Video: Tom Boonen talks about his concussion and re-signing with Quick-Step

Oscar Gatto takes his first Grand Tour victory, ahead of Alberto Contador

Oscar Gatto launched a late attack to take his first Grand Tour victory, by holding off a chasing Alberto Contador on stage eight.

Gatto made his move as the race hit the final 700 metre climb, as the peloton began to slow. Contador quickly followed suit and began to close him down, but ran out of road and had to settle for second best. Gatto’s fellow Italian Alessandro Petacchi gained some important points for the sprint Jersey, as he crossed the line in third. The victory will help Farnese after they were snubbed for last year’s tour.

Wouter Weylandt: A career cut short

For Wouter Weylandt cycling was in the blood, hailing from Ghent in Belgium it was little surprise that he turned professional.

Weylandt showed early promise and at the age of 20, only his second year as an U23, by winning three world cups. Probably his toughest challenge that year was the Paris-Roubaix Espoir where he finished third, despite suffering two punctures. He was signed up in the same year as a stagiaire, by the Quick-Step Davitamon team.

2011 Tour de France Teams Named, Part Two

Here are the last few teams that will be trying their luck at the 2011 Tour de France and one who didn’t, but really should have.

Liquigas-Cannondale
Liquigas dominated the Grand Tours in 2010 by winning the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a Espana, but the Tour de France seemed to evade them. It is not clear if they are going to focus on the biggest of them all this year. With the likes of Ivan Basso and Vincenzo Nibali they could prove to be a strong challenge for Andy Schleck.