Sports news briefs: 5/25/09 May 25, 2009
Danilo Di Luca of Italy is second overall, 34 seconds behind Menchov. Junior hockey. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Rays tap rookie Price to start tonight May 25, 2009
Danilo Di Luca of Italy is second, 34 seconds behind. Lance Armstrong moved up from 14th to 13th, 8:28 behind. (Boston Globe)
Bertagnolli wins stage; Menchov retains Giro lead May 25, 2009
A Russian with the Rabobank team, Menchov maintained a 34-second lead over Italy's Danilo Di Luca in the overall standings. Levi Leipheimer of the United States is third overall, 43 seconds back. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Menchov still in pink after Basso attack May 25, 2009
Menchov found himself marooned without team support in the group chasing Basso, but the Russian managed to keep his main challenger Danilo Di Luca in his sights. Lance Armstrong lost ground on the last two climbs but limited his loss of time on the favourites to just one minute. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Gerrans to hang in for his leader May 25, 2009
The Spaniard was still fifth overall at 2 minutes and 52 seconds to the Russian race leader Denis Menchov (Rabobank) who leads by 34 seconds over Italian Danilo Di Luca (LPR). The ACT's Michael Rogers (Columbia) was the highest placed Australian overall in seventh at 3 minutes and 5 seconds. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Butte's Levi Leipheimer gunning for Giro d'Italia lead in uphill stage MondayPosted on Sunday, May 24 May 25, 2009
Danilo Di Luca of Italy is second overall, 34 seconds behind Menchov. Menchov is a two-time Spanish Vuelta champion, while Di Luca won the 2007 Giro. (Missoulian, MT)
Gerrans wins Giro's 14th stage; Menchov leads May 24, 2009
Menchov remained 34 seconds in front of Danilo Di Luca, while Levi Leipheimer dropped three seconds in an uphill finish and now trails Menchov by 43 seconds in third place. Gerrans clocked 4 hours, 16 minutes, 48 seconds over the hilly 107-mile leg from Campi Bisenzio to Bologna. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- More)
Gerrans wins 14th stage; no change among leaders at Giro May 24, 2009
Menchov remained 34 seconds in front of Danilo Di Luca of Italy. U.S. rider Levi Leipheimer dropped three seconds in an uphill finish and trails Menchov by 43 seconds in third place. (USA Today -- Sports)
* Cavendish makes it a trio of wins May 24, 2009
After seizing the pink jersey with an impressive time-trial win on Thursday, Menchov still has a 34 second lead over its former holder, LPRs Danilo Di Luca of Italy. Astanas Levi Leipheimer of the US is six seconds further back in third. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* Sports Briefs May 23, 2009
Russias Denis Menchov blew away the field in Thursdays individual time-trial to take the 12th stage of the Giro dItalia and wrestle the leaders pink jersey from Italian Danilo Di Luca. Rabobank rider Menchov, twice Tour of Spain winner, completed a grueling 60. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Leipheimer planning Giro attack, but not just yet May 23, 2009
Lance Armstrong's Astana teammate is third overall through 13 of 21 stages of the Giro d'Italia, with only Denis Menchov of Russia and Danilo Di Luca of Italy in front of him. "I keep saying it, but it's day by day and kilometer by kilometer," Leipheimer said before Friday's leg, which was won by Britain's Mark Cavendish in a mass sprint. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- More)
Leipheimer relying on Armstrong's help at Giro May 22, 2009
Danilo Di Luca, who entered the 12th stage with the overall lead, dropped to second, 34 seconds behind Menchov. "We have to attack," said Johan Bruyneel, the team manager of Leipheimer's and Armstrong's Astana squad. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- More)
Cavendish wins Giro's 11th stage, Di Luca leads May 21, 2009
ARENZANO, Italy (AP) -- Mark Cavendish won the 11th stage of the Giro d'Italia on Wednesday, Danilo Di Luca retained the overall leader's pink jersey and Lance Armstrong moved up two spots to 16th overall. Cavendish, the British standout of Team Columbia-High Road, clocked 4 hours, 51 minutes, 17 seconds over the mostly flat 133-mile leg from Turin to Arenzano. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- More)
Thibodeau to interview with Kings May 21, 2009
Meanwhile, Lance Armstrong moved up two spots to 16th overall, 5:28 behind Italy's Danilo Di Luca. Leipheimer is fourth, 1:40 back. (Boston Globe)
Bend cyclist Horner out of Giro with injury May 21, 2009
Horner finished 25th in stage 10 -- 1 minute, 39 seconds behind winner Danilo Di Luca -- and was 11th overall, 3:24 behind the Italian. Horner's withdrawal is a blow for Astana because he has been a key support rider for Levi Leipheimer in his bid to win the Giro. (KGW Northwest NewsChannel 8, OR -- Sports)
Vick released from prison, heading home to Virginia May 21, 2009
Mark Cavendish won the 11th stage of the Giro d'Italia on Wednesday, Danilo Di Luca retained the overall leader's pink jersey and Lance Armstrong moved up two spots to 16th overall at Arenzano, Italy. Soccer: Shakhtar Donetsk won the last UEFA Cup final when midfielder Jadson scored in extra time to beat Werder Bremen 2-1 on Wednesday at Istanbul. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Gordon treated for back pain May 20, 2009
-At Pinerolo, Italy, Danilo Di Luca won the longest stage of the Giro d'Italia on Tuesday with a late solo breakaway and added to his overall lead. The 2007 winner attacked on a short climb almost two miles from the finish of the 10th leg. (Erie Times-News, PA)
Di Luca wins longest stage at Giro, keeps lead May 20, 2009
Danilo Di Luca wins longest stage at Giro - More Sports - SI.com ... Danilo Di Luca won the longest stage of the Giro d'Italia with a late breakaway ... PINEROLO, Italy (AP) -- Danilo Di Luca won the longest stage of the Giro d'Italia on Tuesday with a late solo breakaway and added to his overall lead. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- More)
Briefs | Swimming: FINA panel rejects 10 high-tech racing suits May 20, 2009
Di Luca wins 10th stage, increases Giro lead: Italian Danilo Di Luca of the LPR Brakes team won the 10th stage of the Giro d'Italia and added to his overall lead. With the three-week event resuming after a rest day, Di Luca was timed in 6 hours, 30 minutes, 43 seconds over the 163-mile route from Cuneo to Pinerolo. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Mets' Delgado will miss two months May 20, 2009
Danilo Di Luca attacked on a steep downhill stretch, then left behind his final challengers when the road tilted upward to win the grueling 10th stage of the Giro d'Italia and pad his overall lead. Lance Armstrong finished 13th, 29 seconds back, and moved up from 25th to 18th overall. (Boston Globe)
Aussie Rogers stays third in Giro May 20, 2009
Danilo Di Luca tightened his grip on the race leader's pink jersey by winning the stage. The 2007 champion, of the LPR team, attacked on the descent of the Pra Martino climb and left all his rivals in his wake to take his eighth Giro stage win in a little over six-and-a-half hours. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
* Britains Cavendish wins controversial ninth stage in Milan May 19, 2009
Italian Danilo Di Luca thus retained the race leaders pink jersey with his 13 second lead on Swedens Thomas Lovkvist intact. Controversy hit Sundays stage before the halfway mark when, after riding at a relatively slow speed of 33kph, the entire bunch stopped with six of the 10 laps to finish to publicize their protest. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Armstrong apologizes over Giro protest May 19, 2009
Armstrong was seen discussing the perils of the circuit with the race organizations car as he pedaled through Milan, and he stood next to overall leader Danilo Di Luca when the Italian addressed the fans in the middle of the stage with a microphone to explain the protest, interrupting the race briefly. For most of the stage, the pack pedaled far below its normal pace, denying fans a chance to see quality racing. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Basso wants to put focus back on racing at Giro May 19, 2009
By ANDREW DAMPFAssociated Press Sportsupdated 12:26 p.m. ET May 18, 2009. CUNEO, Italy (AP) -Ivan Basso is ready to focus again on racing after a protest concluded the first portion of the Giro d'Italia. (MSNBC -- Sports)
* Di Luca reinforces lead as Columbia bag another stage May 18, 2009
Race leader Danilo Di Luca retained the race leaders pink jersey, taking his advantage over Swede Thomas Lovkvist to 13 seconds after sprinting to third place. Siutsou said he benefitted from local knowledge. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Protest over safety steals show at Giro dItalia May 18, 2009
We saw in the first lap that the course wasnt safe, said overall leader Danilo Di Luca. There were cars parked in the middle of the road, traffic islands and tram lines. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Nadal loses -- on clay May 18, 2009
Danilo Di Luca holds a 13-second lead over Thomas Lovkvist in the overall standings, with Michael Rogers third, 44 seconds back, and Armstrong's Astana teammate Levi Leipheimer is fourth, 51 seconds behind. Rider out of coma: Spanish rider Pedro Horillo Munoz was awoken from a 24-hour coma Sunday after tumbling off the side of the road during a high-speed descent at the Giro d'Italia. (News & Observer -- Sports)
* Birthday boy Hagen claims his first stage win May 17, 2009
Boasson Hagen of Norway, riding for Columbia, won the seventh stage of the Giro dItalia on Friday at Chiavenna, with LPRs Danilo Di Luca retaining the leaders pink jersey. Hagen emerged the winner from a five-man late escape over the final 20km launched coming off the Passo Maloja climb to win the 244km rain-hit stage from Innsbruck as the race came back over the border from Austria. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
Di Luca still in pink May 17, 2009
LPR\'s Danilo Di Luca in the leader\'s pink jersey rides with US Lance Armstrong (L) and Italy\'s Ivan Basso ... Boasson Hagen of Norway, riding for Columbia, won the seventh stage of the Tour of Italy on Friday at Chiavenna, with LPR's Danilo Di Luca retaining the leader's pink jersey. (iAfrica.com)
Armstrong, teammates not fading away at Giro May 17, 2009
Kanstantsin Siutsou of Belarus won stage with a late solo breakaway, and Danilo Di Luca of Italy added eight seconds to his overall lead by finishing third. Siutsou, winner of the under-23 race at the 2004 world championships, darted from the lead pack with 10 miles to go. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Rogers still third after rider put in induced coma May 17, 2009
Siutsou took Saturday's stage in a late solo breakaway, while Danilo Di Luca added eight seconds to his overall lead by finishing third. Siutsou darted away from the lead pack with 16km to go. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Nadal reaches Madrid final May 17, 2009
Kanstantsin Siutsou of Belarus won the eighth stage of the Giro d'Italia in a late solo breakaway Saturday, and Danilo Di Luca of Italy added eight seconds to his overall lead by finishing third in Bergamo, Italy. Di Luca leads Thomas Lovkvist of Sweden by 13 seconds in the overall standings, with Michael Rogers of Australia third, 44 seconds back. (News & Observer -- Sports)
* Scarponi clinches solo win as Giro dItalia hits Austria May 16, 2009
Fellow Italian Danilo Di Luca of LPR retained the race leaders pink jersey after a 248km ride in which a five-man breakaway provided much of the days drama on what was a transitional stage into nearby Austria. Di Luca, the 2007 champion, retained his five-second lead over second-placed Swede Thomas Lovkvist, with his Columbian teammate Michael Rogers still in third, 36 seconds behind. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
Impressive Boasson Hagen wins Giro stage May 16, 2009
No change in the overall standings with Danilo Di Luca still in the pink jersey ... There was no change in the overall classification with 2007 winner Danilo di Luca retaining his five-second advantage over Sweden's Thomas Lovkvist with Michael Rogers of Australia third. (CNN -- International)
Results Worldwide May 16, 2009
Danilo Di Luca (Ita), 10 ... Danilo Di Luca (Ita) 22:11:15, 2. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Boasson Hagen takes stage win; Di Luca keeps Giro lead May 16, 2009
From left, Lance Armstrong, Danilo Di Luca and Ivan Basso lead the way during the seventh stage of the Giro d'Italia ... Danilo Di Luca held on to the overall leader's pink jersey as most of the prerace favorites stayed with the main pack to avoid accidents as the race crossed back into Italy. (USA Today -- Sports)
Armstrong leads team protest over money at Giro May 16, 2009
On a day when Norway's Edvald Boasson Hagen won a cold and rainy seventh stage of the Giro d'Italia and Italy's Danilo Di Luca kept the overall lead, Armstrong and all but one of his Astana teammates made a protest. The riders, upset over not being paid salary by their Kazakhstan team, wore special jerseys that faded the sponsor names. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Alfredsson fires career-best 10-under in Sybase Classic May 15, 2009
Scarponi wins 6th stage at Giro: At Mayrhofen Im Zillertal, Austria, Danilo Di Luca of Italy retained the overall Giro d'Italia lead, Lance Armstrong lost time again and Michele Scarponi won the sixth stage. Di Luca, of LPR Brakes, maintained a 5-second lead over Thomas Lovkvist of Sweden in the overall standings. (Erie Times-News, PA)
Scarponi powers clear for Giro stage win May 15, 2009
Compatriot Danilo di Luca retains the race leaders pink jersey by five seconds ... Italian Danilo di Luca, the Giro winner two years ago, retains his slender five-second advantage over Sweden's Thomas Lovkvist with another Columbia rider, Australian Michael Rogers, 38 seconds back in third place. (CNN -- International)
Leipheimer improving chances at Giro May 15, 2009
The Montana rider remained fourth overall, 43 seconds behind leader Danilo Di Luca of Italy ... Danilo Di Luca, Italy, LPR Brakes, same time ... Danilo Di Luca, Italy, LPR Brakes, 22 hours, 11 minutes, 15 seconds. (Montana Standard, MT)
Leipheimer lurking, Lance fading at Giro d'Italia May 15, 2009
The Montana rider remained fourth overall, 43 seconds behind leader Danilo Di Luca of Italy. "I'm happy with how it's gone so far," Leipheimer said. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- More)
Rogers stays third as Armstrong suffers in the hills May 15, 2009
Danilo Di Luca placed second to take the overall leader's pink jersey. Armstrong, still regaining his form after 3 years of retirement and a broken collarbone, lost nearly three minutes against the leaders. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Borel gets 900th Churchill win May 15, 2009
The Montana rider remained fourth overall, 43 seconds behind leader Danilo Di Luca of Italy. For the third consecutive stage, Armstrong was dropped from the lead group. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Armstrong loses nearly 3 minutes on Giro climb May 14, 2009
He dropped from sixth to 22nd overall -- 3 minutes, 34 seconds behind new race leader Danilo Di Luca. Denis Menchov, a Russian rider for the Rabobank team, covered the 77. (Erie Times-News, PA)
Armstrong struggles as Giro d'Italia gets steeper May 14, 2009
Danilo Di Luca took the overall leader's jersey at Giro ... Armstrong dropped from sixth to 22nd overall, 3 minutes, 34 seconds behind new race leader Danilo Di Luca. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- More)
SPORTS WIRE: Nuggets cruise into Western final May 14, 2009
Armstrong dropped from sixth to 22nd overall, 3 minutes, 34 seconds behind new leader Danilo Di Luca. TENNIS: Nadal advances in Madrid. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Rogers remains in third at Giro D'Italia May 14, 2009
Danilo Di Luca placed second to take the overall leader's pink jersey. Armstrong, still regaining his form after three and a half years of retirement and a broken collarbone, lost nearly three minutes against the leaders. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
CYCLING Armstrong loses 15 seconds in mountains at Giro d'Italia May 13, 2009
Italy's Danilo Di Luca won the fourth stage of the Giro d'Italia in an uphill finish Tuesday, while Lance Armstrong finished 15 seconds behind ... Italy's Danilo Di Luca won the fourth stage in an uphill sprint and Lovkvist of Team Columbia-High Road took the overall leader's pink jersey from Alessandro Petacchi. (Erie Times-News, PA)
Armstrong loses 15 seconds in mountains May 13, 2009
Italys Danilo Di Luca won the fourth stage in an uphill sprint Tuesday and Swedens Thomas Lovkvist of Team Columbia-High Road took the overall leaders pink jersey from Alessandro Petacchi. Lovkvist holds a two-second lead over Di Luca in the overall standings, while Armstrong dropped from fifth to sixth overall, 28 seconds behind Lovkvist. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Rogers closes on Giro lead May 13, 2009
Italy's rider Danilo Di Luca climbs during the 162 km fourth stage from Padova to San Martino di Castrozza of the Giro d'Italia ... Italy's Danilo Di Luca won the stage's uphill finish to climb into second place overall, two seconds behind new leader Thomas Lovkvist of Sweden ... Italy's rider Danilo Di Luca climbs during the 162 km fourth stage from Padova to San Martino di Castrozza of the Giro d'Italia. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Vande Velde out of Giro; Armstrong in 5th place May 12, 2009
Danilo Di Luca, the 2007 Giro winner, sits sixth overall, nine seconds behind Armstrong. Race favorite Ivan Basso is 24th, 40 seconds behind Armstrong. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- More)
Armstrong, now 5th, unsure what to expect next May 12, 2009
He looks pretty good, said 2007 Giro winner Danilo Di Luca, who is sixth overall. You shouldnt ever underestimate him. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Armstrong all right for an old man in Giro May 10, 2009
Italian overall favorites Ivan Basso, Damiano Cunego, Danilo Di Luca and Gilberto Simoni each lost time to Armstrong and Leipheimer. I know theyre behind us, but its a long race and those boys know what theyre doing, Armstrong said. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Armstrong plays down Giro chances May 9, 2009
" Team Columbia chief Bob Stapleton, whose squad has compiled an impressive slate of victories going in the Giro, told CNN in an exclusive interview that Armstrong would be hard-pushed to claim overall victory, but would ride strongly. Stapleton and a number of leading experts are predicting victory for home hope Ivan Basso, who has returned this season following a two-year doping ban after being implicated in the Spanish blood-doping scandal Operation Puerto. Leipheimer is also aware of the... (CNN -- International)
Armstrong rides but Basso is Giro favorite May 9, 2009
Other contenders include 2007 Giro winner Danilo Di Luca, last year's Tour de France winner Carlos Sastre and two-time Spanish Vuelta champion Denis Menchov. There is speculation that climbing specialists such as Cunego, Simoni and Di Luca could team up to beat Basso-Pellizotti and Leipheimer-Armstrong. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Armstrong the big draw May 8, 2009
" Leipheimer, who has won the Tour of California and the Tour of Castilla and Leon this season, is an experienced three-week Tour rider who finished second in last year's Tour of Spain and third in the Tour de France in 2007. In both of those he finished behind team-mate and reigning Giro champion Alberto Contador of Spain, who will not race in Italy this time as he is concentrating on the Tour de France. Instead Leipheimer will have former Giro winners Ivan Basso, Damiano Cunego, Danilo Di Luca... (iAfrica.com)
Armstrong says winning Giro not possible May 8, 2009
The other riders in the two gondolas were Carlos Sastre (one Tour de France win), Denis Menchov (two Vuelta wins), Gilberto Simoni (two Giro wins) and one-time Giro winners Ivan Basso, Damiano Cunego, Danilo Di Luca and Stefano Garzelli. "I think everyone understands these are the favorites here. Perhaps Levi is not here but he must be a favorite," Armstrong said. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Armstrong rules himself out of Giro contention May 6, 2009
The Sydney Morning Herald Sport: Australian and international sports news, results: AFL, Rugby League, Rugby Union, Golf, Athens Olympics, Soccer, Tennis, Cricket, Basketball, Motorsport, Horse Racing, Rugby Heaven Skip directly to. Cyclist Lance Armstrong gestures during a press conference in Rome. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Leipheimer, Armstrong take top 2 spots in Gila May 4, 2009
There is a long list of Italians who will also be vying for the Giro's pink jersey, he said, including former winners Ivan Basso and Danilo Di Luca and Franco Pellizotti. 2009 The Associated Press. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Sprint specialists favored for Milan-San Remo Mar 20, 2009
Petacchi will also be helped by a former Giro winner in Danilo Di Luca. "Alessandro is riding very strongly. The Tirreno-Adriatico confirmed that," Di Luca said. (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
Giro d'Italia winner skips drugs hearing Apr 1, 2008
Danilo Di Luca did not show up for a hearing before the Italian Olympic Committee that could result in a two-year ban and the loss of his Giro d'Italia title. Di Luca's lawyers said the rider was competing at the Settimana Lombarda race in northern Italy that began on Tuesday. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Italian cyclist Mazzoleni gets a two-year ban Jan 23, 2008
The 2007 Giro winner Danilo Di Luca was given a three-month ban in October for his involvement with Santuccione but has always denied doping. The Italian Cycling Federation must now decide whether to rubberstamp CONI's request for a ban on Mazzoleni. (International Herald Tribune -- Sports)
Top riders maybe banned from Italian races Jan 15, 2008
SI.com - More Sports - Doping scandal may oustTour champ, othersin Italy - Monday January 14, 2008 2:07PM. Top riders banned from Italian races. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- More)
2007 Tour champion might be banned Jan 15, 2008
$7 online stock trades. from Kaplan University. (MSNBC -- Sports)
End to yet another year clouded by doping scandals Dec 22, 2007
At the same time, Giro d'Italia champion Danilo Di Luca withdrew from the championships after the Italian Olympic Committee recommended he be banned for doping. That week, the UCI lost a court case and was forced to let Spanish rider Alejandro Valverde race even though they are convinced he is linked to Operation Puerto. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
