Philip Deignan notched his best result since moving to Team Sky last year — and the best result from an Irish perspective at this year’s Giro d’Italia when he notched a brilliant third on yesterday’s 18th stage of the race from Belluno to Panarotta.

Mark Cavendish sprinted to victory in Brescia to take the red jersey in the Giro d’Italia and become only the fifth-ever rider to win the points classification in all three of cycling’s Grand Tours.

Edvald Boasson Hagen today won his and Team Sky’s second stage of the 2011 Tour de France with a solo triumph in Italy.

World champion Thor Hushovd today claimed his second stage win of the 2011 Tour de France with victory in a sprint finish in Gap.

Mark Cavendish today continued his irrepressible march to greatness with a fourth victory of the 2011 Tour de France.

Thomas Voeckler successfully defended the race leader's yellow jersey on Bastille Day, but defending champion Alberto Contador lost time to his overall rivals on the first mountain stage of the 2011 Tour de France.

Spain’s Alberto Contador is free to defend his Tour de France title in July after the Court of Arbitration for Sport this evening confirmed his doping case would be heard after the race.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport have reiterated their aim of ruling on the Alberto Contador case before the Tour de France after naming the arbitration panel for the hearing.