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For the first time since 1990, Paris-Nice race, March 4-11, will climb the Col d'Eze above Nice for the final time trial when Miguel Indurain won the race. Race Director Christian Prudhomme says there will something for everyone in this year's race.

BOULDER, COLO. (Feb. 2, 2012) – The 2012 Superior Morgul Classic, the largest amateur race in Colorado, has teamed up with the USA Pro Cycling Challenge to help build stronger support of amateur racing with hopes of fostering the next level of professional riders. 

On May 18-20 the second-annual event will follow an omnium format featuring three events – time trial, criterium and road race. Staged along part of the route from the historic Coors Classic, the race provides amateur riders with the opportunity to get a taste of the cycling action that will hit Colorado when the pros race the USA Pro Cycling Challenge Aug. 20-26.

“When it comes to the Colorado endurance scene there’s no mistaking that cycling is on the rise,” said Lance Panigutti from Superior Morgul Classic. “Everywhere you turn, new high-profile events are popping up for amateurs and non-competitive cyclists. These events combined with the USA Pro Challenge are helping to re-establish Colorado as the cycling capitol of the U.S.”

Marcel Kittel claimed the first victory for Project 1t4i. The sprinter edged victory in the second stage of the French race Etoile des Besseges ahead of Belgian Kris Boeckmans and stage one winner Nacer Bouhanni.

The second stage was difficult due to severe winter weather that hit southern France. Snow and temperatures at the freezing point forced race organizers to cancel the first part of the route between Nîmes and Saint-Ambroix. The start was at Lusson and omitted 59 kilometers of the original 149km.

Marcel Kittel showed real strength in the sprint and left his opponents no chance in the last straight line. He won his first race after finishing second the previous day. The German is now the new leader in general classification.

Stage 2, Etoile des Besseges Nimes-Saint-Ambroix 59 km:

1.   Marcel Kittel (Ger) Project 1t4i
2.   Kris Boeckmans (Bel) Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
3.   Nacer Bouhanni (Fra) FDJ - Big Mat
4.   Daniele Colli (Ita) Team Type 1 - Sanofi
5.   Justin Jules (Fra) Veranda Rideau U
6.   Michael Van Staeyen (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator
7.   Jean-Pierre Drucker (Lux) Accent Jobs - Willems Veranda`s
8.   Sebastien Chavanel (Fra) Team Europcar
9.   Samuel Dumoulin (Fra) Cofidis Le Crédit en Ligne
10. Tom Van Asbroeck (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen - Mercator

BMC Racing Team On Two Continents Sunday

The BMC Racing Team opens its European racing campaign Sunday at the Trofeo Palma de Mallorca while also competing in the Middle East at the Tour of Qatar.

Evans Begins Season
Mallorca will mark the season debut of defending Tour de France champion Cadel Evans, who is scheduled to race two of the four days. "I'm not changing very much this season when it comes to my preparation," Evans said. "Of course, I always look to improve wherever possible. But after 16 years of doing it, the improvements may not be that great that I can make. But if there's any way we can improve, we will." The BMC Racing Team is taking 13 riders and can enter up to nine each day. "The first day is a sprinter's race, the second is more of a transitional, rolling course and the last two are very mountainous," BMC Racing Team Assistant Sports Director Michael Sayers said. "For the guys who will be doing the Volta ao Algarve, the last day will be a good one for them to test themselves."

Qatar Good Early Test
BMC Racing Team Directeur Sportif John Lelangue said the five-stage Tour of Qatar will be a good test for the team's classics squad. "We know we have a few guys who can make some good results," Lelangue said. "In the sprints we'll be counting on Adam Blythe, Thor Hushovd and Taylor Phinney." The race will be the BMC Racing Team debut for Belgian national road and time trial champion and 2011 world-ranked No. 1, Philippe Gilbert. "I like this race because it's put on by Eddy Merckx, meaning it's well organized," Gilbert said. "It's also good preparation for the wind and to get a good feeling of racing with my new teammates."

The Tribunal Arbital du Sport will announce its decision on Alberto Contador on February 6 at 2pm.  His Tour de France 2010 win is in jeopardy as well as his future.