89th Tour de France - Grand Tour

France, July 6-28, 2002

Previous Tour photos - Previews, medical check, teams, Prologue to stage 9
Stage 10 - Wednesday July 17: Bazas - Pau, 147 km
Stage 11 - Thursday July 18: Pau - La Mongie, 158 km
Stage 12 - Friday July 19: Lannenezan - Plateau de Beille, 199.5 km
Stage 13 - Saturday July 20: Lavelanet - Béziers, 171 km
Stage 14 - Sunday July 21: Lodève - Mont Ventoux, 221 km
The Cyclingnews team hard at work
Stage 15 - Tuesday July 23: Vaison-le-Romaine - Les deux Alpes, 226.5 km
Stage 16 - Wednesday July 24: Les Deux Alpes - La Plagne, 179.5 km
Stage 17 - Thursday July 25: Aime - Cluses, 142 km
Stage 18 - Friday July 26: Cluses - Bourg-en-Bresse, 176.5 km
Stage 19 - Saturday July 27: Regnie-Durette-Macon, Individual TT, 50 km
Stage 20 - Sunday July 28: Melun -Paris-Champs-Elysées, 140 km

Stage 20 - Sunday July 28: Melun -Paris-Champs-Elysées, 140 km

Photos by AFP

• Lance Armstrong (USPS) shakes hands with the Tour's blackboard timekeeper, Michel Bationo from Burkina Faso.
• The peloton ride up towards the Arc de Triomphe during the final stage of the Tour de France.
• Lance Armstrong and Laurent Jalabert (CSC) ride past the Genie de la Bastille on the final stage
• Lance Armstrong rides past a US flag near the Arc de Triomphe during the last stage
• Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Adecco) wins the final stage on the Champs Elysees.
• Robbie McEwen kisses his wife Angelique after winning the final stage and the green jersey.
• Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong celebrates as he makes an honour lap of the Champs Elysees
• Lance Armstrong and his director Johan Bruyneel ride down the Champs Elysees on their victory lap
• Floyd Landis (USPS) pops a wheelie on the victory lap of the Champs Elysees.
• The classification winners (L to R): Laurent Jalabert (CSC, mountains), Lance Armstrong (USPS, overall), Robbie McEwen (Lotto, points), Ivan Basso (Fassa Bortolo, young rider)

Photos by Chris Henry, Cyclingnews.com correspondent

• Just gimme the bottle! - George Hincapie (US Postal Service) takes with a bottle of bubbly
• White knight - Ivan Basso (Fassa Bortolo) salutes the crowd as the overall winner of the young rider classification
• Merci Jaja - Laurent Jalabert (CSC-Tiscali) is honoured by the Look bicycle company with a polka-dot bike
• The boys from ONCE-Eroski ride down the Champs-Elysées in recognition of their victory in the teams classification
• The Lotto-Adecco boys roll around for their victory lap, led by overall winner of the green jersey and double-stage winner Robbie McEwen
• Ummm Lance... I think we got our flags mixed up. Andrea Tafi (Mapei-Quick Step) appears to have been given the wrong flag by someone
• Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (ONCE-Eroski) appears satisfied with his 5th place overall and a handful of lions after holding the yellow jersey during the earlier parts of the Tour

Photos by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Every rider in the Tour wants to ride this patch of road.
• The peloton leans into the corner on the cobblestones of the Champs-Elysées.
• Robbie McEwen only just beat fellow Australian Baden Cook for the stage 20 win.
• The lion, the flowers and the Maillot Jaune.
• The winner not only gets a stuffed lion, but also receives a small child.
• The top 3 riders overall look relieved to have finished.
• Classification winners Jalabert (mountains, most combative), Armstrong (overall), McEwen (sprint)and Basso (young rider).
• Winner of the Teams classification, ONCE-Eroski.

Stage 19 - Saturday July 27: Regnie-Durette-Macon, Individual TT, 50 km

Photographer Jeff Tse appears to have been hiding in the bushes lately; here's a hedge-eye view of the TT

• Viatcheslav Ekimov (US Postal Service) back to his old self
• The faithful lieutenant, George Hincapie (US Postal Service) drives along
• Stuart O'Grady (Credit Agricole) almost back to his best, coming into form late in the Tour
• Laurent Jalabert (CSC-Tiscali) produces a solid, but not stunning ride
• David Millar (Cofidis) riding the TT of his life, eventually placing 4th
• Tyler Hamilton (CSC-Tiscali) rides strongly, placing 11th
• Levi Leipheimer (Rabobank) rides a solid TT for a well-deserved spot in the top ten on GC
• Raimondas Rumsas (Lampre Daikin) blitzed the TT, eventually placing 2nd and securing his spot on the final podium
• Numero uno Lance Armstrong (USPS) pounds away at a slightly lower cadence than usual to cap off another stage win and a fourth consecutive Tour

Photos by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Lance Armstrong (USPS) powers along during the time trial
• Lance Armstrong (USPS) raises his arms on the podium
• Lance Armstrong (USPS) on the podium after winning his fourth stage
• Raimondas Rumsas (Lampre) - before his handlebars came loose.
• Joseba Beloki (ONCE) lost time to Rumsas, but not enough to lose his second place on GC
• Laszlo Bodrogi (Mapei) finished brilliantly to record a third placing
• David Millar (Cofidis) on course for a fourth fastest time
• Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (ONCE) had a solid time trial and advanced to 5th on GC
• Jose Azevedo (ONCE) lost his 5th spot on GC to his teammate Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano
• Serguei Gontchar (Fassa Bortolo) was quick early on, but faded to finish 6th
• Santiago Botero (Kelme) couldn't find his winning rhythm today, and finished 8th.
• Ivan Basso (Fassa Bortolo), the best young rider at the Tour this year
• Francisco Mancebo (iBanesto.com) did not lose too much time, and kept his 7th place on GC
• Laurent Jalabert (CSC-Tiscali), his last appearance in a Tour de France time trial
• Lance Armstrong signs autographs after the stage
• Lance Armstrong speaks at the post race press conference
• Paul Sherwen (L) interprets from French/English for Lance Armstrong at the post race press conference

Photos by AFP

• Lance Armstrong (USPS) rides along in the time trial, followed by his team car and several media motorbikes
• Lance Armstrong (USPS) motors along in his aero tuck
• Victor Hugo Pena (USPS) had a good ride to finish 10th
• Raimondas Rumsas (Lampre) rode very well, despite mechanical problems, to finish second

Stage 18 - Friday July 26: Cluses - Bourg-en-Bresse, 176.5 km

Photos by Russell Standring

• Robbie McEwen certainly looks every bit the pocket rocket from down under
• Fabio Baldato looks like he's forgotten what he wanted to say before the depart
• Lotto's Mario Aerts before the start in Cluses
• US Postal driver George Hincapie happy to sign autographs
• Wearer of the best young rider jersey, Ivan Basso confidently wears the white tunic
• Whether it's on or off the bike, Lance Armstrong is surrounded by the media
• The riders leave the town of Cluses

Photos by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• The sprint was close, but Thor Hushovd (CA, R) got it from Christophe Mengin (FDJ, L)
• Thor Hushovd beats Christophe Mengin (FDJ) in the sprint
• Thor Hushovd raises his arms in triumph
• Thor Hushovd celebrates his win after crossing the line
• Thor Hushovd a Viking triumph at the Tour.
• The sprint for 11th place
• Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Adecco) wins the sprint for 11th in front of Erik Zabel (CR), Stuart O'Grady (L) and Jan Svorada (R).
• Thor Hushovd on the podium after his win
• Thor Hushovd smiles on the podium
• Lance Armstrong (USPS) waves from the podium - only two more stages to go
• Lance Armstrong adds to his Credit Lyonnais Lion collection.
• Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Adecco) on the podium as the wearer of the Maillot Vert
• Tour director Jean-Marie Leblanc making sure everthing is running like clockwork.
• Can we go now? One of the hardest things is the wait for the start.
• More than 150 cyclists prepare to leave Cluses
• Lance flexes his forearm for the media. No fat here boys!
• Armstrong signs an autograph for a young fan.
• Beloki and Galdeano find some comfort in the team car
• Beloki tries to impress Basso with his John Howard impression.
• McEwen really likes the colour green.
• Eric Zabel, only one point behind McEwen and really wanting that green jersey.
• McEwen is still in the green, but Zabel is only one point behind.
• Raimondas Rumsas looks good for a podium place at the end of Le Tour.
• Alguno del contingente español
• Tyler Hamilton gets ready to head off for a quick 176km ride.
• Igor and Beloki trying to get a pay rise out of the boss
• Igor wonders how he will explain the cleat marks in the team car's upholstery.
• Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano flashes some carbon fiber at the reporters.
• Dario Frigo waves to the great unwashed.
• One of the most laid back riders of the tour, Floyd Landis.
• Floyd signs the cap of a young fan. A potential 2026 TdF winner perhaps?
• Floyd practising for his next job as a US Postal bike courier.
• And now I must leave, as the boss requires my services. Floyd clips in.

Photos by Chris Henry/Cyclingnews

• Nicki Sørensen managed both a KOM and a 6th place. Not too shabby really.
• A tired Thor Hushovd crosses the line in first place.
• Rumsas is pretty in pink. A very pright pink too.
• Jakob Storm Piil stormed home to take 3rd place.

Photos by AFP

• The peloton cruise by spectators during the 18th stage of the Tour de France
• The peloton snake around a corner during stage 18
• Lance Armstrong (USPS) chats on the Batphone during stage 18, while rivals Beloki and Gonzalez de Galdeano ride behind
• Laurent Jalabert (CSC-Tiscali) was effectively crowned King of the Mountains during today's stage. All he has to do is finish the race.
• Erik Dekker (Rabobank) deciding whether his sunglasses will make him go slower or faster.
• Thor Hushovd (CA), Christophe Mengin (FDJ.com) and Jakob Piil (CSC) comprised the final breakaway.

Stage 17 - Thursday July 25: Aime - Cluses, 142 km

Photos by Russell Standring

• The view from the penultimate climb of the Col des Aravis with 3km to go
• The early break containing Dario Frigo, Mario Aerts and Guiseppe Guerini make their way up the Col des Aravis
• Lance Armstrong sits behind the US Postal train on the Aravis, with the ONCE boys as passengers
• French hero Laurent Jalabert on the Col des Aravis
• The chase group led by Thor Hushovd
• It's important to look where you're going, no matter how steep

Photos by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Lance Armstrong (USPS) looking happier as the race approaches Paris
• Andrea Tafi and Lance Armstrong share a joke at the start
• USPS teammates Floyd Landis and Lance Armstrong before the start of stage 17
• The US Postal team bus
• Laurent Jalabert (CSC) at the start
• Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (ONCE) at the start
• The other side of Joseba Beloki
• Joseba Beloki adding to his stuffed lion collection. ONCE have been leading the teams classification for most of the Tour.
• Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) presented with his Coeur de Lion award as the Most Combative Rider of Stage 16. Stephen Roche and Bernard Hinault are also present.
• Axel Merckx (Domo) signs autographs at the start
• Stuart O'Grady (CA) rolls up for the start
• David Etxebarria (Euskaltel) signs autographs at the start
• Dario Frigo (Tacconi) puts his arms in the air as he wins the 17th stage into Cluses
• Dario Frigo (Tacconi) celebrates his win, as Aerts and Guerini have nothing left
• Dario Frigo (Tacconi) celebrates his triumph
• Dario Frigo (Tacconi) beats Mario Aerts (Lotto) for the 17th stage
• Dario Frigo (Tacconi) crosses the line in front of Mario Aerts (Lotto)
• Dario Frigo (Tacconi) just after the finish
• The sprint for 13th - Laurent Brochard (Jean Delatour) gets it
• Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) finishes in the Armstrong group today.
• Lance Armstrong (USPS) finishes in front of Ivan Basso (Fassa Bortolo)
• Dario Frigo (Tacconi) with his flowers
• Dario Frigo (Tacconi) raises his arms on the podium
• Lance Armstrong on the podium after stage 17. No, that's not PGGB in the background...
• Lance Armstrong on the podium after stage 17.
• Ivan Basso (Fassa Bortolo) heads for the podium as the Best Young Rider in the Tour.

Photos by AFP

• Lance Armstrong (USPS) chats with Erik Zabel (Telekom) before stage 17
• The peloton rides between Aime and Cluses during the 17th stage
• The peloton descends during stage 17 from Aime to Cluses
• Lance Armstrong and Laurent Jalabert climbing during stage 17
• Lance Armstrong leads Joseba Beloki, Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano and Raimondas Rumsas during the 17th stage of the Tour de France
• Dario Frigo (Tacconi), Mario Aerts (Lotto) and Guiseppe Guerini (Telekom) comprised the day's main breakaway
• Santiago Botero (Kelme) produced a brilliant late burst to move up 3 places on GC.

Photos by Jean-Francois Quenet

• Baden Cooke (FDJeux.com) relaxes in the village at the start
• Brad McGee (FDJeux.com) and his mother Carol McGee, who with her husband John are on their first trip to Europe.

Stage 16 - Wednesday July 24: Les Deux Alpes - La Plagne, 179.5 km

Photos by Russell Standring

• Breathtaking - the view from the Col du Galibier to the Col du Lautaret
• Lance Armstrong rides behind the US Postal train on the Col de la Madeleine
• Marcos Serrano rides with Laurent Jalabert and Axel Merckx on the Madeleine
• Sprinters unite - Robert Hunter and Stuart O'Grady ride together on the Col de la Madeleine
• Evil eye - Michael Boogerd rides alone on the Col de la Madeleine
• Doin' it tough - Green jersey Robbie McEwen rides alone on the Madeleine
• Laurent Dufaux on the Madeleine shortly before he retired

Photos by Jeff Tse

• Lance Armstrong (US Postal Service) dances away from the group containing Beloki and Rumsas up to the mountain-top finish of La Plagne
• Lance Armstrong (US Postal Service) in total concentration, in the knowledge that he was taking time out of his two main rivals
• Tyler Hamilton (CSC-Tiscali) limits his losses on the unrelenting climb

Photos by AFP

• Lance Armstrong (USPS) chats with UCI president Hein Verbruggen (R), IOC president Jacques Rogge (CR) and ASO president Patrice Clerc (CR) before the start of stage 16
• The peloton rides up the Col du Galibier at the start of stage 16
• Emmanuel Magnien (Bonjour) using a very conventional descending style
• Stuart O'Grady (CA) was on the hunt for sprint points during stage 16
• Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) suffers during his long solo effort to win stage 16 of the Tour
• Lance Armstrong (USPS) rides in the company of Joseba Beloki (ONCE), Ivan Basso (Fassa Bortolo) and others during the 16th stage of the Tour.
• It's time. Lance Armstrong decides to leave the group of top GC riders in pursuit of Carlos Sastre and Michael Boogerd
• Lance Armstrong (USPS) creates the gap to Beloki and co.
• Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) crosses the finish line to win stage 16
• Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) blows a kiss to the crowd as he wins the stage
• Michael Boogerd gets a hug from his soon to be mother-in-law after winning stage 16 on La Plagne

Photos by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Ivan Basso and Laurent Jalabert await the starters gun.
• José Luis Rubiera Vigil leads USPS team leader Lance Armstrong up the climb.
• As is now the norm, Lance Armstrong psyches himself up prior to his breakaway.
• Lance Armstrong adds another lion to his collection.
• Today, vee vill ride up zat mountain. Zen up zee ozzer vun.
• Armstrong, Beloki and Heras power their way up the Col.
• Mr Serious, Lance Armstrong, with his inevitable attack.
• Armstrong attacks on the climb to La Plagne.
• Beautiful innit? Pity the riders don't get much of a chance to enjoy the scenery.
• Like a petrified tsunami, the Alps tower over the peloton.
• The peloton makes it's way up the first climb of the day.
• The TdF formation riding team flaunt their moves.
• Could the scenery be any prettier?
• Michael Boogerd punching the air as he wins stage 16.
• Michael Boogerd looking pretty chuffed.
• Boogie on the go.
• Armstrong, Beloki and Rumas all hurting on the Col.
• Beloki and Rumas look happy to have finally finished.
• Armstrong and Sastre cross the line.

Photos by Chris Henry/Cyclingnews

• Iban Mayo gets a helping hand.
• Its a long way to the top of Galibier.
• The memorial to Henri Desgrange, creator of the Tour de France, who died in 1940.
• A very tired Chechu Rubiera after pulling Armstrong up into La Plagne.
• Ivan Basso warms up.
• A few members of the FDJeux.com team get a lift from a USPS vehicle.

Stage 15 - Tuesday July 23: Vaison-le-Romaine - Les deux Alpes, 226.5 km

Photos by Russell Standring

• Stage winner Santiago Botero (Kelme-Costa Blanca) rides alone at the head of the race
• Axel Merckx (Domo-Farm Frites) chases Botero, with Mario Aerts only a few metres behind
• Cofidis rider David Moncoutié rides strongly, placing 18th on the stage
• Lance Armstrong rides comfortably on his way to Les Deux Alpes
• Lucky last - the final rider to finish, French cyclist Jimmy Casper (FDJeux.com)

Photos by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Santiago Botero (Kelme) on his way to winning the 15th stage
• Santiago Botero raises his arms after crossing the line
• Mario Aerts (Lotto-Adecco) on his way to second place
• Mario Aerts finished a creditable second on the stage
• Axel Merckx (Domo-Farm Frites) struggles torwards the finish
• Axel Merckx crosses in third place
• Jose Vicente Garcia Acosta (iBanesto.com) survived the onslaught of the peloton to finish 5th
• Raimondas Rumsas (Lampre) leads Ivan Basso in the final portion of the stage
• Joseba Beloki (ONCE) goes on the attack in the last 500m
• Lance Armstrong reacts to Beloki's attack
• Lance Armstrong goes after Beloki
• Lance Armstrong winds it up, with Rumsas on his wheel
• A rear shot of Armstrong and Rumsas chasing Beloki, who has just caught Heras and Mancebo.
• Raimondas Rumsas (Lampre) wins the sprint for 7th place
• Francisco Mancebo (iBanesto) and Roberto Heras (US Postal) were 10th and 11th respectively
• Ivan Basso (Fassa Bortolo) and Levi Leipheimer (Rabobank) on their way to the finish
• Dariusz Baranowski (iBanesto) leads Tyler Hamilton (CSC-Tiscali)
• Ivan Gotti (Alessio) finished 28th today
• Santiago Botero (Kelme) smiles on the podium with his win
• Lance Armstrong (USPS) on the podium after stage 15
• Ivan Basso (Fassa Bortolo) on the podium as Best Young Rider

Photos by AFP

• The peloton during the 15th stage between Vaison la Romaine and Les Deux Alpes
• Lance Armstrong rides in the peloton during the 15th stage between Vaison la Romaine and Les Deux Alpes
• Christophe Moreau (CA) crashed on the first descent and had to abandon
• Santi Botero (Kelme) goes on the attack, leaving Axel Merckx on the Les Deux Alpes climb
• Santi Botero in pursuit of his second stage win
• A delighted Santi Botero made the most out of his victory celebrations
• Santi Botero thanks someone up there for his win
• Santi Botero salutes as he gets his second stage win on Les Deux Alpes
• Lance Armstrong (USPS) edging closer to his fourth straight TDF win

The Cyclingnews team in France

Photos by Chris Henry/Cyclingnews

Ever wondered what the faces behind the words and pictures looked like? Well wonder no more, as here are the mugshots of some of our European contingent.

• Jeff Jones, decked out in the latest Cyclingnews combat gear.
• Chris Henry, doing it tough in France. We feel for you.
• When in France, we choose to drive... a really fast car! The Cyclingnews-mobile.

Stage 14 - Sunday July 21: Lodève - Mont Ventoux, 221 km

Photos by AFP

• The US Postal team control the peloton during the 14th stage
• Joseba Beloki and Lance Armstrong ride next to each other on Mont Ventoux
• Lance Armstrong (USPS) rides up Mont Ventoux's moonscape
• Lance Armstrong (USPS) goes for it on Mont Ventoux
• Richard Virenque (Domo-Farm Frites) approaches the summit of Mont Ventoux
• Lance Armstrong (USPS) crosses the line in third place
• Richard Virenque (Domo-Farm Frites) salutes the crowd as he wins the 14th stage atop Mont Ventoux, with a Flemish flag in the background.
• Lance Armstrong in the Maillot Jaune on the podium on top of the world

Photos by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Richard Virenque (Domo) fights his way up Mont Ventoux towards the finish
• Richard Virenque (Domo) with less than 400m to go
• Richard Virenque (Domo) wins the stage on Mont Ventoux
• Lance Armstrong (USPS) rides up Mont Ventoux in pursuit of Virenque and Botcharov
• Alexandre Botcharov (Ag2r) managed to hold off Armstrong to finish 2nd
• Lance Armstrong (USPS) crosses the finish line on Mont Ventoux
• A fighting ride by Marco Serpellini (Lampre) saw him in 4th spot
• Raimondas Rumsas (Lampre) moved himself into a GC podium spot by finishing 5th today
• Ivan Basso (Fassa Bortolo) finished 6th, an excellent performance from this talented rider
• Joseba Beloki (ONCE) battled to finish 8th
• Dariusz Baranowski (iBanesto) survived to finish 9th
• Ivan Gotti (Alessio) ended in 10th place
• Levi Leipheimer (Rabobank) was again consistent, finishing 11th
• Richard Virenque (Domo) on the podium on top of the world

Stage 13 - Saturday July 20: Lavelanet - Béziers, 171 km

Photos by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• The peloton at the start in Lavelanet
• The peloton roll out of Lavelanet for the start of stage 13
• David Millar (Cofidis) wins the 13th stage in front of David Etxebarria (Euskaltel)
• David Millar puts his arms up as he wins
• David Millar salutes, as the others bow their heads in exhaustion
• David Millar wins stage 13
• Miguel Martinez (Mapei) finishes in 8th spot
• Baden Cooke (FDJeux.com) takes the sprint for 12th in front of Robbie McEwen and Erik Zabel
• Erik Zabel after finishing the stage just behind McEwen
• David Millar interviewed after the stage
• Miguel Martinez interviewed after the finish
• Jean Delatour riders cool down after a very hot stage
• David Millar smiles on the podium with his victory
• Lance Armstrong (USPS) maintained Le Maillot Jaune after stage 13
• Ivan Basso (Fassa Bortolo) kept his young rider's jersey
• Laurent Jalabert (CSC-Tiscali) increased his lead in the mountains competition
• Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Adecco), back in the green jersey - just.

Photos by Chris Henry/Cyclingnews

• Some very tired riders in need of a very comfy bed.
• David Millar and Bobby Julich share a joke at the end of the race.
• David Millar surprised a few with his stage 13 win.
• David Latasa comments on today's stage.
• Danilo Hondo looking like a well oiled machine.
• Laurent Brochard managed an impressive 4th place in stage 13.
• Santiago Botero prior to the start of stage 13.

Stage 12 - Friday July 19: Lannenezan - Plateau de Beille, 199.5 km

Photos by AFP

• Lance Armstrong (USPS) rides in the peloton during stage 12
• Richard Virenque (L), Laurent Jalabert (R) and Patrice Halgand (C) fight it out for mountain points early in the stage
• Laurent Jalabert (CSC-Tiscali) looks skyward during Stage 12
• Lance Armstrong puts the pressure on Joseba Beloki (ONCE) on the Plateau de Beille
• Santiago Botero (Kelme) leads Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (ONCE) on the Plateau de Beille during stage 12
• Lance Armstrong wins the 12th stage atop the Plateau de Beille
• Lance Armstrong in yellow for the second day in a row
• Laurent Jalabert back in the polka dot jersey after stage 12

Photos by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Lance Armstrong signs autographs before stage 12
• Lance Armstrong after the sign on for stage 12
• Joseba Beloki (ONCE) collects another lion for being part of the leading team on GC
• Erik Zabel (Telekom) will not give up green without a fight
• Fassa Bortolo team manager Giancarlo Feretti and young gun Ivan Basso, currently best young rider.
• Patrice Halgand (Jean Delatour), wearer of the mountains jersey
• Floyd Landis (USPS), relaxed and smiling as always
• Laurent Jalabert (CSC-Tiscali), popular as ever and signing autographs in Lannemezan at the start
• Stuart O'Grady (CA) after signing on
• Andrea Tafi (Mapei) obliges with an autograph or two
• Richard Virenque made a brief visit to the village depart in Lannemezan
• Part of the exhibition in the village depart
• Food aplenty in the village (and tasty too)
• Lance Armstrong gets down to some wikkid beatz while waiting for the start.
• Lance looks good in yellow don't you think?
• Kazakhstan's Andrei Kivilev opted for the open jersey look, with good reason.
• JaJa signs for the fans.
• Gotti and Basso making a bet on who will finish first perhaps?
• Cyclingnews diarist Floyd Landis checks that he didn't forget anything.
• Where the devil did they come from?
• Dos españoles aptos, Beloki and Sevilla prior to the start.
• Beloki and Heras duke it out for second.
• Beloki meets a young fan.
• A few bobs worth of bikes. The USPS mountain collection.
• Where's Wally? Stage 12 about to begin.
• Carlos Sastre shook off Moreau's blows to finish a respectable 7th.
• You put your right foot in, you put your right foot out. Rumsas mounts up.
• And just a pinch of oregano before you serve.
• Raimondas Rumsas heading up towards the finish.
• Oscar Sevilla powering up the last climb of stage 12.
• Moreau and Mancebo looking forward to the finish of stage 12.
• David Millar signs his life away.
• Eddy's little boy Axel Merckx looking strong.
• Floyd Landis and Levi Leipheimer having a chat.
• Cool, calm, collected. Levi Leipheimer

Photos by Chris Henry/Cyclingnews.com

• Richard Virenque sits, sweats and speaks to the media.
• Reporters get the run down from Miguel Martinez
• I think we parked in Lvl 3 green didn't we? Parking at Tour Central is a nightmare.
• Robbie McEwen still sits just one point behind Zabel for the green.
• Levi Leipheimer taking a well earned rest.
• I remember the days when I used helicopters to get to and from races
• Roberto Heras Hernandez speaking to reporters.

Stage 11 - Thursday July 18: Pau - La Mongie, 158 km

Photos by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• A lone rider climbs the Col d'Aubisque
• Spectators wait for the riders on the Col d'Aubisque
• The road winds through green fields on the lower reaches of the Col d'Aubisque
• Near the top of the Col d'Aubisque, way above the treeline
• The Col d'Aubisque is in the Pyrenean homeland of a certain orange team as this graffito shows
• Very big country
• Big, spiky mountains
• More big, spiky mountains
• Insert your own 'flagging' bad gag here
• Summer in the Pyrenees makes for some unusual obstacles
• Just a kilo to go… at 8 percent. Ouch.
• It's all downhill from here… until the next climb
• The top - at last!
• Spectators wait on the Col de Soulor
• A front-runner in the contest for the most stylish Tour fan of 2002
• The Tourmalet starts innocently enough…
• …and then does this.
• It'd be easy if it were all 4.5 percent, and not at 2000m
• Did we mention the altitude?
• Tunnel vision
• Raimondas Rumsas (Lampre Daikin, left) rode a smart stage to put himself within striking distance of a podium place in Paris
• Axel Merckx (Domo) on his way to a respectable 22nd place in the stage
• Ivan Basso (Fassa Bortolo) grimaces with the effort as he slogs up a climb
• Ivan Basso (Fassa Bortolo) probably not dozing off…
• Andrei Kivilev (Cofidis) on the way to eighth place
• Massimiliano Lelli (Cofidis) and Christophe Moreau (Credit Agricole), 12th and 13th respectively
• Christophe Moreau (Credit Agricole) out of the saddle, battling the gradient
• Levi Leipheimer (Rabobank) 24th on the stage
• A Gang of Four including Carlos Sastre (CSC-Tiscali) and Santiago Botero (Kelme-Costa Blanca) approaching the finish
• José Azevedo (ONCE-Eroski) keeps an eye on team leader Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano and Laurent Jalabert (CSC-Tiscali)
• Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano rides with Laurent Jalabert
• Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano and Laurent Jalabert
• Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano rolls into the finish
• The leaders climb the Tourmalet - Lance Armstrong (USPS), Joseba Beloki (ONCE) and Roberto Heras (USPS)
• Roberto Heras leads Lance Armstrong and Joseba Beloki (ONCE)
• Lance Armstrong rides as a moto photographer goes for a back-of-the-head shot
• Lance Armstrong raises a fist in triumph as he arrives at the finish of stage 11.
• Lance Armstrong looks relieved and satisfied as he crosses the line
• Lance Armstrong shows the effort as he climbs the Tourmalet. Definitely no foxing this time!
• Ivan Basso (Fassa Bortolo) is helped off his bike after finishing seventh
• Lance Armstrong on the podium looking quietly content
• Lance Armstrong pulls on his second yellow jersey of this year's Tour
• Lance Armstrong in yellow again - now it's just a matter of keeping it till Paris…
• Ivan Basso (Fassa Bortolo) rode himself into the white jersey of best young rider today

Photos by AFP

• Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Adecco) enjoyed one day in the green jersey.
• Inigo Cuesta (Cofidis) leads Laurent Jalabert and Davide Etxebarria, who were part of the early break.
• The peloton on the Col du Aubsique during stage 11
• Laurent Jalabert (CSC-Tiscali) rides alone during stage 11
• Laurent Jalabert about to be caught by Heras, Armstrong, and Beloki.
• Robert Heras (USPS) paces Lance Armstrong up the final section of La Mongie.
• Lance Armstrong (USPS) attacks Joseba Beloki (ONCE) to win the 11th stage
• Lance Armstrong checks to see where Joseba Beloki is, in the final few hundred metres of the stage
• Lance Armstrong wins the 11th stage in La Mongie
• Lance Armstrong in his favourite Maillot Jaune after Stage 11

Photos by Chris Henry/Cyclingnews.com

• Armstrong and Pena before stage 11
• Joseba Beloki (ONCE-Eroski) coasts to a stop at the end of stage 11
• Viatcheslav Ekimov (USPS) looks rather relaxed after a 158km ride
• Tyler Hamilton (CSC-Tiscali) talks to reporters
• Tyler Hamilton looking just a little tired

Stage 10 - Wednesday July 17: Bazas - Pau, 147 km

Photos by AFP

• Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (ONCE) rides in the peloton during stage 10.
• Jacky Durand (FDJeux.com) was in full attack mode during stage 10.
• Patrice Halgand (Jean Delatour) attacks the leading group during the 10th stage
• Patrice Halgand wins the 10th stage into Pau.
• Patrice Halgand celebrates his victory in the 10th stage

Photos by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• The people in the village of Bazas turn out in droves to witness the world's greatest bicycle race
• The start village of Bazas hums with an aura of anxiety before the riders sign on for a another day in the saddle
• Lance Armstrong (US Postal Service) cruises in to the start area
• Lance Armstrong (US Postal Service) appears calm before the start of today's stage to Pau
• Lance Armstrong and Andrea Tafi pose for a photo - Tafi appears to be slightly overdoing it though
• Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (ONCE-Eroski) signs in for another day in the maillot jaune
• Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (ONCE-Eroski) waves to the crowd as he and the rest of the ONCE team sign on.
• Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano's father wishes him well before the start of the stage
• Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano's mum and dad get together for a family photo
• Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (ONCE-Eroski) appears to have forgotten something
• Ivan Basso (Fassa Bortolo) happy to sign autographs for his tifosi
• Raivis Belohvosciks (Lampre Daikin) appears to have an admirer or has decided to take up gardening
• Raivis Belohvosciks (Lampre Daikin) appears to be stuck with a very unaerodynamic addition to his Fondriest
• Patrice Halgand (Jean Delatour) elated with his victory as he crosses the line on his own
• Patrice Halgand (Jean Delatour) wins the tenth stage of the Tour in the best way possible, soloing across the line
• Patrice Halgand (Jean Delatour) lifts his sunglasses above his eyes to make sure he's not dreaming
• Stuart O'Grady (Credit Agricole) nudges out Ludo Dierckxsens (Lampre Daikin) for third place
• The remaining members of the ten-man break come in, led by Pedro Horillo (Mapei-Quick Step)
• The peloton comes in, with the sprint for 12th place won by Baden Cooke (FDJeux.com)
• Baden Cooke (FDJeux.com), Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Adecco) and Erik Zabel (Team Deutsche Telekom) fight out the sprint for 12th place
• Abraham Olano (ONCE-Eroski) arrives comfortably in the peloton, and lies 15th overall
• Jerome Pineau (Bonjour) appears to have the music turned up too high in his earpiece
• The peloton soon litter the streets of Pau with their presence
• Danilo Hondo (Team Deutsche Telekom) shows the effort of a stage that averaged almost 50 km/h
• Joseba Beloki (ONCE-Eroski) quenches his thirst after a super fast stage
• Patrice Halgand (Jean Delatour) a very happy Frenchman as he stands tall on the podium
• Laurent Jalabert (CSC-Tiscali) with his usual poker-face expression doesn't appear to have even raised a sweat
• Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Adecco) downs a can of fizzy after a solid day at the office
• No, it's not a Coca-Cola ad, but it might as well be - Patrice Halgand (Jean Delatour) stands in front of a huge Coke poster
• Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Adecco) becomes the new leader of the points competition, just one point clear of Erik Zabel
• Put your shades on - points leader Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Adecco) blends in with the flouro green surroundings
• David Millar (Cofidis) retains the white jersey as the leader of the young rider classification
• The boys from ONCE-Eroski maintain their lead at the top of the teams classification
• Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano dons another maillot jaune to led the Tour into the Pyrenees tomorrow
• Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (ONCE-Eroski) is slowly building quite a collection of furry lions
• TdF race director Jean-Marie Leblanc addresses the media at a press conference after the stage finish
• TdF race director Jean-Marie Leblanc ponders his response before answering the barrage of questions from eager journalists