Jon Brand writes…

Cycling’s prima donnas add melodrama to Tour de France

Sprinters are professional cycling’s prima donnas – riders with egos as big as their bulging quadriceps. In a sport known for its soap opera headlines, these easily maligned riders have a special penchant for melodramatics, on and off the bike.

My story on sprinters — and the art of a sprint finish — ran today in The Christian Science Monitor. Just in time for Mark Cavendish (above) to take his second stage of this year’s Tour.

American cycling team fights doping, one Tour de France stage win at a time

In the post-Lance Armstrong era, Garmin-Cervélo is emerging as a new sort of American champion — one that can win at cycling’s marquee event without the cloud of doping doubts that has hovered over everyone from seven-time Tour de France victor Armstrong to this year’s favorite, Spaniard Alberto Contador.

My story about Jonathan Vaughters and his Garmin squad ran in The Christian Science Monitor earlier this week.

To read more of my coverage from this year’s Tour, follow me on Twitter.

In Texas, tea party adds a twist of social values

Tea partiers in Texas and a growing number of states are infusing the fiscal movement with a dose of social conservatism. My story on this phenomenon — and the ensuing struggle between libertarians and Christian conservatives for control of the tea party — appeared yesterday in The Christian Science Monitor.

Electric vehicle charging network grows in Austin

As the first substantial wave of electric vehicles hit Austin streets, the city’s electric utility is launching a $28 million federally backed initiative to build an infrastructure to support electric cars. The plan touches on everything from devising optimum in-home-charging practices to setting up charge points citywide. My story appeared today in The Christian Science Monitor.

Tour de France’s yellow jersey out of reach, riders battle for lesser awards

The Tour de France, which ends Sunday, offers $2.6 million in prizes. Beyond battling for the yellow jersey, racers can collect points (like in Super Mario Bros.) for smaller awards. 

My story on the green, polka dot and white jerseys ran in The Christian Science Monitor today. 

How are Tour de France towns picked? Incognito, apparently.

Jean-Louis Pagès (above), a former geography professor, spends nearly half the year on the road scouting future Tour de France towns. My story on his selection process appeared in today’s Christian Science Monitor. 

Why Tour de France fans will camp out for days to glimpse cyclists

My story on the atmosphere, the racing and the unleashed donkeys atop the Col d’Aubisque appeared in The Christian Science Monitor today.

How the Tour de France’s yellow jersey came to be yellow

My story on the history of the maillot jaune appeared today in The Christian Science Monitor. 

Locals love Tour de France, even without a French winner

If French soccer supporters were frustrated with their team’s performance at the most recent World Cup, one can only imagine what the country’s die-hard cycling fans think about their homegrown talent – or lack thereof – in the Tour de France. It’s been more than two decades since a Frenchman won the Tour.

My story on the plight of French cycling appeared in today’s Christian Science Monitor. 

Can Lance Armstrong keep his Teflon image?

As the Tour de France gets under way, defrocked 2006 winner Floyd Landis has put forward fresh, detailed doping allegations against Lance Armstrong. But Armstrong has become as famous for deflecting scandal as for leading the peloton. My story on Armstrong’s recent travails appeared in today’s Christian Science Monitor.