Tour de France 99th edition kicks offJune 30, 2012 - 18:28 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The 99th edition of the Tour de France has started with Tom Veelers of the Netherlands rolling off the starter's ramp first in the 4-mile opening time trial, AP reports. Defending champion Cadel Evans of Australia will be the last to start on the route through the streets of Liege, Belgium. Four-time time trial world champion Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland goes off before Evans with the aim of repeating his 2004 triumph, when he won the prologue on a similar course in the same city. He has since won every Tour opening time trial on foreign soil, a run that includes wins in London (2007), Monaco (2009) and Rotterdam (2010). Evans' main challenger this year, Bradley Wiggins, is among the contenders for the stage win. Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015. Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents. “By Your Side”: IDBank's new support program for displaced Artsakh citizens IDBank is launching a long-term social support program for forcibly displaced Artsakh residents. The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. |