1.   Harrel, the first rider in the third group, watched intently as hired riders sifted through the herd, attempting to settle the cattle.

2.   If he did, the first rider would have to strap on a keyboard.

3.   The hounds -- they are never called dogs -- screeched to a stop in confusion just as the first riders pulled up.

4.   The first rider to reach the bottom wins.

5.   Theodorescu would have been the first rider to win three World Cup finals.

6.   Three years ago, he became the first bull rider with a residence east of the Mississippi to win a world title.

7.   To celebrate Bastille Day, Cedric Vasseur, the lone Frenchmen on the American team, was the first Postal rider to cross the finish line.

8.   Before the race, Igor Bonciucov became the first rider banned at these championships because of an elevated red blood cell count.

9.   Cipollini was bidding to become the first rider to claim consecutive stages this year.

10.   Hamburger was the first rider to test positive for EPO under a new system introduced by UCI in April.