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Pinot (Thibaut) - (fra) / Bardet (Romain) - (fra) © Presse Sports In the lead up to the start of the 102nd Tour de France in Utrecht, letour.com has chosen to highlight five key stages. Of symbolic importance in the development of the race or perhaps decisive with regard to the final general individual classification, they feature the required characteristics for an extraordinary sporting show. The last episode is l'Alpe d'Huez where the final battle is scheduled on the eve of the grand finale in Paris. In a recent past, Frenchmen have performed on the so-called «Dutchmen's climb». Will they...

For as long as I can remember it has been a tradition that the Tour de France begins with a prologue held on the first Saturday of July. Something changed this year, but the race goes on with a new and exciting route beginning with a specially staged prologue on the French island of Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Tour starts next Saturday, June 30th! Now I need to find my ping list & html templates!

la Vuelta starts in The Netherlands this year (as do next year's Giro & TdF, interestingly enough):

(CNN) -- Tour de France winner Alberto Contador has launched a stinging attack on Astana teammate Lance Armstrong after returning as a hero to his native town of Pinto near Madrid. Lance Armstrong (right) looks on after Alberto Contador is handed the Tour de France trophy in Paris. Contador told a news conference that relations between the two riders were tense throughout the race, making the atmosphere very difficult for the team as a whole. Although not giving specific reasons why, Contador admitted the situation has affected his relationship with the American. "My relationship with Lance Armstrong is non-existent. Even...

Jul 23 RadioShack Partners With Lance to Form New Cycling Team in 2010by Brooke McMillan (LAF Staff) RadioShack Corporation is proud to announce a partnership with seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong to form a new American Pro-Tour cycling team. Beginning in 2010, Lance Armstrong will compete for Team RadioShack as a cyclist, runner and triathlete in events around the world, including the 2010 Tour de France. “This has been a great season so far – the response in the countries we’ve been to has been amazing and it’s clear now that this was the right choice. Utilizing...

Today is day one! Armstrong riding. Astana is back! Predictions? Other comments? Does someone have the ping list from last year?