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 23

Comments by Ullrich and Beloki after the time trial

Ullrich
Photo: © AFP

Jan Ullrich, who rode excellently to finish just 25 seconds behind Armstrong in one of the fastest Tour time trials in history, was full of respect for his rival. "That was a very fast time trial," he said. "I did not have the measure of Lance. It's hard that he was 25 seconds faster, but he showed again that he rightfully carries the yellow. I would like to congratulate Lance Armstrong. He is a great champion."

"I wasn't told about Armstrong's splits. I only knew that I was faster than the riders who started before me. It doesn't matter, as it would have made no difference. I have the feeling that I rode well. I finished the race with tired legs."

"I am very very glad that the Tour came to Germany. We saw in each of the two days the popularity of cycling in Germany."

Beloki
Photo: © AFP

Joseba Beloki, in an effort that can only be described as gutsy, as he rode a strong time trial covered in various bandages. He was caught by Ullrich approaching the finish, but sprinted with the German to be almost level with him at the end, albeit 3 minutes behind. However it was enough as he held onto his third place on GC by 30 seconds from teammate Christophe Moreau.

"I wanted to pace myself, as I knew that I would need the strength towards the end. However thanks to the advice of my director Juan [Fernandez], I was able to risk a little more toward the second part," said an excited Beloki at the end, incredulous that he'd maintained his podium position.

"What we have gained in the past three weeks, day by day, we could not lose. I knew that Moreau is a short distance specialist, but was necessary to consider the rest of the stage. I was scared when I was a minute behind early on, but these doubts disappeared in the second half, where I maintained my rhythm and didn't destroy myself with a big gear. The strength that I saved at the beginning meant that I could finish well. I don't have the experience at these distances, so the next time I'll give a bit more at the beginning."

Beloki added that he hadn't got his podium position until he'd crossed the finish line in Paris, "because I've already had a bad experience in that sense." He praised his Festina teammates, and the victory of Marcel Wüst which balanced with the retirement of Angel Casero. "For the Festina team this is very important and it gives something back to elite level cycling."

Peers to sue

Chris Peers (Cofidis) was hit by the car of Kelme's directeur sportif, Vicente Belda at the top of the Col des Saisies on stage 16. After a visit to the hospital he learned that he'd broken two ribs. He is not at all happy about this, as it means that he will miss the lucrative post-Tour criterium circuit. The solution according to him is to sue Mr. Belda for some of the prize money that the Kelme team has garnered.

"I will be out of competition for four to six weeks. I'll talk with Cofidis manager Alain Bondue about the consequences: I will lose a lot of money because I can't do the criteriums and we will sue Belda."

Mattan waits

Although all eyes were on the top few positions in Friday's final time trial at Le Tour, not everyone could afford to take it as easy as they would like. With contract renewals looming this month, several riders are running out of time to perform in the Tour, therefore the time trial was a chance to show their worth.

Nico Mattan decided to wait until after the race before he spoke with Cofidis team manager Alain Bondue about his new contract until 2003. "I can ask for more. Time trialing is my specialty. 13th, only seven seconds behind Olano, an ex-worldchampion. Not bad for me. If I have the choice I will do the road race and time trial in the Olympics and the World Championships," said Mattan after his solid performance.

Mattan has ridden well in this Tour; he was part of a long breakaway on the race-determining stage 10 to Hautacam, only caught on the last climb. "Six teams have talked to me. US Postal - but Bruyneel wasn't interested after he heard I have still a contract - Telekom, Lotto-Adecco, Linda McCartney and some smaller teams. But I feel good with my free role in the Cofidis team. I will decide within a few days."

Tour still not clean: Poyet

A prominent French sports doctor, Francois Poyet has followed in from Giorgio Squinzi's comments that the top Tour riders are all doped in an article in French daily, La Liberation. In it he said that "the loss of power by almost all the French riders in French teams show in our eyes that the retrospective search for EPO in the urine samples of professional cyclists will show that there are different illegal methods being used - growth hormone is the most likely product."

back to top