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Lance Armstrong auctions old bikes: raises 1.3 million for LIVESTRONG

Who would have thought that the 'finale' Trek Madone Tour de France bike ridden by Lance Armstrong at this year's tour and designed by Damien Hirst would sell for a half a million dollars?

Perhaps it was the fact that the bike is covered in real butterflies that drove up the Sotheby's auction price.

In total Armstrong's formal garage sale raised just about 1.3 million for his foundation according to Armstrong.

Did Johan Bruyneel just call Alberto Contador a fool?

You probably already know that Alberto Contador after winning the Tour de France started all of this brouhaha by saying to the Spanish media about Lance Armstrong:

"My relationship with Armstrong is nil."

and

"He's a great champion, and he had a great race in this Tour, but it's something else on a personal level, where I've never had a great admiration for him, and I never will."

And the 2009 Tour de France winner is Alberto Contador with Lance Armstrong finishing in third

After three weeks of racing it was Spanish Rider Alberto Contador who was the winner of the 2009 Tour de France with the rest of the podium places looking like this:

1. Alberto Contador Astana 

2. Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank

3. Lance Armstrong Astana

"TdF done. Happy! Having some drinks with the greatest of all time, Eddy Merckx, Lance Armstrong recently wrote on Twitter and posted this photo."

Armstrong Wins 44th Tour de France on Eve of 100th Birthday

Editor's Note: Over the last few weeks we've publish about three billion Lance Amstrong stories so this bit of satirical writing by BleacherReport.com the  seems like a fitting end to the Tour de France:

"EURO DISNEY, FRANCE, July 29, 2071 – Lance Armstrong wrapped up the overall title today in the 2071 Tour de France, and increased his record of Tour trophies to forty four.  In what has largely become a non-event due to its predictability, Armstrong is certain to win the now one-man race by simply finishing. 

 

Since 2049, other pro riders have refused to enter the event, both out of fear and respect for the aging Armstrong. 

“He wins anyway if we are there, so why race?” says Thrzx Novowels of the Latvian squad Knrpt Wsdjg (formerly Bvrd Ptrsjm).  “It is futile.  I’d rather focus on races where I have a chance of winning.  With Lance on the start list, forget it.  How would it look to lose to some old guy with a drool cup?”

2009 Tour de France stage 21 results: Cavendish wins Paris Contador wins Tour Armstrong on podium

Mark Cavendish did it again and he made it look easy while Alberto Contador cruised to the overall Tour de France win.

The British rider took the sprint in Paris with no one else even close to him as he blazed across the finish line.

No change in the overall standing as the top riders finish the stage in the same positions as they began the day which means the podium looks like this:

Tour de France prize money: So how much will the winning riders make?

So how much does a cyclist make riding around France for three weeks on the Tour de France?

That really depends on how well the rider's team does.

Last year a total of about 3.2 million Euros was awarded during the tour.

2009 Tour de France stage 21 video preview with complete stage 20 results

The three words that best describe the 164 kilometers (101.8 miles) stage 21 of the Tour de France would be:

Champs-Elysees

cobblestones

Champagne

Inside the Tour: the Arc d'Triomphe and Eiffel Tower await the riders

MONTEREAU-FAULT-YONNE, France — Finally, the finale is here.

After three weeks, the weary remaining riders will pedal the final 164 kilometers (101.8 miles) of the Tour de France.

Tour de France 2009 stage 20 results and standings Garate conquers Mt Ventoux Armstrong in 3rd overall

It was attack after attack on the slopes of Mt Ventoux on stage 20 of the Tour de France but when it was all over at the summit the top riders had maintained their current general standing positions which means that riding into Paris tomorrow the podium positions will be:

• 1.Alberto Contador Astana 
• 2. Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank
• 3. Lance Armstrong Astana

2009 Tour de France stage 20 video preview with complete stage 19 results including the green jersey standings

Hot, Hilly, and a world of hurt is probably the best way to describe stage 20 of the 2009 Tour de France.

The 100 mile stage which ends with 13 mile climb to the top of Mont Ventoux is the last and final chance for any of the top riders to make a last minute run up the general standings.

Will Lance Armstrong be able to climb up the podium to second or first place?

Inside the Tour: New team and new web site for Lance Armstrong

Editor's Note: Inside the Tour de France is brought to you by (Zeal Optics and MindsetTriathlon) Be sure to check out their web sites (above) for your chance to get great discounts on eBooks from Mindset and sign-up to win sunglasses, t-shirts, hats and much more from Zeal.

LE GRAND-BORNAND, France — The link to the web site of Lance Armstrong's 2010 team, Team RadioShack, was listed incorrectly in yesterday's post.

Thanks to the reader who pointed out the broken link.

Tour de France 2009 stage 19 results and standings Mark Cavendish sprints to 5th stage win

Mark Cavendish proved to everyone that he is by far the best sprinter at the 2009 Tour de France by winning stage 19...his 5th stage win at this year's race.

The British sprinter pulled himself over the last climb of the stage within contention and when the finish came he went out earlier and managed to stay in the lead across the finish line.

2009 Tour de France stage 19 video preview with complete stage 18 time trial results

Stage 19 of the 2009 Tour de France is crunch time for any rider who still hopes to win a stage this year.

The hilly stage is ideal for the team or for a rider that saved a bit of energy on the stage 18 time trial for a breakaway move.

The hills and mountains can provide a good opportunity over the 178-kilometer (110.5-mile) stage that ends in Aubenas for the rider that's still hungry for a win before the tour rolls into Paris at the end of the week.

Video: It's official Radio Shack will sponsor Lance Armstrong's 2010 Tour de France team

The man himself made the announcement just a few minutes ago.

Lance Armstrong will ride for Radio Shack next year as part of a new team that will take on the Tour de France. The Texas based company now has a new Texas based rider.

Lance Armstrong new Tour de France American team sponsor Radio Shack?

The rumors are all over the internet that Radio Shack will be the new Amertican sponsor for Lance Armstrong's new 2010 Tour de France.

Tour de France stage 18 results and standings Contador rules the day Armstrong back on podium

Alberto Contador (team Astana) made sure that everybody knew that he was the best rider on stage 18 of the Tour de France by flying around the 40Km individual time trial course in a blazing fast 48.31 ahead of even time all of the trial specialist.

In the process he cemented his yellow jersey status and put big chunks of time into his nearest competition.