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87th Tour de France - Grand Tour

France, July 1 - 23, 2000

Tour News for July 14

More time lost as climbs hit hard

The pecking order is becoming clearer in this year's Tour de France, with more gaps appearing between the favourites on the high mountain stages. Today's ascent of Mont Ventoux saw Marco Pantani propel himself skyward in just under 59 minutes for the 21 km, 7.6% average climb (21.40 km/h). For those of you who have ground their way up at 10 km/h or less, this is surely heartwarming. Lance Armstrong contained Il Pirata, although he didn't finish him off at the end, coming second on the stage.

Joseba Beloki continued to show why he is one of the most promising Spaniards in the peloton, finishing 3rd in front of Jan Ullrich. The latter lost another 30 seconds to Armstrong, but still remains the best challenger to the American as the rest fell away in tatters again. He may lose his spot to Beloki if the latter can keep on climbing like he has been, as the Festina rider is a good time trialist.

Richard Virenque, Laurent Jalabert, Fernando Escartin, and Alex Zülle all lost moderate amounts of time, while others such as Michael Boogerd, Abraham Olano, and Jose Maria Jiminez lost closer to 10 minutes. The latter would certainly be disappointed with his effort after finishing third on Monday's Hautacam stage. As Miguel Indurain demonstrated so well, not only strength but consistency is the key to winning the Tour.

Merckx: no gifts

Five time winner of the Tour de France, Eddy Merckx said of today's Mont Ventoux stage that shouldn't have been a "gift" from Armstrong to Pantani. Armstrong was the only one who could follow Il Pirata on his last attack, but he had to content himself with second on the stage. Merckx, who won the stage to the top of Ventoux in 1970 said on Belgian Radio 1 that Armstrong should not have sat up and let Pantani win, as "in races like this, you don't let people win. The best rider should win, that is the way of the sport."

"Pantani was good and he came back. That was a good thing, otherwise it would be a one man show. But Armstrong was the best rider, so he should have won." said Merckx, who added his comments about the Belgian performances today. "Aerts was not strong, but Van de Wouwer had an excellent climb. Lotto has ridden a good Tour so far behind the rest."

Daniele Nardello talks

Gabriella Ekström's guest for today is none other than Mapei's Danielle Nardello, who is their second best placed rider (15th at 11.16) after Manuel Beltran. He's hoping for improve this, but still has at least 6 minutes to make up on those in front to realise his goal.

CN: Dani, you have made a few attempts to break away during the first half of the race. Is a stage victory what you originally came for?

DN: My team thinks I'm good enough to go for the classification, that is why I haven't made so many attempts to get away.

CN: So how good are you? Are you aiming for the podium?

DN: Yes, the third podium step in Paris would be great, I would also like to win a stage along the way.

CN: Which stages will you try to win then?

DN: I know the Alpes, so every stage there can be good for me!

CN: What about the doping scandals and the new tests that might be run soon?

DN: I have ridden the Tour four times, and I haven't noticed any difference in popularity. The Tour is popular in spite of all the scandals. There is more sensibility about doping and that is a good thing, anyway people are near the riders and we really appreciate their support. Everything we can do against doping is good, the important thing is that the test must be true without mistakes.

CN: Are you using anything new during the Tour?

DN: I do sport a new hair colour!

CN: Who will win?

DN: (Ed. Surprise, surprise) Armstrong!!!

VDB check up

Cofidis star, Frank Vandenbroucke, who abandoned the Tour de France in the Pyrenees, is suffering from a strained tendon in the left knee. He will now be thoroughly examined with x-rays, infrared tests and other methods. Following this, the rest of the season will be planned for the Belgian who will leave the team after this season.

Blaudzun's ribs injured in fall

Michael Blaudzun fell in the early crash on the 12th stage and suffered pains in his ribs: "I don't know if anything is broken but it was impossible for me to stand up in the first climb. There was nothing else to do but to give up," said the Dane who was picked for the Tour in 1997 for TVM but injured a knee before the start. His other major Tour, the Vuelta a España for Telekom in 1998 ended in a crash.

Stage 13: Avignon - Draguignan - 185.5km

It's 14 Juillet, France's national holiday. So the popular favorite to win on the hard and hilly ride across the lower Vaucluse and Var departements of France is Richard Virenque. Starting from Avignon, the city of deposed popes and incomplete bridges the stage has three 4th cat. climbs and an unceasing up and down profile. Perhaps the final climb of the Cote de l'Esparrus with 16km to race will serve as Virenque's launching pad for a home win.

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