Vandevelde wins as Contador shows form

Christian Vandevelde of the United States claimed Wednesday’s fourth stage of the Paris-Nice while Astana’s Alberto Contador showed just why he is the race favorite in the early season classic. Garmin’s Vandevelde pulled clear of a small breakaway group in the later stages of the 173.5 kilometer leg from Vichy to Saint Etienne and crossed the line 14 seconds clear of a chasing group containing Contador. The Spaniard had stretched his legs on a third category climb approaching the finish and quickly opened a significant gap over the other main contenders, He was reeled in by a small group on the descent, but made up time on home rider Sylvain Chavanel, who hung on to the overall race lead after his stage win of the previous day.

Turkey indicts 56 with coup plot

Prosecutors have issued an indictment for 56 suspects accused of membership in an alleged ultranationalist plot to overthrow the Turkish government, Turkey’s official news agency reported Tuesday. “You are the last nation that has the right to speak about civilians and killing civilians,” the five said in a response this month to the U.S. government’s war crimes charges.