Main Page
- Start List
- Tour News
- Village Voices
- Int. TV Schedule

87th Tour de France - Grand Tour

France, July 1 - 23, 2000

Tour News for July 12

Dekker keen

After his second stage win in three days, this year's most aggressive rider, Erik Dekker (Rabobank) says that he wants another win. After his successful attack with Kelme's Santiago Botero, he knew that if he could hold the Colombian on the final climb, he would beat him in the sprint. "It was his only chance," said Dekker, "because in the sprint I knew I was faster. I was bluffing Botero on the last climb a little, to give the impression that I was really strong."

"I won two stages, but am not content yet - I want to win another. I've waited so long for my chance."

Botero knew that Dekker was stronger, and needed a mountain to drop him. "He is a good rouleur and a good sprinter."

Erik Zabel, who still holds the green jersey and wants to keep it that way until Paris, said that he wants a stage win as well. "My team cannot ride for this goal for me at the moment, but perhaps it will on the last day on the Champs Elysées. Telekom is still there, even if we were disappointed on Monday. Elli had the yellow and I have the green and Ullrich is second overall. Armstrong is a great champion, but his team will tire. There are still chances."

Michele Bartoli, who is showing more signs of top form as the Tour goes on, was in the final break that went with 6 kilometres to go. He attacked on the last ride (going for third), managed 14 seconds before being caught. "On days like today, one must always look out and take a chance."

More Dekker

After his two stage wins, and numerous long breakaway attempts, Rabobank's Erik Dekker has a good grip on the jersey for the most aggressive rider. He has ridden a total of 625 kilometers in front of the peloton during this year's Tour De France!

Stage 2 Futuroscope - Loudun: 109 km
Stage 5 Vannes - Vitre: 144 km
Stage 8 Limoges - Villeneuve-Sur-Lot: 168 km
Stage 11 Bagneres-De-Bigorre - Revel: 204 km

Total: 625 km

His latest win was the 146th Dutch victory in the Tour. The first one came from Theo Middelkamp in 1936. In 1953, Wout Wagtmans became the first Dutchman to win two stages in one year.

Dutch riders with two or more victories in a single Tour de France:

1988: Jean-Paul van Poppel (4)

1976: Joop Zoetemelk (3)
1978: Jan Raas (3)
1980: Jan Raas (3)

1953: Wout Wagtmans (2)
1964: Jan Janssen (2)
1966: Gerben Karstens (2)
1968: Jan Janssen (2)
1973: Joop Zoetemelk (2)
1975: Theo Smit (2)
1976: Gerben Karstens (2)
1977: Gerrie Knetemann (2)
1978: Gerrie Knetemann (2)
1979: Gerrie Knetemann (2)
1980: Joop Zoetemelk (2)
1981: Johan van der Velde (2), Ad Wijnands (2)
1982: Gerrie Knetemann (2)
1983: Bert Oosterbosch (2)
1987: Jean-Paul van Poppel (2)
1989: Jelle Nijdam (2)
1990: Erik Breukink (2)
2000: Erik Dekker (2)

Source: ANP

Hinault says it's for second

The great Bernard Hinault, always ready to give an opinion on the Tour de France that he won five times, believes that this year's race is now for second place. After Lance Armstrong's performance on Monday's one and only Pyreneean stage, the Badger thinks that he has the race sewn up. He has a good deal of respect from Hinault, who was a similar type of rider.

"He dominated the stage, acted like a true patron," said Hinault in an interview with AFP afterwards. "He let the others attack first, but took it into his own hands at the end to win a crucial coup. Nobody could follow him."

Hinault was a little surprised that Armstrong is so far in front now, being 4.14 up on Jan Ullrich, the only "favourite" that is in a position to challenge. If it had been one and a half minutes, then maybe, but four is out of the question.

The day suited him, as the Texan performs well in the cold, and has even admitted to liking the rain. The sun may be a problem, but that can be overcome when you are wearing the Malliot Jaune. Hinault also said that Armstrong's preparation was superb, and he was physically and mentally ready after a solid but by no means full early season program.

Armstrong also pedals at a high cadence, 90+ rpm on the mountain slopes. Hinault tried various cadences during his career, coming to the conclusion that between 90 and 120 is best. He pointed to Jimenez' failure to hold Armstrong in the final kilometres up to Loudes-Hautacam, saying that the Spaniard was pushing too big a gear. However, that was not the sole reason.

From now on, Armstrong will have to defend, and he could easily take more time out of Ullrich on Mont Ventoux after the rest day tomorrow. The rest, according to Hinault are going for second place. "The others must make the race."

Vaughters for Red Zinger?

After crashing out for the second year in a row in the Tour de France, Credit Agricole's Jonathan Vaughters must be wondering what he has to do right. On the slippery descent of the Col de Marie Blanque, Vaughters was one of several who crashed, and had to be taken to hospital for various cuts including a split lip, knee and elbow damage, and loss of consciousness.

He was of course shattered by his misfortune coming after last year's episode on the Passage du Gois, but is still keen to get back on the bike again. It may be sooner rather than later though, as he expressed his desire to ride in the Red Zinger Classic, a race being held in his home state of Colorado. He will fly back today with a couple of days spare before tackling the tough course that starts in Boulder and finishes in the ski town of Breckenridge, climbing seven passes en route.

Euskaltel-Euskadi next year

If Euskaltel-Euskadi performs as well next year as it has this, the team will get a spot in the Tour de France next year, according to the team's manager Miguel Madriaga who discussed the matter with Tour de France director Jean-Marie Leblanc. Euskaltel is currently placed second in the second division, 320 points behind Crédit Agricole, but aims at first division, according to Madriaga. The team has also renewed the contracts with five riders. Gorka Gerrikagoitia, Ramontxu González Arrieta and Igor Flores are signed for next season while Unai Etxebarria and Iker Flores signed for two years.

back to top