2010 Giro to start in Amsterdam, with first 3 stages in the Netherlands

September 20th, 2009 Valverde wins Spanish VueltaMADRID, Spain — Alejandro Valverde finally has a signature win. The 29-year-old Spaniard claimed the Spanish Vuelta on Sunday by being the most consistent rider during the 21-stage race that began Aug.

August 29th, 2009 Cancellara wins Vuelta's first stageASSEN, Netherlands — Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland has won the opening stage of the Spanish Vuelta, a 3-mile time trial on the Assen Moto GP circuit in Netherlands. The Olympic time trial champion clocked 5 minutes, 20 seconds on Saturday to edge Tom Boonen of Belgium by 9 seconds.

August 26th, 2009 Italian cyclist Di Luca faces doping hearingROME — Italian cyclist Danilo Di Luca denied he took a banned substance as he faced questions Wednesday from the Italian Olympic Committee's anti-doping prosecutor. The 33-year-old former Giro d'Italia winner arrived at the Stadio Olimpico flanked by two lawyers, who said after the one-hour session that there would be another hearing in a month to give the defense more time to prepare.

July 24th, 2009 Italian police search cyclist Di Luca's homeROME — Italian police have searched the home of 2007 Giro d'Italia winner Danilo Di Luca two days after he was provisionally banned from riding as part of an anti-doping probe. Officers from the Carabinieri paramilitary anti-doping unit said they were not authorized to give any details of Friday's search.

July 22nd, 2009 Di Luca suspended after positive doping testAIGLE, Switzerland — Cycling's governing body suspended former Giro d'Italia winner Danilo Di Luca on Wednesday after he tested positive for the banned blood-booster CERA. The International Cycling Union told the Italian rider he was provisionally banned until his national federation can have a disciplinary hearing.

July 21st, 2009 Armstrong finds new sponsor for AstanaBOURG-SAINT-MAURICE, France — Lance Armstrong says he's found a new American sponsor to back Astana next year. He won't say if he will stay with the team or start his own squad.

June 9th, 2009 LONDON - Pakistan scored 175 for five in 20 overs against the Netherlands in a Group B enounter of the World Twenty20 at Lord's here Tuesday. Brief scores: Pakistan 175/5 in 20 overs (Kamran Akmal 41, Younis Khan 36; Pieter Seelaar 2-36).

June 9th, 2009 LONDON - Pakistan captain Younis Khan won the toss and opted to bat against the Netherlands in a Group B match of the World Twenty20 at the Lord's here Tuesday.

June 5th, 2009 LONDON - Netherlands captain Jeroen Smits won the toss and opted to field against hosts England in the opening match of the World Twenty20 tournament at Lord's here Friday.

June 5th, 2009 LONDON - The Netherlands stunned hosts England with a thrilling four-wicket win in the World Twenty20 opener at Lord's here Friday. Put into bat first, England made 162 for five after Luke Wright top scored with 71 and Ravi Bopara 46.

June 5th, 2009 LONDON - The Netherlands shocked hosts England by four wickets in a thrilling opening match of the World Twenty20 at Lord's here Friday. Brief scores: England 162/5 in 20 overs (Luke Wright 71, Ravi Bopara 46; Ryan ten Doeschate 2/35).

June 1st, 2009 Armstrong concludes Giro in 12th placeROME — Lance Armstrong concluded a relatively quiet Giro d'Italia in 12th place overall Sunday, then jetted home to await the birth of his fourth child. The seven-time Tour de France winner eased off in the race's final stage, an individual time trial run through the ancient streets of Rome on uneven cobblestones made even more slippery by rain.

June 1st, 2009 Menchov turns attention to Tour after Giro winROME — Denis Menchov almost lost the Giro d'Italia within sight of the Colosseum that marked the finish after falling on the rain-slicked cobblestones of Rome with a little more than half a mile to go. The Russian got right back up and, on a spare bike provided by a team member, still finished the race with a 41-second lead over runner-up Danilo Di Luca.

May 30th, 2009 Menchov moves day closer to Giro victoryANAGNI, Italy — Denis Menchov of Russia moved a day closer to victory in the Giro d'Italia, keeping the leader's pink jersey with only one stage left in the cycling classic. Philippe Gilbert of Belgium finished in 4 hours, 30 minutes, 7 seconds over the 126-mile leg Saturday from Naples to Anagni.

May 29th, 2009 Armstrong falls during Giro, gets back on bikeMOUNT VESUVIUS, Italy — Lance Armstrong fell midway through the 19th stage of the Giro d'Italia on Friday but appeared to escape serious injury. The seven-time Tour de France winner apparently touched the wheel of the rider in front of him as the main pack went around a hairpin curve.