News

19th March 2007

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Alberto Contador claims the Paris-Nice title after winning the final stage in Nice

Spanish rider Alberto Contador (Discovery Channel) has claimed the title of Paris-Nice champion 2007 following his stage win in Nice earlier today at the end of the final stage. His stage 7 victory makes it two for the new Discovery Channel signing, claiming the overall title in the process beating Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) overall by 26 seconds.

Soon after the start of the stage a large group of 11 riders broke clear including king of the mountains leader Thomas Voeckler who was looking to ensure victory in that particular competition. Indeed Bouygues Telecom rider Voeckler crossed the summit of the Côte de Duranus after 25 kilometers in first place. Rather  than sitting up though he decided to push on alone and crossed the second climb of the day, the Col de la Porte after 52 kilometers, in first place once again.

Looking to set up the stage for their rider Contador though, the Discovery Channel team set a tremendous pace at the front, catching Frenchman Voeckler on the third climb of the day, La Turbie after 89 kilometers of the stage.

Onto the slopes of the final climb, the Col d'Eze, the Discovery Channel team remained in control at the front and it wasn't long before Contador took control, launching himself off the front with no-one able to follow, not even race leader Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner).

Without any team-mates remaining to help him chase Rebellin tried to reduce the gap to the flying Spaniard, gradually closing his advantage but the line came too soon. Contador reached the line 22 seconds in front of the Italian overnight leader to claim the stage and wrestle the leaders jersey from the shoulders of the veteran Italian, a tremendous win for the young Spaniard and certainly a sign of things to come!

Click here for the full results from stage seven of the Paris-Nice...

Gerolsteiner's Stefan Schumacher takes control of the Tirreno-Adriatico after winning the 5th stage time trial

Gerolsteiner's Stefan Schumacher has taken over the lead of the Tirreno-Adriatico following his dominant performance in today's stage 5 time trial, a 20.5 kilometer individual test that started in Civitanova Marche finishing in Civitanova Marche Alta. Schumacher powered around the course to record a time only one second faster than two-time Tour de France podium finisher Andreas Klöden who is now riding for the Astana team.

T-Mobile's Kim Kirchen placed third on the stage 6 seconds behind German Schumacher with last years Vuelta a España winner Alexander Vinokourov, also riding for Astana, finishing fourth at 13 seconds.

Overnight leader Riccardo Riccò from the Saunier Duval-Prodir team had a disappointing ride placing 49th on the stage, a full 2 minutes 6 seconds back and dropping out of the overall contention, now lying 17th on the general classification at 1 minute 46 seconds.

Already a double stage winner in this years race, speaking on saunierduval-prodir.com, Riccò said, "Unfortunately, my legs felt really tired today. I thought I'd be no more than one minute behind, but this is how it is, and I´m very happy I've basked two victories. I'm not disappointed at all, and I'll try again tomorrow."

Looking at Kim Kirchen's third place on the stage, a ride that has moved him into fourth place overall, T-Mobile sporting director Valerio Piva said, "I am very pleased with today's events. Kim proved before at the Tour of Luxemburg that he is strong at time trials. Today's time trial was over a tough course and i believe we have seen the best riders post the best times."

The race continues tomorrow with the 6th stage of the race, 164 kilometer course from San Benedetto del Tronto to San Giacomo Monti della Laga that will see the riders tackle two mountain climbs, both of which are in the final part of the stage with the final climb bringing the riders all the way to the finishing line. No doubt a stage where Astana duo Andreas Klöden and Alexander Vinokourov, who are second and third in the overall classification, will go on the attack looking to overhaul Schumacher and claim the race lead.

Click here for the full results from stage five of the Tirreno-Adriatico...

Riccardo Riccò becomes a Milan-Sanremo contender

Saunier Duval-Prodir's rider Riccardo Riccò may have lost his chance to take the Tirreno-Adriatico when he lost precious time in yesterday's stage 5 individual time trial, but he will still be considered a contender for Saturday's Milan-Sanremo classic following his two stage wins in the Italian stage race, considered by many as the ideal preparation for the spring classics.

The Saunier Duval-Prodir rider was the dominant winner of the 3rd and 4th stages of the race, stage's where no-one, not even the race contenders, could follow his wheel. On both occasions the young Italian rode clear of the opposition to take his wins.

Following yesterday's time trial stage where he lost a full 2 minutes and 6 seconds, he said on saunierduval-rodir.com, "Unfortunately, my legs felt really tired today. I thought I'd be no more than one minute behind, but this is how it is, and I´m very happy I've basked two victories. I'm not disappointed at all, and I'll try again tomorrow."

Will he win? Lets wait and see...

Nick Nuyens leads Cofidis for the Milan-Sanremo Classic

Belgian rider Nick Nuyens will lead the French Cofidis team at the weekend's Milan-Sanremo classic in Italy. The 'Primavera' classic on Saturday the 24th of March will see Nuyens, already a winner of the Etoile de Bessèges already this season, supported by a strong team, looking to help their leader take victory in the first real classic of the season.

Nuyens will be supported by: Kevin De Weert, Michiel Elijzen, Mathieu Heijboer, Geoffroy Lequatre, Sébastien Minard, Christian Moreni and Staf Scheirlinckx.

Barloworld name their lineup for the Milan-Sanremo

Sébastien Delfosse wins the Kattekoers race, the first event in the Topcompetition series