Spain's Alberto Contador stood toe-to-toe with the Schleck brothers on the final day in the Alps to strengthen his grip on the Tour de France's yellow jersey today.

ALBERTO CONTADOR consolidated his position in the yellow jersey after a controlled ride in the Tour de France’s 16th stage won by fellow Spaniard Mikel Astarloza.

Irish rider Nicolas Roche finished an impressive fourth in the Tour de France's 16th stage today.

RINALDO NOCENTINI claimed the yellow jersey on a day race favourite Alberto Contador flexed his muscles in the Tour de France’s first mountain stage.

Seven-time champion Lance Armstrong tonight moved level with Fabian Cancellara at the head of the general classification after helping Astana to a team time-trial success on stage four of the Tour de France.

Switzerland’s Fabian Cancellara got the better of Tour de France favourite Alberto Contador to triumph in the 15.5km time-trial first stage in the blistering Monaco sun today.

Astana have confirmed Lance Armstrong will be part of their nine-man team that will enter year’s Tour de France.

Alexandre Vinokourov has protested his innocence over claims he received a blood transfusion, although he will not attempt to regain his place in the Tour de France.

Kazakhstan’s Alexandre Vinokourov fought his way back into the Tour de France top 10 with an impressive ride to win today’s 13th stage, a time-trial in Albi.

MICHAEL RASMUSSEN is hoping his time-trial failings will not prevent him from winning the Tour de France at the fourth time of asking.

Filippo Pozzato won the fifth stage of the Tour de France on a photo finish today, while favourite Alexandre Vinokourov lost significant time after crashing.

FLOYD LANDIS was yesterday confirmed as Tour de France champion after the traditional final stage finish on the Champs Elysees in Paris.

OSCAR Pereiro reclaimed the race leader’s yellow jersey on stage 16 of the Tour de France after American rider Floyd Landis fell apart under a succession of attacks from his rivals for overall victory.

FLOYD LANDIS reclaimed the yellow jersey in the Tour de France with fourth place in stage 15, L’Alpe d’Huez.

Floyd Landis reclaimed the yellow jersey in the Tour de France with fourth place in stage 15, L’Alpe d’Huez.

DENIS MENCHOV won the 11th stage of the Tour de France by pipping Levi Leipheimer and Floyd Landis in a thrilling sprint finish.

CYRIL DESSEL claimed the overall lead in the Tour de France after finishing second to Juan Miguel Mercado on stage 10 between Cambo-les-Bains and Pau.

Spaniard Marcos Serrano claimed victory on the 189km 18th stage of the Tour de France between Albi and Mende after holding off a strong challenge from Cedric Vasseur and Axel Merckx on Thursday.

Holland’s Pieter Weening claimed stage eight of the Tour de France today, pipping Andreas Kloden of Germany in a photo finish after a two-man sprint for the line.

Ireland's Ciaran Power came 13th in the men's raod race in Athens today.

Lance Armstrong secured a record sixth Tour de France victory on the Champs Elysee after surviving the final stage unscathed today.

Lance Armstrong won his fifth stage of the 91st Tour de France today to all but seal his sixth successive victory and a pre-eminent place in the history of cycling’s greatest event.

LANCE ARMSTRONG gave another demonstration of his total superiority over the Tour de France by sprinting to his fourth stage win of this year’s event.

Lance Armstrong gave another demonstration of his total superiority over the Tour de France by sprinting to his fourth stage win of this year’s event.

Lance Armstrong is back in the yellow jersey with which he has become so closely associated after a typically powerful surge to victory on stage 15 of the Tour de France.