because I didn?t see too many others staying with LA in the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /?>
Pyrenees.

Having clinched the Green Points jersey ahead of Norweigan, Thor Hushovd, Aussie Robbie McEwen celebrated by signing a contract with the new Omega Pharma-Lotto team.  In the coming weeks, the team is also expected to sign fellow Aussie?s Nick Gates and Henk Vogels in a bid to support the former BMX rider.

Finally, this week, it?s hats off to probably one of the hardest working riders in the peloton ­ Cofidis? Stuart O?Grady.  Stuey came over the top of Paolo Bettini and Igor Astarloa over the weekend to win the HEW Classic in
Germany, as the World Cup resumed following the Giro and Tour.  ?It?s unbelievable,? he said.  "I really had no idea how the form was today. I just used the right tactics at the finish, since I knew Rebellin and the others were after the World Cup. I felt good at the finish and just got the perfect run."   The win was a first in the competition for
Australia since Phil Anderson?s 1983 victory in the Amstel Gold race.  Unable to hide his joy, O?Grady exclaimed that, "It's the biggest victory of my career...it's magic.?   After a great spring, a stage win in July and now the HEW classic, I probably wouldn?t bet too far away from a victory for ?Freckle? in Athens -­ remember, you heard it here first!

As always, you know which side to keep it.  Until next week, keep the emails coming in to me at ian@roadcycling.com. Also, be sure to take our reader survey if you visit Roadcycling.com on a regular basis. Thank you.

Ian