As we reach the end of the first week of an eventful Tour de France, Stephen Roche talks to Cyclosport.org's Holly Blades and takes a look back at the events of the past seven days, how the British contingent have performed and whether the General Classification contenders will be happy with their Tour so far.

The Laurent Desbiens Sportive - 28th August 2010
Choice of distances: 100 or 72 miles, starting and finishing at Armentières (84miles from Dover). It's a sportive on the roads of the Monts des Flandres (Flanders hills), well known by the lovers of the famous race 'Les 4 jours de Dunkerque' and Gand Wevelgem.
General and age-related classification and a huge Prize Draw at the end! And there's a second day of cycling with the famous champion Bernard Hinault who will be present during the weekend.

Beer, good food and music, it's all there!
We propose to all the participants to take the Week End Pass - it includes both Sportive “La Laurent Desbiens” on Saturday and the Excursion “La Route Des Monts” Road or MTB on Sunday.

Information, accommodation and offers available on the site, click here >>
Registrations online - click here >>

"I had been conscientiously, yet with a fairly absent mind Retweeted (that is an actual word) the regular Cyclosport competition Tweets, not really expecting to win. Cyclosport were generously giving away 3 entry tickets to Bike Radar live and the Cycling Plus Sportive. So, when that message came through it was a really nice surprise – the excitement and build up surrounding this event made it something that I would have been very disappointed to miss!" Mark Tearle reports for Cyclosport.org

HotChillee are pleased to announce a spectacular new three-stage Alpine Challenge event based on the same format as used in the famous multi-stage London to Paris, set in the lakeside town of Annecy, and surrounded by the French Alps and breathtaking scenery. This is your chance to spend five days in the Alps with three of those days spent riding a professionally organised route.

When he previewed this route six weeks ago, Howard Johnson had no idea that come the day of the sportive the Great British Summer would play quite such an integral part in the difficulty of the course. Seeringly hot sun made the climbs in the Bike Radar Cycling Plus Sportive feel even harder. Howard Johnson tells us how everyone coped.

A new cycling challenge is set to hit Wales this summer. The Brecons 100 is part of the Action Medical Research 100 Series of rides and takes place on Sunday 8 August, Cyclosport.org understands. The event is the charity’s first to take place in Wales and its fourth new ride of the season. It promises all the usual 100 Series ingredients for a great day in the saddle – two stunning routes, with great feed stations and full back-up support.

1987 Tour de France winner Stephen Roche gives Cyclosport.org's Holly Blades his views on the 2010 Tour de France route and who he thinks it will favour. “It's going to be one of the hardest tours for a long time and definitely one of the most interesting right from the word go." The Tour begins in Rotterdam on 3rd July and heads through the Alps and the Pyrenees before arriving in Paris on the Champs Elysee on the 25th July.

Cyclosport.org and Stephen Roche bring you a preview of every stage of the Tour de France 2010, starting with Week One which begins in Rotterdam on Saturday 3rd July and leads through to Tournus in the Burgundy region of France on Saturday 10th July. See Roche's thoughts on Stage 6, and his predictions for Stage 7.

"Sunday was Wyre Forest Stinger day so I enjoyed my usual routine of a sleepless night and an early start for the drive up to Stourport. The Long Suffering Wife got up early, cooked me a hearty breakfast, brewed up some espresso strength coffee, checked my bike and gave it a final polish and then wished me a lingering and fond farewell. Yeah right! I then woke up for real and was sent on my way with a grunt and a burying of the head under the duvet. Oh well such is the lot of the long distance sportive driver." - Andy247 reports for Cyclosport.org

This weekend sees the 2010 Abergavenny Festival of Cycling giving amateur and experienced riders alike the chance to follow in the footsteps of some of the biggest names in British cycling. The Iron Mountain Sportif takes in the 2009 National Championships course, including the fearsome climb up the Iron Mountain itself. Entrance to the Abergavenny Carnival is included in the Sportif fee so riders will be able to relax and enjoy themselves after their day in the saddle.

"Everyone knows about 1066, William the Conqueror, King Harold’s last words - “watch out, those arrows will have someone’s eye out!” - and the Battle of Hastings. Roll on 944 years, and the battle on Sunday was dehydration and wind, it was a battle of survival." Howard Johnson writes for Cyclosport.org

Riders from all countries battled the testing climbs of the Glandon, Galibier and Alpe d'Huez last weekend. It was hot, with temperatures reported to be up to 43C. Seemingly hotter than last year; the radiated heat from the stone walls on Alp d'Huez almost pushing riders off their bikes! Mark Harding at Cyclosport.org brings you all the results.

"In 2009 I rode La Marmotte, suffered like a dog in the heat, returned home feeling like I'd not performed to my potential, I was keen to return to finish in better shape. Fate dictated that of the riders that had been on the same trip, most did not fancy a European challenge in 2010 and one of our number suggested the Maratona dles Dolomites. It was agreed that 4 of us would give it a go and so the planning commenced." - Dave Lee reports for Cyclosport.org.

HotChillee will be staging five races at BikeRadar Live to be held at Brand’s Hatch in Kent on the weekend of 10th & 11th July.  Amongst these is The GoRace, aiming to give novice road racers and opportunity to test their skills on a fantastic, and World famous course. This is your chance to race on the iconic Brands Hatch Motor Race Circuit this Summer and be part of the largest outdoor cycling event in the UK.

This September, cycling fans across the UK will have the chance to "take part" in The Tour of Britain as The Prostate Cancer Charity aim to deliver a unique cycling experience for you to ride in the tyre tracks of the world’s best professionals. Howard Johnson rides a preview of the course, allowing the Charity Sportivers to see what they're letting themselves in for, and giving the Tour of Britain spectators an idea of what to expect from Stage 2 of the race.