Trentin wins his 2nd Vuelta stage; Froome keeps overall lead
August 29, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
ALHAMA DE MURCIA, Spain (AP) " Chris Froome kept his Spanish Vuelta lead by avoiding trouble in the difficult final descent of Tuesday's Stage 10, which was won by Matteo Trentin.It was the second stage victory for the Italian,... More...

Cycling: British star Sir Chris Hoy tells middle-aged men to stop wearing Lycra
August 28, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
For years, "middle-aged men in Lycra" (Mamils) have stoically defended their right to squeeze into tight-fitting cycling gear, despite the sniggers of practically everyone else.But now, even Sir Chris Hoy has waded into the debate,... More...

Vuelta a Espana Results
August 27, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
EL POBLE NOU DE BENITATXELL, Spain (AP) " Results on Sunday in the ninth stage of the Spanish Vuelta, 174 kilometers (108 miles) from Orihuela to El Poble Nou de Benitatxell:1. Chris Froome, Britain, Team Sky, 4:07:132. Esteban... More...

Froome wins 9th stage, increases Spanish Vuelta lead
August 27, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
EL POBLE NOU DE BENITATXELL, Spain (AP) " Chris Froome moved to the front in the final climb to win the ninth stage of the Spanish Vuelta on Sunday and increase his overall lead.The Tour de France winner took the lead with about... More...

Vuelta a Espana Results
August 26, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
XORRET DE CATI, Spain (AP) " Results on Saturday in the eighth stage of the Spanish Vuelta, 199.5 kilometers (124 miles) from Hellin to Xorret de Cati:1. Julian Alaphilippe, France, Quick-Step Floors,4:37:552. Jan Polanc, Slovenia,... More...

Froome keeps his lead after Spanish Vuelta's longest stage
August 25, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
CUENCA, Spain (AP) " Slovene rider Matej Mohoric comfortably won the Spanish Vuelta's longest stage on Friday and Chris Froome maintained his overall lead.Mohoric took control of the race during the final climb and cruised to victory... More...

Hamish Bond - Winning switch a natural cycle
August 25, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
With Hamish Bond's selection as an international cyclist, Andrew Alderson looks at the difficulty he faces in transitioning from rowing to elite riding. Hamish Bond took liberties when he was selected as a time-triallist for New... More...

Vuelta a Espana Results
August 25, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
CUENCA, Spain (AP) " Results on Friday in the seventh stage of the Spanish Vuelta, 207 kilometers (129 miles) from Lliria to Cuenca, with three Category 3 climbs1. Matej Mohorcic, Slovenia, UAE Team Emirates, 4:43:35.2. Pawel... More...

Hand-cycle frees one-legged Zane to speed around with his mates
August 25, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
West Aucklander Zane Kukutai-Seumanu may have only one leg, but when it comes to zooming around on a shiny, new "bike", hands can perform just as well as feet.Nine-year-old Zane was born with spina bifida and later had the lower... More...

Froome holds Vuelta lead after Van Garderen crashes twice
August 25, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
SAGUNT, Spain (AP) " Chris Froome maintained his lead of the Spanish Vuelta after Tejay van Garderen crashed twice during the sixth stage on Thursday.Van Garderen entered the stage in second place at 10 seconds behind Froome. But... More...

Vuelta a Espana Results
August 25, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
SAGUNT, Spain (AP) " Results on Thursday in the sixth stage of the Spanish Vuelta, a 204-kilometer (127-mile) hilly ride from Vila-real to Sagunt, with five categorized climbs:1. Tomasz Marczynski, Poland, Lotto Soudal, 4:47:02.2.... More...

Lutsenko wins Vuelta's 5th stage, Froome adds to lead
August 25, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
ALCOSSEBRE, Spain (AP) " Chris Froome increased his lead in the Spanish Vuelta during a fifth stage won by Alexey Lutsenko of Kazakhstan on Wednesday.Froome started the day just two seconds ahead of a trio of riders and with most... More...

Trentin wins 4th stage of Vuelta, Froome keeps lead
August 25, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
TARRAGONA, Spain (AP) " Matteo Trentin of Italy won a sprint finish to claim the fourth stage of the Spanish Vuelta on Tuesday, while Chris Froome maintained his overall race lead.Trentin powered past Juan Jose Lobato and had time... More...

US Cycling hires longtime Aussie coach for endurance program
August 22, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) " USA Cycling has hired longtime Team Australia coach Gary Sutton to oversee its endurance program, which won a world championship in team pursuit and two silver medals at the Rio Olympics.Sutton had... More...

Vuelta a Espana Results
August 22, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
ANDORRA LA VELLA, Andorra (AP) " Results on Monday in the third stage of the Spanish Vuelta, 158 kilometers (98 miles) from Prades to Andorra La Vella, with a pair of Category 1 climbs followed by a Category 21. Vincenzo Nibali,... More...

Froome takes Spanish Vuelta lead as Nibali wins 3rd stage
August 22, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
ANDORRA LA VELLA, Andorra (AP) " Vincenzo Nibali of Italy won the third stage of the Spanish Vuelta and Tour de France champion Chris Froome took the overall lead after a strong run in the first mountain stage on Monday.Froome was... More...

Lampaert leads Vuelta as riders face winds, passing train
August 21, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
GRUISSAN, France (AP) " Yves Lampaert took the overall lead of the Spanish Vuelta on Sunday after winning the second stage which saw strong winds, crashes and even a brief wait for a passing train.Quick-Step Floors rider Lampaert... More...

New Zealand brewery cans Armstrong ad campaign
August 21, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) " A New Zealand brewery has canned a planned advertising campaign featuring disgraced American cyclist Lance Armstrong.Lion Breweries flew Armstrong to New Zealand last year to film the campaign for... More...

BMC Racing wins team time trial to open Spanish Vuelta
August 21, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
NIMES, France (AP) " Team BMC Racing won the time trial that opened the Spanish Vuelta on Saturday, with Australian rider Rohan Dennis taking the early overall lead.BMC won the 13.7-kilometer (8.5-mile) stage in the French city... More...

Lion says 'on yer bike' to Lance Armstrong campaign
August 19, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
By Neil Reid Lion have scrapped its much-vaunted promotional campaign featuring drugs cheat Lance Armstrong.The brewing giants brought the disgraced cyclist to New Zealand late last year to film a marketing campaign with the working... More...

Donated bike a 'blessing' to Afghanistan boy Malid Rashidi living in Flat Bush, Auckland
August 19, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
Most people wouldn't even think about it, but when Malid Rashidi rides his bicycle to and from school, he feels blessed.The 15-year-old lives in Flat Bush, Auckland, after moving to New Zealand from Afghanistan two years ago."We... More...

Olympic rowing champion selected in New Zealand cycling team
August 19, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) " Two-time Olympic rowing champion Hamish Bond has been selected in the New Zealand team to compete at the World Road Cycling Championships in Bergen, Norway next month.Bond teamed with Eric Murray to... More...

Ex-Olympic cycling champ Sanchez fails doping test
August 19, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
AIGLE, Switzerland (AP) " Former Olympic cycling champion Samuel Sanchez was suspended on Thursday after failing an out-of-competition doping test.The International Cycling Union said the Spanish rider for BMC Racing tested positive... More...

Froome favored to end run of 2nd places at Spanish Vuelta
August 19, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) " After winning the Tour de France for a fourth time, Chris Froome will try to break his run of second-place finishes at the Spanish Vuelta.Froome has finished the Vuelta as runner-up on three occasions, coming... More...

Cycling: Track champion Aaron Gate to make Grand Tour debut at Vuelta a Espana
August 19, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
Former world track champion Aaron Gate will round out a four-man Kiwi contingent to contest cycling's third Grand Tour - Vuelta a Espana - starting this weekend.Gate, 26, who won the 2013 world omnium crown and finished second in... More...

Cycling: Former rower Hamish Bond named for time trial at world cycling champs
August 17, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
Two-time Olympic rowing champion Hamish Bond has completed his transformation to cycling, with selection for the New Zealand team to the UCI road championships in Norway.Bond has flirted with cycling as part of his cross-training... More...

Cycling: Greg Henderson announces retirement
August 15, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
Greg Henderson has officially retired.The veteran cyclist has posted a heartfelt tribute on his website to all who have helped him pursue a professional career which included five Tours de France.Henderson also represented New... More...

Vandalism accusations in stoush between motorists and cyclists on Hutt Rd cycleway in Wellington
August 15, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
"A few bad eggs" are causing strife between motorists and cyclists along the Hutt Road cycleway in Wellington, with car owners discovering their side mirrors broken off and words scribbled across their bonnets.Cyclists have been... More...

Tour de France rider breaks leg at brother's stag
August 10, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
British Tour de France rider Luke Rowe faces a lengthy break from cycling after breaking his leg at his brother's tag party.The Team Sky rider sustained fractures to his tibia and fibula following a rafting accident, according to... More...

2-time Tour winner Alberto Contador to retire after Vuelta
August 10, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
MADRID (AP) " Two-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador will retire next month after riding in the Spanish Vuelta.Contador announced his plan to stop racing on a video posted Monday on Instagram. The Spanish rider said the... More...

Paterson finishes eighth at BMX World Champs in South Carolina
August 10, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
After fighting hard for a spot in the 15-year-old boys' division final at the BMX World Championships, Rotorua's Zach Paterson was unlucky to be caught up in a crash at the start of the race.He finished eighth overall at the event... More...

Prance Armstrong: Tiny horse dreams big, enters cycling race
August 05, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
It was the Tour de Prance!The Tour of Poland took an unexpected twist when an escaped pony entered the race 100km from the finish line.The group of riders were cruising along at a stable speed when the fluffy pony jumped from... More...

Kiwi claims world masters cycling title after drug scandal exposure
August 05, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
By Grant Chapman Six times, Colin Claxton has had to stand one step down on the medal podium and listen to the French national anthem played.Now he knows why.Claxton, 68, from Drury, has just become a masters world cycling champion,... More...

Could return to carless days solve Auckland motorway congestion
July 30, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
With congested motorways enraging motorists and regular appeals to take the bus or ride a bike to work, could a return to "carless days" induce calm on our roads?Today is the anniversary of former Prime Minister Robert Muldoon's... More...

Cycling: Chris Froome aims to make history, reign in Spain
July 29, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
By Tom Cary It was no great secret that he was planning to ride the Vuelta a Espana after winning his fourth Tour de France title but Chris Froome has now confirmed beyond all doubt he will seek to make history at the three-week... More...

Cycling: George Bennett ramping up for Vuelta a Espaa challenge
July 29, 2017 (20:00) [ Indexed from New Zealand Herald ]
George Bennett is taking a long-term approach to his cycling future, but short-term success is still a distinct possibility.Bennett is ramping up for a crack at the Vuelta a Espaa in three weeks, after his promising Tour de France... More...

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...