Lance Armstrong-free racing news!

Yes, every so often, there is a day where Lance Armstrong doesn’t get a mention in the cycling press. He didn’t even tweet much today. Here’s the latest Tour de France and cycling news:

Tour de France:

• We noted yesterday that there might be a loophole in Italy’s ban on Alejandro Valverde that might allow him to race in the Tour de France, but shortly after our report, his Caisse d’Epargne team announced that he will not participate in the race. The turnabout came on news that the Court of Arbitration for Sport would not be able to hear his appeal against the Italian National Olympic Committee before the start of the race on July 4th.
• Much is being made of a report by Bicycling Magazine’s Joe Lindsey saying that Alberto Contador was prepared to jump ship to Garmin-Slipstream if Astana had not been able to resolve it’s sponsorship and funding issues. Lance Armstrong [okay, I mentioned his name, but... - ed.] inasmuch said it was bunk, Johan Bruyneel and Contador have been silent.
• Garmin Slipstream for the Tour: Julian Dean, Tyler Farrar, Ryder Hesjedal, Dan Martin, David Millar, Danny Pate, Christian Vande Velde, Bradley Wiggins, David Zabriskie
• Cervelo: Inigo Cuesta, Volodimir Gustov, Heinrich Haussler, Thor Hushovd, Andreas Klier, Brett Lancaster, Jose Angel Gomez Marchant, Hayden Roulston, and Carlos Sastre

Other News:

• Montreal-based bike maker Argon 18 has signed an agreement with Nevada’s Sinclair Imports for the exclusive distribution of Argon 18 products everywhere in the United States.
• USA Cycling and the Colorado-based American Cycling Association (ACA) have renewed a reciprocity agreement that allows riders to compete in races sanctioned by both organizations. The agreement restores the provisions of an earlier cooperative arrangement that expired at the end of 2008.
• Bert Roesems of the Cinelli-Down Under had a heavy fall shortly after the start of the Halle-Ingooigem race and broke his collarbone. He lives in Halle, so he was conveniently close to home.
• Rabobank’s Pedro Horrillo, who suffered a horrible crash in the Giro, was released from the hospital on Wednesday and said that he wants to ride again. The 34-year-old Spaniard fell nearly 150 feet after going over a traffic barrier on the descent of the Culmine di San Petro in the eighth stage of the race. Horrillo suffered a broken femur and knee, several broken ribs and a punctured lung, plus head and chest trauma.
• Bernhard Kohl is said to be working with the AFLD (French Anti-Doping Laboratory) and the World Anti-Doping Agency on improving anti-doping protocols. He alleged that a large percentage of Pro Tour winners were doping and getting around the UCI’s test and biological passport program.
• British Cycling coach Shane Sutton says he expects four of Great Britain’s leading riders to join Team Sky. The new cycling team will launch next year with the aim of creating a British winner of the Tour de France by 2014. Sutton revealed that he expects David Millar, Bradley Wiggins, Steve Cummings and Geraint Thomas to form the core of an initial 25-rider roster.

Results:

• Vincenzo Nibali of Liquigas won the Giro dell Appennino in Pontedecimo, Italy.
• Jurgen Van de Walle (Quick.Step) won the 62nd edition of Halle-Ingooigem.
• Rubens Bertogliati (Serramenti PVC) is the new Swiss time trial champion and succeeds Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank) who won for the last five years.
• Sylvain Chavanel won the French time trial champs. He also won the title in 2005, 2006 and 2008.

Tags: alberto contador, Alejandro Valverde, Bernhard Kohl, biological passport, Bradley Wiggins, Caisse d'Epargne, Carlos Sastre, christian vande velde, Court of Arbitration for Sport, Danny Pate, David Millar, david zabriskie, Fabian Cancellara, garmin slipstream, great britain, Heinrich Haussler, Italian National Olympic Committee, johan bruyneel, Julian Dean, Lance Armstrong, Liquigas, pedro horrillo, Rabobank, Racing News, Ryder Hesjedal, Saxo Bank, Slipstream, Sylvain Chavanel, Thor Hushovd, Tyler Farrar, USA Cycling, Vincenzo Nibali, World Anti-Doping Agency