Valverde barred from World Championships ..

Yahoo Sport has confirmed that Alejandro Valverde (pictured) has been banned from this year's World Championships following his involvement in the Operation Puerta affair.

Meanwhile, another fallen champion's inclusion has created even more controversy, as Business Day uncovers the story of Erik Zabel's acceptance into a preliminary squad for the World Road Cycling Championships.

Astana announce comeback ..

The shamed Kazakhstan team Astana have announced that they will make their comeback at the Grand Prix de Plouay on September 2nd, the BBC report, with Andreas Kloeden (pictured) expected to resume the team captain's role.

Meanwhile, T-Mobile have released their Tour of Ireland roster, while also confirming this week that they will be sending a team to the Tour of Britain.

More German success ..

Gerald Ciolek won a group sprint to take Stage 7 of the Tour of Germany, and a second successive victory for his T-Mobile team.

Meanwhile, Australian Matthew White suffered head injuries after another collision with a dog. This follows two incidents in the Tour de France, involving Sandy Casar and Marcus Burghardt.

Remember to keep up with Isporty founder Chris Ward's Trans-Rockies Challenge as he and Bill Gilbert venture across Canada's unforgiving terrain.

Zabel ban heightens doping concern ..

Erik Zabel's snub from the forthcoming World Championships, as reported by the BBC, reminds us that in the calm after the Tour de France, the cycling of sport still has much repairing to be done.

Indeed, the bloggers at Cycling Fans Anonymous have thrown their support behind one of the internet's leading promoters of the sport, Wim van Rossum, who has become so disilluisioned he is hanging up his wheels.

On the road, Lopez Garcia wins the latest Stage of the Tour of Germany, (pictured).

Cunego clinches Tour win ..

Lampre rider Damiano Conego clinched Stage Four of the Tour of Germany in a mass sprint on the route into Sonthofen.

Home favourite Jens Voigt (pictured) remains at the head of the overall classification.

Meanwhile, following their removal from the Tour de France the Astana team have been banned from competing in the forthcoming Tour of Spain, as Yahoo reports.

Trans Rockies Blog ...

Follow Isporty founder Chris Ward and team-mate Bill Gilbert's daily blog following their participation in this years 7-day Trans Rockies mountain-bike race ...

Link: Trans Rockies blog

Free bikes from Red Ken ...

Cycling Plus covers the story of the free bike hire scheme having been impressed by Paris' execution of the initiative.

Tell us your thoughts about the bike-hire scheme. A great thing for London, or another white elephant? Follow this link.

CP also feature an extensive review of this year's Tour de France in their current issue - out now.

Tour of Britain line-up ...

Cycling Weekly previews the forthcoming Tour of Britain after the full list of teams was released this week.

Three British teams will compete with riders looking to emulate Martin Pedersen's success from last year (pictured).

European results round-up ...

Check the latest results from a busy weekend of cycling, courtesy of Bill Nicholson's isporty cycling forum posts, including David Millar's win in the postponed British Championships.

The other news dominating proceedings is the resignation of Rabobank chief Theo de Rooij.

Bertagnolli wins San Sebastian Classic ..

Leonardo Bertagnolli toasted Italian success in Saturday's San Sebastian Classic.

The 29-year-old, who rides for the Liquigas team, beat home favourite Juan Manuel Garate to land the title.

San Sebastian Classic preview ..

The Yahoo/EuroSport combo gives us a comprehensive preview for the 2007 San Sebastian Classic which takes place this Saturday.

A gruelling course that is widely respected throughout the cycling world; not least by former champions such as Lance Armstrong and Laurent Jalabert.

The Spanish will be out in force with Alejandro Valverde (pictured) nudging himself into the pre-race favourite's position.

Tour of Denmark - latest

Catch the latest action from Denmark where CSC's Matti Breschel (pictured) clinched the first Stage win by a home rider in five years.

The Michael Rasmussen debate still provides an awkward background to proceedings in Scandinavia.

For some of the latest Tour photos, click here

Stuttgart retains Tour of Germany Stage hosting ..

Stuttgart have agreed to host their Stage of the forthcoming Tour of Germany after gaining assurances over doping measures.

Yahoo Sport takes up the story as the fall-out from the Tour de France continues.

Meanwhile, Tour de France 3rd-placed cyclist Levi Leipheimer has been speaking about the Tour as Velogal's blog reports.

Cycling mourns sad loss ...

Professional cycling was today mourning the loss of Barloworld rider Ryan Cox, who died on Tuesday at the age of just 28.

Link: Velonews

(Pictured: Cox wins at Genting, in 2005)