https://www.scmp.com/rss/32183/feed The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than 3,600 kilometres (2,200 mi) and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The defending champion from 2014 is Italian Vincenzo Nibali, with Britain's Chris Froome and Spain's Alberto Contador expected to provide strong challenges in 2015 en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com No matter what happens on the 2016 Tour de France it will forever be remembered for Chris Froome running on foot up Mont Ventoux in the yellow jersey. The world’s most prestigious bicycle race threw up scenes of pandemonium, and even comedy, like never before. A late change to the intended finish on the iconic Ventoux mountain saw the 12th stage on Thursday cut by 6km for safety reasons. Dangerously strong wind at the Ventoux summit reaching 130km/h in the early afternoon forced organisers to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1990056/rivals-laud-road-runner-chris-froomes-will-win-after-ventoux-crash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1990056/rivals-laud-road-runner-chris-froomes-will-win-after-ventoux-crash?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 15 Jul 2016 02:23:42 +0000 World cycling chief Brian Cookson has warned of a rise in "hooliganism" among Tour de France fans after winner Chris Froome was subjected to abuse during the event. After one of the most controversial races in recent years, Cookson also said that the number of "tired" riders on the Tour made him believe tougher doping tests are having an impact. There were some regrettable incidents on the tour Brian Cookson "There were some regrettable incidents on the tour," the International Cycling Union... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1845259/world-cycling-chief-warns-increase-tour-de-france-hooliganism?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1845259/world-cycling-chief-warns-increase-tour-de-france-hooliganism?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Jul 2015 14:04:56 +0000 The Course It’s not just the riders and their rivalries that make for a great race, the course itself plays a pivotal role. Organisers ASO ratcheted up the challenges this year with crosswinds, cobbles, punchy short finishes and varied mountain parcours. From the very first day the racing was exciting and despite fears Chris Froome would run away with overall victory, the yellow jersey battle went down to the wire. A resounding success. Sky Tour kings They may polarise opinion but there can be... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1844022/five-things-we-learned-years-tour-de-france?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1844022/five-things-we-learned-years-tour-de-france?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Jul 2015 09:30:45 +0000 Chris Froome admitted he’d been “up against everything” at the Tour de France where he was accused of cheating, spat upon and had urine thrown at him. The 30-year-old Briton did not just overcome 21 stages, 3,600km, cobbles, crosswinds and seven ‘hors category’ mountains, not to mention rivals such as Vincenzo Nibali, Nairo Quintana and Alberto Contador, but everything outside the course as well. As well as being the victim of a series of attacks, Froome’s Sky teammates were also... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1843944/spat-covered-urine-and-called-cheat-why-tour-de-france-win-even?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1843944/spat-covered-urine-and-called-cheat-why-tour-de-france-win-even?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Jul 2015 01:45:30 +0000 As he was officially named Tour de France champion for the second time on Sunday, Chris Froome was already planning his next success. The 30-year-old Briton, who celebrated being declared winner in traditional style - sipping champagne as he cruised along the Champs-Elysees, says that fatherhood will only make him stronger and more determined. Obviously, being a parent will change life for me but a lot of bike riders out there have kids and seem to have managed just fine Chris Froome In a few... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1843839/chris-froome-eyes-more-triumphs-after-winning-his-second-tour-de?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1843839/chris-froome-eyes-more-triumphs-after-winning-his-second-tour-de?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Jul 2015 17:00:45 +0000 French police opened fire Sunday at a car which smashed through a security barrier in central Paris close to the finishing line of cycling’s Tour de France.  The authorities were still searching for the driver after the incident which happened at around 8:00 am local time at the Place de Concorde at the end of the famous Champs Elysees, where the world’s greatest cycling race is to finish later Sunday.  Hundreds of thousands of people gather in the Place de la Concorde and the Champs Elysees for... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/1843794/paris-police-open-fire-car-tour-de-france-barricades?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/1843794/paris-police-open-fire-car-tour-de-france-barricades?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Jul 2015 11:45:00 +0000 Briton Chris Froome all but sewed up his second Tour de France victory after holding off a stirring fightback by Nairo Quintana on the challenging Alpe d'Huez on Saturday. Frenchman Thibaut Pinot salvaged something from his disappointing Tour with victory on the 20th stage but it was the battle between Froome and Quintana that really mattered. Quintana finished second, 18 seconds behind Pinot, but Froome, who started the day with a buffer of 2 minutes, 38 seconds, dug in to finish the stage... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1843742/chris-froome-all-assured-second-tour-de-france-triumph?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1843742/chris-froome-all-assured-second-tour-de-france-triumph?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Jul 2015 17:03:27 +0000 Race leader Chris Froome hit out at defending Tour de France champion Vincenzo Nibali for launching his stage-winning attack just when the Briton suffered a mechanical problem on Friday. The incident was reminiscent of that on the 2010 Tour when Alberto Contador attacked Andy Schleck as the Luxembourg rider, then wearing the yellow jersey, had problems with his chain. It seems to me that Nibali had the whole climb to attack but he chose the moment I had a mechanical to make his move Chris... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1843629/vincenzo-nibalis-stage-winning-attack-cheap-shot-chris-froome-fumes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1843629/vincenzo-nibalis-stage-winning-attack-cheap-shot-chris-froome-fumes?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Jul 2015 04:41:17 +0000 Reigning champion Vincenzo Nibali won the 19th stage of the Tour de France cycling classic on Friday as Nairo Quintana clawed back time on race leader Chris Froome. Italian Nibali went some way to rescuing what has been a difficult Tour defence by claiming a stunning solo victory on the gruelling 138-kilometre stage from Saint Jean de Maurienne to La Toussuire. From the word go the racing was on. Quintana put in a big attack and I opted to limit my losses and keep a bit of energy Chris... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1843616/shark-messina-vincenzo-nibali-bites-back-stage-19-tour-de-france?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1843616/shark-messina-vincenzo-nibali-bites-back-stage-19-tour-de-france?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Jul 2015 16:45:30 +0000 Romain Bardet helped salvage some host pride with victory on the 18th stage of the Tour de France on Thursday. The 24-year-old took off on his own with just under 40 kilometres remaining of the 186.5km stage from Gap to Saint Jean de Maurienne to take victory – his first on the Tour – 33 seconds ahead of compatriot Pierre Rolland. It was difficult to get in the breakaway. I knew that with a late attack in the Glandon I could then take time on the others thanks to my descending skills Romain... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1843263/frances-romain-bardet-wins-stage-18-lift-home-spirits-chris-froome?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1843263/frances-romain-bardet-wins-stage-18-lift-home-spirits-chris-froome?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Jul 2015 16:30:36 +0000 Tour de France leader Chris Froome admitted he is concerned about Movistar pair Nairo Quintana and Alejandro Valverde, his closest challengers. Colombian Quintana is second overall at 3min 10sec with Spaniard Valverde third at 4min 09sec. But it was Movistar’s tactics on Wednesday’s 17th stage from Digne-les-Bains to Pra Loup that most impressed Froome. While he was left alone without teammates on the final climb to the finish, Quintana and Valverde had two other Movistar riders for... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1842982/chris-froome-still-wary-quintana-and-valverde-despite-hefty-tour?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1842982/chris-froome-still-wary-quintana-and-valverde-despite-hefty-tour?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Jul 2015 01:51:49 +0000 German Simon Geschke won the first Alpine stage of the Tour de France this year on Wednesday’s 17th stage as Chris Froome maintained his overall lead. It was a fifth victory for Germans at this year’s Tour after Andre Greipel’s three in sprint finishes and Tony Martin on stage four. Quintana is still pushing me and testing me. In that last kilometre he was pushing on to see if I could respond Chris Froome American Andrew Talansky finished the 161-kiometre ride from Digne-les-Bains to Pra Loup in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1842970/germanys-simon-geschke-wins-tense-opening-alpine-section-tour-de?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1842970/germanys-simon-geschke-wins-tense-opening-alpine-section-tour-de?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Jul 2015 16:37:16 +0000 The team of Tour de France leader Chris Froome bowed to pressure Tuesday and released data about his riding power, heart rate and pedaling rhythm, hoping to quell speculation about doping ahead of an increasingly likely victory in Paris. On the Tour’s second rest day, Team Sky presented the figures after comments on French TV raised questions about Froome’s performance and incidents in which spectators have booed, spat upon and thrown urine on the rider and his teammates – behaviour attributed... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1842701/sky-release-chris-froomes-riding-data-try-fend-doping-speculation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1842701/sky-release-chris-froomes-riding-data-try-fend-doping-speculation?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Jul 2015 02:26:29 +0000 Haring downhill at breakneck speeds, Ruben Plaza rode triumphantly into Gap as the solo winner of a treacherous stage 16 of the Tour de France on Monday that saw a teammate of race leader Chris Froome careen into a telephone pole and Peter Sagan finish second for a fifth time. Froome’s Sky teammate Geraint Thomas, who had been sixth overall, suffered the terrifying crash on a hairpin bend, after another rider collided into him. That sent the Sky rider thumping into the telephone pole. He bounced... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1842345/thrills-and-spills-ruben-plaza-molina-wins-16th-stage-tour-de?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1842345/thrills-and-spills-ruben-plaza-molina-wins-16th-stage-tour-de?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Jul 2015 16:00:00 +0000 Top cycling performances should not systematically trigger doping suspicions, Tour de France overall leader Chris Froome said on Sunday. The Team Sky rider, whose impressive ride up La Pierre St Martin in the first mountain stage raised suspicions like his 2013 ride up the gruelling Mont Ventoux, had urine thrown at him by a spectator during Saturday’s 14th stage. There were no incidents on Sunday, however, with Froome even speaking of a “fantastic atmosphere” on the road of the 183km ride from... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1841411/times-have-changed-says-tour-de-france-leader-chris-froome-drug-whispers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1841411/times-have-changed-says-tour-de-france-leader-chris-froome-drug-whispers?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Jul 2015 02:19:19 +0000 Andre Greipel made it a hat-trick of Tour de France stage wins on Sunday as he won the 183km 15th stanza from Mende to Valence. Despite three stitches in his left knee from a crash on Saturday, the burly German fended off compatriot John Degenkolb, Norway¡¦s Alexander Kristoff and Peter Sagan in the sprint finish. The team supported me to make it possible, they kept me in a good position for the sprint Andre Greipel Briton Chris Froome finished safely in the peloton to maintain his overall lead... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1841390/andre-greipel-scores-hat-trick-stage-wins-tour-chris-froome?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1841390/andre-greipel-scores-hat-trick-stage-wins-tour-chris-froome?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Jul 2015 16:30:15 +0000 Race leader Chris Froome was doused with urine by a spectator as a fresh scandal engulfed the Tour de France on Saturday. The incident overshadowed what had been a historic first victory for Stephen Cummings and his South African MTN-Qhubeka team on Nelson Mandela Day. Froome hit out at certain media for “irresponsible reporting” of his and his Sky team’s success on the Tour so far, blaming them for setting the “tone” that led to Saturday’s attack. Speaking after the 178.5km 14th stage from... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1841237/spectator-throws-urine-over-chris-froome-during-tour-de-france?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1841237/spectator-throws-urine-over-chris-froome-during-tour-de-france?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Jul 2015 05:53:52 +0000 Stephen Cummings celebrated Nelson Mandela Day in style for his South African team MTN-Qhubeka by taking an historic first Tour de France stage victory on Saturday. Qhubeka became the first ever African team to take part in the Tour this year and Briton Cummings gave them the breakthrough triumph on the 178.5km 14th stage from Rodez to Mende. The team has stayed calm and they kept confidence in me - they knew I could deliver Stephen Cummings And on a day in which Britain's Davis Cup tennis team... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1841195/historic-win-tour-de-france-south-african-team?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1841195/historic-win-tour-de-france-south-african-team?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Jul 2015 16:35:37 +0000 Greg van Avermaet of the BMC team won stage 13 of the Tour de France with a finishing burst of speed on Friday that pushed Peter Sagan into second place for the fourth time at this year’s race. Sagan was kicking himself after he eased up in the final metres. “My stupid mistake,” said the Tinkoff-Saxo rider. My stupid mistake. I'm very angry and disappointed. I sat down and all the pain comes. Bad Peter Sagan on missing out on winning stage 13 For most of the flat-to-hilly stage from Muret deep... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1841066/greg-van-avermaets-fierce-sprint-secures-stage-13-tour-de-france?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1841066/greg-van-avermaets-fierce-sprint-secures-stage-13-tour-de-france?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Jul 2015 16:45:45 +0000 Chris Froome controlled a series of tentative attacks from his rivals as Joaquim Rodriguez won his second stage of this year's Tour de France on Thursday. Rodriguez, 36, was part of an original 22-man breakaway on the 12th stage that gradually split up over the 195km trek from Lannemezan to Plateau de Beille in changing weather that ranged from 38 degree Celsius heat to 12 degrees with thunder, lightning and hail. The Spaniard had already won the third stage finish on the Mur de Huy and also had... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1840226/joaquim-rodriguez-wins-another-stage-chris-froome-still-controls-tour-de?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1840226/joaquim-rodriguez-wins-another-stage-chris-froome-still-controls-tour-de?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Jul 2015 17:00:00 +0000 Tour de France leader Chris Froome has challenged his detractors to prove he has been doping before making unsubstantiated accusations against him. The 30-year-old has had to put up with a barrage of questions about doping since a stunning victory on the Tour’s 10th stage on Tuesday, when he decimated his rivals to open up an almost three-minute lead over the rest of the field. With several other mountain stages still to come, some people believe Froome could end up winning this year’s race by a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1840056/prove-im-doping-chris-froome-challenges-accusers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1840056/prove-im-doping-chris-froome-challenges-accusers?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Jul 2015 02:45:15 +0000 Poland’s Rafal Majka, last year’s king of the mountains, won the 188 kilometre 11th stage of the Tour de France after a solo breakaway in the Pyrenees on Wednesday. Ireland’s Dan Martin came home second a minute later with German champion Emmanuel Buchmann in third at 1min 23sec. Briton Chris Froome finished ninth in a 10-man group just over five minutes back to maintain the race leader’s yellow jersey. American Tejay Van Garderen kept hold of second spot at 2min 52sec with Nairo Quintana third... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1840028/pole-rafal-majka-wins-tour-de-france-11th-stage-chris-froome-keeps?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1840028/pole-rafal-majka-wins-tour-de-france-11th-stage-chris-froome-keeps?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Jul 2015 16:00:15 +0000 Chris Froome says his Sky team will be on their guard despite him putting his rivals to the sword in the first mountains stage at the Tour de France. Froome is almost three minutes clear of the rest after a stunning victory at the summit finish of La Pierre-Saint Martin on Tuesday in which he blitzed all his rivals. Reigning champion Vincenzo Nibali is even down in 10th overall, almost seven minutes off the pace. Australian teammate Richie Porte took second on the 10th stage from Tarbes while... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1839303/chris-froome-guard-after-crushing-victory-mountains?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1839303/chris-froome-guard-after-crushing-victory-mountains?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Jul 2015 03:41:05 +0000 Chris Froome took a huge step towards regaining the Tour de France crown on Tuesday as he decimated the opposition to win the first mountain stage of this year's race. The 2013 champion's Australian teammate Richie Porte took second on the 10th stage from Tarbes to La Pierre-Saint Martin to deny third-placed Nairo Quintana a couple of bonus seconds, but they were a minute behind the victor. I'm lost for words. That was unbelievable Chris Froome "I'm lost for words," said Froome. "That was... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1839128/chris-froome-destroys-rivals-first-mountain-stage-tour-de-france?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1839128/chris-froome-destroys-rivals-first-mountain-stage-tour-de-france?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Jul 2015 16:30:53 +0000 What should have been a day in which the Tour de France mountain battle occupied everyone’s thoughts was overshadowed by the shock news on Monday Ivan Basso has testicular cancer. The 37-year-old Italian stunned the gathered media when he arrived at a press conference in Pau meant to be about his Tinkoff-Saxo team leader Alberto Contador and dropped a bombshell about his health. “Unfortunately I have a bad announcement to give to you guys,” said Basso, a former Giro d’Italia winner. “In stage... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1838586/testicular-cancer-shock-sees-ivan-basso-drop-out-tour-de-france?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1838586/testicular-cancer-shock-sees-ivan-basso-drop-out-tour-de-france?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Jul 2015 02:34:25 +0000 Chris Froome says he's living a dream after describing his Sky team's start to the Tour de France cycling classic as "spectacular". The 30-year-old Briton admitted he had expected to lose time to some of his main rivals during the tricky first week of the 2015 Tour but instead he reached the first rest day on Monday wearing the leader's yellow jersey. The big thing was not to lose any time to any of my contenders, so to be in this position in yellow and to have gained substantial amounts of time... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1838459/chris-froome-well-pleased-his-spectacular-start-tour-de-france?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1838459/chris-froome-well-pleased-his-spectacular-start-tour-de-france?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Jul 2015 14:15:00 +0000 Tejay van Garderen said he was sick to tears of hearing talk of the “fantastic four” as he completed the first week of the Tour de France in second place. The 26-year-old American is only 12 seconds behind race leader Chris Froome as his BMC team edged out the Briton’s Sky squad by just one second in Sunday’s team time trial. If I’m not spoken about as much as those guys I’m not offended but it doesn’t mean I’m intimidated by them or not going to race them Tejay Van Garderen  And while the rest... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1838300/fed-fab-four-tejay-van-garderen-irritated-tour-de-frances-tag-talk?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1838300/fed-fab-four-tejay-van-garderen-irritated-tour-de-frances-tag-talk?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Jul 2015 02:30:45 +0000 Chris Froome stayed firmly on track for the Tour de France title when he retained the overall leader’s yellow jersey after the ninth stage, a 28-kilometre team time trial won by the slimmest of margins by BMC Racing on Sunday. Heading into Monday’s rest day, Froome has the edge over his main rivals, who were hoping to take advantage of the Briton’s supposed weaknesses in the tricky opening block of racing. It’s definitely not for me to be attacking at the moment. Right now the biggest rival is... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1838276/chris-froome-retains-yellow-jersey-bmc-racing-wins-team-time-trial?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1838276/chris-froome-retains-yellow-jersey-bmc-racing-wins-team-time-trial?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Jul 2015 16:15:45 +0000 Alexis Vuillermoz won the eighth stage of the Tour de France on Saturday yesterday to become the first French rider to triumph this year.  The 27-year-old former mountain biker escaped on the final 2km climb to the finish at Mur de Bretagne following a 181.5km stage from Rennes.  Ireland’s Dan Martin timed his counter-attack a shade too late and came home second at five seconds 5sec with Spaniard Alejandro Valverde winning the sprint finish for third at 10 seconds.  Today I’m thinking about him,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1837315/alexis-vuillermoz-becomes-first-frenchman-win-2015-tour-de-france?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1837315/alexis-vuillermoz-becomes-first-frenchman-win-2015-tour-de-france?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Jul 2015 16:00:15 +0000 British rider Mark Cavendish won the sun-soaked seventh stage of the Tour de France in a sprint finish on Friday, while countryman Chris Froome retained the overall lead as he bids to win the race for a second time. This time there was no crash near the finish, like the one on Thursday's sixth stage that cost German rider Tony Martin a broken collarbone, forcing him to withdraw while wearing the race leader's yellow jersey. I am super happy. Long time since I've won on the Tour de France Mark... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1836678/mark-cavendish-times-his-attack-perfection-win-seventh-stage-tour?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1836678/mark-cavendish-times-his-attack-perfection-win-seventh-stage-tour?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Jul 2015 16:46:18 +0000 Chris Froome was remaining positive despite the curse affecting Tour de France yellow jersey wearers. The 30-year-old Briton was set to start Friday’s seventh stage wearing the yellow jersey after German Tony Martin was forced to abandon after crashing on Thursday and breaking his collarbone. Martin was the second yellow jersey wearer to crash out of the race following Swiss Fabian Cancellara on Monday. Tour rules stipulate that Froome has the option not to wear the jersey out of respect to the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1835605/chris-froome-shrugs-tour-de-france-yellow-peril-cursed-jersey-goes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1835605/chris-froome-shrugs-tour-de-france-yellow-peril-cursed-jersey-goes?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Jul 2015 02:15:30 +0000 Zdenek Stybar won a bitter-sweet sixth stage of the Tour de France on Thursday as his teammate and race leader Tony Martin crashed in the final kilometre. Martin was trying to set up another teammate Mark Cavendish for a sprint finish when he wobbled on the bike and tumbled on a steep finish, bringing down reigning champion Vincenzo Nibali. Martin was left clutching his shoulder on the tarmac and the 30-year-old German needed help from his teammates to cross the line as he couldn't hold his... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1835580/tour-de-france-leader-tony-martin-injured-pile?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1835580/tour-de-france-leader-tony-martin-injured-pile?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Jul 2015 17:15:15 +0000 On a day in which soldiers who died in the first world war were honoured and remembered, Andre Greipel emphasised German sprint domination at the Tour de France on Wednesday. With Tony Martin keeping hold of the race leader's yellow jersey and Greipel in charge of the green points jersey, not to mention Germans winning three of the five stages so far, France's eastern neighbour is in charge of the 2015 Grand Boucle. Greipel, 32, overhauled Mark Cavendish and Alexander Kristoff while holding off... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1834985/german-sprint-kings-reign-tour-de-france?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1834985/german-sprint-kings-reign-tour-de-france?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Jul 2015 17:18:00 +0000 German rider Tony Martin won the fourth stage of the Tour de France to take the overall lead, while Chris Froome and his main rivals safely came through the treacherous cobblestones on Tuesday. Martin, one second behind Froome overall before the stage started, broke away from Froome’s yellow jersey group some 3 kilometres from the end. I missed the yellow by a few seconds [on] the first day, I was super upset that I missed it. All the pressure of the last days has come off Tony Martin Froome and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1834415/tony-martin-snatches-yellow-jersey-after-fourth-stage-tour-de?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1834415/tony-martin-snatches-yellow-jersey-after-fourth-stage-tour-de?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Jul 2015 17:15:45 +0000 Fabian Cancellara withdrew from the Tour de France after crashing in the third stage, which was neutralised for about 10 minutes on Monday following a pile-up of some two dozen riders. FDJ rider William Bonnet of France was put in a neck brace after falling off his cycle when it apparently touched a wheel, and others around him were also brought down in a flurry of flying bikes and bodies. Just left the hospital with a huge disappointment #TDF2015 is over Fabian Cancellara Swiss Cancellara, who... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1834330/crash-injuries-cut-short-fabian-cancellaras-tour-de-frances-dream?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1834330/crash-injuries-cut-short-fabian-cancellaras-tour-de-frances-dream?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Jul 2015 14:18:47 +0000 Chris Froome made a statement of intent on Monday by taking over the race leader’s yellow jersey at the end of a crash-marred third stage of the Tour de France cycling classic. The 30-year-old Briton finished second on the 159.5km run from Antwerp to the infamous Mur (wall) de Huy behind Spaniard Joaquim Rodriguez. It’s never too early to take the yellow jersey. Really happy to come second and put more time on my GC [general classification] contenders Chris Froome But his high finish coupled... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1834025/chris-froome-secures-overall-lead-crash-marred-tour-de-france?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1834025/chris-froome-secures-overall-lead-crash-marred-tour-de-france?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Jul 2015 17:01:49 +0000 One year after crashing out of the cycling classic, Chris Froome and Alberto Contador were back in control of the Tour de France, hurting their main rivals in a hectic second stage won by German Andre Greipel on Sunday. Crosswinds and crashes caused several splits as the peloton made its way through heavy rain on a 166km ride from Utrecht, with Froome and Contador ending up in a small leading group that also included American Tejay van Garderen as they finished one minute 28 seconds ahead of the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1833287/chris-froome-and-alberto-contador-back-control-tour-de-france?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1833287/chris-froome-and-alberto-contador-back-control-tour-de-france?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Jul 2015 16:57:59 +0000 Australia's Rohan Dennis was in blistering form to ride the fastest individual time trial in Tour de France history in winning the opening stage of this year's race in Utrecht, Netherlands. He clocked 14 minutes and 56 seconds at an average speed of 55.446 km/h for the 13.8km course on Saturday, with German Tony Martin five seconds behind in second. I left it all out there; I went off harder than what I thought I should have and I came back harder than what I thought I could Rohan Dennis Former... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1832684/rohan-dennis-storms-record-time-trial-tour-de-france?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1832684/rohan-dennis-storms-record-time-trial-tour-de-france?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Jul 2015 17:00:48 +0000 The Tour de France is like a good bouillabaisse, the traditional Mediterranean seafood stew. Take out one ingredient, and it does not taste the same. The Tour, which started yesterday, has all the ingredients in place:   A nervy first week on treacherous roads.     Towering mountain passes to climb.     The grandest of finales up 21 hairpin bends to the Alpe d'Huez ski station.     Four genuine contenders, the most in years, all at the top of their game.   This is the recipe for an... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1832501/tour-de-france-will-be-one-closest-years?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1832501/tour-de-france-will-be-one-closest-years?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Jul 2015 13:00:00 +0000 Tour de France contender Alberto Contador's serious-looking face cracked into a beaming smile during a lighthearted moment at his pre-race news conference yesterday, when he was joined by an unexpected guest. It happened when two Dutch journalists presented the Spanish rider with a canary in a cage. If I win just another grand tour it's not going to change my career, but if I achieve the double this is something people are going to remember Alberto Contador Contador used to breed canaries when... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1831883/spaniard-alberto-contador-has-canary-yellow-mind-tour-de-france?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1831883/spaniard-alberto-contador-has-canary-yellow-mind-tour-de-france?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Jul 2015 17:30:35 +0000 Chris Froome struggled for form, then crashed, but the Briton looks ready just in time to compete for a second Tour de France title - although micro managers Team Sky will struggle to control the race like they usually do when it starts on Saturday. Froome, who claimed the 2013 Tour having won almost every race he entered in the build-up to the three-week extravaganza, took a rockier road this year before taking overall victory in the Criterium du Dauphine, the prestigious warm-up for the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1830331/britains-chris-froome-ready-challenge-second-tour-de-france-title?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1830331/britains-chris-froome-ready-challenge-second-tour-de-france-title?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Jun 2015 16:05:30 +0000 Chinese rider Ji Cheng said he wants to get away from cycling for a while after completing the Tour de France. Ji was a visible member of the peloton over the last three weeks, relishing his role as the “breakaway killer” for his Giant-Shimano team. And although the 27-year-old did not set the world alight with his performances, he did gain cult status over 3,659km of racing around France. But he’s had enough for this year. Asked what he would do now, he said: “I have no idea. I will try to... https://www.scmp.com/article/1561014/chinas-ji-cheng-assumes-special-place-tour-de-france-history?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1561014/chinas-ji-cheng-assumes-special-place-tour-de-france-history?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Jul 2014 03:15:00 +0000 Australian cyclist Stuart O'Grady could be stripped of his Olympic medals after admitting to using performance-boosting drugs at the 1998 Tour de France. O'Grady, who retired this week, told a newspaper he had used the banned blood-booster erythropoietin (EPO) before the notorious 1998 Tour. The admission came after a French Senate inquiry named him among riders with "suspicious" test results in a damning report into the 1998 race. A successful Olympic track cyclist, O'Grady won a madison gold... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1290298/ogrady-asked-quit-olympic-role-after-epo-admission?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1290298/ogrady-asked-quit-olympic-role-after-epo-admission?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Jul 2013 03:19:50 +0000 One down for Tour de France winner Chris Froome. How many more to go? Having crushed the opposition at the 100th Tour, the British rider is looking ahead. And the French may need to get used to hearing the British anthem ring out again and again on the Champs-Elysees. Froome's prowess in time trials and on mountain climbs - vital for any modern winner of cycling's premier race - plus his age, 28, and his hunger for more success give him the makings of a multiple champion. Rivals, be warned. "As... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1288572/froome-targets-multiple-tour-victories-he-takes-cycling-new-era?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1288572/froome-targets-multiple-tour-victories-he-takes-cycling-new-era?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Jul 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Nairo Quintana broke down in tears as he came to terms with his stunning achievement on his maiden Tour, securing a double haul of jerseys and a surprise runner-up place. Quintana's stage win on Saturday moved him up to second overall at five minutes three seconds behind Chris Froome, but also helped secure the King of the Mountains' polka dot jersey as well as the white jersey for the best young rider. "I'm lost for words. It's a spectacular day. I never thought success on the Tour de France... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1287822/stunning-tour-de-france-cycling-debut-colombian-nairo-quintana?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1287822/stunning-tour-de-france-cycling-debut-colombian-nairo-quintana?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 21 Jul 2013 16:00:00 +0000 As he was fighting gravity in the final climb of the Tour de France, Chris Froome allowed himself to realise he had his maiden grand Tour title virtually sewn up. The stage confirmed the dominance Froome has maintained in professional cycling all year. He has won all but one of the stage races he has entered and three stages at this Tour. Froome, 28, described the way he felt as stage winner Nairo Quintana was pulling away in the final miles of the stage and his own legs were going rubbery. He... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1287823/chris-froomes-battle-top-cycling-world?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1287823/chris-froomes-battle-top-cycling-world?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 21 Jul 2013 16:00:00 +0000 As riders in the Tour de France churned their way up the towering Alpe d'Huez on Thursday, not once but twice, Ross Tucker watched on television in South Africa 5,500 miles away, laptop and stopwatch at the ready, looking for clues to the Tour's perennial question: Are any of the riders doping? Tucker, a 32-year-old physiologist, cannot know for sure, of course. But he said he believes that by using basic physics to estimate riders' power output up the 13.8-kilometre climb, he can compare... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1287090/cyclings-self-appointed-watchdogs-seek-doping-clues-distance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1287090/cyclings-self-appointed-watchdogs-seek-doping-clues-distance?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 20 Jul 2013 16:00:00 +0000 The team of Tour de France leader Chris Froome has released his performance data from six races, including this Tour, to a French newspaper as it seeks to dispel suspicions of doping. At the request of Team Sky, sports daily L'Equipe did not publish the information it said included data showing how much power Froome generated and his climbing times from 18 ascents. L'Equipe said it had the data analysed by Fred Grappe, a French sports scientist and a coach with the FDJ.fr team. It said he found... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1285605/chris-froome-team-shows-data-end-doping-claims?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1285605/chris-froome-team-shows-data-end-doping-claims?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Jul 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Chris Froome continued his march towards a maiden Tour de France title when he beat fierce rival Alberto Contador by nine seconds to win the 17th stage, a 32km time trial yesterday. Team Sky rider Froome, who has now three stage wins to his name in the Tour this year, clocked 51 minutes and 33 seconds to extend his overall lead over second-placed Contador to 4:34 going into three gruelling stages in the Alps. "It's a surprise for me to win today. The first descent was dangerous and technical, I... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1285023/froome-marches-contador-takes-second-place?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1285023/froome-marches-contador-takes-second-place?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Jul 2013 17:19:30 +0000 Among the talents that Chris Froome has brought to the Tour de France this year - climbing strength, time-trial prowess, a cool head - little has grabbed the attention of his French hosts more than his skill with their language. Stage after stage, Froome, the race leader, stands in the small post-race interview area with Girard Holtz, a tanned and well-coiffed French television reporter, and talks about, say, his recent performance in the contre-la-montre, or time trial, and wanting to garder... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1284116/french-no-longer-lingua-franca?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1284116/french-no-longer-lingua-franca?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Jul 2013 16:00:00 +0000