Carlos Sastre revealed his delight at finally getting his hands on the prestigious Tour de France title after clinching overall victory following the last-stage ceremonial trek into Paris.

The Saunier Duval-Scott team have voluntarily withdrawn from the Tour de France in the wake of the positive drug test returned by their star climber Riccardo Ricco.

BARLOWORLD have been swift to distance themselves from the positive EPO test returned by their Spanish rider, Moises Duenas Nevado.

Kurt Asle Arvesen emerged from a group of a dozen escapees to win the 11th stage of the Tour de France from Lannemezan to Foix.

Spanish cyclist Moises Duenas Nevado has tested positive for a banned drug during the Tour de France, a top French anti-doping official said today.

TOUR DE FRANCE director Christian Prudhomme claims his changes have made this year’s race one of the most exciting in years.

LUIS LEON SANCHEZ’S enterprise paid off with a flying solo escape in the final five kilometres to win the seventh stage of the Tour de France from Brioude to Aurillac yesterday.

John Roberts

THE US Postal team are confident they will deliver a gift-wrapped fifth victory for their leader Lance Armstrong in the centenary-year running of the Tour de France which gets underway today.