http://www.yardbarker.com/cycling/players/nicole_cooke/76282 Recent articles about Nicole Cooke en-us British cyclist Nicole Cooke, the gold medalist in the 2008 Olympic road race, is retiring. The 29-year-old rider from Wales also won the world road race title in 2008, the first person to win both events in the same year. She said Monday she is ''very happy'' with her career and she leaves with ''many, many happy memories over what has been my life's work since I was 12. I have won every race and more that I dreamed I could win.'' Cooke's win at the Beijing Olympics was one of eight gold medals by Britain's cyclists at the 2008 Games. Her title defense in London ended with a 31st-place finish. Mon, 14 Jan 2013 17:27:44 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/cycling/article_external/2008_olympic_cycling_champ_retires/12658957 http://network.yardbarker.com/cycling/article_external/2008_olympic_cycling_champ_retires/12658957 2008 Olympic cycling champ retires http://www.yardbarker.com/cycling/articles/2008_olympic_cycling_champ_retires/12658957 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png British cyclist Nicole Cooke, the gold medalist in the 2008 Olympic road race, is retiring. The 29-year-old rider from Wales also won the world road race title in 2008, the first person to win both events in the same year. She said Monday she is ''very happy'' with her career and she leaves with ''many, many happy memories over what has been my life's work since I was 12. I have won every race and more that I dreamed I could win.'' Cooke's win at the Beijing Olympics was one of eight gold medals by Britain's cyclists at the 2008 Games. Her title defense in London ended with a 31st-place finish. Mon, 14 Jan 2013 16:32:09 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/cycling/article_external/2008_olympic_champ_cyclist_nicole_cooke_retires/12658543 http://network.yardbarker.com/cycling/article_external/2008_olympic_champ_cyclist_nicole_cooke_retires/12658543 2008 Olympic champ cyclist Nicole Cooke retires http://www.yardbarker.com/cycling/articles/2008_olympic_champ_cyclist_nicole_cooke_retires/12658543 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Nicole Cooke bows out of cycling with a swipe at drug cheats Nicole Cooke, Britain's 2008 Olympic road race champion, retired from cycling on Monday with a parting shot at the drugs cheats who she... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] Mon, 14 Jan 2013 13:29:15 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/cycling/article_external/nicole_cooke_bows_out_of_cycling_with_a_swipe_at_drug_cheats/12658297 http://network.yardbarker.com/cycling/article_external/nicole_cooke_bows_out_of_cycling_with_a_swipe_at_drug_cheats/12658297 Nicole Cooke bows out of cycling with a swipe at drug cheats http://www.yardbarker.com/cycling/articles/nicole_cooke_bows_out_of_cycling_with_a_swipe_at_drug_cheats/12658297 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Medal projections for the 2012 London Olympics, compiled from predictions by the staff of The Associated Press: ARCHERY Men Individual: Gold: Brady Ellison, USA Silver: Im Dong-hyun, Korea Bronze: Oh Jin-Hyek, Korea Team Gold: Korea Silver: United States Bronze: France Women Individual Gold: Ki Bo Bae, Korea Silver: Cheng Ming, China Bronze: Denisse Van Lamoen, Chile Team Gold: Korea Silver: China Bronze: India ATHLETICS Men 100 meters Gold: Usain Bolt, Jamaica Silver: Yohan Blake, Jamaica Bronze: Justin Gatlin, United States 200 Gold: Usain Bolt, Jamaica Silver: Yohan Blake, Jamaica Bronze: Wallace Spearmon, United States 400 Gold: LaShawn Merritt, United States Silver: Luguelin Santos, Dominican Republic Bronze: Kirani James, Grenadines 800 Gold: David Rudisha, Kenya Silver: Abubaker Kaki, Sudan Bronze: Yuriy Borzakovskiy, Russia 1,500 Gold: Abel Kiru, Kenya Silver: Nixon Chepseba, Kenya Bronze: Silas Kiplagat, Kenya 5,000 Gold: Mo Farah, Britain Silver: Isaiah Kiplangat Koech, Kenya Bronze: Galen Rupp, United States 10,000 Gold: Kenenisa Bekele, Ethiopia Silver: Mo Farah, Britain Bronze: Teriku Bekele, Ethiopia Marathon Gold: Abel Kirui, Kenya Silver: Wilson Kipsang, Kenya Bronze: Emmanuel Mutai, Kenya 110 Hurdles Gold: Liu Xiang, China Silver: Dayron Robles, Cuba Bronze: Aries Merritt, United States 400 Hurdles Gold: Angelo Taylor, United States Silver: Javier Culson, Puerto Rico Bronze: Dai Greene, Britain 3,000 Steeplechase Gold: Ezekiel Kemboi, Kenya Silver: Kiprop Mutai, Kenya Bronze: Brimin Kipruto, Kenya 20K Walk Gold: Andrei Krivov, Russia Silver: Zhen Wang, China Bronze: Valeriy Borchin, Russia 50K Walk Gold: Sergei Kirdyapkin, Russia Silver: Jared Tallent, Australia Bronze: Sergei Bakulin, Russia Decathlon Gold: Ashton Eaton, United States Silver: Pascal Behrenbruch, Germany Bronze: Trey Hardee, United States Long Jump Gold: Will Claye, United States Silver: Sebastian Bayer, Germany Bronze: Greg Rutherford, Britain Triple Jump Gold: Fabrizio Donato, Italy Silver: Christian Taylor, United States Bronze: Will Claye, United States High Jump Gold: Ivan Ukhov, Russia Silver: Jesse Williams, United States Bronze: Dimitrios Chondrokoukis, Greece Pole Vault Gold: Renaud Lavillenie, France Silver: Malte Mohr, Germany Bronze: Bjoern Otto, Germany Javelin Gold: Andreas Thorkildsen, Norway Silver: Vitezslav Vesely, Czech Republic Bronze: Tero Pitkamaki, Finland Discus Gold: Robert Harting, Germany Silver: Gerd Kanter, Estonia Bronze: Zoltan Kovago, Hungary Shot Put Gold: David Storl, Germany Silver: Reese Hoffa, United States Bronze: Ryan Whiting, United States Hammer Gold: Krisztian Pars, Hungary Silver: Aleksey Zagorniy, Russia Bronze: Szymon Ziolkowski, Poland 4x100 Relay Gold: Jamaica Silver: United States Bronze: Netherlands 4x400 Relay Gold: United States Silver: Jamaica Bronze: Belgium Women 100 meters Gold: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Jamaica Silver: Carmelita Jeter, United States Bronze: Veronica Campbell-Brown, Jamaica 200 Gold: Allyson Felix, United States Silver: Veronica Campbell-Brown, Jamaica Bronze: Carmelita Jeter, United States 400 Gold: Sanya Richards-Ross, United States Silver: Amantle Montsho, Botswana Bronze: Christine Ohuruogu, Britain 800 Gold: Caster Semenya, South Africa Silver: Pamela Jelimo, Kenya Bronze: Mariya Savinova, Russia 1,500 Gold: Yekaterina Martynova, Russia Silver: Yekaterina Kostetskaia, Russia Bronze: Genzebe Dibaba, Ethiopia 5,000 Gold: Vivian Cheruiyot, Kenya Silver: Tirunesh Dibaba, Ethiopia Bronze: Meseret Defar, Ethiopia 10,000 Gold: Tirunesh Dibaba, Ethiopia Silver: Vivian Cheruiyot, Kenya Bronze: Sally Kipyego, Kenya Marathon Gold: Mary Keitany, Kenya Silver: Edna Kiplagat, Kenya Bronze: Liliya Shobukhova, Russia 100 Hurdles Gold: Sally Pearson, Australia Silver: Dawn Harper, United States Bronze: Kellie Wells, United States 400 Hurdles Gold: Melaine Walker, Jamaica Silver: Lashinda Demus, United States Bronze: Kaliese Spencer, Jamaica 3,000 Steeplechase Gold: Yuliya Zaripova, Russia Silver: Milcah Chemos Cheywa, Kenya Bronze: Sofia Assefa, Ethiopia 20K Walk Gold: Olga Kaniskina, Russia Silver: Anisya Kirdyapkina, Russia Bronze: Liu Hong, China Heptathlon Gold: Jessica Ennis, Britain Silver: Tatyana Chernova, Russia Bronze: Nataliya Dobrynska, Ukraine Long Jump Gold: Brittney Reese, United States Silver: Olga Kucherenko, Russia Bronze: Anna Nazarova, Russia Triple Jump Gold: Olha Saladuha, Ukraine Silver: Yargeris Savigne, Cuba Bronze: Olga Rypakova, Kazakhstan High Jump Gold: Anna Chicherova, Russia Silver: Chaunte Lowe, United States Bronze: Tia Hellebaut, Belgium Pole Vault Gold: Yelena Isinbayeva, Russia Silver: Fabiana Murer, Brazil Bronze: Jennifer Suhr, United States Javelin Gold: Barbora Spotakova, Czech Republic Silver: Mariya Abakumova, Russia Bronze: Sunette Viljoen, South Africa Discus Gold: Sandra Perkovic, Croatia Silver: Nadine Mueller, Germany Bronze: Yarelis Barrios, Cuba Shot Put Gold: Valerie Adams, New Zealand Silver: Nadzeya Ostapchuk, Belarus Bronze: Jillian Camarena-Williams, United States Hammer Gold: Betty Heidler, Germany Silver: Aksana Miankova, Belarus Bronze: Zhang Wenxiu, China 4x100 Relay Gold: United States Silver: Jamaica Bronze: Ukraine 4x400 Relay Gold: United States Silver: Jamaica Bronze: Russia BADMINTON Men's Singles Gold: Lin Dan, China Silver: Lee Chong Wei, Malaysia Bronze: Chen Jin, China; Kenichi Tago, Japan Women's Singles Gold: Wang Yihan, China Silver: Wang Xin, China Bronze: Saina Nehwal, India; Juliane Schenk, Germany Men's Doubles Gold: Jung Jae-sung and Lee Yong-dae, South Korea Silver: Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng, China Bronze: Ko Sung-hyun and Yoo Yeon-seong, South Korea; Carsten Morgensen and Mathias Boe, Denmark Women's Doubles Gold: Yu Yang and Wang Xiaoli, China Silver: Tian Qing and Zhao Yunlei, China Bronze: Ha Jung-eun and Kim Min-jung, South Korea; Jung Kyung-eun and Kim Ha-na, South Korea Mixed Doubles Gold: Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei, China Silver: Xu Chen and Ma Jin, China Bronze: Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir, Indonesia; Lee Yong-dae and Ha Jung-eun, South Korea BASKETBALL: Men Gold: United States Silver: Spain Bronze: France Women Gold: United States Silver: Australia Bronze: Russia BEACH VOLLEYBALL: Men Gold: Todd Rogers/Phil Dalhausser, United States Silver: Emanuel/Alison, Brazil Bronze: Julius Brink/Jonas Reckermann, Germany Women Gold: Kerri Walsh/Misty May-Treanor, United States Silver: Larissa/Juliana, Brazil Bronze: Zhang Xi/Xue Chen, China BOXING: Women Flyweight (51kg) Gold: Ren Cancan, China Silver: Mary Kom, India Bronze: Nicola Adams, Britain; Elena Savelyeva, Russia Lightweight (60kg) Gold: Katie Taylor, Ireland Silver: Sofya Ochigava, Russia Bronze: Natasha Jonas, Britain; Mavzuna Chorieva, Tajikistan Middleweight (75kg) Gold: Savannah Marshall, Britain Silver: Elena Vystropova, Azerbaijan Bronze: Anna Laurell, Sweden; Li Jinzi, China Men Light Flyweight (49kg) Gold: Zou Shiming, China Silver: David Ayrapetyan, Russia Bronze: Shin Jong-Hun, South Korea; Jose de la Nieve, Spain Flyweight (52kg) Gold: Misha Aloyan, Russia Silver: Andrew Selby, Britain Bronze: Robeisy Ramirez, Cuba; Vincenzo Picardi, Italy Bantamweight (56kg) Gold: Lazaro Alvarez, Cuba Silver: Anvar Yusunov, Tajikistan Bronze: Luke Campbell, Britain; John Joe Nevin, Ireland Lightweight (60kg) Gold: Vasyl Lomachenko, Ukraine Silver: Yasniel Toledo, Cuba Bronze: Domenico Valentino, Italy; Robson Conceicao, Brazil Light welterweight (64kg) Gold: Tom Stalker, Britain Silver: Everton Lopes, Brazil Bronze: Denys Berinchyk, Ukraine; Munkherdene Uranchimeg, Mongolia Welterweight (69kg) Gold: Taras Shelestyuk, Ukraine Silver: Krishan Vikus, India Bronze: Fred Evans, Britain; Alexis Vastine, France Middleweight (75kg) Gold: Evhen Khytrov, Ukraine Silver: Ryota Murata, Japan Bronze: Darren O'Neill, Ireland; Bogdan Juratoni, Romania Light heavyweight (81kg) Gold: Julio Cesar La Cruz, Cuba Silver: Egor Mekhontsev, Russia Bronze: Damien Hooper, Australia; Elshod Rasulov, Uzbekistan Heavyweight (91kg) Gold: Artur Beterbiev, Russia Silver: Wang Xuanxuan, China Bronze: Oleksandr Usyk, Ukraine; Teymur Mammadov, Azerbaijan Super heavyweight (+91kg) Gold: Anthony Joshua, England Silver: Magomedrasul Majidov, Azerbaijan Bronze: Erik Pfeifer, Germany; Roberto Cammarelle, Italy CANOEING: Sprint Men C1 200m Gold: Ivan Shtyl, Russia Silver: Alfonso Benavides, Spain Bronze: Stefan Kiraj, Germany C1 1000m Gold: Attila Vajda, Hungary Silver: Sebastian Brendel, Germany Bronze: Mark Oldershaw, Canada C2 1000m Gold: Germany Silver: Czech Republic Bronze: Poland K1 200m Gold: Ed McKeezer, Britain Silver: Piotr Siemionowski, Poland Bronze: Cesar De Cesare, Ecuador K1 1000m Gold: Adam van Koeverden, Canada Silver: Max Hoff, Germany Bronze: Anders Gustafsson, Sweden K2 200m Gold: Yury Postrigay and Alexander Dyachenko, Russia Silver: Sebastien Jouve and Arnaud Hybois, France Bronze: Jonathan Schofield and Liam Heath, Britain K2 1000m Gold: Andreas Ihle and Martin Hollstein, Germany Silver: Peter Gelle and Erik Vlcek, Slovakia Bronze: Henrik Nilsson, Markus Oscarsson, Sweden K4 1000m Gold: Czech Republic Silver: Germany Bronze: Russia Women K1 200m Gold: Natasa Douchev-Janics, Hungary Silver: Lisa Carrington, New Zealand Bronze: Marta Walczykiewicz, Poland K1 500m Gold: Danuta Kozak, Hungary Silver: Nicole Reinhardt, Germany Bronze: Henriette Engel Hansen, Denmark K2 500m Gold: Tina Dietze and Franziska Weber, Germany Silver: Tamara Csipes and Gabriella Szabo, Hungary Bronze: Beata Mikolajczyk and Karolina Naja, Poland K4 500m Gold: Germany Silver: Hungary Bronze: Belarus Slalom Men C1 Gold: Tony Estanguet, France Silver: Michal Martikan, Slovakia Bronze: Nico Bettge, Germany C2 Gold: Pavol Hochschorner and Peter Hochschorner, Slovakia Silver: Denis Gargaud Chanut and Fabien Lefevre, France Bronze: David Florence and Richard Hounslow, Britain K1 Gold: Daniele Molmenti, Italy Silver: Fabien Lefevre, France Bronze: Mateusz Polaczyk, Poland Women K1 Gold: Jana Dukatova, Slovakia Silver: Corinna Kuhnle, Austria Bronze: Carole Bouzidi, France CYCLING: Road Men's Individual Time Trial Gold: Bradley Wiggins, Britain Silver: Tony Martin, Germany Bronze: Fabian Cancellara, Switzerland Women's Individual Time Trial Gold: Kristin Armstrong, United States Silver: Judith Arndt, Germany Bronze: Emma Pooley, Britain Men's road race Gold: Mark Cavendish, Britain Silver: Andre Greipel, Germany Bronze: Tyler Farrar, United States Women's road race Gold: Marianne Vos, Netherlands Silver: Nicole Cooke, Britain Bronze: Giorgia Bronzini, Italy Track Men's sprint Gold: Gregory Bauge, France Silver: Robert Forstemann, Germany Bronze: Jason Kenny, Britain Women's sprint Gold: Victoria Pendleton, Britain Silver: Anna Meares, Australia Bronze: Wai Sze Lee, China Men's keirin Gold: Chris Hoy, Britain Silver: Maximilian Levy, Germany Bronze: Mickael Bourgain, France Women's keirin Gold: Anna Meares, Australia Silver: Ekaterina Gnidenko, Russia Bronze: Simona Krupeckaite, Lithuania Men's Omnium Gold: Glenn O'Shea, Australia Silver: Zach Bell, Canada Bronze: Lasse Hansen, Denmark Women's Omnium Gold: Laura Trott, Britain Silver: Sarah Hammer, United States Bronze: Li Huange, China Men's team pursuit Gold: Britain Silver: Australia Bronze: New Zealand Women's team pursuit Gold: Britain Silver: Australia Bronze: Canada Men's team sprint Gold: France Silver: Australia Bronze: Germany Women's team sprint Gold: Australia Silver: Germany Bronze: China Mountain Bike Men's cross country Gold: Nino Schurter, Switzerland Silver: Julien Absalon, France Bronze: Jaroslav Kulhavy, Czech Republic Women's cross country Gold: Catherine Pendrel, Canada Silver: Maja Wloszczowska, Poland Bronze: Julie Bresset, France BMX Men's individual Gold: Sam Willoughby, Australia Silver: Connor Fields, United States Bronze: Joris Daudet, France Women's individual Gold: Magalie Pottier, France Silver: Shanaze Reade, Britain Bronze: Arielle Martin, United States DIVING: Men Synchronized 3-meter Gold: China Silver: Russia Bronze: Mexico 10-meter Gold: China Silver: Germany Bronze: United States Individual 3-meter Gold: He Chong, China Silver: Qin Kai, China Bronze: Ilya Zakharov, Russia 10-meter Gold: David Boudia, United States Silver: Thomas Daley, Britain Bronze: Victor Minibaev, Russia Women Synchro 3-meter Gold: China Silver: Canada Bronze: United States 10-meter Gold: China Silver: Australia Bronze: Canada Individual 3-meter Gold: Wu Minxia, China Silver: He Zi, China Bronze: Tania Cagnotto, Italy 10-meter Gold: Chen Ruolin, China Silver: Hu Yadan, China Bronze: Roseline Filion, Canada EQUESTRIAN Team Dressage Gold: Britain Silver: Netherlands Bronze: Germany Individual Dressage Gold: Adelinde Cornelissen, Netherlands, on Parzival Silver: Laura Bechtolsheimer, Britain, on Mistral Bronze: Steffen Peters, United States, on Ravel Team Jumping Gold: Switzerland Silver: United States Bronze: Germany Individual Jumping Gold: Rolf-Goran Bengtsson, Sweden, on Casall Silver: Rich Fellers, United States, on Flexible Bronze: Pius Schwizer, Switzerland, on Nobless M Team Eventing Gold: Britain Silver: New Zealand Bronze: United States Individual Eventing Gold: William Fox-Pitt, Britain, on Lionheart Silver: Andrew Nicholson, New Zealand, on Nereo Bronze: Phillip Dutton, United States, on Mystery Whisper FENCING Men Epee Gold: Nikolai Novosjolov, Estonia Silver: Bas Verwijlen, Netherlands Bronze: Paola Pizzo, Italy Foil Gold: Andrea Cassara', Italy Silver: Valerio Aspromonte, Italy Bronze: Giorgio Avola, Italy Saber Gold: Nicolas Limbach, Germany Silver: Alexey Yakimenko, Russia Bronze: Aldo Montano, Italy Saber Team Gold: Russia Silver: Belarus Bronze: Italy Foil Team Gold: Italy Silver: China Bronze: Germany Women Epee Gold: Sun Yujie, China Silver: Ana Branza, Romania Bronze: Li Na, China Foil Gold: Valentina Vezzali, Italy Silver: Elisa Di Francisca, Italy Bronze: Nam Hyun-Hee, Korea Saber Gold: Mariel Zagunis, USA Silver: Sofya Velikaya, Russia Bronze: Olga Kharlan, Ukraine Foil Team Gold: Italy Silver: Russia Bronze: Korea Epee Team Gold: Romania Silver: Russia Bronze: China FIELD HOCKEY Men Gold: Australia Silver: Netherlands Bronze: Germany Women Gold: Netherlands Silver: Argentina Bronze: England GYMNASTICS: Women Gold United States Silver: Romania Bronze: Russia All-Around Gold: Gabby Douglas, United States Silver: Jordyn Wieber, United States Bronze: Vi Fri, 20 Jul 2012 08:34:52 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/london_olympics_medal_projections/11257195 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/london_olympics_medal_projections/11257195 London Olympics medal projections http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/london_olympics_medal_projections/11257195 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Regaled in the Swedish National Road Champion jersey, Emma Johansson (Hitec Products - Mistral Home Cycling Team) took home the finale of the 2012 Giro d'Italia Femminile Internazionale, crossing the line in Bergamo with hands raised just ahead of Marianne Vos (Stichting Rabo Women), who similarly celebrated her overall race victory. Finishing second to Vos on two previous occassions (on Stage 4 and 7), Johansson surged ahead of her breakaway companion to take her first Giro Donne victory. "On the first climb I suffered a bit, said Johansson. "But in the final [ascent and descent] I knew it could be my day. Now it's time to celebrate and relax before big events that lie ahead." Results - Stage 9 - Sarnico - Bergamo (106.9km) 1. Emma Johansson (Swe) Hitec Products - Mistral Home Cycling Team - 2:44:38 2. Marianne Vos (Ned) Stichting Rabo Women Cycling Team 3. Emma Pooley (GBr) AA Drink - Leontien.nl Cycling Team - 0:00:02 All in a Day's Work What else can b... Sat, 07 Jul 2012 23:23:08 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/cycling/article_external/johansson_wins_finale_vos_crowned_23rd_giro_donne_stage_9/11180185 http://network.yardbarker.com/cycling/article_external/johansson_wins_finale_vos_crowned_23rd_giro_donne_stage_9/11180185 Johansson Wins Finale, Vos Crowned – 23rd Giro Donne, Stage 9 http://www.yardbarker.com/cycling/articles/johansson_wins_finale_vos_crowned_23rd_giro_donne_stage_9/11180185 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The long and relatively flat roads on Stage 5 on the 2012 Giro Donne suggested a day for the sprinters, but Tiffany Cromwell (Orica-AIS) had other plans. The 23-year-old Australian threw caution to the wind at around the 3 kilometer mark of the 118.7 kilometer long route and simply road away from the peloton. At one juncture, Cromwell built a lead of over 13 minutes on the seemingly unmotivated pack and became the virtual race leader on the road. She would end her long solo sojourn in Molinella 8 minutes and 33 seconds ahead of a hard rushing group contesting the sprint for second place, which went to World Champion Giorgia Bronzini (Diadora - Pasta Zara) who pipped Italian countryman, Valentina Scandolara (S.C. Michela Fanini Rox) and the line. "It was a long day and really hard, but it was worth it," stated an exhausted but elated Cromwell. "Our team does not have a sprinter so we had no other choice than to attack. At first I did not think could do it, but it was... Tue, 03 Jul 2012 22:12:19 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/cycling/article_external/australian_cromwell_delivers_23rd_giro_donne_stage_5/11155631 http://network.yardbarker.com/cycling/article_external/australian_cromwell_delivers_23rd_giro_donne_stage_5/11155631 Australian Cromwell Delivers – 23rd Giro Donne, Stage 5 http://www.yardbarker.com/cycling/articles/australian_cromwell_delivers_23rd_giro_donne_stage_5/11155631 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png If there was any doubt who the best rider in the women's peloton is these days, Marianne Vos' (Stichting Rabo Women) victory in Montecatini went along way in settling any arguments. It is not to say that Vos is unbeatable, but with all things being equal, she is the most complete rider amongst a plethora of talented women. On Stage 4 from Montecatini Terme to Montecatini Alto, Vos, who by her own admission struggled on the uphill portions of the 98 kilometer stage, used her superior descending skills on the final descent to out distance those competitors, who had forged ahead of her moments earlier on the ascent, to the finish line. She would comfortably cross the line solo and reclaim the maglia rosa as the overall race leader. Emma Johansson (Hitec Products - Mistral Home Cycling Team) and Tatiana Guderzo (MCipollini Giambenini) would finish a distant second and third, respectively, on the day over one minute is arrears. With her resounding victory, the Dutch rider now ... Mon, 02 Jul 2012 22:09:32 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/cycling/article_external/vos_unrivaled_in_montecatini_reclaims_lead_23rd_giro_donne_stage_4/11155640 http://network.yardbarker.com/cycling/article_external/vos_unrivaled_in_montecatini_reclaims_lead_23rd_giro_donne_stage_4/11155640 Vos Unrivaled In Montecatini, Reclaims Lead – 23rd Giro Donne, Stage 4 http://www.yardbarker.com/cycling/articles/vos_unrivaled_in_montecatini_reclaims_lead_23rd_giro_donne_stage_4/11155640 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png American Evelyn Stevens (Team Specialized - Lululemon) soloed to claim the Stage 3 victory in Castiglione dei Pepoli, and in doing so took over the General Classification lead from defending Giro Donne champion Marianne Vos (Stichting Rabo Women), who won the first two stages. With three kilometers remaining in the 124 kilometer stage, Stevens attacked out of a select group of riders that included Emma Pooley (AA Drink Leontien.nl ), Fabiana Luperini (Faren Honda), Tatiana Guderzo (MCipollini Giambenini), Elisa Longo Borghini (Hitec Products Home Mistral), Marianne Vos (Stichting Rabobank), GreenEdge AIS teammates, Claudia Hausler and Judith Arndt, and Ashleigh Moolman (Lotto Ladies Belisol), to garner her second career Giro Donne win. Fabiana Luperini (Faren Honda Team), and Emma Pooley (AA Drink Leontien.nl), who would finish 20 seconds in arrears of Stevens to take second and third, respectively. New Zealander, Linda Villumsen (Orica-AIS), kicked off the day's festivities by ... Sun, 01 Jul 2012 20:23:06 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/cycling/article_external/evelyn_stevens_all_pink_grabs_stage_and_race_lead_23rd_giro_donne_stage_3/11132840 http://network.yardbarker.com/cycling/article_external/evelyn_stevens_all_pink_grabs_stage_and_race_lead_23rd_giro_donne_stage_3/11132840 Evelyn Stevens All Pink, Grabs Stage and Race Lead – 23rd Giro Donne, Stage 3 http://www.yardbarker.com/cycling/articles/evelyn_stevens_all_pink_grabs_stage_and_race_lead_23rd_giro_donne_stage_3/11132840 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Clad in the maglia rosa as the overall leader of the 2012 Giro Donne, Marianne Vos (Stichting Rabo Women) won her second stage in as many days by taking the 7.2 kilometer Individual Time Trial in Rome with a time of 0:08:50. "I am happy because I did not really expect [it]," commented Vos. "I knew I had won only after the arrival when everybody started to congratulate me. Yesterday I got involved in the sprint, time trial today and tomorrow will be the turn of the climbs. We'll see how it goes." Canadian Clara Hughes (Team Specialized - Lululemon) finished 5 seconds behind Vos to claim second, and Judith Arndt (Orica-AIS) took third. Results - Stage 2 - Roma (ITT) 7.2km 1. Marianne Vos (Ned) Stichting Rabo Women Cycling Team 2. Clara Hughes (Can) Team Specialized - Lululemon 3. Judith Arndt (Ger) Orica-AIS While Vos ultimately extended her General Classification lead, contenders Judith Arndt (Orica-AIS), La Fleche Wallone winner, American Evelyn Stevens (Spec... Sat, 30 Jun 2012 15:04:03 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/cycling/article_external/vos_firing_on_all_cylinders_retains_lead_23rd_giro_donne_stage_2/11127506 http://network.yardbarker.com/cycling/article_external/vos_firing_on_all_cylinders_retains_lead_23rd_giro_donne_stage_2/11127506 Vos Firing On All Cylinders, Retains Lead – 23rd Giro Donne, Stage 2 http://www.yardbarker.com/cycling/articles/vos_firing_on_all_cylinders_retains_lead_23rd_giro_donne_stage_2/11127506 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/7/774991e8086ec62b54768ad5adde4d3e7db53f6d/mini/GettyImage.ashx_url_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f91062724.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d77BFBA49EF878921CC759DF4EBAC47D0416A920FC97E7493D06DB12E96F91A4A84800258815E1B13.jpg The track slate is considered the most glamorous part of cycling at the Olympics, and Sir Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton and the rest of the powerhouse British team are sure to draw plenty of attention during the competition on home soil. Only this time, there may be even more drama surrounding the road race. The men's and women's events will be among the first medals handed out at the London Games, with a course that passes some of the city's iconic landmarks. And with the men's race beginning less than a week after the conclusion of the Tour de France, attrition may play a role in who climbs to the top step of the podium during the medal ceremony. ''I don't think it's ideal, and it's a little frustrating, because there are a lot of sports in the Olympics that don't have their biggest event of the year one week before the Olympics,'' said American Tyler Farrar, who will be among the favorites if the race is decided in a sprint. ''All your big contend Wed, 20 Jun 2012 15:11:17 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/cycling/article_external/road_could_steal_drama_in_cycling_at_london_games/11054879 http://network.yardbarker.com/cycling/article_external/road_could_steal_drama_in_cycling_at_london_games/11054879 Road could steal drama in cycling at London Games http://www.yardbarker.com/cycling/articles/road_could_steal_drama_in_cycling_at_london_games/11054879 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/9/c9029730b54007a83c56957fe165aeb6d67cb62c/mini/Pride_of_Britain_96d8.jpg