Mark Cavendish condition:

Team Sky are happy to announce that Mark Cavendish has recovered sufficiently from his recent bout of illness to make his Team Sky debut in the opening stage of the Tour of Qatar.

The world road race champion, 26, did not take part in Team Sky’s training ride on Saturday after falling ill on his flight from London Heathrow to Doha on Friday night. Instead, he spent the day resting under the supervision of Team Sky’s medical team and his progress has since proved encouraging.

Team Sky’s Sports Director Steven de Jongh said: 

“We’re all delighted that Mark has been able to battle back from the bug he picked up coming out here and it will be a real boost to the rest of the guys to know that he’ll be starting today.

“Our medical team have done a fantastic job in looking after him and Mark has followed their advice to the letter. Clearly, he’s not going to be at his best in the next few days but we’re hoping he’ll get stronger with every passing stage. 

“We’ll continue to keep a very close eye on him but hopefully he’s over the worst of it now.”

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The Sky Pro Cycling team will return to the Tour Down Under in January but recently-signed star Mark Cavendish will not be riding.

Cavendish, the world's best road race sprinter and the world road race champion, competed in Adelaide this year with his former HTC-Highroad team but a heavy fall and other problems left him out of contention.

When HTC-Highroad folded, Cavendish joined Sky but has not been included in the team for the 2012 Tour Down Under.

The British outfit will be led by Norway's Edvald Boasson Hagen.

"We are really excited about the inclusion of Boasson Hagen in the team," Tour Down Under director Mike Turtur said on Friday.

"He is the current Norwegian national time trial champion for the fifth year running and a two-time Tour de France stage winner.

"He is fiercely competitive, young and hungry for a win."

Also included in the Sky team are Brits Geraint Thomas and Alex Dowsett, along with three Aussies, Michael Rogers,Chris Sutton and Mathew Hayman.

Rogers was the overall winner of the Tour Down Under in 2002.

The team will managed in Adelaide by Sean Yates with the tour to run from January 15-22.

Sky Pro Cycling team for the 2012 Santos Tour Down Under:

Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor), Geraint Thomas (GBR), Chris Sutton (Aus), Alex Dowsett (GBR), Michael Rogers (Aus), Danny Pate (USA), Mathew Hayman (Aus).

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World champion Mark Cavendish believes he and Bradley Wiggins are "like brothers" and is confident they can dominate the Tour de France together at Team Sky.

Much has been made of Cavendish's impending switch to Sky, which will see the reigning Tour sprint king in the same team as Wiggins - who has become accustomed to being the focal point of the team's attack on the general classification each year.

The pair were believed to have a frosty relationship - with Cavendish refusing to speak to his compatriot for a period after the Beijing Olympics, angry at Wiggins who he felt cost him a medal in the two-man Madison event - but Cavendish is now looking forward to a successful partnership, especially after they worked together so effectively at the World Championships in September to propel the Manx rider to road race gold.

"I was the only one who came home without a medal (in 2008), but me and Brad ... we're like brothers," Cavendish told The Mirror. "Sometimes brothers don't talk to each other for a while, they might have a tiff.

"But we're probably closer than ever now because we'll be pushing each other to get results next year for Team Sky on the Tour de France, or Team GB at the Olympics."

Critics have wondered how Team Sky will balance Cavendish's sprint ambitions with Wiggins' general classification hopes but the Manx rider has no fears, adding: "I don't think it's too greedy to aim for Brad being on the podium in Paris in the same race as me winning another Green Jersey. T-Mobile did it in the nineties, and on paper Team Sky are stronger."

Victory at the World Championships in Copenhagen saw the 26-year-old become the first British rider since Tom Simpson in 1965 to claim the fabled rainbow jersey, after being led heroically by Wiggins and David Millar - among others - before unleashing a customary sprint finish.

He believes the manner of the victory was as impressive as the final result, and is certain Team GB have put down a real marker ahead of London 2012.

"It was a three-year plan. We had the best bunch of British riders there has ever been. And the eight guys rode incredibly. We controlled the world champs from start to finish in a way no one had ever seen before," he said.

"Sometimes I ask why it's an individual award. If I could take these bands (on the rainbow jersey) and give the other lads one each I would. It's how it is. But for a British rider, after 46 years, it is an incredible thing.

"We showed the world we can control the championships; not just win, but control how the whole race panned out. That's quite a dominating thing to have. Psychologically, the other teams now know the rules."

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World Road Race Champion Mark Cavendish MBE will join Team Sky from 2012. 

The 26-year-old ‘Manx Missile’ brings a world-class pedigree to Team Sky having enjoyed the most successful season of his career in 2011.  In September Cavendish became world champion after securing the World Road Race title and the coveted rainbow jersey in Copenhagen.

This followed July’s Tour de France, where Cavendish confirmed his position as the world’s leading sprinter by powering to five stage victories and securing the prestigious Maillot Vert, or Green Jersey, as the race’s overall leading points scorer. 

In addition to 20 Tour de France stage wins, Cavendish has secured a further 10 Grand Tour stage victories in his career, as well as the overall points title at the 2010 Vuelta a Espana.  In 2009 Cavendish also won the prestigious Milan-San Remo race, one of the sport’s recognised ‘Monuments’.

Dave Brailsford, Team Sky Principal, said:

“Mark is the greatest sprinter of his generation and is well on his way to becoming the greatest of all time. He is a rider of exceptional talent who has proved his pedigree at the very highest level of our sport. “

“Mark is a born winner and what excites me most is the attitude he brings to all the teams he rides for.  We want to inspire more fans to get into cycling and I can think of no one better to help us do that. We are delighted that the new world champion will be riding for Team Sky next season.”

Bradley Wiggins, Team Sky rider, said:

“I think I speak for everyone in the squad when I say that we’re all delighted to have Cav joining us at Team Sky. He is the best sprinter in the world and has an energy and passion for cycling that is infectious. Team Sky has enjoyed a fantastic second season and Mark’s signing is another statement of our intent for next year and beyond.” 

Geraint Thomas, Team Sky rider, said:

“Cav joining Team Sky is fantastic news. In many ways it’s like he’s coming home – the team has a number of riders and support staff that he grew up with and it won’t take him any time to settle in. I think everyone saw that when we helped him to victory for Great Britain at the Worlds, and we are all looking forward to helping him deliver more wins for Team Sky.”

Edvald Boasson Hagen, Team Sky rider, said:

“I know from my time riding with Mark at Columbia-HTC what a special talent he is and it’s great that we are back on the same team. Mark is a good guy, delivers when it matters and is another weapon in our squad for next year.” 

Ben Swift, Team Sky rider, said:

“The young sprinters here are always looking to learn and having someone like Cav on the team is going to help us a lot.  We know each other very well already, but seeing how he goes about things on a daily basis will be really good for me personally and he’s always happy to give tips and advice. It’s great to have him on the team.”

 

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Eneco Tour, Stage 2: Phinney Keeps The Lead

BMC Racing Team's Taylor Phinney finished sixth Wednesday to retain his lead at the Eneco Tour of Benelux, but his advantage over second place was cut from seven to three seconds. 

Tougher Stage Awaits
André Greipel (Omega Pharma-Lotto) won his second straight stage but Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky Pro Cycling) finished third in the 173.7 kilometer race to take a four-second time bonus. "It was a really nervous day, but the team took really good care of me," Phinney said. "I was hoping to pay them back at the finish with a top five or top three placing. Unfortunately, I conceded some time, which was not part of the plan, but the team is really strong. I'm confident in my legs and looking forward to tomorrow." BMC Racing Team Assistant Director Fabio Baldato said Thursday's 191.2 km undulating stage will be Phinney's greatest test since he took the lead with a win in the prologue. "Tomorrow will be much more difficult," Baldato said. "We hope Taylor keeps riding well and receiving good teamwork to keep the lead."

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26 July 2011 –  Team RadioShack’s Robbie McEwen (39) took his first victory of the season by beating Alexander Kristoff and Yauheni Hutarovich in a mass sprint in the fourth stage of the Tour de Wallonie.

“The guys did a really good job staying in the front and keeping myself and Manuel Cardoso out of the wind and up where we needed to be,” explained a happy McEwen after a fast stage with the finish in Mouscron. “Towards the end and in the final, Bjørn Selander did a good job for me, keeping me in position and out of the wind and following my instructions right until the last 1.5 kilometer where I took Bennati’s wheel on the lead out of Leopard-Trek. I was originally going to pull the sprint for Cardoso since the team worked for me yesterday and it didn’t work out.  But I was in the perfect position and Manuel lost some positions at the crucial moment, so we had to cut to plan B. That plan was pretty good.”

Team director Viatcheslav Ekimov agreed.  “I see a very motivated Team RadioShack in this race. There is no pressure but they all want to show something. The team has to leave behind the bad luck we had in the Tour de France. Earlier this week Ben Hermans was already close to a stage victory too. This is nice.”

Robbie McEwen is a triple winner of the Tour de France's green jersey sprinter’s classification. He has twelve stage wins in the Tour the France, another twelve in the Tour of Italy, plus five wins in Paris-Brussels. This season he aims to win the rainbow jersey for Team RadioShack at the World Championships in Copenhagen in September.

“I didn’t see much of the Tour de France as I was concentrated on my own training,” continued McEwen. “I just trained at home easy for a week, then I went to the South of France and trained a lot in the hills. Just four hours a day, medium tempo, just building up my condition. A week before this race, back in Belgium I trained in the hills of the Flemish Ardennes and planned to used this Tour de Wallonie to get some rhythm back again. Apparently I found my rhythm quite quickly. This is promising for the next couple of months. I am still very ambitious.  Since the beginning of the season the World Championships in Copenhagen is a big objective. I think I can do a big preparation by doing this race and races like Eneco Tour, Hamburg, Plouay and Fourmies. I just need to be selected now. Hopefully that will be the case.”

Result Stage 4: Engien-Mouscron, 151.6 km
1 Robbie McEwen (Team RadioShack) 3:21:53;  2 Alexander Kristoff;  3 Yauheni Hutarovich;  4 Michael Van Staeyen;  5 Kenny Dehaes;  6 Kristof Goddaert;  7 Jonas Vangenechten;  8 Greg Van Avermaet;  9 Daniele Bennati;  10 Joost van Leijen

General Classification after four stages:
1 Greg Van Avermaet 17:30:08;  2 Joost van Leijen;  3 Ben Hermans (Team RadioShack) 0:16;  4 Nikolay Trusov 0:17;  5 Michal Golas 0:20;  6 Edwig Cammaerts;  7 Thomas Degand;  8 Bert De Waele;  9 Koen de Kort 0:2;  10 Nikolas Maes 0:26

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The Australian BMX Cyclones have wrapped up their preparations today at the Sleeman BMX Supercross Track in Brisbane ahead of their departure to the 2011 UCI BMX World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark.

 

Queensland Minister for Sport, Phil Reeves and State member for Chatsworth, Steve Kilburn were on hand to wish the riders good luck.

 

“This is Australia’s only Supercross track and hopefully their recent training camp and access to this brand new facility, will give them the edge when they line up against the world’s best," said Mr Reeves “Australian sports people always punch above their weight on the international stage and I’m sure our team for the world’s will be no different."

 

Australia will travel to the World Championships as the number one nation in the latest (12 July) UCI world rankings in women's elite competition and only 75 points off top ranked France in the elite men's division. Eleven riders will line up for the Cyclones team spearheaded by six riders ranked in the world's top ten across elite and junior men's and women's competition.

 

National BMX Head Coach Wade Bootes said the team has had a solid preparation and is in top form.

"The expectations for the program are high, (because) we've set a high standard this year," said Bootes. "We have four people in the world's top four and a lot of guys on the podium this year so, everything going well on the day, we should have a few on the podium in the finals and in the time trials."

 

The BMX Cyclones will be one of the strongest teams on the starting ramp and South Australian Brian Kirkham says that spurs them on.

 

"I don't think it's pressure," said Kirkham. "People expect us to perform because we're good riders so if we just ride to our potential we're going to get results basically.

 

"I'd love to get a podium, a top three finish but there are a lot of good riders out there," he said. "I'll be aiming for the skies but we'll see what happens."

 

Canberra's Caroline Buchanan is ranked number three in the world and last month scored a podium finish at the Dutch round of the Supercross Series in Papendal.

 

"I knew I always had the potential but needed that extra little confidence boost that I am up there with the best girls in the world," said Buchanan who is the reigning Australian Champion. "I want to be world champion and I'm going there to win gold for Australia but I'll be happy to get on the podium.

 

"I'm excited to race," said Buchanan. "In the past few years I've had some injuries and missed a few (worlds) and last year was really bad with my pants getting caught on my brake lever so this year I'm ready to go there and race and I'm feeling prepared and confident."

 

The Australian team has been to Denmark for track reconnaissance which Buchanan believes will give them an edge.

 

"We did the recce a few weeks ago and that I think will be a huge advantage for us as we have all our lines dialled and we know what to expect."

 

The team will fly to Denmark on Sunday.

 

Editors please note photos from today's training session for editorial use are available on request.

 

The BMX High Performance team Cyclones for the World Championships is below for reference: 
(please note Willoughby, Young and Goodwin are already overseas and will join their team mates in Denmark).

 

BMX 20" - Elite Men

• Joshua CALLAN (Warburton VIC, 08.04.1991| UCI Rank #26)
• Brian KIRKHAM (Clapham SA, 01.01.1986 | UCI rank #4)
• Luke MADILL (Cranebrook NSW, 28.05.1980 | UCI Rank #21, 2008 Olympian)
• Sam WILLOUGHBY (Trott Park SA, 15.08.1991 | UCI Rank #3)
• Khalen YOUNG (Kelmscott WA, 20.11.1984 | UCI Rank #17)

BMX 20" - Elite Women

• Rachel BRACKEN (Mermaid Waters QLD, 30.06.1991 | UCI Rank #11)
• Caroline BUCHANAN (Kambah ACT, 24.10.1990 | UCI Rank #3)
• Lauren REYNOLDS (Bunbury, WA, 25.06.1991 | UCI Rank #5)

BMX 20" - U19 Men

• Darryn GOODWIN (Swan View, WA, 02.08.1993 | UCI Jnr Rank #1)
• Bodi TURNER (Bayswater North, VIC, 18.09.1994 | UCI Jnr Rank #18)

BMX 20" - U19 Women

• Melinda McLEOD (Mackay,
• QLD, 12.02.1993 | UCI Jnr Rank #2)

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Sixteen long days after a crash and a sprained ankle that were about to take him out of the race in the first stage of the Tour de France, Andrey Amador completed the most difficult stage of his recovery in the world's most demanding event. The Costa Rican rider from Movistar Team contested and made the break of the 17th stage in the Grande Boucle -the first mountain trek in the Alps, with 179 kilometers and four categorized climbs from Gap, in France, to Pinerolo, in the Italian Piedmont-, a ride where Norwegian Edvald Boasson Hagen (SKY) took his second victory in this year's race as the brave Center American rider, even able to get on front of the race during the climb to Pramartino (Cat. 2), eventually surrendered due to his injuries and finished into a valuable 11th place.

 

Andrey Amador: “I didn't expect after the days i had gone through. This has been a prize for me, even though i'd have liked to be in better condition to contest the stage, but I gave my best. We knew it was a day when the break was going to make it, and in that moment we were warned once again from the car that we had to be attentive. I jumped after five riders ahead of me and some more joined to make a 14-rider group, and it was clear from the beginning that we were going to reach the finish. From the start I knew I'd stand little chance, because there were so many talented riders and me being, not 100%, but barely a 70%, was making it way harder. The ankle is bearing the pain, at least it didn't go worse. Now there's a complicated 2-day run, crucial for me so as to see if I can make it to Paris. If I see I'm not into condition, I will keep myself calm because I'm convinced I gave my best there. Before coming to the Tour, I was feeling better than ever and was willing to make the break in stage like this, in the mid mountains suiting me so well, but this is what we have and we have to content ourselves with the fighting spirit we have shown throughout the Tour."

 

Pardilla and Konovalovas fine at Brixia Tour opener

While their teammates complete the final week of the Tour de France, a second Movistar Team unit started their participation in the 11th Brixia Tour in Italy today, the 5-day event ending on Sunday. Sergio Pardilla and Ignatas Konovalovas were the best riders from the squad directed by José Luis Jaimerena in a demanding stage 1, whose opening loop around Ponte di Legno broke the bunch into pieces right from the first lap, leaving 40 riders ahead. Italians Frapporti and Baliani profited from an error on the time gaps given by the organisers to reach the finish with a 2-minute advantage over the favourites' group, including Pardilla and Konovalovas. During the opening part, Fran Pérez suffered a crash that left pain in his left knee, even though the Spaniard could complete the stage. A double sector will be awaiting tomorrow in Brescia, with the ascent to the Cat. 1 Colle San Zeno in the morning ride and a 10k individual time trial in the evening.

 

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Carmaux, France

Tour de France, Stage 10: Back In The Saddle

Cadel Evans of the BMC Racing Team finished in the same time as the stage winner Tuesday as the overall standings remained unchanged following the first rest day of the Tour de France.

Nicer Roads

Andre Greipel (Omega Pharma-Lotte) beat Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) in the sprint to win the 158-kilometer stage. Thomas Voeckler (Team Europcar) retained his lead and a 2:26 advantage over Evans, who is in third place. BMC Racing Team's Brent Bookwalter, one of several riders involved in a crash on a descent during Sunday's stage, said he appreciated the rest day. "My legs felt decent considering the first week we've had," he said. "My body still feels kind of beat up from the crash the other day. It was nice to come back with a slightly shorter stage, although it was a fast one. There were also nicer roads today, which was very welcome after being on so many goat paths for the first nine days."

Brutal Stages Coming

Wednesday marks the halfway point of the Tour in terms of stages, but not the midpoint as far as the selective kilometers, Bookwalter said. "The main selections or time gaps thus far have been from crashes and technical conditions," he said. "There are a lot of really brutal stages coming which are sure to shake up the GC (general classification) and really only one more day until those start," he said. "So far, we are still in a good position going into those days."

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Dries Devenyns 
"When Gilbert got moving on the last climb I followed him with determination. We got a good lead, but in the lead group not everyone was collaborating. Tony Martin clearly wasn’t cooperating in order to favour Cavendish’s sprint. So I preferred not to force things. In these situations it’s also important to understand if a move will be successful or not. I’m happy, anyway. My legs are spinning really well, even after the rest day. We’ll see in the next few days if there will be any other chances.” 

Jerome Pineau 
Jerome Pineau was involved in a crash that happened about 10 kilometres after the start of the stage. “I couldn’t do anything to avoid the fall. It’s never fun to wipe out, but luckily the consequences weren’t too serious. I just have some scrapes on my left side and knee, but they shouldn’t be a problem.” 

Sylvain Chavanel 
"Today I finished in the first group. It was hard for me, but the rest day surely helped me a lot. At the moment I still don’t have the energy I need to attack, but I’m hoping that in the next days I won’t have any more troubles and maybe I can try to needle my way ahead of the group.” 

Kevin De Weert 
"Again today the day went by without problems or falls. I tried to stay out in front to avoid surprises, and also because often after the rest day the legs might not be super.” 

It was a hard day for Gerald Ciolek. The team’s German sprinter is suffering from a pimple that makes it uncomfortable for him to stay on his saddle. Gert Steegmans is still experiencing pain in his left wrist; he finished the stage in 149th place at 5.59` from the winner