Cyclists will have an opportunity to cycle alongside members of Team Columbia as part of Pedal to Pier, a fund-raising ride slated for Saturday, February 7, 2009.

Three hundred participants will be invited to a meet-and-greet coffee with the pros, join them on a scenic metric century or metric half-century ride through San Luis Obispo County, California, and enjoy lunch and a drawing afterward.

There will be several rest stops along the route and riders will be fully supported until 2 p.m. Each rider will also receive a T-shirt and goodie bag.

The $100 registration fee benefits San Luis Obispo Alpha Inc., which provides emotional and practical support for pregnant women, infants, and their families. The fee is tax-deductible.

For more information or to register, see the Team Columbia web site at www.highroadsports.com or www.active.com.

Stage 18 from Bourg-d’Oisans to Saint-Etienne led the tour out of the Alps, and with the crucial time trial expected to decide the race, the leaders were content with letting Marcus Burghardt and Carlos Barredo get away. Both attacking each other at times in the final kilometers, Burghardt timed his last attack perfectly to take the stage win.

Carlos Sastre remains in the Maillot Jaune, all other jerseys remain the same as well…

Stage 18 Results
1 Marcus Burghardt (Ger) Team Columbia - 4.30.21
2 Carlos Barredo Llamazales (Spa) Quick Step
3 Romain Feillu (Fra) Agritubel - 3.33
4 Christophe Le Mével (Fra) Crédit Agricole
5 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi - 3.35
6 Samuel Dumoulin (Fra) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone - 6.39
7 Cyril Dessel (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale
8 Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas
9 Leif Hoste (Bel) Silence - Lotto
10 Andy Schleck (Lux) Team CSC - Saxo Bank

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Mark Cavendish thought that 3 was not quite enough and sprinted to another stage win in Nimes to make it 4. It looked like the Team Columbia rider was not going to make the bunch sprint when he was blocked with 700m to go, but it was only momentary and Cavendish was able to make a clear sprint to the line to beat out Robbie McEwen, Romain Feillu, Heinrich Haussler, and Oscar Gomez.

Cadel Evans finished with the peloton and will remain in yellow once again.

Stage 13 Results
1 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team Columbia - 4.25.42
2 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Silence - Lotto
3 Romain Feillu (Fra) Agritubel
4 Heinrich Haussler (Ger) Gerolsteiner
5 Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Rabobank
6 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole
7 Leonardo Duque (Col) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone
8 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram
9 Julian Dean (NZl) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30
10 Sébastien Chavanel (Fra) Française des Jeux

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Mark Cavensish of Team Columbia sprinted to a win today in stage 12, adding to his stage win total of 3. Cavendish is the first ever Briton to do so and makes tour history for his accomplishment. Cadel Evans retails the yellow jersey, and the GC leader board remains the same. The stage started out with scandal though when Saunier Duval was informed just an hour before the stat that Riccardo Ricco was ousted following a positive doping control. His teammates and team then voluntarily abandoned the race as well.

Stage 12 Results
1 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team Columbia - 3.40.52
2 Sébastien Chavanel (Fra) Française des Jeux
3 Gert Steegmans (Bel) Quick Step
4 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram
5 Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Rabobank
6 Francesco Chicchi (Ita) Liquigas
7 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole
8 Leonardo Duque (Col) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone
9 Julian Dean (NZl) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30
10 Heinrich Haussler (Ger) Gerolsteiner

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