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87th Tour de France - Grand Tour

France, July 1 - 23, 2000

Tour News for July 7

O'Grady out of the Tour

After being involved in a crash today, Credit Agricole's green jersey candidate, Stuart O'Grady was taken to hospital for x-rays on a suspected broken shoulder. O'Grady finished last in today's stage, as he came in 22.26 down with fellow crash victims including Jaan Kirsipuu (Ag2r) and Jean-Patrick Nazon (FdJ).

However, upon returning to the hotel , it was confirmed that he had indeed broken his collarbone, in addition to suffering a bruised right skull, and a damaged elbow. He will not be able to start tomorrow and was understandably quite upset. His loss also means that the team loses one of their potential stage winners, and a valuable worker on the flat should Julich, Vaughters or Voigt need him.

Jaja answers the call of nature

Only to lose his jersey as it turned out. As soon as he stopped by the side of the road, an attack went of four or five riders chasing Jacky Durand. They were joined by the rest making up the dirty dozen, who left Jalabert far behind. Although there is meant to be a code of honour amongst professional cyclists in this sort of situation, it was not obeyed today.

However, there was also a race on and the Tour is renowned for being very aggressive for the first week. Jalabert was a little critical at the end, saying that "it showed the size of certain riders...".

He was not disappointed with losing the jersey though, as his team remains strong after their resounding win in Tuesday's team time trial. "We still preserved out chances of the overall classification," he said, now 5 minutes 40 down on new Maillot Jaune, Alberto Elli.

Paolo Savoldelli in the spotlight

Although he was touted as one of the favourites in the Giro d'Italia this year after his second placing 1999, Saeco's Paolo Savoldelli did not quite live up to expectations, finishing 24th overall. With that behind him, he has not really prepared for the Tour and is currently lying 117th, 12.23 down on GC. Gabriella Ekström found out what we could expect from him in this race.

CN: What kind of responsibility do you have during the Tour?

PS: I'm supposed to be at Dufaux's side, who is trying to gain a good general classification.

CN: What are your personal ambitions?

PS: I'd like to finish this tour with honour and win a stage; after the first week I'll know if I can ask something more from myself, i.e. a classification into the first five: it is impossible to know it now because it is since I haven't raced since the Giro d'Italia.

CN: Which stages are you looking forward to, where will you try to achieve those ambitions?

PS: From the 13th to the 17th stage every moment could be the right one for me: I have to keep hard in the climbs and go as fast as I can downhill, that is my specialty.

CN: How many times have you ridden in the Tour, and what is different this time from the first time you entered the race?

PS: This is my third Tour. When I first came here I was very young, last year I went home quite soon, even because I was mentally tired after a great Giro d'Italia. As a rider now I have many responsibilities, but I think I even acquired the right spirit to sustain them.

CN: Do you feel that the race is growing more popular or do you think all the scandals has put a shadow over it?

PS: "Le Tour c'est toujours le Tour!"

CN: What is your opinion on the new tests they hope to use in a soon future?

PS: It is time to have a sure method that doesn't leave any doubt.

CN: Are you using anything new (equipment etc.) during the race?

PS: A new frame.

CN: Who do you think will win?

PS: Armstrong is my favourite, but if there is to be any surprise, than I hope that will be Laurent Dufaux to win!

Preview - Stage 7: Tours - Limoges, 205.5 km

Maybe another break will go on this long and up and down stage to Limoges, the city famous for it's fine porcelain. The roads get narrower, hillier and the temperatures hotter as the peloton heads due south towards the first Pyreenean stage next Monday. One thing is for sure; Telekom won't ride too hard to protect Elli's lead as they want to save themselves for Jan The Man.

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