• Texan Armstrong puts in a gutsy time-trial display • Brave ride by Bradley Wiggins earns third place Richard Williams Monaco The aggression was there, but not the result to satisfy those who dreamed of seeing Lance Armstrong slip back into the yellow jersey on his return to the Tour de France. Cheered all the way round the 9.6 mile course of the opening stage in the 2009 Tour, the 37-year-old Texan nevertheless emerged from his four-year absence to set a time that only nine riders could beat, suggesting that although an eighth victory may be beyond his powers, a top-10 finish is on the cards. The short but demanding time-trial through the streets of Monaco, with four and a half miles of jolting climbs followed by descents at speeds of up to 50mph and a flat run-in, was won by Fabian Cancellara, a Swiss rider with the Saxo... [read full story]
