Sorry, Lance, This Doesn't Look Like Your Year

Spaniard makes mark as cycling's new star

(AP) - He may have clinched yesterday, but Alberto Contador crossed over the finish line today, winning his third Tour de France and heralding the arrival of a new cycling superstar as seven-time champion Lance Armstrong finished the race for the last time. Mark Cavendish of Britain led a sprint to win the 20th and final stage—a largely ceremonial 63.7-mile course from Longjumeau to the Champs-Elysees in Paris. More»

Spanish cyclist eclipses Armstrong in second Tour triumph

(AP) - Alberto Contador won the Tour de France for a second time today, and Lance Armstrong capped his return to the race with an impressive third-place finish. Mark Cavendish of Britain became the first rider to win six Tour stages in a sprint, collecting his sixth stage win after the 101.9-mile course ride from Montereau-Fault-Yonne to the Champs-Elysees. More»

(NEWSER) - Lance Armstrong is in third place going into the 10th stage of the Tour de France today—eight seconds behind the leader, and just two seconds behind Astana teammate Alberto Contador. The two cyclists have faced endless questions about a rift, reports the BBC, and it's unclear who will lead as the race wends its way into Paris. Recently Armstrong conceded that "the honest truth is that there is a little tension" and that third place would not be a good enough finish for him. More»

(NEWSER) - Lance Armstrong is racing for his eighth yellow jersey, but the cyclist has already won a more elusive prize: the respect of the cycle-mad French. From 1999 to 2005, the years he dominated the Tour de France, many French fans saw him as frigid and haughty, and the press hounded him with doping accusations that were never confirmed. But now, reports the Wall Street Journal, the Tour's host nation has finally embraced the seven-time champion. More»

(NEWSER) - The Tour de France got under way today, and the BBC runs down some of the cyclists to watch. It all starts with Lance Armstrong, of course, who, "for better or worse," will grab most of the attention. Others:

• Alberto Contador: The 2007 winner is the favorite this year, though he may be battling teammate Armstrong.
• Mark Cavendish: After a strong showing at the Giro d'Italia, the rider could become the first Brit to win the Tour since 1987.