Contador all but assures Tour title after fierce mountain stage, with Armstrong set for podiumMONT VENTOUX, France — Alberto Contador all but sealed his second Tour de France title Saturday, keeping the yellow jersey after a punishing mountain ride in the next to last stage. And almost certain to join him on the podium is Lance Armstrong. Contador keeps lead in punishing mountain stage to all but lock up Tour de France titleMONT VENTOUX, France — Alberto Contador has all but locked up the Tour de France title, keeping the yellow jersey after a punishing mountain ride in the next to last stage. Contador leads; Armstrong aims to defend 3rd place at Tour with Mont Ventoux shakeout loomingMONTELIMAR, France — Tour de France riders are off on the last crucial stage, heading for a finish on the dreaded Mont Ventoux as winds swept wildly across its peak. Lance Armstrong eyes third-place Tour finish as daunting Mont Ventoux loomsAUBENAS, France — Lance Armstrong almost certainly won’t be beating Alberto Contador for the yellow jersey. Armstrong clings to 3rd, Contador a near lock for Tour de France victory as Mont Ventoux loomsAUBENAS, France — After three weeks and thousands of miles of riding, it all comes down to this: a soaring bald mountain in Provence where the Tour de France can be won or lost. Armstrong clings to 3rd, Contador a near lock for Tour victory as Mont Ventoux loomsAUBENAS, France — After three weeks and thousands of miles of riding, it all comes down to this: a soaring bald mountain in Provence where the Tour de France can be won or lost. Italian police search home of suspended 2007 Giro champion Di LucaROME — Italian police have searched the home of 2007 Giro d’Italia winner Danilo Di Luca two days after he was provisionally banned from riding as part of an anti-doping probe. Contador in command at Tour de France; Armstrong in 3rd place; Mark Cavendish wins 19th stageAUBENAS, France — Alberto Contador stayed in command at the Tour de France with two days of racing left while teammate Lance Armstrong remained in third place as a daunting mountain climb awaits. Alberto Contador leads, Lance Armstrong in 3rd place as 19th stage of Tour de France beginsBOURGOIN-JALLIEU, France — Alberto Contador looks poised for overall victory as Tour de France riders have set off on a relatively flat 19th stage. Lance Armstrong moves back into 3rd after time trial; Alberto Contador has dominant leadANNECY — Lance Armstrong had never experienced such an ordeal in a time trial during his seven-year dominant spell on the Tour de France. Bluffy the Armstrong slayer at Tour? No, he’s third despite uncharacteristic time-trialANNECY, France — Lance Armstrong finds himself in unfamiliar territory at this Tour de France — fighting just to remain among the top three riders. Lance Armstrong, Radio Shack forming new cycling team for 2010 Tour de FranceANNECY, France — Lance Armstrong and RadioShack are forming a new cycling team that will compete in next year’s Tour de France. Contador all but assures 2nd Tour victory by winning time trial; Armstrong moves up to 3rdANNECY, France — Alberto Contador all but assured his second Tour de France victory Thursday, winning the race’s final time trial while Lance Armstrong struggled with fatigue but moved up one spot to third place. Contador wins 18th stage time trial to solidify Tour de France lead; Armstrong advances to 3rdANNECY, France — Alberto Contador has won the final time trial in the Tour de France, and Lance Armstrong moved up a spot to third place overall. Armstrong to battle Schleck brothers for podium spot in Tour de France time trial in Stage 18ANNECY, France — The 18th-stage time trial is under way at the Tour de France, with Lance Armstrong needing a comeback if he wants a place on the podium when the race ends Sunday in Paris. Heavy atmosphere within Astana team as 2nd Tour de France victory looms for Alberto ContadorLE GRAND-BORNAND, France — Alberto Contador used the third and final Alpine stage of the Tour de France to take a further step toward a second victory in cycling’s showcase event. Armstrong drops to fourth as Contador keeps Tour lead; Astana podium sweep in troubleLE GRAND-BORNAND, France — Lance Armstrong couldn’t stay in the front during the final Alpine stage in the Tour de France, so he played faithful teammate for Alberto Contador instead. Contador closing in on Tour win; Armstrong falls to 4th overall; Schleck wins 17th stageLE-GRAND-BORNAND, France — Alberto Contador closed in on victory at the Tour de France Wednesday after finishing second behind Frank Schleck in the 17th stage as the race left the Alps. Contador retains overall lead at Tour; Armstrong drops to fifth; Frank Schleck wins 17th stageLE-GRAND-BORNAND, France — Alberto Contador has finished second in the 17th stage of the Tour de France as the overall leader moved closer to victory. Former Giro winner Danilo Di Luca provisionally banned after positive tests for CERAAIGLE, Switzerland — Cycling’s governing body suspended former Giro d’Italia winner Danilo Di Luca on Wednesday after he tested positive for the banned blood-booster CERA. Alberto Contador leads, Lance Armstrong 2nd as Tour de France embarks on last Alpine stageLE-GRAND-BORNAND, France — Tour de France leader Alberto Contador and second-place Astana teammate Lance Armstrong have started on the 17th stage of the race, which features five tough climbs. Lance Armstrong may not win Tour de France _ but like Tom Watson at Turnberry, he can’t loseNo matter what Lance Armstrong said about being a good teammate, if the opportunity presented itself, he wouldn’t hesitate to wring Alberto Contador’s neck and leave him for dead by the side of the road. He’s just going to run out of time and space first. Armstrong’s strong showing has him eyeing next year’s Tour de France with American-backed teamBOURG-SAINT-MAURICE, France — Lance Armstrong has already achieved a victory at this year’s Tour de France. Armstrong to announce new US sponsor for Astana; will ride Tour next yearBOURG-SAINT-MAURICE, France — Lance Armstrong says he’s found a new American sponsor to back Astana next year. He won’t say if he will stay with the team or start his own squad. AP Interview: Armstrong feels better at Tour, would pursue lead only if Contador has ‘bad day’BOURG-SAINT-MAURICE, France — Lance Armstrong mustered one of his strongest showings yet at this Tour de France on Tuesday, a dazzling burst of acceleration from yesteryear that allowed him to keep second place. Lance Armstrong set to announce new American sponsor for his teamBOURG-SAINT-MAURICE, France — Lance Armstrong says he’s found a new American sponsor to back his team next year. Contador keeps Tour lead in Alps, Armstrong stays 2nd; Spain’s Astarloza wins 16th stageBOURG-SAINT-MAURICE, France — Alberto Contador rode hard to keep the Tour de France’s yellow jersey in the Alps on Tuesday, while teammate Lance Armstrong produced a dazzling burst of speed to remain in second place. Pope sends greetings to Tour de France, calls for respect of moral values in sportsLES COMBES, Italy — Pope Benedict XVI has sent his greetings to the Tour de France, saying commitment in sports must always be accompanied by respect for moral values. Alberto Contador leads, Lance Armstrong 2nd as Tour de France embarks on 16th stage in AlpsMARTIGNY, Switzerland — Tour de France leader Alberto Contador and second-place teammate Lance Armstrong have started on the 16th stage of the race, which goes into the Swiss Alps. Andy Schleck wants to isolate Alberto Contador from Astana teammates to win Tour de FranceVERBIER, Switzerland — Andy Schleck isn’t ready to concede the Tour de France to Alberto Contador just yet. Contador turns his concern to other teams now that the rivalry with Armstrong is all but goneSION, Switzerland — The tension with Lance Armstrong is all but gone in the crisp mountain air and the line of authority is clear. Now, Alberto Contador wants to concentrate on those teams intent on seizing his Tour de France lead. Armstrong admits younger rival Contador deserves to win Tour De France after Alpine displayVERBIER, Switzerland — When Alberto Contador launched his bold attack, it was reminiscent of Lance Armstrong’s golden years. Put away the rockin’ chairs: Even in defeat, Watson shows that aging athletes can still thrive
Armstrong all but concedes Tour as Contador wins stage and takes yellow jersey in AlpsVERBIER, Switzerland — Lance Armstrong all but conceded the Tour de France on Sunday to his teammate and rival Alberto Contador after the Spaniard blew away the pack and seized the yellow jersey as the race entered the Alps. Contador wins Tour’s 15th stage, takes yellow jersey in Alps, Armstrong lagsVERBIER, Switzerland — As a seven-time Tour champion Lance Armstrong recognizes greatness — teammate and rival Alberto Contador. |