VeloNews | The Journal of Competitive Cycling

Teams pull out all the stops for Tour bike graphics Everyone, including riders, spectators, the media, and the industry, knows that all eyes are on the Tour de France come July. If ever there?s a time to do something special, be it a new product or a new paint job, now is the time. For the most part, the bikes, hardware, and wheels in use at the Tour are seen in public prior to the event ? it would be challenging at best and foolish at worst to present an untested new bike to a rider at the season?s most critical event. Often the ... read more Cancellara wins Tour opener in Monaco If there was any doubt about Fabian Cancellara?s time trial superiority, the big Swiss rider erased it by stomping his way to a commanding win in the 15.5km opening stage of the Tour de France in Monaco. His finishing time of 19:32 put him well ahead of second-place Alberto Contador. "I was one of the favourites to win here before the race and I knew if I got things right it would be very difficult for my rivals to beat me," Cancellara said. "That was special motivation. To be back in the ... read more Some surprises in L'Equipe's list of favorites Predicting the outcome of the Tour de France is a hazardous undertaking, but it?s one that the editors of L?Équipe ? the French sports newspaper that invented the Tour and is still part of its organizational team ? always take a stab at. They generally get it right, but not always. After Jan Ullrich won the Tour in 1997, L?Équipe predicted that he would become the first man to win the race six times. He didn?t win it again. In Saturday?s edition, previewing the 96th Tour, ... read more Time Trial Starting Times 199. Kenny Robert Van Hummel (NED) Skil-Shimano, departs at 4:00:00 p.m. 189. Peter Wrolich (AUT) Team Milram, departs at 4:01:00 p.m. 174. Brice Feillu (FRA) Agritubel, departs at 4:02:00 p.m. 166. Danilo Napolitano (ITA) Team Katusha, departs at 4:03:00 p.m. 154. Steven De Jongh (NED) Quick Step, departs at 4:04:00 p.m. 145. Saïd Haddou (FRA) Bbox Bouygues Telecom, departs at 4:05:00 p.m. 134. Angelo Furlan (ITA) Lampre - N.G.C, departs at 4:06:00 p.m. 122. Stéphane ... read more Cav: stages, not jersey, are the goal. British sprinter Mark Cavendish said Friday his Tour de France objective is solely to reach Paris with any thoughts of winning the green jersey far from his mind when the race begins here on Saturday. The 24-year-old exploded onto the scene last year by winning a remarkable four stages on only his second Tour but pulled out early to race at the Beijing Olympics. That ended any hopes he might have had of battling for the green jersey, which usually rewards the most consistent rider in the ... read more