Boonen wins 2nd stage of Tirreno-Adriatico (AP)
Former world champion Tom Boonen of Belgium won the second stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico race Thursday and Linus Gerdemann of Germany held onto the overall lead. Boonen, who rides for the Quickstep team, won a mass sprint, completing the 103-mile route in and around Montecatini Terme in 4 hours, 14 minutes, 13 seconds.

Polish brothers accused of doping in cyclo-cross (AP)
Polish brothers Pawel and Kacper Szczepaniak have been suspended after failing doping tests when finishing 1-2 in the under-23 Cyclo-cross World Championship race. The International Cycling Union said Thursday they tested positive for the banned hormone EPO in urine samples taken after the race Jan. 30 in Tabor, Czech Republic.

Contador cautious about Paris-Nice chances (Reuters)
One year after cracking in the penultimate stage of the Paris-Nice race, Alberto Contador was certainly not celebrating after winning Thursday's queen stage in the 'Race to the Sun'.

Boonen hits early season form with Tirreno stage win (Reuters)
Belgian Tom Boonen burned off his rivals in a sprint finish to claim the second stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico on Thursday ahead of German Paul Martens and Italian Daniele Bennati.

Contador wins 4th stage of Paris-Nice (AP)

Two-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador won the fourth stage of the Paris-Nice race and took the overall lead from Jens Voigt. The 107.6-mile stage Thursday from Maurs to Mende ended in a Category 1 climb. The Spaniard left the field behind with his trademark acceleration. He won in 4 hours, 26 minutes and 47 seconds.

Unstoppable Contador seizes lead in Paris-Nice (Reuters)
* Contador's attack in final climb leaves rivals behind

Polish cyclo-cross brothers fail drugs tests (Reuters)
Pawel and Kacper Szczepaniak, who won gold and silver in the under-23 cyclo-cross world championships, have tested positive for EPO, the International Cycling Union said on Thursday.

Boonen burns off rivals to win Tirreno second stage (Reuters)
Tom Boonen burned off his rivals with ease in a sprint finish to claim the second stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico on Thursday ahead of German Paul Martens and Italian Daniele Bennati.

Contador wins fourth stage, takes lead in Paris-Nice (Reuters)
Spaniard Alberto Contador won the 173.5-km fourth stage of the Paris-Nice race from Maurs to Mende to take the overall lead on Thursday.

Voigt keen to enjoy one last ride towards Champs Elysees (Reuters)
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