BIG-TIME cycling returned to Irish streets and byways yesterday — and the public came out in their thousands to lap it up.

The organisers of the Tour de France have criticised cycling’s world governing body over doping controls, describing the UCI as “incompetent”.

KAZAKHSTAN’S Alexandre Vinokourov won the 15th stage of the Tour de France between Foix and Loudenvielle-Le Louron yesterday.

COLOMBIAN Juan Mauricio Soler Hernandez has won stage nine of the Tour de France from Val d’Isere to Briancon.