Armstrong, Contador on guard as mountains loom Jul 17, 2009
After fighting hard in the Pyrenees, the seven-time champion and his younger challenger put their quarrels aside this week in the plains, leaving the headlines to British sprinter Mark Cavendish who clinched two consecutive stage wins and Nicki Sorensen of Denmark, winner of Thursday's 12th stage. Despite a tire puncture on his way to Vittel, Armstrong remained in third place overall, 8 seconds behind race leader Rinaldo Nocentini of Italy. (Yahoo News)
Cavendish bags third stage triumph in 2009 edition Jul 16, 2009
However, except for a split in the peloton in the closing kilometres which dropped a few favourites slightly further behind, there was a distinct lack of excitement as the peloton resumed racing after a rest day and three tough days in the Pyrenees mountains. Cavendish is now only one stage win away from equalling the British record of eight held by Barry Hoban and was quick to praised his teams unflinching commitment. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Armstrong-Contador rivalry takes a break on Tour Jul 15, 2009
The Armstrong-Contador rivalry turned into animosity last week in the Pyrenees, where the Spaniard launched an attack on his way to the Andorran ski resort of Arcalis to leapfrog Armstrong overall. After that stage, Armstrong hinted that Contador was riding against the team strategy. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Magnificent seven for Cav Jul 15, 2009
However there was a distinct lack of excitement as the peloton resumed racing after a rest day and three tough days in the Pyrenees mountains. A four-man group broke away early in the 194. (iAfrica.com)
Contador plays down Armstrong rivalry issue Jul 14, 2009
Ahead of Tuesday's 10th stage Contador, who attacked Armstrong on the seventh stage climb to Arcalis in the Pyrenees to take back 19secs on the American and move into second overall, is 6secs down on Italy's Rinaldo Nocentini. Armstrong is third overall at 8secs. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Lance's rival proves he's got power to burn Jul 14, 2009
This was the first of three days in the Pyrenees, and the peloton still have the Alps to ride through and the final mountain climb of Mont Ventoux. With all their rivals behind them on the overall standings, Astana's top riders could continue to ride like they did today, force the others to dig deep into their reserves to chase down attacks, wear them down, and systematically take chunks of time out of all of them. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Alps ahead, but Evans can't see past Astana Jul 14, 2009
Contador then leapfrogged Armstrong into second place by attacking on the seventh stage to Arcalis in the Pyrenees. Now second and third overall at 6sec and 8sec respectively behind unlikely leader Rinaldo Nocentini of Italy, Contador and Armstrong are primed to take command of the race. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Lance Armstrong puts pressure on teammate Contador Jul 13, 2009
After Sunday's ninth stage out of the Pyrenees mountains, the Texan is third - a solid result for a man coming back to competition after nearly four years in retirement ... "We knew that the Pyrenees were going to be the softest mountains on this Tour," he said. (Anchorage Daily News)
Lloyd prepared to help Evans in the Alps Jul 13, 2009
Lloyd, a former Australian road champion who is competing in his first Tour, has deliberately ridden within himself over the last two days of the Pyrenees in a bid to ensure that he is as strong as possible for the far more selective onslaught that should come at the end of this week ... With the Pyrenees now past after Sunday's 160 ... On the third and final day in the Pyrenees and before Monday's rest day, a truce appeared to replace the yellow jersey battle allowing Nocentini to keep his 6... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Why Cadel is damned if he attacks, and damned if he doesn't Jul 13, 2009
If Evans were to have any chance of winning this Tour, and he was not going to give up with just a week of three behind him, he had no choice but to try and take back some time in the Pyrenees. To leave it until the Vosges and Alps from next weekend on would have been far too late. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Daily grind for Michael Jul 12, 2009
But Rogers, who is a noted power climber when in top form, still suffered in the first of three stages in the Pyrenees ... Heading into Saturday's second stage through the Pyrenees, he was overall 164th out of 176 riders, 39:36s behind Italian race leader Rinaldo Nocentini (Ag2r). (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Wiggins keeping it clean Jul 12, 2009
Fifth overall in the Tour de France after two mountain stages in the Pyrenees, Wiggins said that he started to believe a drug-free victory was possible after Christian Vande Velde finished fifth on last year's Tour ... "The third week is going to be more important than the Pyrenees. Before the Tour, my own personal objective was, like, top 20. Obviously, I'm still there now and we'll see.". (News & Observer -- Sports)
Tour de France: Armstrong Contador rivalry taking center stage Jul 12, 2009
Yesterday, the status quo between Contador and Armstrong prevailed as Luis Leon Sanchez of Spain won the eighth stage in the Pyrenees, while Italy's Rinaldo Nocentini retained the yellow jersey ... In order to get back into contention, the rivals tried to attack during the Pyrenees -- the first big mountain challenges of the three-week race ... Riders face a third and final day in the Pyrenees today, a 100-mile course from Saint-Gaudens to Tarbes via the Tourmalet Pass, one of the toughest... (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Armstrong falls to third Jul 12, 2009
Contador, the 2007 winner, unleashed a burst of speed yesterday in the last uphill mile into the tiny Pyrenees principality of Andorra and Armstrong didn't lay chase ... 2-mile trek featuring five climbs on a route from Barcelona to an uphill finish at the Arcalis ski resort in the Pyrenees. (Honolulu Advertiser)
Cycling: Nocentini keeps Tour yellow jersey Jul 12, 2009
(CNN) -- Spain's Luis-Leon Sanchez won a sprint finish among a four-man breakaway group to claim stage eight of the Tour de France over the Pyrenees on Saturday. Sanchez outsprints Sandy Casar to secure victory in Saturday's eighth stage of the Tour de France. (CNN -- International)
* LE TOUR FRANCE: Hushovd finally gets his stage win Jul 11, 2009
5km stage ahead of the first day of climbing in the Pyrenees ... On the first day in the Pyrenees, Cancellara is almost guaranteed to lose the lead, which could go to second placed Armstrong or to teammate Alberto Contador. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
Armstrong drops to 3rd at Tour; Nocentini in lead Jul 11, 2009
Italy's Rinaldo Nocentini captured the yellow jersey from Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara after a punishing climb in the Pyrenees to complete the seventh stage. The 140-mile leg from Spain into Andorra, the first in high mountains of this three-week race, was won by Brice Feillu of France in a solo breakaway. (Erie Times-News, PA)
Armstrong takes a backseat to his teammate Jul 11, 2009
Contador, the 2007 winner, unleashed a burst of speed Friday in the last uphill mile into the tiny Pyrenees principality of Andorra -- and Armstrong didn't lay chase ... Two more days of racing in the Pyrenees await before Monday's rest day. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Rogers looks to rebuild for team after his hope00004000s crash onroundabout Jul 11, 2009
After being cleared to race on Thursday night Rogers was able to start focusing on recovering in the three-day bloc in the Pyrenees before Monday's rest day and helping teammate Kim Kirchen up the order. Friday's 224km seventh stage from Barcelona to a summit finish in Arcalis in Andorra, is followed by Saturday's 176. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Grandmother found in ravine Jul 11, 2009
MADRID: A grandmother on a holiday survived for nearly two weeks in a ravine after getting lost in the Spanish Pyrenees. Teresa Bordais, a 62-year-old Frenchwoman, sipped rainwater and nibbled wild herbs. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Armstrong slips to third behind teammate Jul 11, 2009
2-mile trek featuring five climbs on a route from Barcelona to an uphill finish at the Arcalis ski resort in the Pyrenees ... Italy's Rinaldo Nocentini captured the yellow jersey from Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara after a punishing climb in the Pyrenees to complete the seventh stage ... Two more days of racing in the Pyrenees await before a rest day Monday. (Athens Banner-Herald)
The Basque Witch Dance Jul 10, 2009
Euskal Herria, Euskadi, or Basque Country is the name of the region located on the Bay of Biscay and tumbling down both sides of the Pyrenees Mountains that separate France and Spain ... It is believed that their cave-dwelling ancestors that populated the Pyrenees produced the famous cave paintings more than 20,000 years ago at places like Altxerri, Lascaux and Santimimine. (Suite101.com)
Armstrong Says He or Contador May Take Tour de France Yellow Jersey Today Jul 10, 2009
Cyclists in stage sevens 224-kilometer (139-mile) trek today will have to tackle five including the final ascent to Andorre Arcalis in the Pyrenees that is rated out of category. . (Bloomberg -- Australia & New Zealand)
Armstrong still second Jul 10, 2009
Real test begins today as race enters Pyrenees ... Next up is the first mountain stage, from Barcelona to Andorre Arcalis, a town in the Pyrenees in the principality of Andorra. (Boston Globe)
Lance still 0.22 second behind; Pyrenees next Jul 10, 2009
22 second behind; Pyrenees next - Tour de France- nbcsports ... 22 second behind; Pyrenees next ... BARCELONA, Spain - A split second off the lead with the mighty Pyrenees looming, Lance Armstrong now gets to see what his rivals can throw at him. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Armstrong survives treacherous stage Jul 10, 2009
BARCELONA, Spain -- A split second off the lead with the mighty Pyrenees looming, Lance Armstrong now gets to see what his rivals can throw at him ... The field faces a 139-mile haul from Barcelona to Andorra today with a grueling uphill finish -- the first and hardest of three days in the Pyrenees. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Lloyd ready to pull out all stops on climb Jul 10, 2009
MATT LLOYD might not be a leader of teammate Cadel Evans's calibre but as the Tour de France approached the gruelling Pyrenees, he was willing to talk up his team's chances and embrace the challenge he faces in helping his fellow Australian make up for lost time in the mountains. On the eve of stage six from Girona to Barcelona in Spain, Lloyd fully understood that Evans - if he is to win the Tour - needs to make up some of the 41 seconds he lost in stage three to Le Grand Motte and in the stage... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Analysis: Armstrong, Contador ready to duke it out Jul 10, 2009
If he makes it through the only big mountain stage in the Pyrenees intact, the Texan will have time to recuperate before the final week of climbing in the Alps and up Mont Ventoux. Contador must understand that his chances to win another Tour are on the line on Friday, while Armstrong understands he is rewriting Tour de France history as each day goes by. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Peiper calls on rivals to ambush powerful Astana in the mountains Jul 10, 2009
AUSTRALIAN sports director Allan Peiper believes what many don't after only five days of the Tour de France: that the grip Lance Armstrong and his Astana team have on the race can be broken if teams with legitimate podium contenders are willing to attack in the Pyrenees. As the 3500km Tour that finishes on July 26 headed to Spain on Thursday for stage six - a 181. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
* Armstrong closes in on yellow jersey Jul 9, 2009
Before the Pyrenees, Armstrongs team will be glad not to have to defend the yellow jersey. Yesterdays fifth stage was a 196. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
Armstrong, Leipheimer set for homecoming Jul 9, 2009
Many cyclists use Gerona as a base for training, near the Pyrenees Mountains. Armstrong lived there for five years, and said Wednesday it was a "second home.". (MSNBC -- Sports)
Frenchman wins Stage 5, Lance remains in 2nd Jul 9, 2009
Armstrong split-second behind Cancellara, feels confident at Pyrenees loom ... The 37-year-old Texan is second overall, but about to face his toughest test in this years Tour as the grueling three-week race arrives in the Pyrenees mountains. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Movers and Shakers Jul 7, 2009
Oregon State University geology professor Anita Grunder, a volcanologist and teacher who has led student trips from the Pyrenees Mountains of Spain to the geologic wonders of South Africa, has received the 2009 Outstanding Educator Award from the Association of Women Geoscientists. The award recognizes educators who have played a significant role in the education of women geoscientists, made important contributions as professionals, and participated in science education programs in their... (Corvallis Gazette Times, OR)
Long way to go - Evans Jul 5, 2009
Although only the first skirmish in a battle that will really only get nasty in the mountains of the Pyrenees and the Alps, Evans has already been given plenty of food for thought ... " Contador, meanwhile, put paid to the speculation which suggested that Astana would not fully support the Spaniard, who beat Evans into second place in 2007. Any disappointment he felt at not taking the race lead will be shaded by the fact that he is now undoubtedly the man to lead Astana's charge towards the... (iAfrica.com)
Astana the team to beat Jul 5, 2009
Three days later the race will head into the Pyrenees for three days of climbing, with Contador expected to try and distance his rivals even more. Contador, who will go into Sunday's second stage wearing the best climber's polka dot jersey, admitted he had lost out to the better man on the day. (iAfrica.com)
Contador v Cancellara showdown could light up first stage Jul 4, 2009
But if Contador triumphs, it could give the Spaniard a cushion of comfort ahead of three testing days of climbing in the Pyrenees, beginning on stage seven ... In the Pyrenees Contador and his Astana team are likely to play a major role in the first skirmishes in the mountains as the fight for command heats up. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Lance Armstrong gives Tour de France new juice Jul 4, 2009
In 2009, the first week of the race hugs the southern coast of France, features a start in the city of Barcelona and on to the Pyrenees' mountains. On July 12, the cyclists fly to Limonges in central France, do a stint in Alsace Lorraine, four days in the Swiss and French Alps, and then pedal down the Rhone Valley. (Christian Science Monitor -- USA)
Tour de France is ready to go Jul 4, 2009
They could capture the leader's yellow jersey, though they aren't expected to fare as well when the race reaches the Pyrenees in Stage 7. Title contenders to watch today include Cadel Evans of Australia, Denis Menchov of Russia and 2007 champion Alberto Contador of Spain, for whom the course is almost tailor-made because of its hills. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Looking back at his victories Jul 3, 2009
Subplot - After winning the Prologue, Armstrong elected not to waste effort protecting the yellow jersey, gladly letting Spaniard Igor Gonzalez lead the race until the Pyrenees by virtue of his ONCE team's victory in the team time trial ... Then, in the Pyrenees, Armstrong took a nasty tumble on the climb to Luz Ardiden when his handlebar hooked a child's goodie bag, but he got up unhurt and roared to the stage win ... George Hincapie won his first-ever Tour stage, the hardest of this Tour, in... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Margaret Mitchell aided French after WWII Jul 2, 2009
Invited to Mitchells homeIt was 1942 when a 20-year-old Barois fled his occupied country, crossing the Pyrenees Mountains on foot, and headed to north Africa to answer Gen. Charles de Gaulle's call for resistance. In Morocco, he joined the French Air Force and was sent to the U.S. for pilot training. (MSNBC -- Lifestyle)
This long hike is for the dogs Jul 2, 2009
Mr. Robinson is walking with these Great Pyrenees, a breed that has helped shepherds tend their flocks in the mountains along the French-Spanish border for thousands of years. Mr. Robinson's with them because he lost one of that ancient breed, Malcolm, to bone cancer a few years ago. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
People begin enjoying music 35,000 years ago Jun 25, 2009
Another flute excavated in Austria is believed to be 19,000 years old, and a group of 22 flutes found in the French Pyrenees mountains has been dated at up to 30,000 years ago. (Agencies). (Xinhuanet, China)
Prehistoric flute in Germany is oldest known Jun 25, 2009
Another flute excavated in Austria is believed to be 19,000 years old, and a group of 22 flutes found in the French Pyrenees mountains has been dated at up to 30,000 years ago. Conard's team excavated the flute in September 2008, the same month they recovered six ivory fragments from the Hohle Fels cave that form a female figurine they believe is the oldest known sculpture of the human form. (AZCentral -- News)
Moms decry child-care aid cuts Jun 5, 2009
After pedaling a bicycle up the Pyrenees Mountains and ascending to the top of the international cycling world, Floyd Landis is starting over. ENTERTAINMENT. (Yahoo News -- Child Welfare)
'Sexually Charged' Human Figurine Could Be World's Oldest May 14, 2009
The Hohle Fels sculpture is curvaceous and has neither feet nor a head, like some of the roughly 150 so-called Venus figurines found in a range from the Pyrenees mountains to southern Russia and dating back about 25,000-29,000 years. Related Stories. (Fox News)
Sculpture in Germany May Be World's Oldest May 14, 2009
The Hohle Fels sculpture is curvaceous and has neither feet nor a head, like some of the roughly 150 so-called Venus figurines found in a range from the Pyrenees mountains to southern Russia and dating back about 25,000-29,000 years. But Cook warned against trying to draw any connections between the Venuses and the Hohle Fels figure, saying that would be like comparing Picasso to a classical sculptor too much time had passed. (Time.com)
Serpa Pinto: Voyages of life and death Apr 28, 2009
Mr. Margolis was an 18-month-old babe in the arms of his eight-year-old brother, Fred, as his family traversed the Pyrenees to make their way from fallen France into neutral Spain. His mother, Licel, was hobbled by a recent bout with typhus while his father cast a wary eye on the Andorran smugglers who guided them on their trek. (Globe and Mail -- National)
Final arguments ready in Spector murder retrial Mar 23, 2009
After the club closed, she agreed to accompany him to his hillside mansion, an estate built to resemble a castle in the Pyrenees mountains. Shortly after arriving, the 40-year-old actress was found shot to death in the mansion's foyer. (Fresno Bee -- State)
Spain: Pyrenees glaciers melting fast Feb 25, 2009
Pyrenees glaciers melting fast, Spain warns ... MADRID - The Pyrenees have lost nearly 90 percent of their glacier ice over the past century and global warming means the rest could disappear within the next few decades, the Spanish Environment Ministry says ... Between 2002 and 2008, the Spanish Pyrenees lost about a quarter of their glacier ice, it said. (MSNBC -- Environment)
Geography lesson Feb 15, 2009
She can call them the Pyrenees if she wants, but it would still be wrong. Ms. Greene later said she felt badly about publicly correcting the Governor-General. (Globe and Mail -- Business)
