Bardet and Barguil give France hope of ending Tour drought
July 25, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
PARIS (AP) " Maybe the drought will be over soon for French riders at the Tour de France.It is 32 years since the Tour had a home winner, when Bernard Hinault won the last of his five titles back in 1985.He didn't know it then... More...

Cycling: Chris Froome sets sights on five more years
July 24, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
He nearly fluffed his speech, dropping his notes on the podium beneath the Arc de Triomphe and requiring runner-up Rigoberto Uran to rescue them before they blew away, but Chris Froome was otherwise sure-footed, firing out a warning... More...

Chris Froome rides yellow bike on his way to 4th Tour title
July 24, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
MONTGERON, France (AP) " Riding a yellow bike to match his jersey, defending champion Chris Froome set off toward his fourth Tour de France title on the final stage of this year's race.The 32-year-old British rider started from... More...

Tour de France: Kiwi rookie Patrick Bevin completes journey with broken foot
July 23, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
Kiwi cyclist Patrick Bevin has revealed just how tough you have to be to finish the Tour de France, completing the 3540km journey with a broken foot.In his first tour, Bevin finished 114th, three hours 23 minutes behind winning... More...

Cycling: Chris Froome wins 4th Tour de France title
July 23, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
Riding a bright yellow bike to match his shiny leader's jersey, defending champion Chris Froome won his fourth and most challenging Tour de France title this morning.The 32-year-old Kenyan-born British rider finished 54 seconds... More...

Armstrong's Tour de France insights make compelling listening
July 23, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
"Man, I have seen this movie," drawls a familiar voice. "The ending is s***. [Dave] Brailsford needs to put the shovel down and stop digging."This has been an interesting Tour de France in many ways. The battle for the yellow jersey... More...

The Latest: Bardet trying to emulate LeMond in Tour TT
July 23, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
MARSEILLE, France (AP) " The Latest on the Tour de France time trial in Marseille (all times local):___4:00 p.m.An interesting stat provided by Tour organizers.Over the past 30 years, the yellow jersey has changed four times... More...

Jack Tame: Watching Tour de France for the freak show
July 22, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
The veins stretch up his legs like the knotted roots of a tree. It looks sci-fi, un-human even, like veins on the hands of someone very old, except these covered Pawel Poljanski's entire limbs, from his thighs to his ankles.The... More...

Cycling: Froome closes in on fourth Tour victory
July 21, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
On the highest mountain-top finish of the 104th Tour de France, in a rocky moonscape where the air thins, only the hardiest organisms survive. A few pine trees, tough old grasses, some stubborn flowers and, now joining that rare breed,... More...

Grant Chapman: The Tour de France is an inhumane event, so dope away
July 19, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
By Grant Chapman The longer this particular edition of the Tour de France drags on, the more inclined I am to cut Lance Armstrong some slack.Just a little, though.Because if there's one sporting event where you absolutely should... More...

'That can't be healthy': Polish cyclist Pawel Poljanski's photo reveals the ravages of Tour de France
July 19, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
A picture is often described as worth a thousand words and that idiom has never been truer than the image shared by Polish cyclist Pawel Poljanski.A thesis could be written on the rigours of the Tour de France, but Poljanski's photo,... More...

Cycling: George Bennett draws sympathy from veteran Tour de France cyclists
July 19, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
A pair of New Zealand Tour de France veterans have lauded George Bennett's performance in this year's event, and sympathised with the Team Lotto NL-Jumbo rider's decision to withdraw due to illness on stage 16.Tino Tabak competed... More...

Tour de France: Lance Armstrong saddened by Bennett withdrawal, but still a believer
July 19, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
Kiwi George Bennett may be gone from the Tour de France, but he still has a big fan in seven-time winner Lance Armstrong.After several days of illness, Bennett dropped out of the French classic early on today's Stage 16, unable... More...

Tour of Spain to ditch podium girls
July 18, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
The Vuelta a Espana will become the first of cycling's grand tours to do away with podium girls.Organisers have said they will be making some changes for this year's three week stage race, following debate about the presence of... More...

The legs of a Tour de France rider - Pawel Poljanski shares photo after race
July 18, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
These are the legs of a Tour de France rider after suffering through 16 stages of the race.Poland's Pawel Poljanski posted a photo on his Instagram account after completed the latest stage from Le Puy-en-Velay to Romans-sur-Isre... More...

TASTE OF THE TOUR: Chestnuts and Rhone Valley delights
July 18, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
LE PUY-EN-VELAY, France (AP) " After 2,600 kilometers (1,600 miles) of racing, the Tour de France has saved some of its best gastronomic and cultural treats for last. Oh, and let's not forget the race: Deliciously poised for the final... More...

Brailsford: Landa 'very supportive' of Froome in Tour
July 17, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
LE PUY-EN-VELAY, France (AP) " Mikel Landa has been so strong over the last two weeks that there is no doubt he could be a team leader at the Tour de France.Despite riding in support of Chris Froome, Landa has been impressive in... More...

Bike problem nearly derails Froome on Stage 15
July 17, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
LE PUY-EN-VELAY, France (AP) " Chris Froome fought back from a bike breakdown to cling onto his race leader's yellow jersey on the tricky Stage 15 of the Tour de France, won Sunday with a courageous solo breakaway by Bauke Mollema... More...

Tour de France: Kiwi George Bennett tweets frustration at drafting riders
July 16, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
Tour de France cycling hero George Bennett has found the energy to take a shot at race officials for allowing riders to slipstream off TV motorbikes.The Kiwi slipped a spot to 12th overall in the general classification overnight,... More...

Bike problem nearly derails Froome on Stage 15
July 16, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
Chris Froome fought back from a bike breakdown to cling onto his race leader's yellow jersey on the tricky Stage 15 of the Tour de France, won today with a courageous solo breakaway by Bauke Mollema of the Netherlands.The back wheel... More...

Froome takes back Tour de France yellow jersey from Aru
July 16, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
RODEZ, France (AP) " Fabio Aru was dropped in the last 500 meters of Stage 14 of the Tour de France won by Michael Matthews and relinquished the yellow jersey to Chris Froome on Saturday.Aru lost touch with the leaders in the final... More...

Tour de France: Froome takes back yellow jersey from Aru
July 15, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
Fabio Aru was dropped in the last 500 meters of Stage 14 of the Tour de France won by Michael Matthews and relinquished the yellow jersey to Chris Froome on Saturday.Aru lost touch with the leaders in the final short, sharp ascent... More...

Cycling: This time it's a trial but Hamish Bond is awesome
July 15, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
Ambition, resilience and doubt have fought for tenancy in Hamish Bond's mind as he advances his time-trialist cycling dream in Europe.The double Olympic rowing champion has been on a mission to perfect his technique since heading... More...

TASTE OF THE TOUR: Intestines for breakfast, black paintings
July 15, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
FOIX, France (AP) " After two hard days of intense racing in the Pyrenees, Tour de France riders who needed a break will be disappointed.The stage on Saturday does not take place in altitude but features a difficult finale hard... More...

Kiwi streaker takes on Tour de France climb
July 14, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
New Zealand cyclist George Bennett isn't the only Kiwi turning heads at this year's edition of the Tour de France.Triathlete Josh Harris made a notable television appearance during Stage 13 overnight (NZT) when he ran alongside... More...

Tour de France: George Bennett slips out of top 10
July 14, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
Kiwi rider George Bennett has slipped out of the top 10 in the Tour de France's general classification after stage 13.The Lotto NL-Jumbo rider crossed the line in 22nd place, four minutes and eight seconds behind stage winner Frenchman... More...

Tour de France: Cycling legend Julian Dean heralds Bennett as 'NZ top athlete'
July 14, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
Could Tour de France cycling star George Bennett be New Zealand's best athlete?That's a huge can of worms to open up, but Kiwi cycling legend Julian Dean has taken to social media with his views, after Bennett climbed another spot... More...

George Bennett slams penalty for accepting water from fan
July 13, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
Kiwi rider George Bennett remains in the Tour de France top 10 despite being handed a 20-second penalty for accepting water from a fan, which he has labelled 'bulls**t'.Bennett finished eighth in the 214km 12th stage and moves to... More...

TASTE OF THE TOUR: James Bond, ancient stew and rare grapes
July 13, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
PAU, France (AP) " It's a shame that Tour de France riders will be too busy pedaling for a restaurant stop on Thursday.Because in the Pyrenees, as they scale mountain climbs steep enough to make all of them hungry, they'll be racing... More...

Chris Froome loses Tour de France lead
July 13, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
Chris Froome cracked during a grueling climb to the finish and lost the overall lead in the Tour de France to Fabio Aru today after a demanding stage won by Romain Bardet.Froome's Sky teammates had perfectly controlled the race... More...

Tour de France: Lance Armstrong tips Kiwi George Bennett as future winner
July 13, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
And in the category of damning with faint praise ... fallen Tour de France hero Lance Armstrong has tipped Kiwi George Bennett as a future winner of the great cycle race.After his 10th-place finish at last year's Vuelta a Espaa... More...

Tour de France: Marcel Kittel strikes again, as peleton braces for Pyrenees
July 12, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
German rider Marcel Kittel claimed the 11th stage of the Tour de France in a sprint finish, taking his tally to five stage wins since the start of this year's race. The Quick-Step Floors rider, who now has 14 stages to his name... More...

Kittel wins Tour stage 10, Froome keeps race lead
July 12, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
BERGERAC, France (AP) " Marcel Kittel has no serious challenger for the King of the Sprint title at this year's Tour de France.The German sprinter won the 10th stage with remarkable ease on Tuesday, while Chris Froome stayed safely... More...

The French Connection helps Auckland move greener
July 12, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
How can Auckland make its transport network greener? In the third part of the Herald 's French Connection series, Jamie Morton looks at our public transport potential - and some odd ideas from Paris. Imagine being able to dream... More...

Cycling: Marcel Kittel stamps sprinting class on Tour de France
July 11, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
Marcel Kittel has no serious challenger for the King of the Sprint title at this year's Tour de France.The German sprinter won the 10th stage with remarkable ease this morning, while Chris Froome stayed safely in the main pack to... More...

Kiwi Jack Bauer punched by fellow rider during Tour de France
July 11, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
Kiwi Jack Bauer was punched by a fellow rider late into stage 10 of the Tour de France.The Quick Step rider was struck by Nacer Bouhanni of Team Cofidis, with the incident captured by a overhead camera. Bauer was working to set... More...

TASTE OF THE TOUR: Sweet white wine and a big nose star
July 11, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
BERGERAC, France (AP) " After a well-deserved rest day, the Tour de France peloton gets back to work on Tuesday through the colorful landscapes of the Perigord region.Here's a gastronomic, sporting and cultural glance at the 178-kilometer... More...

Tour de France: Kittel wins stage 10, Froome retains yellow
July 11, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
German rider Marcel Kittel won the 10th stage of the TourdeFrance in a sprint finish today, while Chris Froome stayed safely in the main pack to retain the race leader's yellow jersey.A sprint specialist, Kittel perfectly timed... More...

Froome denies barging into Tour rival Aru
July 11, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
BERGERAC, France (AP) " Race leader Chris Froome has described suggestions that he deliberately barged into rival Fabio Aru during a grueling Tour de France stage as "crazy."Froome, who leads Aru by 18 seconds after nine stages,... More...

Cyclist Eltje Malzbender fighting her way to fitness after crash
July 10, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
Te Awamutu Sports cyclist Eltje Malzbender says she has to consider herself lucky to have a second chance to reconstruct her life after a serious crash.Her unwavering determination and work ethic have been critical to her ongoing... More...

Froome retains lead on ultra-tough Stage 9, Porte out
July 10, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
CHAMBERY, France (AP) " Chris Froome fiercely defended " and even extended " the overall lead in the Tour de France on an ultra-tough day of high drama and punishing climbs in eastern France's Jura mountains on Sunday, seeing both... More...

Watch NZH Local Focus: Crankworx cranking Rotorua economy
July 10, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
The first financial results of the Crankworx Mountain Biking Festival have been announced, with the event racking up a surplus of $4.5 million dollars."Crankworx Rotorua 2017 is really the start of a new era for us, as we move into... More...

Kiwi Tour de France star George Bennett frightened by crashes as he cracks the top 10
July 09, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
Kiwi George Bennett, who is riding into Kiwi sports lore in the Tour de France, says life flashed before his eyes on a day of horror crashes in the famous race.Bennett, who lies 10th on general classification after finishing seventh... More...

Tour de France: Richie Porte crashes out on final descent of stage nine
July 09, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
Richie Porte's Tour de France dreams have been shattered after the Australian was involved in one of the worst crashes in the race's history.Porte was part of an elite group screaming down the treacherous Mont du Chat descent in... More...

Kiwi cyclist George Bennett in Top 10 on Tour de France
July 09, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
Kiwi cyclist George Bennett has shot into the top 10 on the Tour de France's general classification after stage nine.The Tour of California champion has finished seventh on the brutal 181.5 kilometre stage from Nantua to Chambery.Bennett... More...

Cycling: Froome faces up to the monster
July 09, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
After 1400km in eight days of racing, the suffer-fest called the Tour de France turned the pain dial up a notch or five overnight (NZT). How does scaling half the height of Mt Everest in one day sound?That was the monstrous challenge... More...

Adopted Mana Williams-Eade cycles the country for Voyce and vulnerable children
July 09, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
A young man who was put into state care as a baby is cycling the length of the North Island to raise money for vulnerable children.Mana Williams-Eade, 19, will cycle 1100km from Wellington to Kaitaia over seven days starting from... More...

TASTE OF THE TOUR: Pike cakes and wildcats in the Alps
July 09, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
The climbs, high-speed descents and hairpin turns on tap for Stage 9 of the Tour de France will be enough to make even spectators watching at home dizzy.Fortunately, the culinary offerings available as the race enters the Alps on... More...

Tour de France Stages
July 09, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
July 1 " Stage One: Duesseldorf, Germany, individual time trial (14km-9 miles) (stage: Geraint Thomas, Britain; Yellow Jersey: Thomas)July 2 " Stage Two: Duesseldorf to Liege, Belgium, flat (203.5-126) (Marcel Kittel, Germany; Thomas)July... More...

Calmejane grits teeth to win Stage 8 of Tour
July 09, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
STATION DES ROUSSES, France (AP) " Speeding away on a small mountain road more suited to goats than riders, Lilian Calmejane won Stage 8 to the Rousses ski station in the Jura Massif on Saturday, for his first victory in his first... More...