Chris Horner has wrestled the race leader’s red jersey from the shoulders of Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) following a brilliant 19th stage of the Vuelta A Espana yesterday.

On the day that a clampdown on rulle-breaking cyclists is announced, there's another type of Irish cycling story with a more cheerful tune.

Mark Cavendish began his bid to claim Great Britain’s first Olympic gold of the London 2012 Games today, while Irish hopes rested on Nicholas Roche, Daniel Martin and David McCann.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said Ireland is proud of its Olympians as he wished them the best for London 2012.

Bradley Wiggins has become the first British Tour de France champion – and celebrated his success by leading Mark Cavendish to victory in Paris.

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

The Tour de France's overall favourites fought out a stalemate on the final day in the Pyrenees as Belgium's Jelle Vanendert claimed victory at Plateau de Beille.

Norwegian Thor Hushovd took the honours on the sixth stage of the Vuelta a Espana yesterday after pipping a whole host of riders in a massed sprint finish in Murcia.

ALBERTO CONTADOR emerged from a mist-shrouded Col du Tourmalet yesterday with his Tour de France race lead intact and one foot on the top of the Paris podium.

Andy Schleck took the stage finish atop the Col du Tourmalet but will require a miracle if he is to usurp the yellow jersey of Alberto Contador after today’s epic stage 17 of the Tour de France.

THE farewell victory Lance Armstrong hoped for failed to materialise yesterday as the seven-time Tour de France winner was beaten to the line in Pau.

ANDY SCHLECK yesterday blasted Alberto Contador after the Spaniard seized the Tour de France leader’s yellow jersey by taking advantage of his rival’s mechanical problem.

TOUR DE FRANCE leader Andy Schleck believes he fared better in the latest battle with nearest rival Alberto Contador yesterday as the race entered the Pyrenees.

NICHOLAS ROCHE continues to ride exceptionally well as leader of his Ag2R Mondiale team in the Tour de France, finishing in 20th place yesterday on stage 12, just 31 seconds behind stage winner Joaquin Rodriguez (Team Katusha).

It’s been a fabulous start to the 2010 Tour de France for the sole Irish rider in the race, Nicholas Roche.

THE winning feeling returned for Mark Cavendish on the fifth stage of the Tour de France after a fraught and forgettable period on and off the bike.

Nicholas Roche will carry Irish hopes at this year's Tour de France which starts this Saturday with an 8.9 kilometre prologue around Rotterdam.

Matt Brammeier of the An Post Grant Thornton M. Donnelly Sean Kelly cycling team is Irish National champion after a remarkable win in the All-Irelands today in Sligo.

In the lead-up to the FBD Insurance Rás which starts on Sunday May 23 and runs until Sunday May 30, breakingnews.ie gives you a run-down of the basics of professional cycling.

The Sean Kelly/ An Post Professional Cycling team endured a most difficult day in the Dwars door Vlaanderen classic today in Belgium, with just one rider of the eight starters finishing the race.

SPORTS Minister Martin Cullen, has reaffirmed his commitment to the completion of the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown.

Alberto Contador powered to victory in the individual time trial in the 18th stage of the Tour de France to retain a vice-like grip on the yellow jersey on a day Lance Armstrong returned to the podium positions.

FRENCHMAN Thomas Voeckler dashed clear of a long-time six-man breakaway group in the final five kilometres to win the fifth stage of the Tour de France yesterday.

COLOMBIAN Fabio Duarte took his country’s first amateur world road race title at the U23 cycling championships in Varese, Italy, yesterday.

Olympic swimmer Andrew Bree failed to qualify from his 100m breaststroke heat despite a personal best time of 1:01.76.

Two Irish cyclists have finished in the top 32 of the junior men’s time trial at the World Road Race Championships in Belgium.

NICHOLAS ROCHE moved into the history books on Saturday when he became only the fourth rider in 25 years to lead the M. Donnelly Junior Tour from start to finish.