British team continue their successful start with another one-two finish

Team Sky concluded their hugely successful first week in the international peloton exactly as they had started it – with another top two places in a bunch sprint, this time in the final stage of the Tour Down Under (TDU) in Adelaide yesterday.

The win went to the Australian sprinter Chris Sutton, and second across the line was New Zealander and team-mate Greg Henderson, the former track world champion who had opened up Sky’s victory account exactly a week before in the Cancer Council Helpline Classic one-day race.

Just to add to Sky’s good fortune, Henderson’s second place in the TDU’s final sprint earned him enough bonus seconds to propel him into third spot overall behind the HTC-Columbia sprinter Andre Greipel and Spaniard Luis Leon Sanchez.

For a new team like Sky to have such a major impact in their first races is by no means unprecedented – just last year the Russian squad Katusha won two of their three initial events. What makes Sky’s achievements exceptional, though, is that unlike Katusha the British success has come in a high-profile race of the calibre of the Tour Down Under, which is the first event in cycling’s top league, the ProTour. This year, the TDU has also had an exceptionally high-quality field, including riders such as the seven-times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong and reigning world champion Cadel Evans.

“We came here with the objective of a stage win, but to do that and take a third place overall exceeds my expectations,” said the team principal, Dave Brailsford. “We’ve done a lot of practising, training specifically for the bunch sprints, talking through the finales and watching them on video every evening during the race, too, and that back-room work by everybody paid off very well.”

The team’s next two races will be in the backlands of southern France early next month, when bad weather and poorly surfaced roads will make for far harsher racing conditions than in balmy Australia. But while Brailsford acknowledges the European events could be tougher, he also believes more sophisticated team infrastructure available closer to home – such as Sky’s state-of-the-art team bus, vital for rider recovery and not available in Australia – could help Sky prevail again. “We’ve been working out of the back of a mini-van and with one team car here. That’s not been easy, particularly when we’ve had days when it’s been 40 degrees plus. Things like knowing exactly how dehydrated the riders are, which is really important, have been much harder to calculate because we don’t have the same equipment that we’ll have in Europe.

“What really gets your results, though, is team morale and working well together. And what we’ve got from here is a really solid foundation for the rest of the year.”
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Great Britain triathlete and Leatherhead Swimming Club member Richard Stannard broke two European and five British masters records at the British Gas ASA Masters & Senior Age Group Swimming Championships in Sheffield last weekend.

He competed in five events – the 1,500m, 800m, 400m, 200m freestyle and the 200m butterfly.

Stannard took gold and set records in every event.

He said: “It has been an amazing weekend. I was hit by a car earlier this year while training on my bicycle, breaking both my pelvis and my hand.

“It wiped out my triathlon season, and made training impossible.

“I had to change my focus. It’s been very hard and to start my comeback with a weekend like this, breaking so many records, is fantastic.

“I start running and cycling next week in preparation for next year’s triathlon season.

“I just hope my injuries have healed sufficiently and I do not suffer any further problems from the crash.”

l Leatherhead Swimming Club’s younger members scooped 17 medals at the Guildford Invitational Sprint Gala last week at Guildford Spectrum.

The biggest haul was made by nine-year old Alicia Wilson with three golds, for the 50m breaststroke (47.81s), 50m butterfly (40.40s) and 50m backstroke (41.42), as well as a silver for the 50m freestyle (36.23s).

There were also gold medal successes for nine-year-old Jamie Wilks (50m freestyle), 10-year-old Emma Brown (50m freestyle), plus 12-year-olds Suzanne Norman (50m butterfly) and Chris Green (50m breaststroke).
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Tour de France champion Alberto Contador finished the official cycling season as the top ranked rider in the International Cycling Union (UCI) world calendar released on Monday.

In an all-Spanish podium Contador, who rides for Astana, finished top on 527 points, ahead of second placed Alejandro Valverde (483) and Olympic road race champion Samuel Sanchez (357).

In the teams world ranking Astana ended the season on 1,100 points, with Valverde’s Caisse d’Epargne second on 1048 and American outfit Team Columbia third on 957.

Spain also topped the nations world ranking on 1,756 points with Italy (984) in second and Australia (960) third.

The Tour of Lombardy, won by Belgium’s Philippe Gilbert of Silence, brought the curtain down on the official 2009 cycling season on Saturday.
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Boxing could take place at Wembley Arena.

Women’s boxing may have been legal in Britain for only 11 years – but on Thursday it could move a major step closer to being part of the 2012 London Olympic Games.

The International Olympic Committee’s 15-man executive board is meeting in Berlin to consider requests from boxing and 16 other sports to incorporate new events.

Rowing, canoeing, cycling and shooting are also looking to introduce more women’s events for 2012 – but boxing is currently the only Olympic discipline in which women are not represented.

The IOC invited requests as part of a systematic review of the Olympic programme, to ensure it remains fresh and appealing.

But any new events must be in place of, rather than in addition to, existing disciplines within that sport.

Men’s boxing would lose around 40 places to accommodate three women’s weight divisions.

Women’s boxing in Britain was first recorded in the 1720s and was a demonstration event at the 1904 Olympics.

In November 1996 the Amateur Boxing Association of England lifted a 116-year ban on women’s boxing. Two years later, Jane Couch was granted a professional licence.

The International Cycling Union are keen to build on the success of the BMX racing at the Beijing Olympics with more freestyle events, while swimming governing body FINA want to introduce 50m sprints.

Modern Pentathlon has already changed its format, to combine the run and the shooting in one final category to shorten the event and create a more exciting finish.

Also on the agenda on Thursday, the IOC’s executive board will decide which two sports to propose for inclusion in an expanded Olympic programme for 2016.

Rugby sevens and golf are reportedly the current front-runners heading into the vote but they face competition from karate, baseball, softball, squash and roller sports.

All seven sports presented their cases to the executive board in June.

Baseball and softball were voted out of the Olympics in 2005, but the IOC failed to reach agreement over potential replacements.

The 15-man executive board will submit their proposals for both the new events in 2012 and the new sports for 2016 to the full IOC session for a final decision on October 9 in Copenhagen.
Sourced via sportinglife.com

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The tension between the race leader and Astana teammate Lance Armstrong has dissipated, and the Spaniard is concentrating on teams that are intent on taking his lead.

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.

The Spaniard used Monday’s rest day to lay out his plan of attack to keep the yellow jersey he won by capturing the first stage in the Alps a day earlier.

Contador, the 2007 Tour champion, said his lead over other contenders “looks good” so far, but cautioned: “It’s not done yet; we still have a hard week left to go.”

Armstrong, the seven-time champion, is in second overall — 1 minute, 37 seconds behind his Astana teammate.

The 37-year-old Texan has conceded that his chances of victory on the Champs-Elysees in Paris on Sunday are slim. He pledged to be a faithful support rider for Contador.

“Yesterday, he gave me his support, and I believe him,” Contador said at a news conference at a team hotel in the Swiss town of Sion, near the start of today’s 16th stage in Martigny.

Contador said his top concern in the punishing final week is Andy Schleck of Luxembourg, a strong climber who is 2:26 behind in fifth place.

Contador knows he’ll need to be on guard, and in form.

“You can always have a bad day in cycling, then the others will attack,” he said. “But it’s my job not to let it happen.”
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Armstrong, the seven-time Tour de France winner, returned to professional cycling in Jan after a three and-a-half-year absence from the sport with the Astana team, who are one of 15 to have now signed the petition against radio silence for stages 10 and 13.

“I don’t agree with it [the radio ban],” said Armstrong.
“The race evolves, the bikes evolve, everything evolves. The cameras have evolved, the mic has evolved and suddenly we are going to go back to a situation where directors will have to ride up into the peloton to give orders to riders – that is not a good thing.

“I remember those days, I have been around long enough to remember them, a few of the riders think it is a cute idea, but I don’t.

“And the Tour de France is not the place to experiment, if you want to roll something out, do it in the Pyrenees or some place else, not on the Tour.”

During each stage’s racing, team managers normally communicate with their riders by radio to advise on team tactics.

But Tour organisers, following initial discussions between the International Cycling Union (UCI) and the teams’ own representatives’ groups, are insisting on a return, albeit just for two stages, to the old days to make the race more exciting and to test the riders’s initiative.

There will be radio silence for both Tuesday’s 194.5-kilometre stage from Limoges to Issoudon and Friday’s 200km-long ride from Vittel to Colmar.

Johan Bruyneel, Armstrong’s directeur sportif and long-time associate, has said the teams are awaiting a response from Tour organisers, saying: “Cofidis joined Sunday and we are waiting for a reaction, we will probably hold a meeting on Monday.”

Bruyneel even suggested that teams may be prepared to take further action: “What happens if we don’t agree with the obligation? You can put that angle on it,”

“I don’t think any argument justifies the decision to ban radios.”

But the petition is likely to fall on deaf ears after the Tour de France organisers issued a statement on Saturday insisting radios will be banned for next week’s two stages.

Christian Prudhomme, the Tour director, has said he would be surprised if the organisers bowed to the team’s demands.

“I can’t imagine that the UCI wouldn’t go through with one of it’s directives,” he said.

“Nothing has changed since the decison was taken on June 19.”

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VENICE, Italy — Lance Armstrong lashed out Wednesday at Kazakh officials who let his Astana team fall into a financial crisis on the eve of his first Giro d’Italia.

“I don’t know them, I don’t have a personal relationship with them, but I get frustrated,” said the seven-time Tour de France champion who’s riding for free this season. “These Kazakhs, they don’t return phone calls, and there’s not a lot of clarity about what is going to happen.

The American cyclist even suggested his Livestrong cancer foundation might be able step in and bail out the team, but that seemed to be a long shot.

“While as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the Lance Armstrong Foundation would not be able to fund the day-to-day operational expenses of a for-profit endeavor,” Katherine McLane, communications director for the Lance Armstrong Foundation, said in a statement Wednesday evening. “We would certainly look for ways to develop a dynamic partnership to support the cancer mission and cancer survivors.”

Upon his arrival in Venice for the Giro, which begins Saturday, Armstrong had told a small group of reporters that he hoped to find some funding to get the team through the end of the year.

“It could be a combination of people that have a shared interest in Livestrong and want to see Livestrong promoted around the world and believe in what we’re doing,” he said.

Astana receives most of its financial support from Kazakh state holding company Samruk-Kazyna, but the Central Asian nation’s economy has been badly hit by the ongoing global financial crisis. The team has not paid its employees lately.

“Maybe the situation gets resolved, and the guys start getting their dough,” Armstrong said. “Otherwise, I think the license ought to be transferred to (team director) Johan (Bruyneel), and we try and start a team in the middle of the season.”

That would require a significant cash infusion.

“If someone commits to fund a team for half a year, that’s $7 or $8 million,” Armstrong said. “For a full season it’s $14 to $20 million. That’s a serious decision and can’t be made it 20 to 30 days.”

The possibility of Astana folding would be a blow to the Kazakh government, which uses the team to raise the country’s sporting profile.

Although Samruk-Kazyna has pledged to continue its support for Astana, which is named after the Kazakh capital city, state carrier Air Astana has stopped sponsoring the team.

“I’ve spent every day of the year with my soigneur (massage assistant) Richard, a Polish guy. He’s got a wife and two young kids at home and doesn’t get a pay check,” Armstrong said. “I can pay his check, which will probably happen, but there’s 30 other staff in the same position and is that frustrating? Yeah. Very. This is not fair.”

Pro Tour teams such as Astana must meet certain financial parameters to stay active, or risk losing their International Cycling Union (UCI) license.

“I’m only going to say we’re aware of the situation and we are in contact with the team and (the Kazakhstan) federation,” UCI president Pat McQuaid told the AP. “We’re going to wait to see how this develops.”

McQuaid left open the possibility that the team could be expelled from the Giro if the problems worsen.

“I don’t want to talk about possibilities,” McQuaid said.
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Seven times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong has denied claims he ‘misbehaved’ during a random drugs test in France last month.

A tester from the French Anti-Doping Agency requested that Armstrong give urine, blood and hair samples while he was training in Beaulieu-sur-Mer in southern France.

The AFLD has sent a report to the International Cycling Union after it claimed the cyclist acted strangely when asked to provide samples.

The UCI said it could not rule on the matter as the test, which returned negative, was commissioned by the AFLD.

Armstrong says he just wanted the testers credentials checked before complying with the test.

The 37-year-old, who now rides for Astana after coming out of retirement recently, described the claims as outrageous.

“I had never heard of labs or governments doing drug testing and I had no idea who this guy was or whether he was telling the truth,” he said in a statement.

“We asked the tester for evidence of his authority. We looked at his papers but they were far from clear or impressive and we still had significant questions about who he was or for whom he worked.”

The Texan said the incident lasted 20 minutes and he wanted to make sure that it “wasn’t just some French guy with a backpack and some equipment to take my blood and urine.”

Armstrong said he asked the tester if he could have a shower while he waited for his AFLD credentials to be checked, to which the tester agreed.

“In addition, the form asked the tester to state if there were any irregularities or further observations from the testing process and to that he wrote ‘no’,” Armstrong added.

“This is just another example of the improper behaviour by the French laboratory and the French anti-doping organizations.

“I am sorry that they are disappointed that all the tests were negative, but I do not use any prohibited drugs or substances.”
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A Scottish wheelchair cyclist is set to begin an epic 4,000 mile journey across America to raise money for children’s charities.

Kenny Herriot will cross the continent on a specially-designed hand cycle, covering an average of 89 miles a day.

A Scottish wheelchair cyclist is set to begin an epic 4,000 mile journey across America to raise money for children’s charities.

Kenny Herriot will cross the continent on a specially-designed hand cycle, covering an average of 89 miles a day.

He will set off from San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge on Monday at 0900 local time (1700 BST) and aims to finish in New York on 7 June.

Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy said Mr Herriot’s effort was inspirational.

“Kenny is a well-known and inspirational figure among the sporting community and he has always given 100% dedication to helping charities and people who need support and help,” he said.

This challenging journey will push me to my limits as I cycle an average of 89 miles every day
Kenny Herriot

“This fundraising effort from the Pacific to Atlantic is a massive undertaking and will cover a range of challenging landscapes. Kenny’s target of cycling 4,000 miles in only 42 days will be an incredible feat.”

Mr Herriot hopes to raise tens of thousands of pounds for Northsound Radio’s Cash for Kids appeal, which distributes money to children’s groups and projects in north east Scotland, and Alex’s Lemonade Stand, an American childhood cancer charity.

Originally from Edinburgh, but now based in Aberdeen, Mr Herriot became disabled as the result of a motorbike accident in 2000. He has since competed in marathons across the world and broke the British record for the marathon in 2005.

Deserts and canyons

He said: “After my accident, I was determined to regain my fitness and not let my disability hold me back in life so I have pushed hard to get to where I am as one of the world’s top ranked wheelchair athletes.

“This challenging journey will push me to my limits as I cycle an average of 89 miles every day, but over the last seven years of racing I have been given fantastic opportunities and travelled the world, so now it’s my time to give something back.”

Accompanied by two friends, including his cousin John Snedden – who will drive his support vehicle – Mr Herriot will cross terrain ranging from deserts to steep hills and canyons.

Billed the Great Lemon Ride, the cycle will follow the Western Express Route to Pueblo, Colorado, before taking US Highway 50 to Washington DC and, finally, US Highway 1 to New York City.

Nevada, Utah, Kansas, Illinois, Ohio and Pennsylvania are among the states to be visited.

Mr Herriot’s previous fundraising efforts include a 1,000 mile cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats in aid of Cash for Kids last year.

He will set off from San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge on Monday at 0900 local time (1700 BST) and aims to finish in New York on 7 June.

Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy said Mr Herriot’s effort was inspirational.

“Kenny is a well-known and inspirational figure among the sporting community and he has always given 100% dedication to helping charities and people who need support and help,” he said.

“This fundraising effort from the Pacific to Atlantic is a massive undertaking and will cover a range of challenging landscapes. Kenny’s target of cycling 4,000 miles in only 42 days will be an incredible feat.”

Mr Herriot hopes to raise tens of thousands of pounds for Northsound Radio’s Cash for Kids appeal, which distributes money to children’s groups and projects in north east Scotland, and Alex’s Lemonade Stand, an American childhood cancer charity.

Originally from Edinburgh, but now based in Aberdeen, Mr Herriot became disabled as the result of a motorbike accident in 2000. He has since competed in marathons across the world and broke the British record for the marathon in 2005.

Deserts and canyons

He said: “After my accident, I was determined to regain my fitness and not let my disability hold me back in life so I have pushed hard to get to where I am as one of the world’s top ranked wheelchair athletes.

“This challenging journey will push me to my limits as I cycle an average of 89 miles every day, but over the last seven years of racing I have been given fantastic opportunities and travelled the world, so now it’s my time to give something back.”

Accompanied by two friends, including his cousin John Snedden – who will drive his support vehicle – Mr Herriot will cross terrain ranging from deserts to steep hills and canyons.

Billed the Great Lemon Ride, the cycle will follow the Western Express Route to Pueblo, Colorado, before taking US Highway 50 to Washington DC and, finally, US Highway 1 to New York City.

Nevada, Utah, Kansas, Illinois, Ohio and Pennsylvania are among the states to be visited.

Mr Herriot’s previous fundraising efforts include a 1,000 mile cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats in aid of Cash for Kids last year.
Sourced via news.bbc.co.uk

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Albuquerque (New Mexico): Lance Armstrong is going to miss this week’s Tour of the Gila cycling race in New Mexico. Organisers blame what they say is a rarely enforced International Cycling Federation rule.
Lance Armstrong
Race director Jack Brennan says the UCI plans to enforce a rule that prohibits top-level professional teams from competing in national-level events such as the 23rd Tour of the Gila.

The decision means Armstrong, who had planned to enter, won’t participate. The race runs from Wednesday through Sunday in Silver City.

Officials from the UCI—cycling’s international governing body—did not immediately respond Monday to e-mails seeking comment.

It would have been Armstrong’s first competition since he broke his collarbone last month.
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