2006 archive

George Hincapie's near miss at Tour de France might be an advantage

Discovery's George Hincapie missed taking the yellow jersey by a split second in the 4.4-mile prologue of the Tour de France on Saturday.

“Disappoint” was the root word chosen to describe the feelings of those involved. But I think in the long term — and that's what winning the Tour is all about — not gaining the yellow jersey a good thing. …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2006/07/02/george-hincapies-near-miss-at-tour-de-france-might-be-an-advantage/

Longest bike-hike bridge to span Arkansas River

The Murray Lock and Dam Bicycle Pedestrian Bridge — also known as the Big Dam Bridge — opens in Little Rock, Arkansas, this fall as the nation's longest bridge built for such use.

The 3,463-foot bridge links 25 miles of bike-hike trails in the cities of Little Rock and North Little Rock, as well as connecting two recreation areas — Murray Park and Cooks Landing. …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2006/07/02/longest-bike-hike-bridge-to-span-arkansas-river/

Arkansas River bike bridge

Also known as the Big Dam Bridge opens in the fall of 2006. More at KTHV and Corps of Engineers.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2006/07/02/arkansas-river-bike-bridge/

Just the facts from Tour de France

Le Tour website is up and running with official facts and live news from the Tour de France.

Checking it this morning, I first learn that 176 riders are starting this Tour de France. Originally 189 cyclists were listed on the roster, so that means a total of 13 bicycle riders didn't start because of Friday's housecleaning, aka Black Friday. …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2006/07/01/just-the-facts-from-tour-de-france/

Tour de France poll results: Floyd Landis wins

American Floyd Landis, left, received the most votes in the “New Tour de France Poll” launched Friday after Le Tour's two top contenders were suspended from bicycle racing.

The leader of the Phonak team received 33% of the votes, followed closely by fellow American George Hincapie who was favored by 28% of those voting. Another US cyclist, Levi Leipheimer, tied Spain's Alejandro Valverde with 9% of the vote. …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2006/07/01/tour-de-france-poll-results-floyd-landis-wins/

Hushovd wins Tour prologue; where's Landis?

What a scare during the opening prologue for the 2006 Tour de France. It's American Floyd Landis' turn to begin his bike ride, but the platform is empty.

After the carnage of Black Friday in which 13 riders were dropped from the starting roster, I was thinking anything could have happened.

As it turned out, Landis got a late start out of the gate by about 8 or 9 seconds. In the standings, he ended up 9.26 seconds behind prologue winner Norwegian Thor Hushovd …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2006/07/01/hushovd-wins-tour-prologue-wheres-landis/

Why T-Mobile showed Jan Ullrich the road before Tour de France

While 32-year-old German cyclist Jan Ullrich maintains his innocense at the T-Mobile Team website, the director of sports communications explains why Der Kaiser was suspended from the Tour de France on Friday.

“… we have good reason to doubt that he has told us the truth as far as his contact with Fuentes is concerned. …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2006/07/01/why-t-mobile-showed-jan-ullrich-the-road-before-tour-de-france/

Tour de France quote: Johan Bruyneel revises Discovery's chances

“When I think of our guys like George, Popo, Jose, Paolo – Chechu even – I don't see the difference between them and the new favorites is that big anymore. Basso and Ullrich – it was quite big – but those other guys? They are in our reach. …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2006/06/30/tour-de-france-quote-johan-bruyneel-revises-discoverys-chances/

New Tour de France bike race poll

Back in May, I asked Biking Bis readers who they thought would win the 2006 Tour de France. Ivan Basso and Jan Ullrich received three-fourths of the votes.
With those two heavy favorites out of the race, I'm posting another quickie poll at right. Here are some top contenders …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2006/06/30/new-tour-de-france-bike-race-poll/

Reaction to blood-doping scandal

Here's some reaction to top pro cyclists being suspended from the 2006 Tour de France for suspected blood-doping:

Jan Ullrich, suspended from Tour: “I feel I'm a victim. I am in absolute shock. It's the worst thing that has ever happened to me in my career. I can only say again that I have nothing to do with this thing. …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2006/06/30/reaction-to-blood-doping-scandal/