Tag: Denis Menchov

  2009 Tour Quick Facts 3,459.5 km raced at an average speed of 40.316 km/hr 180 starters and 156 classified finishers. Lance Armstrong came out of retirement and vied with Alberto Contador for supremecy within Astana. Contador, in scintillating form, was not to be denied victory in 2009. The Schleck brothers provided the principle challenge to Contador. Armstrong lacked the punch he had in previous Tour rides and finished a very credible third. Armstrong was later stripped of this third place when his extensive doping was revealed. Final 2009 Tour de France General Classification 1. Alberto Contador (Astana) 85 hr 48 min 35 sec 2. Andy Schleck (Saxo) + 4 min 11 sec 3. Lance Armstrong (Astana) + 5 min…

[dailymotion width=”480″ height=”381″]http://www.dailymotion.com/search/Giro+d%27Italia/video/x9g2l2_giro-ditalia-ad-ercolano[/dailymotion] Giro d’Italia ad Ercolano [dailymotion width=”480″ height=”381″]http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/Giro+d%27Italia/video/x94qbf_giro-ditalia-2009-le-tappe_sport[/dailymotion] The Giro d’Italia (Tour of Italy), also simply known as The Giro, is a long distance road bicycle racing stage race for professional cyclists held over three weeks in May/early June in and around Italy. It is one of the three Grand Tours, and is part of the UCI World Ranking calendar. The most recent winner (2009) is Denis Menchov. History The Giro was inspired by the Tour de France and, just as the French race was intended to boost circulation of L’Auto, so Emilio Camillo Costamagna, the editor of La Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper, aimed to increase his circulation. The first Giro d’Italia started on May 13, 1909 at…