Dear Readers,

Welcome to this week's edition of The Prologue, the weekly summary of news from the world of competitive cycling by your friends at VeloNews.com.

It's a big week in cycling, with the season's final grand tour in full swing and the inaugural edition of the Tour of Missouri now underway.

In the Vuelta a Espana, 2005 winner Denis Menchov (Rabobank) seems on track to win this year's race well before he rides into Madrid on the 23 of this month. On Monday, the Russian, who won the Spanish Tour two years ago only after the apparent winner tested positive for EPO, handily controlled his main rivals in the "Queen Stage" of this Vuelta, confirming his dominance of the three-week race. [More]

Indeed, Menchov's rivals were left only to complain about a possible alliance with riders like Leonardo Piepoli, who finished with Menchov the day before. CSC's Carlos Sastre (left) - now in fourth at 3:02 - says he won't give up easily and promises to attack when the Vuelta moves back to the mountains this weekend. Piepoli, meanwhile won't be there to aid in any possible conspiracy, as the Italian Saunier Duval climber left the Vuelta early Thursday to be with his wife after she encountered difficulties during the birth of their son on Wednesday.

Here in the U.S., the first edition of the Tour of Missouri is underway, with the Discovery team dominating the competition in what is billed as the squad's final appearance in this country before it closes up shop at the end of the season. George Hincapie - slated to join T-Mobile next year - joined a decisive break on Wednesday's second stage and finished in front of a dozen men who crossed the line more than 14 minutes ahead of the rest of the field. [More]

Hincapie (right) further solidified his hold on the leader's jersey by finishing sixth in Thursday's time trial, which was won by teammate Levi Leipheimer. Hincapie finished well off of Leipheimer's blazing pace of 39:37 over the 18-mile course, but turned in a time more than a minute better than any of the men who joined him on Wednesday's escape. [More]

It appears now that the only questions remaining to be answered in Missouri are who will win the remaining stages and where Leipheimer intends to go next season. The stage results we'll know soon enough, but Leipheimer still isn't talking about his plans for '08. Stay tuned.

Of course, you can tune in throughout both races for Live Updates from Spain and minute-by-minute coverage of events in Missouri. Like I said, there's a lot happening this week, so be sure to check in every day for more news on VeloNews.com.

Have a good week and be safe out there,

Charles Pelkey
Editor - VeloNews.com
CPelkey@insideinc.com