Sprinting is a rough and tumble business. It is not for the faint of heart nor is it for those who lack intestinal fortitude.

Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia), Tyler Farrar (Team Garmin-Transitions), Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-Farnese Vini), Thor Hushovd (Cervelo Test Team) and Robbie McEwen (Omega-Pharma Lotto), among others are first to come to mind when searching for that type of swashbuckling mentality in the professional peloton.

But there are also those sprinters like Mark Renshaw (HTC-Columbia) and Julian Dean (Garmin-Transitions) who carry as much bravado, but are rarely seen because of their roles as lead-out men.

Though Cavendish would garner all the well deserved accolades after taking the eleventh stage in the 97th edition of the Tour de France, his third win of this year's race and 13th overall in his career, the more significant story of the day lay in how he got to the podium.

In the chaotic build-up to the sprint finish, Renshaw broke out the kitchen sink to ensure his sprint leader's safe passage to the line. The relatively unseen and quiet Renshaw would throw a haymaker of a headbutt in the direction of Dean to prevent the Garmin-Transitions' rider from impeding his path. The scuffle ultimately opened up the hole to which Cavendish slid through, but it also left HTC-Columbia without a valuable piece in the lead-outs and in the hills as Renshaw was thrown out of the race for his actions.

Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-Farnese Vini) would take second and Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Transitions) third.

Stage 11 Results
1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team HTC - Columbia
2. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini
3. Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - Transitions

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General Classification After Stage 11
1. Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank
2. Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana - 0:00:41
3. Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi - 0:02:45
4. Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank - 0:02:58
5. Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto - 0:03:31
6. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Team Radioshack - 0:03:59
7. Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank - 0:04:22
8. Luis León Sánchez Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne - 0:04:41
9. Joaquin Rodriguez (Spa) Team Katusha - 0:05:08
10. Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-Doimo - 0:05:09

Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-Farnese Vini) climbs back into the lead of the maillot vert , while Jérôme Pineau (Quick Step) reclaimed the maillot pois-a-rouges.

Jersey Leaders After Stage 11
maillot jaune - Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank
maillot vert - Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini
maillot à pois rouges - Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Quick Step
maillot blanc - Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank

Next: Stage 12 -Bourge-de-Péage to Mende (210.5km)
Another hilly day. Follow our LIVE Tour de France coverage on LIVESTRONG.com

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Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

For the second day in a row, Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia) proved, once again, that he is currently the fastest man on two wheels. The 25-year old sprinter from the Isle of Man took his second stage in as many days when he won the 227.5km Stage 6 from Montargis to Gueugnon.

Three intermediate sprints and four categorized climbs highlighted the longest stage of the 97th Tour de France, in what many expected to be the final play day for the sprinters for sometime as the race would soon turn toward the mountains. At the very outset, the trio of Sebastian Lang (Omega Pharma-Lotto), Ruben Perez Moreno (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Mathieu Perget (Caisse d’Epargne) went out on what has been the customary suicidal effort the past few days and quickly built a lead of over 8 minutes. The three exchanged blows over the course of the day, contesting each of the sprints out on the road as well as three of the four climbs.

The breakaway was joined late in the stage by Dmitri Champion (AG2R La Mondiale), who contested the day's final climb, and then by Anthony Charteau (BBox Bouygues Telecom). These latter two moves; however, only seemed to agitate the angry peloton, which was already positioning itself for the run into the finish in Gueugnon.

The catch inevitably came with ten kilometers left to go. After a few precarious turns in the final three kilometers, the sprinters lined up for the drag race into the finish. Mark Renshaw (HTC-Columbia) would once again take out the sprint in the closing meters with teammate Cavendish closely on his wheel. Left out front, Cavendish sealed the deal in dominating fashion, leaving the next two closest riders, Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Transitions) and Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-Farnese Vini), simply grasping at air.

Recap - As It Happened

Stage 6 Results
1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team HTC - Columbia
2. Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - Transitions
3. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini

And So It Begins

With the mountains no longer looming but directly in front of the peloton, the battle for the overall will finally begin. The unfortunate circumstances on Stage 3 sent a number of contenders reeling, most notably Lance Armstrong (Team Radio Shack), who currently sits in 18th place 2'30" in arrears.

A brutal third week may make the contenders to the Tour de France crown wary of attacking too soon, but if the hopes of those like Armstrong or Michael Rogers (HTC-Columbia) are to be buoyed at all, each should look to put these early mountain stages to good use.

General Classification After Stage 6
1. Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank
2. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Professional Cycling Team - 0:00:23
3. Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team - 0:00:39
4. Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Transitions - 0:00:46
5. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Quick Step - 0:01:01
6. Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank - 0:01:09
7. Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team - 0:01:19
8. Alexander Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana - 0:01:31
9. Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana - 0:01:40
10. Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto - 0:01:42

Jersey Leaders After Stage 6
maillot jaune - Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank
maillot vert - Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team
maillot à pois rouges - Jerome Pineau (Fra) Quick Step
maillot blanc - Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Professional Cycling Team

Next: Stage 7 - Tournus to Station des Rousses (165.5km)
The 97th Tour de France heads into the mountains. Will Lance Armstrong (Team Radio Shack), who currently sits in 18th place, begin his assault on the maillot jaune? Follow our LIVE Tour de France commentary on LIVESTRONG.com.

The Tour demise of Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia) has been greatly exaggerated. Two missed opportunities in the first four stages of the 97th Tour de France left many questioning his mental state after a horrific crash at the Tour de Suisse and even his lead-out team's capabilities to deliver him to the line. The talented rider from the Isle of Man; however, answered all critics and proved resilient while finding a different way to win on the 187.5km Stage 5 from Epernay to Montargis.

Another relatively flat Tour stage was once again animated by an early breakaway attempt. The trio of José Ivan Gutierrez (Caisse d'Epargne), Jurgen van de Walle (Quick Step) and Julian El Fares (Cofidis) attacked shortly after the neutral rolling start and quickly built a lead of over seven minutes.

From there, it was all down hill for the break as the peloton quickly pulled back any of the break's time gains and kept the three riders at a manageable 1'30" gap. Gutierrez attempted to go alone before entering Montargis, but the catch finally came with four kilometers left to race.

HTC-Columbia led the roaring peloton into town, but other teams, most notably Lampre-Farnese Vini and lastly Team Garmin-Transitions, would once again disrupt Cavendish's lead-out train. With Garmin-Transitions' Julian Dean and Robbie Hunter powering to the line for their leader, it looked as if Tyler Farrar, who has been battling a host of injuries, might surprise. But with final lead-out man and roommate, Mark Renshaw guiding him through the masses, Cavendish did not disappoint.

Like Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-Farnese Vini) the day before, once Cavendish launched no one would come remotely close to challenging. Overcome and emotionally spent, Cavendish returned to the Tour de France podium for the 11th time in his young career.

Cavendish's former teammate German Gerald Ciolek (Team Milram) would finish in second and for the second day in a row, Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky Professional Cycling Team) rounded out the podium in third.

Recap - As It Happened

Stage 5 Results
1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team HTC - Columbia
2. Gerald Ciolek (Ger) Team Milram
3. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Professional Cycling Team

Farrar Back In The Mix

With Cavendish's triumphant return to the podium, it was easy to overlook the return of sprinting rival American Tyler Farrar (Team Garmin-Transitions). Felled by crashes in the first two stages that saw the team's lead sprinting duties turned over to Julian Dean and Robbie Hunter, Farrar had finally healed up well enough to have a go in the Stage 5 bunch sprint.

He would finish in tenth, but Garmin and Farrar were in position for the win.

"The boys rode great today," said Director Sportif, Matt White. "We're continuing to look at our options in the sprints, since Tyler is far from 100 percent yet and Julian's still fighting his injuries, too. The lead out worked great with what we've got at the moment, the guys just didn't have the finish in them. We'll keep trying -- as we've said from day one, we're here to race."

General Classification After Stage 5
1. Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank
2. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Professional Cycling Team - 0:00:23
3. Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team - 0:00:39
4. Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Transitions - 0:00:46
5. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Quick Step - 0:01:01
6. Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank - 0:01:09
7. Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team - 0:01:19
8. Alexander Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana - 0:01:31
9. Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana - 0:01:40
10. Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto - 0:01:42

Jersey Leaders After Stage 5
maillot jaune - Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank
maillot vert - Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team
maillot à pois rouges - Jerome Pineau (Fra) Quick Step
maillot blanc - Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Professional Cycling Team

Next: Stage 6 - Montargis to Gueugnon (227.5km)
Another likely day for the sprinters before the Tour heads into the mountains. Follow our LIVE Tour de France commentary on LIVESTRONG.com.

Photo: Pascal Pavani/AFP/Getty Images

Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-Farnese Vini) was both lucky and good in winning Sunday's crash marred Stage 1 of the 97th Tour de France.

The beneficiary of three crashes in the final three kilometers that coincidentally took out three of his main competitors, Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia), Oscar Freire (Rabobank), and finally Tyler Farrar (Team Garmin-Transitions), Petacchi successfully navigated his way through the wreckage to set himself up for his first Tour de France stage victory in seven years, when he won a total of four.

Once in the clear, the 36-year-old Italian displayed the dominant sprinting form that previously earned him the nickname of Ale-Jet. He would cruise easily to the line to lay claim to the Stage 1 honors ahead of Mark Renshaw (HTC-Columbia) and Cervelo Test Team's Thor Hushovd.

A break, a dog, a crowd and a cannibal

The excitement and nervousness that accompany the Tour de France were certainly palpable on the 223.5km Stage 1 from Rotterdam to Brussels. After another eventful Grand Departe the day before, when the reigning World Time Trial Champion, Fabian Cancellara (Team Saxo Bank) swooped in late to steal the show from upstart Tony Martin (HTC-Columbia), it looked as if the 97th edition of the Tour was poised to produce a spectacular show. But on the day in which the race honored perhaps its greatest champion, Eddy Merckx, who celebrated his 65th birthday in June, the trek into Belgium was plagued with mishaps and crashes; hardly a fitting tribute to the man they used to refer to as the cannibal.

The race was animated early on by a break of three that escaped at the opening gun. Lars Boom (Rabobank), Maarten Wynants (Quick Step) and Alan Perez Lezaun (Euskaltel-Euskadi) would build a lead of over 7 minutes as the peloton became embroiled in other matters.

A stray dog had ambled into the roadway and resulted in a pile up within the main group. Some quick reflexes prevented a more serious and gruesome collision, which has highlighted past editions of the race, and the animal escaped frightened, but relatively untouched. The same; however, could not be said of several riders, including maillot vert wearer David Millar and Ivan Basso, the current Giro d’Italia champion, who were caught up in the chain reaction behind the incident as riders swerved and braked in front of them. Though all the riders would lick their wounds and continue to rider onward, the incident served as a harbinger of the carnage yet to come.

Moments later, a seemingly innocuous crash would end the Tour for HTC-Columbia’s Adam Hansen. He would ultimately ride and finish the stage, but radiographs taken afterward revealed a fractured collarbone.

As the race entered Belgium, massive and festive crowds lined the streets in honor of both the Tour and their former champion Merckx. With 30km left to go, the break began to disintegrate under the weight of the on-coming peloton that looked to set up a bunch sprint at the finish. In spite of this, Wynants’ stubbornness and a late attack out of the peloton by Moldavian champion Alexandr Pilushcin momentarily staved off the angry peloton.

With the catch finally made at the 5km mark and with the sprinters’ teams jockeying for position, a succession of crashes blemished the run into the finale.

On the final right hand turn into the finishing straightaway, a rider with an inside line overcooked it and subsequently slid outward to take out Freire and Cavendish. Seconds later another crash saw the hard rushing peloton compress like an accordion and come to a veritable stop. The few lucky escapees ahead of the wall of riders looked all but certain to contest for the sprint, but a third crash would again disrupt the flow and end the hopes of several other riders including green jersey hopeful, Farrar.

"Everything was going great, I felt good and the team was riding perfectly,” said Farrar. “Then, in the last 200 meters an AG2R rider hit my rear wheel and snapped my derailleur. I literally couldn't ride after that and had to walk through the finish and to the bus. It’s a shame because everything had gone so well and the team worked so hard for me. I'm glad that we're all ok and I'm lucky that I didn't go down. Tomorrow's a new day and I think its safe to say we're even more motivated now.”

Oblivious to the carnage behind, a focused Petacchi launched toward the line and took the win without much contestation. The victory would serve as a measure of redemption for the Italian fastman, who has struggled to regain his past form as of late.

In the end, Team Garmin-Transitions' Director Sportif, Matt White, would sum it up best by saying, "Unfortunately, that's sprinting."

Stage 1 Results
1. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini
2. Mark Renshaw (Aus) Team HTC - Columbia
3. Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team

Despite all the crashes the General Classification remained unchanged. By virtue of his win, Petacchi would climb into the lead of the green jersey competition.

General Classification After Stage 1
1. Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank
2. Tony Martin (Ger) Team HTC - Columbia
3. David Millar (GBr) Garmin - Transitions
4. Lance Armstrong (USA) Team Radioshack
5. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Professional Cycling Team
6. Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana
7. Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - Transitions
8. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Team Radioshack
9. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Professional Cycling Team
10. Linus Gerdemann (Ger) Team Milram

Jersey Leaders After Stage 1
maillot jaune - Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank
maillot vert - Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini
maillot blanc - Tony Martin (Ger) Team HTC - Columbia

Next: Stage 2 - Bruxelles to Spa (201km)
Another long day in the saddle on an undulating course. Will a break succeed, or can the sprinters teams keep it together for another bunch sprint? Follow our LIVE Tour de France coverage of Stage 2 on LIVESTRONG.com.

Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Pyrenees, Not Cobbles Will Be Decisive

When the route for the 2010 Tour de France was unveiled in October of last year, it looked as if the the Tour organizers had once again reached into their devilish bag of tricks to test the mettle of its participants.

Beginning on July 3rd and running through to the 25th, the route for the 97th Tour de France is highlighted by cobblestones and high mountains. In the early going, the Tour will pay homage to the Classics by incorporating seven cobblestone sectors, traditionally used in Liege-Bastogne-Liege and Paris-Roubaix, on Stage 3. And with only one Individual Time Trial, on the next to last day before the stroll into Paris, the organizers were certainly looking for the cobbles to help make the initial selection.

"We don't put cobblestones for riders to fall, but to make a selection," said race director, Christian Prudhomme. "There will be 11 kilometers of cobblestones in the last 30 kilometers. There will be some damage."

While the placement of the cobbled sectors and the cobbles themselves have many including Lance Armstrong believing that there will be some carnage, do not expect it to decide the overall. With 18 stages remaining, any of the contenders that make it through the cobbled gauntlet safely will still have plenty of road to make up any lost time.

The final, and perhaps decisive selection; however, will be made in the Pyrenees. There will be plenty of high mountain drama in Alberto Contador's backyard during the Tour's final week as it includes not one, but two ascents of the Col du Tourmalet, which is being celebrated for it's 100th anniversary from its first inclusion in the race. The first pass through will be as part of the legendary gauntlet of the Peyresourde, Aspin, Tourmalet and Aubisque, better known as "The Circle of Death," on Stage 16, and the second will be on the following stage as one of only three mountain top finishes along the entire route.

Schedule
Prologue - 3 July : Rotterdam ITT, 8.9 km
Stage: 1 - 4 July : Rotterdam - Bruxelles, 223.5 km
Stage: 2 - 5 July : Bruxelles - Spa, 201 km
Stage: 3 - 6 July : Wanze - Arenberg Porte du Hainaut, 213 km
Stage: 4 - 7 July : Cambrai - Reims, 153.5 km
Stage: 5 - 8 July : Épernay - Montargis, 187.5 km
Stage: 6 - 9 July : Montargis - Gueugnon, 227.5 km
Stage: 7 - 10 July : Tournus - Station des Rousses, 165.5 km
Stage: 8 - 11 July : Station des Rousses - Morzine-Avoriaz, 189 km
Stage: 9 - 13 July : Morzine-Avoriaz - Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, 204.5 km
Stage: 10 - 14 July : Chambéry - Gap, 179 km
Stage: 11 - 15 July : Sisteron - Bourg-lès-Valence, 184.5 km
Stage: 12 - 16 July : Bourg-de-Péage - Mende, 210.5 km
Stage: 13 - 17 July : Rodez - Revel, 196 km
Stage: 14 - 18 July : Revel - Ax-3 Domaines, 184.5 km
Stage: 15 - 19 July : Pamiers - Bagnères-de-Luchon, 187.5 km
Stage: 16 - 20 July : Bagnères-de-Luchon - Pau, 199.5 km
Stage: 17 - 22 July : Pau - Col du Tourmalet, 174 km
Stage: 18 - 23 July : Salies-de-Béarn - Bordeaux, 198 km
Stage: 19 - 24 July : Bordeaux - Pauillac ITT, 52 km
Stage: 20 - 25 July : Longjumeau - Paris Champs-Élysées, 102.5 km

A Young Man's Game - The Contenders

Any list of contenders has to begin and end with the current and three time Tour de France champion, Alberto Contador (Astana), but if he should happen to win this, the 97th Tour de France, it will not be easy.

Alberto Contador (Astana) - He is without doubt the best stage racer at this moment. If the young Spaniard does not fall by the wayside on the cobbles as former Tour contender and countryman, Iban Mayo, did in 2004 he will certainly be salivating once the high mountains of the Alps and Pyrenees come into play. Prediction - 1st

Andy Schleck (Team Saxo Bank) - Second only to Contador last year, Schleck has not shown particularly great form this year, but if he has timed his training well and peaks in the final week look for him to be on the podium again. Prediction - 3rd

Lance Armstrong (Team Radio Shack) - What else can be said about the former 7-time Tour de France champion? He seems to have lost the decisive accelerations in the high mountains that he repeatedly used during his previous seven Tour victories, but with his impending retirement from the Grand Boucle no one will have more motivation to win the the race. Prediction - 2nd

Carlos Sastre (Cervelo Test Team) - The former Tour de France champion has much to prove given last year's underwhelming performance in the race. The Spaniard is still considered a good to great climber, but will need a great deal of team support to put him into any type of contention. Prediction - Top 15

Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Transitions) - A fourth place in 2008, a healthy Vande Velde will have the use of a strong and flexible team to help him garner a podium placing. Prediction - 4th

Bradley Wiggins (Team Sky) - Riding for the first British team to compete in the Tour de France in 20 years, Wiggins and Sky will most likely impress early, but it remains to be seen whether he will have enough help to contend in the mountains. Prediction - Top 10

Michael Rogers (HTC-Columbia) - The 2010 Amgen Tour of California winner has yet to put it all together in July, but has HTC-Columbia sacrificed his chances in supporting Mark Cavendish? Prediction - Top 10

Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) - Evans represented himself well at this year's Giro d'Italia, but how much does he have left in the tank? Prediction - Top 10

Denis Menchov (Rabobank) - The Russian has been a perennial contender and only needs to win the Tour de France in order to claim victories in all three Grand Tours. A strong fighter, Menchov will be in the mix. Prediction - Top 10

Roman Kreuzinger (Liquigas-Doimo) - If you are looking for a true dark-horse, look no further than Kreuzinger, who could be the first Czech on the fabled Tour podium Prediction - 5th

Tony Martin (HITC-Columbia) - The same that was said about Kreuzinger certainly applies to this young German. One of last year's revelation of the Tour, Martin is sure to be in the mix again. Prediction - Top 10

Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Omega Pharm Lotto) - The Belgian was a revelation at the Giro a few years ago and should not be discounted. Can he finally shake the up-and-comer label and compete in the biggest race? Prediction - Top 15

The Biggest Race, The Most Confident

Big events usually bring out the best in the most competitive. Lance Armstrong proved it time and time again, and the same can be said of HTC-Columbia's Mark Cavendish. While it may be sometime before anyone can shake away any of the Brits' confidence in the sprint, he still has a ways to go to claim the maillot vert in Paris.

Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia) - Unfortunately for Manxman, the maillot vert goes to the most consistent finisher over the span of the three week race and not the most dominant sprinter. Cavendish is sure to win his share of sprint stages, but his inability to climb well will hurt him at this edition of the race which features miles and miles of mountains. Prediction - 2nd

Tyler Farrar (Team Garmin-Transitions) - Farrar has certainly come into his own as a sprinter and this year he has the team to compete with Cavendish's HTC-Columbia train. Prediction - 3th

Thor Hushovd (Team Cervelo Test Team) - A former maillot vert winner, the ever consistent Norwegian will be vying for the jersey all the way up to the finish on the Champs-Elysees. Prediction - 1st

Oscar Freire (Rabobank) - The former multiple World Champion will certainly be in the mix of every bunch sprint, but he will have a hard time catching a wheel and working his way through the teams fielding strong lead out trains. Prediction - 4th

Dots In My Eyes

Its often difficult to name the contenders for the maillot pois a rouges, let alone predict who might win it as there are a host of good climbers in the race who may be allowed to venture off the front at anytime during the race. Here are but a few.

Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step) - Always one to go off the front, Chavanel will represent his Quick Step sponsors well. Prediction - 2nd

Christophe Moreau (Caisse d'Epargne) - Similar to Chavanel in thought process, this may be Moreau's jersey to lose. Prediction - 1st

Robert Gesink (Ned) - An extremely strong climber, Gesink could certainly be considered as one of the maillot jaune contenders in the future. He may be given the freedom to ride for stage wins late in the race, if team leader Menchov falls out of contention. Prediction - Top 10

Rinaldo Nocentini (AG2R La Mondiale) - A former maillot jaune wearer, the Italian may have other designs on which jersey to compete for this year. Prediction - Top 10

Amets Txurruka (Euskatel Euskadi) - Another great Spanish climber who will have his day in the sun once the mountain stages arrive. - Prediction - 3rd

Start List

Prologue - Rotterdam ITT, 8.9 km
It all kicks off in the Netherlands this year, a country which will surely be clad in orange after their national team's victory over Brazil in the World Cup. Look for Thor Hushovd (Cervelo Test Team), Fabian Cancellara (Team Saxo Bank), David Zabriskie (Team Garmin-Transitions) and Levi Leipheimer (Team Radio Shack) to pull on the first maillot jaune of 2010. Follow our LIVE Tour de France coverage on LIVESTRONG.com.

Modesto, CA - Stage 4 from San Jose to Modesto looked like another golden opportunity for Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia) to capture his second stage of the 2010 Amgen Tour of California. But the town of Modesto has quickly become kryptonite to the superman from the Isle of Man as he fell short once again in the finishing circuits. Cavendish would actually have the opportunity to contest this year's finish, getting lost in the shuffle around the final bend in last year's race, but he was simply unable to come around Juan Jose Haedo (Team Saxo Bank) and Francesco Chicci (Liquigas-Doimo), who took the narrow victory.

“I’m dedicating this win to my teammates who worked incredibly well for me today and this season,” said Chicchi. “I’m really proud to win again in the U.S. This is a great race – I love to race hard and win in America. To me, today felt just like the Tour de France.”

Fans of the Amgen Tour of California may have recognized part of Stage 4 from the 2009 race when the cyclists traveled from San Jose to Modesto; however, in 2010, the racers encountered a longer and more challenging route. Stage 4 ran 121.5 miles/195.5 km and included two King of the Mountains (KOM) competitions and two sprints. After a two-lap neutral start in San Jose the cyclists were faced with a climb that is synonymous with cycling and the Amgen Tour of California, Sierra Rd. (Cat.1 – 1,930 ft.), only 8.1 miles into the stage. Prior to the climb, just after the neutral start, Rabobank didn’t waste any time and launched an immediate attack. With Lars Boom (Rabobank) leading the charge, there was soon a strong breakaway heading into the first KOM of the day. As the breakaway of Boom, Jurgen Van de Walle (QuickStep), Robert Britton (BISSELL), Ryan Anderson (Kelly Benefit Strategies) and Jeremy Powers (Jelly Belly Presented by Kenda) crested the summit of Sierra Rd., Anderson took the KOM, followed by Britton and Boom. Not far behind, a chase group of three formed that included Davide Frattini (Team Type 1), Max Jenkens (UnitedHealthcare Presented by Maxxis) and Scott Stewart (Team Type 1).

After completing the Sierra Rd. climb, the riders faced fast and flat roads full of twists and turns (Calaveras Rd. alone has more than 40 switchbacks) before visiting downtown Livermore for the first time. Heading into Livermore for the first sprint of Stage 4 with an amazing showing of fans along the route and a beautiful sunny day in the background, Boom took the sprint, followed by Powers and Anderson. After passing through the feed zone, the cyclists were faced with their second and final climb of the day, Mines Rd. (Cat. 4 – 1,512), where the riders faced nearly 30 miles of a narrow, twisting road, climbing most of the way before a long descent into Patterson. Anderson took the KOM, putting him in the lead in the KOM competition and securing the jersey, followed by Van de Walle, Britton and Boom, as the three chasers were swallowed up by the peloton, which had Team RadioShack and Garmin-Transitions riding tempo for most of the day, about five minutes behind.

About half way into the stage, Anderson fell off the back of the break and waited for the field to catch up. With only about 25 miles to go, the riders headed towards the second sprint of the day in Patterson, which was won by Boom, followed by Van de Walle and Britton. Reaching speeds of 55 mph during the stage, the sprint was followed by a decent sized crash, but all the riders recovered and continued on to the finish in Modesto.

Heading into the final stretch of the race Boom launched an attack, but was caught by Van de Walle and Britton, and soon after the entire breakaway was absorbed by the pack. Cavendish looked to be setup perfectly for the win as his HTC-Columbia delivered him onto the finishing straight, but he was unable to hold his speed until the line. Haedo was able to overtake Cavendish, but in what was a photo-finish Chicchi would come around to take the win.

Results - Stage 4
1. Francesco Chicci (ITA) Liquigas-Doimo
2. Juan Jose Haedo (Arg) Team Saxo Bank
3. Mark Cavendish (GBr) HTC-Columbia

American David Zabriskie (Garmin-Transitions) was able to retain the overall lead and will wear the Amgen Leader Jersey for the second consecutive day heading into Stage 5 of the race.

“This was a great day. There were big crowds in Modesto and it was a nice course to be in this jersey,” said Zabriskie. “I’m an excited individual to be in the Amgen Leader Jersey in the Amgen Tour of California. I’ve never done it before and I’m very happy. I’m really enjoying it.”

General Classification - After Stage 4
1. Michael Rogers (Aus) Team HTC-Columbia
2. David Zabriskie (USA) Garmin-Transitions
3. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Team Radioshack
4. Peter Sagan (Svk) Liquigas-Doimo
5. Marc De Maar (Ned) Unitedhealthcare Presented by Maxxis
6. Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin-Transitions
7. Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Team Radioshack
8. Rory Sutherland (Aus) Unitedhealthcare Presented by Maxxis
9. Christopher Horner (USA) Team Radioshack
10. Thomas Danielson (USA) Garmin-Transitions

Jersey Leaders - After Stage 4
Amgen Race Leader Jersey - David Zabriskie (USA) of Garmin-Transitions
Herbalife Sprint Jersey - Mark Cavendish (GBr) HTC-Columbia
California Travel and Tourism Commission KoM Jersey - Ryan Anderson (CAN) Kelly Benefit Strategies
Rabobank Best Young Rider Jersey - Peter Sagan (Svk) Liquigas-Doimo
Amgen's Breakaway from Cancer Most Courageous Jersey - Lars Boom (Ned) Rabobank

Next: Stage 5 - Visalia to Bakersfield - (195.5km)

Photo: Getty Images

Sacramento, CA - The poster boy for the Amgen Tour of California last year, Mark Cavendish (Team HTC-Columbia) continued his winning ways in the Golden State by taking the opening stage of the 2010 Amgen Tour of California, pipping Team Saxo Bank's Juan Jose Haedo at the line in Sacramento. Norway's Alexander Kristoff (BMC Racing) rounded out the podium.

The 167.8 km stage from Nevada City, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary of the Nevada City Classic, to Sacramento took the riders through Grass Valley and across the Auburn-Foresthill Bridge, the tallest bridge in California and the third highest in the U.S. With the exception of an early climb from the American River to the town of Cool, the stage was mostly downhill to the state's capitol city.

A break of four, which included Maarten Tjallingii (Rabobank), Chad Beyer (BMC Racing Team), Mark De Maar (UnitedHealthcare presented by Maxxis) and Paul Mach (BISSELL) animated the early part of the race. The foursome broke away from the pack and quickly gained a one minute gap on the field. Their lead grew to more than five minutes before an HTC-Columbia led chase brought the peloton back together just outside Sacramento's city limits.

Once inside the finishing circuit, the quickened pace created some havoc as the sprinters began to position themselves for the finale. A crash in the final kilometers brought down former World Champion, Tom Boonen (Quick Step), before he got the chance to contest the sprint finish. Boonen would be brought to the hospital for diagnostic tests and to treat minor injuries. He was later released.

With one of his major contenders out of the field, Cavendish and HTC-Columbia made quick work of the finish with only Haedo to beat at the line.

“The Amgen Tour of California is a hard race,” said Cavendish. “This is a big thing for us. It’s always an important race. Hopefully we can win more stages.”

Gunslinger

It was a bit ironic after last year's Stage 4 in Clovis that Mark Cavendish received a cowboy hat for his victory because he is every bit reminiscent of the old Western gunslingers of the past. Some have called Cavendish cocky, even going so far as to label him arrogant. But he is neither of those. He is a sprinter of extraordinary talents, who understands that his success is a product of incredible trust and chemistry in the team by which he is surrounded.

His confidence in his abilities and his team, perhaps makes him an easy target. But quite simply, Cavendish is the current fastest man on two-wheels, who like those old gunslingers, proclaims that fact not in words, but by every time he outdraws the competition.
 

Results - Stage 1
1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) HTC-Columbia
2. Juan Jose Haedo (Arg) Team Saxo Bank
3. Alexander Kristoff (Nor) BMC Racing

General Classification - After Stage 1
1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) HTC-Columbia
2. Juan Jose Haedo (Arg) Team Saxo Bank
3. Alexander Kristoff (Nor) BMC Racing
4. Robbie Hunter (Rsa) Garmin-Transitions
5. Jonathan Cantwell (Aus) Fly V australia
6. Marcus Burghardt (Ger) BMC Racing
7. Guillaume Boivin (Can) SpiderTech powered by Planet Energy
8. Andreas Stauff (Aus) Quick-Step
9. Nikolas Maes (GBr) Quick-Step
10. Thomas Leezer (USA) Rabobank

Jersey Leaders - After Stage 1
Amgen Race Leader Jersey - Mark Cavendish (GBr) HTC-Columbia
Herbalife Sprint Jersey - Mark Cavendish (GBr) HTC-Columbia
California Travel and Tourism Commission King of the Mountains Jersey - Paul Mach (USA) Bissell
Rabobank Best Young Rider Jersey - Alexander Kristoff (Nor) BMC Racing
Amgen's Breakaway from Cancer Most Courageous Jersey - Maarten Tjallingii (Ned) Rabobank

Next: Stage 2 - Davis to Santa Rosa (177.2 km)

See more photos of the 2010 Amgen Tour of California in our Photo Gallery

Photos: Leonard Basobas/LB Photos

Pinotti Completes HTC-Columbia Hat Trick at Tour de Romandie

Marco Pinotti has taken HTC-Columbia's third victory in a row in the Tour de Romandie prologue, continuing a run of success in the Swiss race's opening stage that started with Mark Cavendish in 2008 and continued with Frantisek Rabon in 2009.

Clad in the jersey of Italian national time trial champion, Pinotti completed the 4.3 kilometre course in the town of Porrentruy one second ahead of Czech rider Peter Sagan, with Frenchman Jeremy Roy in third and Pinotti's HTC-Columbia team-mate Mick Rogers in fourth.

After waiting an hour and a half before all the riders completed the course and his first victory of the season could be confirmed, Pinotti said afterward he was delighted with the result. "I couldn't be happier. I've done well in this race before, finishing third in 2008 and I knew I was in good shape after the Tour of the Basque Country in Spain so I was hoping for a good result."

"This is the last race I do before the Giro d'Italia, and this confirms I'm on the right track for May, too."

Results - Prologue
1. Marco Pinotti (Ita) Team HTC - Columbia
2. Peter Sagan (Svk) Liquigas-Doimo
3. Jérémy Roy (Fra) Française Des Jeux

Other Notables
4. Michael Rogers (Aus) Team HTC - Columbia
6. Christophe Moreau (Fra) Caisse d'Epargne
7. Gregory Henderson (NZl) Sky Professional Cycling Team
8. Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas-Doimo
13. Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
17. Adam Hansen (Aus) Team HTC - Columbia
18. Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team HTC - Columbia
19. Frantisek Rabon (Cze) Team HTC - Columbia
22. Jack Bobridge (Aus) Garmin - Transitions
27. Svein Tuft (Can) Garmin - Transitions
29. Mark Renshaw (Aus) Team HTC - Columbia
38. Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin - Transitions
77. Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-Doimo
79. Allan Davis (Aus) Astana
85. Matthew Busche (USA) Team Radioshack
92. Jeffry Louder (USA) BMC Racing Team
121. Kirk Carlsen (USA) Garmin - Transitions
144. Chad Beyer (USA) BMC Racing Team

Photos: Courtesy SCOTT Sports

Three-time world-champion Michael Rogers and 2007 Tour of Missouri winner George Hincapie also named as part of the squad

Jefferson City, MO - Mark Cavendish, who won six stages during the recently completed Tour de France, headlines a star studded international Team Columbia-HTC squad for this year's Tour of Missouri, scheduled for September 7 – 13, 2009.

Joining Cavendish are three-time world champion Michael Rogers and superstar lead-out man Mark Renshaw, both of Australia, Canadian Michael Barry, a stage winner in last year's Tour of Missouri, as well as former Italian time trial-champion Marco Pinotti.

"It is a very important part of our mission to contribute to the growth of racing in the US. The Tour of Missouri is a very well-run and promoted race that is attracting top teams from around the globe and is increasingly recognized as a top international event," said Bob Stapleton, the general manager and owner of Highroad sports, the company that runs Team Columbia – HTC. "We're pleased to be able to bring a top roster to the Missouri in the hope of repeating our success of last year and to be a part of a great spectacle for the fans of cycling in America."

American stalwart George Hincapie, who broke his collarbone in the last week of the Tour de France, is day to day, according to Stapleton, and a final decision on his participation will be rendered at the end of the month.

"To have the world's top sprinter, second place overall finisher from last year's race, and the 2007 race champion all on the same roster coming, it's a beautiful thing," said race director Jim Birrell. "Like last year, they certainly should be a team to contend with for both the overall classification title and individual stage wins."

Added Cavendish, a three-time tour of Missouri stage winner in 2008 and winner of more than 20 races this year: "I really enjoyed Tour of Missouri last year. Cycling fans in America are genuinely enthusiastic about watching us race which makes for a great atmosphere."

Tour organizers have also reached an agreement to feature Cavendish on several marketing materials, including the official map guide for the Tour. Columbia sportswear is the official clothing sponsor for the 2009 Tour of Missouri.

The race begins in St. Louis on Monday, September 7, Labor Day, with a 10-lap, 75-mile circuit race that will be fast and flat and favor a sprinter taking the leader's jersey. On Tuesday, September 8, the race will transfer south to Ste. Genevieve with a 112.4-mile road race to Cape Girardeau. The terrain is hilly to moderate and features finishing circuits.

On Wednesday, September 9, cyclists will face their toughest challenge of the race, with a hilly 114.3-mile stage in the Northern Ozark Mountains from Farmington to Rolla. After a short transfer on Thursday, September 10, the race will proceed from St. James to Jefferson City, with the circuit finish featuring a steep 300-meter uphill sprint to the finish.

Riders will be able make up time Friday, September 11, during the individual time trial at Sedalia with an 19-mile race against the clock around Missouri's State Fairgrounds. On Saturday, September 12, cyclists will race from Chillicothe to St. Joseph while hitting moderate to hilly terrain.

The weeklong journey through the Show-Me-State concludes with a hilly circuit through the streets of Kansas City, Sunday, September 13. The Kansas City circuit will feature two king of the mountain points with more than 3000 feet of climbing over 72 miles. "I think they did a great job of capturing the challenging terrain of the state," said Rory Sutherland, the current national race calendar leader in the United States and a rider in the past two Tours of Missouri.

Though a stellar world-class field was presented last year, the three-year-old race is expected to be even better as the Tour of Missouri was granted an upgrade to one of the top five-ranked events outside Europe by international and national federation's for cycling last month.

The upgrade has drawn top pro tour teams Astana, Cervelo Test Team, Columbia- HTC, Garmin- Slipstream, Liquigas, Saxo Bank and Quickstep, all recent Tour de France teams, of which won 14 of 21 stages of the world's biggest race. Domestic teams participating in 2009 include BISSELL Pro Cycling Team, BMC Racing, Colovita / Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light, Jelly Belly, Kelly Benefit Strategies, OUCH presented by Maxxis, and Team Type 1. Canada's top team Planet Energy rounds out the field.

Photo: PhotoSport International

An exultant Alberto Contador (Astana) stood on top of the final Tour de France podium for the second time in his short cycling career. The 2007 Tour de France champion can now boast of consecutive Tour victories (a team exclusion in 2008 prevented him from defending his Tour crown) and a total of four consecutive Grand Tour championships (winner of the 2008 Giro d'Italia and 2008 Vuelta a Espana).

He is undoubtedly the strongest stage racer currently in the peloton.

Where The Tour Was Won
In looking back on the 96th Tour de France, many pundits will point to Contador's dominating performances on Stage 15, the climb to Verbier, and on Stage 18, winning the Individual Time Trial in Annecy, as keys to his overall victory. But the true foundation of his victory came in two seemingly insignificant gestures, both of which would raise questions of his tactical abilities and also his loyalties as a teammate.

The first was his late attack on Stage 7. Left out of the selection on the windy Stage 3, where he failed to keep the wheel of the rider in front of him, Contador would attack on the slopes of the Andorre Arcalis. His manuever would gain back the time that he lost on Stage 3, and effectively help him leapfrog his teammate, Lance Armstrong, in the overall standings by two seconds. Although neither teammate would claim the yellow jersey on that day, Contador placed himself in the better position to take it if Rinaldo Nocentini (AG2R La Mondiale) or his team failed to defend it.

The second was his late attack on Stage 17. On the Queen stage of this year's Tour, Contador's decision to attack on the final slope to La Grand Bornand helped elevate Andy and Frank Schleck (Team Saxo Bank) in the overall standings, to second and third, while simultaneously putting time into his teammates, Lance Armstrong and Andreas Kloden, before the final time trial. Although many were focused on how Contador's actions essentially ruined the opportunity for an Astana sweep of the final Tour podium, it presented Contador with the comfortable proposition of having to out duel the Schleck brothers in the Annecy time trial rather than his more accomplished teammates.

Although both of his superlative efforts on Stage 15 and on Stage 18 ruled the above points of argument moot, if neither of these occurred we may be talking about Lance Armstrong's 8th Tour de France championship or Andy Schleck's first.

Cavendish's Half-Dozen
Before relief turned into exultation for Contador, the other matter of the drag race on the Champs-Élysées had to be settled. The other dominant force in this year's race, Mark Cavendish (Team Columbia - HTC), would win easily and lead a Columbia 1-2 on the final stage of the 96th Tour de France. The victory marked his sixth during this year's race, and his tenth Tour win overall.

During the final finishing circuits; however, it looked as if Garmin-Slipstream had finally come up with a plan to diffuse the explosive Columbia - HTC locomotive. But lead-out men George Hincapie and Mark Renshaw would have none of it. When they launched their final assault, none were able to stay in their streamline. The 24-year-old from the Isle of Man cruised to a victory as final lead-out man Renshaw celebrated from behind and claimed second. Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Slipstream) would follow in third.

Stage 21 Results
1. Mark Cavendish (Team Columbia - HTC)
2. Mark Renshaw (Team Columbia - HTC)
3. Tyler Farar (Garmin - Slipstream)

Final General Classification
1. Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana - 81:46:17
2. Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank - 0:04:11
3. Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana - 0:05:24
4. Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Garmin - Slipstream - 0:06:01
5. Fränk Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank - 0:06:04
6. Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana - 0:06:42
7. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas - 0:07:35
8. Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin - Slipstream - 0:12:04
9. Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas - 0:14:16
10. Christophe Le Mevel (Fra) Française des Jeux - 0:14:25

Final Leaders' Jerseys Classification
Alberto Contador (Spa) Astana


Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team


Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas


Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank


Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas


Astana - Best Team Classification


Highlights & Revelations

• Juergen van de Broeck (Silence-Lotto) - Could he be the next great Belgian stage racer?
• Andy Shcleck (Team Saxo Bank) - Attacks like a fiend, and is improving in the time trial
• Tony Martin (Columbia-HTC) - On a team dominated by a sprinter, Martin did it mostly by himself.
• Bradley Wiggins (Garmin-Slipstream) - Lighter and more effective, will he focus solely on the road?
• Brice Feillu (Agritubel) - A French champion in the making?
• Heinrich Haussler (Cervelo Test Team) - An emotional win for a sprinter during a mountain stage
• Mark Cavendish (Columbia-HTC) - At 24-years-old, the sky is the limit.