasons attending varied slightly stage like evans robert andy present evans attendance mainly racing kilometers attempting win tour france likewise planned peak tour france came race hoping overall victory named potential rival claimed rider fears evans named pre race analysis possible contenders favorites plans peak form later season riders named contenders included gilbert thomas david italian national champion returned race time trial chances diminished relatively weak time trial skills notable riders present field included winner american time trial specialist david italian classics rider podium finisher italian national champion runner david australian despite flat stages road race days tier started race traditionally considered excellent preparation milan san milan san winner raced paris nice tyler tom world champion aforementioned milan san winners mark started race stage team time trial year history individual time trial returned stage present flat stages time trials hilly stages exceptionally high passes visited race hilly stages long featured small steep stages length long stages multi day race road races covered total stages stage march marina team time trial race seas began flat team time trial starting ending marina coast course cut inland briefly doubled ended kilometer started dutch team finishing riders time stage main favorites took course later fell short time set slow start picked speed ride wore finishing second seconds slower winners respective editions finished fifth seconds time crashed suffered numerous facial injuries rode time trial head abandoned race stage left eye swollen completely shut leopard trek team driven world time trial champion trouble retaining minimum riders tom fell group pace outside final kilometer likely unaware kept drilling squad line fast possible time taken finished seconds riders giving seventh place seconds squads defending champion lost considerable time finishing seconds pace respectively boom took blue jersey race leader rider cross finish line significant time hand result meant robert rivals overall classification stage march profile road race stage largely flat small climbs coming thirds way course easterly heading start town despite stage certain end field sprint tried luck able increase advantage minutes point caught closed railroad crossing race jury decided stop advantage hit chase led largely team began earnest tom mark chase finished seconds day rejoin leading group factor sprint finish man caught finish line leaving teammate try counter allowed seconds advantage large group sprint took place won tyler strong world champion stage march stage flat heading southeasterly region short point awarding climb occurred finish line lone rider formed day daniel slipped ahead given stage flat profile limited power rider muster allowed advantage nearly minutes point chase began caught mark team took field try set attack leader advantage work team like mark difficulty anticipated short climb preceded finish second day row chase main field prior mass sprint finale sprint world champion led race leader tyler strong briefly opened gap team leader lost wheel man mark failed factor finish early left finish line proved far juan able come american moment line victory retained race leadership day stage march stage nearly reached adriatic coast ending kilometers away course hilly climb descent early short steep climbs finish long stages began moment silence commemoration lives lost earthquake led team japanese rider race family safe chose continue race leading trio came clear lead exceeded minutes point advantage given far race mid course hills took toll leaders time gap steadily fell day went dropped chase leaving race fatigue evident tried ride away left race muster attack brought later riding slow large gear stage concluding ascent town truly began world time trial champion world road race champion tried counter wheel attain meaningful advantage soon brought climb began gilbert went attack rivals evans rode bridge strongest attackers quickly race gilbert evans succession tried way marked stayed man following catch attack victory team teammate road help chase faded end held victory bike lengths clear win day finishing kick second place ahead evans giving finishers day won containing including overnight race leader tyler minutes new leader stage robert placed win team time trial advantage narrowed finishing seconds stage stage march fifth stage included climb race height early route adriatic coast cutting inland climbs riders saw finish line twice taking circuit day principal given large time gap lead minutes began toll point chase time gap fell time ascent began lost time day went eventually finishing minutes stage winner kept pace won day second climb eventually left second group road eventually reduced select group overall favorites contenders attacked finishing circuit bridge instead working stay away let sprint decide stage winner sat wheels let rapidly falling advantage elite group contenders attack section finishing circuit effectively race leader robert support riders point finished seconds day losing race leadership hung advantage minutes left meaning chance stay away downhill section advantage held steady finish unaware come clear elite group overall favorites position road instead taking optimal line rode final meters stage middle road gave classics specialist gilbert inside track line stage win finished race seconds ahead group day effort new leader mountains classification evans new race leader expressed surprise lost day suit strengths stage march course hilly riders rode final kilometer twice actual conclusion race crossed finish line final kilometer visit counted point awarding climb second intermediate sprint rider break away length time coming clear mark joined shortly initial escape duo minutes main field time gap held steady finishing circuits began team came forward lead chase lead minutes hill climb pass end circuit seconds intermediate sprint end second caught long continued work field left leader figured need blue jersey time hand race leader evans hope win race overall evans stronger time final ascent got clear lead group overall favorites strangely sat stopped riding hard turn road allowed evans contenders catch evans hit gave position holding stage victory confirmed stage come simply hoping retain race lead limit major losses opportunity increase lead presented took advantage stage march san del individual time trial ended parent race seasons individual time trial san del region played host perfectly flat ride right adriatic coast winning time came early day likely source time world time trial champion stopped clock hours race overall riders took course hold best said afterward far certain time holding considering reference point contrast world championships usually started defending champion knows times splits rivals information ride win leopard trek second win overall team later race riders took course decide overall standings robert generally regarded poor time second strong individual performance races having won tour finished ninth day seconds minutes successfully moved second overall standings regarded solid time trial discipline difficult ride finishing slipping fourth overall second better fell short overtaking let race leader evans time italian national champion finished sixth time trial race overall coming day race leader evans man course seconds 12th place day sufficient win race overall knew time began ride rivals evans rider southern hemisphere win place finisher won points classification having taken jersey tyler stage took home white jersey having led youth classification entire race stage man winner mountains classification squad won team award classification leadership table different awarded general classification calculated adding finishing times stage allowing time bonuses intermediate finish mass start stages leader received blue jersey classification considered important winner considered winner race additionally points classification awarded red jersey points classification got points finishing stage stage win awarded points second place awarded points point fewer place line single point tenth addition riders intermediate sprint lines earned points succession mountains classification awarded green jersey mountains classifications points won reaching mountain sixteen recognized climbs race unlike races climbs separated categories awarded points riders summit fourth jersey represented young rider classification awarded white jersey decided way general classification riders born january eligible


team season season team cycling team began january ended october performance japan cup team twelfth season professional cycling team second professional continental team unlike fellow seek status order compete world tour event team invited advance race organizers season best team history victories tour france multiple noteworthy performances team leader thomas wore yellow jersey race leader days second occurrence career leading days unlike race overall contender took fourth place overall best result french rider spent tour riding service won stages eventually finishing 11th overall winning young rider classification prolific winners early season victories obtained veteran won stages stage races plus overall crowns tour var days single day pays roster ages january day races spring classics team solid showing traditional opener french cycling season grand prix roy easily won race solo rode sixth place finishing near half minutes brussels early season belgian races turned sixth place large field sprint day secured podium finish les coming selective rider sprint race rode eighth place coming line seconds winner race decided late weekend prestigious milan san team invited picked wins single day races won beating anthony sprint seconds ahead main field led field line giving podium spots day team leader won pays field sprint left race went attack opened second time gap quickly held win having gap finish pays europe tour race wear white jersey europe tour leader french national champion jersey spectators expecting jersey found absurd nonetheless happy come away win stressed race milan san victory viewed proper perspective april won credited win advice teammate area race won roads run working favor timely teammate got wheel change went work broke away riders final sprint won time gap missed podium tour finishing second position late attackers fourth place day late team strong showing rode victory team placed riders podium fifth seventh twelfth team sent squads door route tour flanders paris paris grand prix grand prix finished higher 11th races fall races cousin took ninth fourth position riders took fifth field sprint classic anthony took podium finish france broke away final kilometer win race simon tried bridge time finish finished ahead main field order round podium turned team best ride tour finishing ninth field sprint tour took place far team headquarters riders sixth seventh team sent squads tour grand prix paris brussels grand prix grand prix grand prix paris paris tours del japan cup finished higher 11th races stage races guise team won stages overall classification team successful africa took team win year accordingly new stage stage finished outside race primary host nation winning field sprint stage event defending champion figured winning finished seconds stage winner daniel assumed race leadership lead seconds man second place seven seconds man good minutes man fourth meaning virtually certain finish podium day added second sprint win field finished retained advantage overall final stage potential shake overall standings large groups finishing seconds held win race overall second straight year finishing groups february won sprint finish race titular stage finishing later february won stage tour instigated morning stayed away margin seconds fast charging won day tour var later february finished second samuel stage second stage finished seconds clear riders companion allowed stage win knowing race overall won team entered african race february tour south_africa winning expected contender victory broke stage crash leave race squad pick win taking stage sprint best placed overall finisher minutes race champion house entered paris nice optimistic results realization stage individual time trial limit chances overall crown finishing stages figured winning stage recently ousted race leader thomas broke away stage stayed away margin seconds finish won man sprint end took stage win spent energies drilling group line order time gap needed retake race leadership career paris nice stage win having competed race lost minutes mountains day chance overall rebounded win stage joining morning escape relatively riders chose complete race riding slippery descent col stayed seconds diego minute seconds finished race 21st place overall added sixth win season del breaking away climb closed stage defeated italian sprint seconds ahead seeing careful effort leave fresh eventual sprint added success days german won race stages took far overall classification concerned winning attack end hilly fourth stage chase group caught day morning finished safely final stage day comfortably maintaining minute plus lead win race overall team successful stage hunting events later season took win rejoining team years circuit winning nearly field sprint took strong win finishing seconds clear main field best world atop short steep climb les gets team active finale launching attacks run finish got clear team performances race day got victory race teams classification later june won prologue time trial racing alexander second squad won team award race showed climbing prowess stage route team win team win stage tour win jersey classifications taking mountains classification team sent squads tour van west circuit tour tour tour paris tour tour britain achieve stage win classification win podium finish grand tours professional continental team needed selected organizers grand tours order participate selected ride tour france tour france sport organisation announced entries tour france january earlier past years team number french national champion lost title shortly tour facto national hero wore yellow jersey days tour france confident inclusion teams added attend named squad leader support riders named squad black rider tour history team started quietly rider finishing near race stage des 13th teams stage team time trial team figure sprint finishes happened early tour having left best squad tour eighth place stage highest finish stage tour toughest stage point seven climbs entered day 19th place minute seconds overall classification high powered sandy juan stage winners previous tours johnny finish line car france riders time sending crashing barbed wire fence uncertain minutes appeared want wait rejoin drove hard prior race leader yellow jersey bound change hands time gap main field time crash likely rider efforts left unable sprint end stage won near minute time gap gave yellow jersey minute seconds minutes seconds best placed overall favorite evans place overall standings change stage day ended climb finished ninth day seconds race overall riders sufficient time hand remain race leader nearly minutes finished tenth day said night expected lose jersey stage stayed stage popular expectation stage including category climbs course climb finish plateau lose jersey retained jersey finished main group overall favorites losing time riders actually putting time riders tom expressed surprise successes saying surprised best riders plateau climb don know far stage ended lengthy descent second category col lost time nearly race riders expressed stage certainty win tour remained race leader stage undoubtedly difficult tour incorporating climbs including col finish race organisers defined stage race queen stage andy began day minutes seconds away race riders finish quickly morning certain new race leader easily won stage followed evans australian pull end stage limit time losses end lost evans wheel fell fifth day minutes seconds visibly spent sit upright bicycle crossing finish line retained yellow jersey margin seconds said expected lose jersey earlier tour day team efforts retaining post race analyses called survivor astonishing having visibly given stage finish stage longer favourite yellow jersey paris evans brothers held advantage high mountain stages stage tour shortest dropped col visited stage finally jersey day good team ascent told work ride race rode near race rest day samuel leading group rode away race took day honors stage win french rider tour claimed best young rider white jersey finishing minutes better begun day lead classification finished 20th stage losing minutes riders dropped fourth place overall stage individual time trial tour final competitive stage final stage traditionally ceremonial competitive sprint finish position likely secure minute seconds evans minute seconds ahead time gaps unlikely limited time trial skills position best young rider remained play minute seconds advantage time trial abilities superior rode best time trials career finish 21st finished tenth took seconds insufficient white jersey team riders completed tour lone exception crashed stage finished fourth overall tenth best young rider season victories away competition change title sponsor midway season announced wished reduce involvement financing team interested continuing partnership squad team manager jean find primary sponsor allow contribute million team budget rest finances covered incoming sponsor point time team lodged application following victory inaugural grand prix team future believing team manager eventually find sponsor hopeful acquiring deal point working order team return professional team season onwards talks organisation paris later turned french multinational oil company total set sights company banking group best rated team chances survival equally team chances survival having stated team better received offers rival french squads joining respective teams worst case scenario folded obtained extension union relation registration records team submitted october ultimately signed contract october official folded announced complete turn day later preliminary reports france stating team found sponsor year deal season onwards car rental company joined team sponsor french national champion team roster deal officially confirmed later day team longer eligible apply licence delay finding sponsor sent team union october requesting professional continental status year status granted november


road cycling stage race took place spain march fifth race world tour edition race included seven stages included summit finishes favourites race favourites overall victory included chris team sky team defending champion racing team race meeting riders expected feature grand tours later season stages withdrew illness stage included summit finish won dan martin quick step took overall lead martin lost lead stage second summit finish race won stage took overall lead defended lead following stage overall victory seven seconds ahead martin seconds thomas won mountains intermediate classifications hugh rural winning young rider classification won team classification route included seven stages road stages time trials stages moderately hilly possibly suitable fourth stage included summit finishes stage finished climb fourth finishing port fifth stage included climb shortly finish giving opportunity attack flat stage sixth day final stage finished hilly circuit barcelona following cancellation mountain stages paris nice previous weeks concern start race affected heavy snow finish port centimetres snow nearby ski slopes participating teams race organisers invited teams enter included eighteen automatically invited obliged enter team seven professional continental teams received wild card team include riders included seven riders team riders started stage pre race favourites race expected decided mountainous days particularly suited described list favourites victory formidable including main contenders tour france foremost chris team sky reigning champion tour france previous race season herald sun tour won strong team included possible contenders overall victory thomas won paris nice won form described given long period race prominent riders competing overall victory included reigning champion team second tour france reigning champion racing team defending champion riders chance high included team won race previous occasions dan martin quick step winner account mountainous terrain pure starting race strongest present strong paris nice close victory milan san chain slipped stages stage march stage covered kilometre course started ended coast course looped inland region crossed climbs travelling coast riders turned north far turned west cross day climb second category les followed immediately category roads turned south flat section biggest climb day category descent came second category final climb day category summit final climb came kilometres finish line long straight road early formed rural cameron team dimension data built lead minutes climb chased summit lead mountains classification caught soon louis broke away man group chasing main group split sky pulled groups kilometres remaining sky came control race attacked quickly brought sky attacked slight section road approximately kilometres remaining built second lead caught final kilometres led opened sprint simon ben swift sky followed came past win stage swift second stage march second stage raced kilometre course stage generally flat climbs category kilometres second category angels summit climb kilometres remaining final kilometres roads rose climb final kilometres flat turn kilometre remaining road straight way finish stage started minute silence acknowledge bombings brussels morning riders especially wearing black man early included thomas alongside climbs winning intermediate associated bonus seconds fell away break kilometres remaining shortly attacked kilometres later gave effort chasing hard main final kilometres teams attempting control including team sky chris sitting second place attempt danger moved kilometres remaining final kilometre moved leading easily won sprint quick step second gilbert extended lead seconds ahead swift finished outside moved thanks bonus seconds won revealed stage suffering sore stomach visited race doctor stage march stage included summit finish race covered kilometre route ski resort route generally took riders north west category climbs way passing stage finished riders crossed kilometres long climb highest climb day came kilometres finish line descent riders passed began climb kilometre climb average gradient including descent riders descended repeated climb finish stage came ski station day early formed seven riders julian quick step van dimension data jan alex day climb lost minutes stomach illness kilometres seven minutes forced retire race attacked second lead going climb attacked caught riders immediately attacked built gap team sky led riders close quickly caught minute advantage climb descent chased hard reduced advantage seconds sky leading louis crashed shortly final climb began climb louis attacked kilometres remaining passed final kilometres caught stayed led sky road descended briefly final ascent finishing line sky attacked road began rise followed attacked chased attempted escape group chased attacked followed dan martin passed moved lead van chased following martin able stay away finish line finished seconds van fourth time bonus seconds martin moved overall lead seconds ahead stage march port fourth stage included second final summit finish race covered kilometre route port climbs route climb came beginning day racing category climb summit came kilometres stage long flat section passed special category port steep descent category climb followed descent final climb port kilometres early formed gilbert plaza thomas dam giant ben swift team sky won special category climb lead minutes broke continuing race penultimate climb seven minute advantage contact summit climb collaborated descent coming base final climb sky attacked linked swift despite work unable build significant advantage chased final climb attacked soon passed built minute lead eventually caught kilometres remaining caught attacks sky robert strong attack came van eventually chased martin following martin soon dropped van caught group dropped riders passed continued solo stage win attacked final kilometre finished second seconds ahead took race lead seconds second stage blamed time loss effort chasing attacks final kilometres particular van praised van efforts pleased collaboration lost seconds portal said didn legs follow leaders attacks stage march consecutive summit finishes fifth stage simpler kilometre stage climbs route took riders south kilometres stage fairly flat second category port climb roads continued flat final kilometres stage climb summit kilometres finish final kilometres kilometre second category climb average gradient final descent road slightly finish formed half hours racing dan martin won day intermediate sprint earning bonus seconds taking second place sprint eventually kilometres racing seven rider formed riders quick step jan dimension data van der kilometres remaining minutes lead attacked summit lead seconds riders attempted chase failure collaborate chase meant able catch lead extended seconds final kilometres chase group got closer able stage win seconds ahead chasing group main followed climb daniel attempted attacks unable escape riders finished seconds change overall standings stage march joan sixth stage took riders kilometres joan riders initially travelled coast crossing category turned inland long loop day significant climb second category came kilometres roads mainly flat route turned coast finish principal left race sky ben swift pulled stage start illness fast start stage riders attempted form teams overall favourites sought riders chance intermediate sprint came kilometres sprint won dan martin putting second overall podium kilometres racing day finally formed riders quick step dam giant trek jan alex cameron dimension data hardy halfway stage lead minutes flat terrain teams determined bring break work riders fell away course stage final kilometres trek joined chase tried split unsuccessful kilometres remaining second lead failed attempt solo attack lead reduced seconds kilometres remaining attacked stayed clear final kilometre chasing group close attack caught final metres riders launch sprint won stage comfortably world tour victory victory level stage march barcelona barcelona final stage followed kilometre course started finished barcelona stage began taking riders north city far second category climb route turned south crossing category climb returned barcelona kilometres racing laps kilometre finishing circuit lap including category climb early stage dan martin came intermediate sprint giving bonus second level time moved ahead place thanks better race man lead minutes start circuit attacks group rural brief attack significant attack joined gained half minute brought team immediately attack chased following group caught hugh rural unsuccessful attack passed went contest man sprint won sprint despite early celebration nearly allowed come past finished seconds winning sprint place sealed overall victory second martin post race analysis reactions described pleased proud victory describing toughest races career especially team reduced riders final stages said believe significantly ahead rivals major races later season saying long way tour described happy feeling described pity lost paris nice seconds seven suggested won race ridden differently stage port portal chris described form encouraging saying lacked end speed riders accelerated end mountain stages prominent performance hugh finished ninth overall won young rider classification described far best performed described breakthrough performance world tour standings riders general classification awarded points world tour competition points awarded finishing places stage points entered rankings eighth place moved tenth despite fourth place unable defend place rankings peter won points moved lead moved lead teams rankings australia remained nations rankings classifications different awarded important general classification calculated adding rider finishing times stage time bonuses awarded riders intermediate stage seconds respectively stage finish seconds leader wore white green jersey related competition youth classification highest ranked rider born january leader classification wore design jersey additionally classification leader awarded white jersey classification riders received points finishing intermediate sprint points stage mountains classification leadership marked red jersey points classification won riders climb points available higher climbs classification teams times best team stage added leading team end race team lowest total time classification leadership table final classifications