Bike World News

Phillipe Gilbert of Omega Pharma – Lotto takes the stage and moves into the overall race lead, while young American standout Tejay Van Garderen sits fourth in the overall.

The start order and times for the Stage 1 Team Time Trial at the Vuelta a Espana have been announced

The riders faced a hilly 205.6kms stage from Bilzen to Heers featuring 7 different climbs in the last half of the course.

Today’s stage was a 204km route from Roermond to Sittard.  Markus Eichler (Milram),  Lieuwe Westra (Vacansoleil) and Robert Hunter (Garmin-Transitions) all did not start the stage while Jurgen Van De Walle (QuickStep) and Juan Mauricio Soler (Caisse d’Epargne) abandoned during the stage.
As usual, numerous breaks tried to form in hopes of staying away.  The most dominate group was formed with 99kms to go, consisting of: Kenny Dehaes (Omega Pharma-Lotto), Maxim Gourov (Astana), Mauro Da Dalto (Lampre-Farnese Vini), Ruben Perez Moreno (Euskaltel-Eusakadi), Jack Bobridge (Garmin-Transitions), Kevin Hulsmans (QuickStep), Dominique Nerz (Milram), …

The final stage of the Tour du Limousin ran 180.8kms from Ambazac to Limoges. While an inevitable early break did indeed form, it was reeled back as the peloton faced the concluding four laps of the course. Cervelo seemed most assertive on the day, leading the chase to bring the break back in, then having their young sprinter Davide Appollonio launch a bold solo attack on the last climb with just 2kms to go. This attack proved to be successful, giving the Italian his first ever professional …

Today the riders faced a bumpy 191.8km route through the hills of Ronse. Taking advantage of the early smoother section, Andre Greipel (HTC-Columbia) worked his way into the early break and gained the time bonuses in the two intermediate sprints. As the peloton neared the final five climbs of the day, however, they chased down the break and a new group formed off the front, including Koos Moerenhout (Rabobank), Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky), and Tony Martin (HTC-Columbia).
On the Mont Saint-Laurent, these three were in a group of 5 …

The licenses of 8 teams have expired and six additional teams are seeking Pro Tour status in 2011.

In today’s cycling news, Cadel Evans changes pre-Worlds calendar, new title sponsor for Caisse d’Epargne, Efimkin leaves AG2R, Riis signs Contador lieutenants & more

Frenchman Stephane Poulhies (Saur Sojasun) won the sprint Wednesday in the second stage of the Tour de l’Ain ahead of Romain Feillu.

In today’s cycling news, Tour of Utah and Quizno’s Pro Challenge will cooperate on dates, Fuglsang going with the Schlecks, Grabasch re-ups and more…