...the Spaniard recovered more than a minute on his runner-up at the last two Tours, Andy Schleck of Luxembourg, a top climber who almost inexplicably didn't keep up on the relatively easy final ascent.Schleck conceded he was "disappointed...

...Jalabert, ranked No. 1 on the basis of victories and high placings - even in smaller races - and Richard Virenque, the top climber of last year's Tour and third overall. Others top contenders include Yevgeny Berzin of Russia, who beat Indurain...

...to defend it but I don't know how well I can do." Carlos Sastre, the 2008 Tour champion and one of the world's top climbers, clearly is on the radar screen of both Armstrong and Astana teammate and rival Alberto Contador. The 37-year-old...

...according to Vinny McClelland, the manager. The Mountaineer sponsors an annual ice-climbing festival that brings some top climbers to dig their crampons into the ice on Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain, Chapel Pond Slabs, Pitchoff Mountain and Roaring...