87th
Tour de France - Grand Tour
France, July 1 - 23, 2000
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Stage 10 - July
10: Dax - Lourdes Hautacam, 205 km
Scheduled Start: 10:52 CET
Welcome to stage 10 of the 87th Tour de France, the first major mountain
stage taking the riders 205 kilometres from Dax to Lourdes-Hautacam.
The conditions today are poor: rain is falling at the start, and cold
weather is scheduled for the top of the climbs.
The climbs to overcome today are the Cote de Barcus (Cat. 3, 386m,
76.5km), the Col de Marie-Blanque (Cat. 1, 1,035m, 120.5km), the Col
d'Aubisque (Cat. HC, 1,709m, 158.5km); Col du Solour (Cat. 2, 1,474m,
168.5km) finishing with Lourdes-Hautacam (Cat. HC, 1,520m, 205km).
10:59 CET - 4 km
The riders are off once more, on a long and wet journey toward the
Pyreneean heights. No-one is in a hurry just yet, and most riders are
wearing rain jackets. Alberto Elli, the race leader rides near the front
at the start, flanked by some of his Telekom teammates.
11:14 CET - 12 km
The peloton are still rolling along, with quite some time to go before
they hit the first climb. Before then, there is a sprint at Sauveterre-De-Bearn
(41.5 km), and presumably Erik Zabel will try and set himself up for
that one. The only other sprint of the day comes at Laruns (140 km),
which is after the Category 1 Col de Marie-Blanque.
Riders from seven teams (Mercatone Uno, Credit Agricole, ONCE, Lotto,
Saeco, FdJ and Banesto) were blood-hematocrit and hemaglobin tested
this morning, all with negative results.
11:25 CET - 18 km
Some riders have itchy legs already - Christophe Agnolutto (Ag2r) attacks,
followed by Zanini (Mapei), Zabel (Telekom), Nazon (FdJ) and Wauters
(Rabobank). They have their eyes on the points in 21 kilometres time.
However, they are caught fairly quickly. The weather has cleared a little,
and it is no longer raining.
11:48 CET - 30 km
A look down the standings today shows the tasks ahead of the favourites.
Firstly we have Elli in the lead, with riders like Jens Voigt (CA, 3.17),
Guisseppi Guerini (Telekom, 5.25) within a reasonable distance. Then
the main favourites, Jalabert (at 5.40), Armstrong (at 5.54), Olano
(at 6.13), Hamilton (at 6.35), Ullrich (at 6.37), Jonathan Vaughters
(at 7.52), Bobby Julich (at 7.55), Zulle (at 9.59), Pantani (at 11.06),
Virenque (at 11.26), Escartin (at 11.56), and Dufaux (at 12.05).
Although it is a little early, it seems doubtful that Zulle, Dufaux
or Escartin can make up enough time on the rest to win the Tour.
11:52 CET - 32 km
In a completely unpredictable move, Lotto's Jacky Durand takes off
at the 32 km mark. It is raining again, and he manages a small gap.
Will the peloton let him have some rope?
11:55 CET - 34 km
Durand has managed a 39 second gap, and is going hard. He is currently
19 points behind Erik Dekker in the most aggressive rider standings,
and is seeking to pick up a few more today.
12:02 CET - 39 km
Jacky Durand is committed now, but there is movement in the peloton,
as Salvatore Commesso (Saeco) takes off after him. The peloton is strung
out behind him, and Durand's lead may evaporate a little. Durand should
get the sprint points though.
12:08 CET - 43 km
The results for the first sprint at Sauveterre-De-Bearn: 1. Jacky Durand
(Lotto), 2. Erik Zabel, 3. Damien Nazon (Bonjour) ,who just pipped a
Raboank rider. Durand may be given some more rope yet.
12:16 CET - 50 km
Two riders have attacked in pursuit of Durand: Javier Otxoa (Kelme)
and Nico Mattan (Cofidis). They quickly make ground, but are being chased
hard by the peloton. The gap shrinks rapidly.
12:20 CET - 54 km
The three leaders have increased their gap to 46 seconds, and a lone
Francaise des Jeux rider, Frank Hoj, is in pursuit.
12:29 CET - 58.4 km
The Danes are on fire: Frank Hoj has been joined by Michael Sandstod
(MC J&J) and the two are trying to close on Mattan, Otxoa, and Durand.
Jalabert has had some mechanical problems at the back.
12:34 CET - 61.0 km
Hoj has been dropped by Sandstod, who is trying desparately to make
it to the front three, without much success. However, the peloton seem
to have sat up a little, and the gap has grown to over four minutes
12:41 CET - 68.0 km
Sandstod is being given a talking to by Johnny Weltz, the director
of Memorycard Jack&Jones. It may be that he will drop back now,
as he has little chance at the moment of reaching Mattan and Otxoa.
Durand however is sitting on.
The peloton are a long way back now.
12:45 CET - 71.0 km
They're on the climb of the Cote de Barcus, and Sandstod is falling
further behind the leaders, but remaining steady with the peloton.
Durand, at 3.17 overall is the virtual yellow jersey by quite a margin.
12:51 CET - 74.0 km
Jacky Durand is being dropped by the other two on the climb now, but
he hasn't got too far to go until the top. However, the others might
not wait for him as he wasn't working anyway. Sandstod is still in no-mans
land though.
13:02 CET - 79.0 km
Jacky Durand has managed to close the gap on the descent after the
climb, which was won by Javier Otxoa (Kelme), with Nico Mattan (Cofidis)
in second. Sandstod takes fourth, and it seems as though he is willing
to stay there for a while to get a headstart on the Col de Marie Blanque,
starting at km 111.
13:09 CET - 84.0 km
Sandstod is increasing his lead to the peloton, but not making any
inroads into Jacky Durand, Javier Otxoa and Nico Mattan. He is still
at two minutes, with the leaders having some 27 kilometres before the
next climb begins in earnest.
13:23 CET - 90.0 km
Francaise des Jeux' Frank Hoj is still on the road as well, some five
minutes behind the three leaders, and a minute behind compatriot Sandstod.
The three leaders pass through the feed zone, and Jacky Durand misses
it and has to drop back to the team car to revitalise himself.
The peloton are a whopping 14 minutes behind the front three at the
feedzone.
Jean Patrick Nazon (FdJ) has retired from injuries sustained in a fall
in the preceeding stage.
13:36 CET - 104.0 km
Sooner or later (probably sooner), the elastic band to the peloton
has to start shrinking. The three leaders, Durand, Mattan, and Oxtoa
are 17:30 in front of the bunch, and five and a half minutes in front
of the separated Danes, Sandstod and Hoj.
There is not far to go now until the start of the category one Col
de Marie Blanque.
13:45 CET - 111.0 km
Banesto are leading the peloton on the wet roads, still a long way
behind the leaders who are nearly on the Col de Marie Blanque. Otxoa
is probably the best climber, and may be the reason why Banesto are
upping the tempo. The bunch is fairly tightly packed now.
13:58 CET - 115.0 km/90 km to go
Durand et. al are about halfway up the 9 kilometre climb of the Col
de Marie Blanque (7.7 %). Durand is being dropped though, with four
kilometres to the top.
Sandstod and Hoj are some 7 minutes behind them, with the bunch another
10 minutes back, right at the bottom. Banesto are still leading things
back there.
14: 09 CET - 121.0 km/84 km to go
Otxoa and Mattan are both out of the saddle now, working hard toward
the top of this category one climb. Otxoa looks more comfortable, while
Mattan sits on his wheel. Durand is further down now, in front of Sandstod
and Hoj, who are being reeled in by the Banesto-led peloton.
At the top of the climb, Otxoa attacks Mattan for the points, but the
latter should regain on the descent. Durand has a chance as well.
Frederic Guesdon, who has such a bad crash yesterday has been dropped
by the bunch.
14: 18 CET - 125.0 km/80 km to go
Banesto are attacking the bunch now, sending Francesco Mancebo up the
road. Festina's Christophe Moreau has problems with a puncture, and
his teammate Laurent Madouas drops back to help.
On the descent, Mattan has regained Otxoa and both are wearing their
rain jackets now.
14:25 CET - 128.0 km/77 km to go
Durand is over the top now, 4'10 behind Oxtoa. He lost quite a lot
there.
Francesco Mancebo is riding with Pascal Herve (Polti) in front of the
peloton, who have dropped Frank Vandenbroucke (Cofidis) amongst many
others. Zabel in green, Elli in yellow are dropped, as is KOM Erik Dekker.
Hoj is caught and dropped as well.
14:35 CET - 136.0 km/69 km to go
Elli reaches the top, 15:30 down on the two leaders Otxoa and Mattan,
and a minute behind the bunch.
The minor places of the climb: 4th, Sandstod (8:20), 5th Botero (Banesto)
and Herve (13:10). Atienza, Macebo, and Hoj (14:20). Virenque, Beltran,
Armstrong, Ullrich and the bunch at 14:30.
Durand crashes on the way down as does Herve. Virenque has punctured
on the descent and doesn't have any help from his teammates, but manages
to get back on. Laurent Desbiens (Cofidis) retires from the race.
14:52 CET - 145.0 km/60 km to go
Jens Voigt (Credit Agricole) is the next to go down on the slippery
descent. The peloton has regrouped somewhat, with US Postal protecting
their leader Armstrong. Ullrich and the Telekom boys are also prominent
at the front, along with Mercatone Uno. Dekker has regained the peloton,
as has Elli.
The sprint at Laruns was won by Mattan from Otxoa, with Durand a distant
3rd, over 10 minutes behind.
15:02 CET - 150.0 km/55 km to go
They're on the Ausbisque now, with Mattan and Otxoa still soldiering
on, Durand further back, has been joined by Sandstod. Mancebo, Botero,
Atienza, Commesso, and Hoj are chasing, with Herve and Odriozola further
behind. Then, what is left of the peloton.
Jonathan Vaughters (not Voigt) was the rider who fell - he is in the
ambulance now and out of the race. That's bad luck twice in two years
for the Credit Agricole rider.
Frank Vandenbroucke, who was dropped on the Marie Blanque, has pulled
out of the race.
Elli is also dropped again under the pressure of US Postal.
15:15 CET - 155.0 km/50 km to go
Things are really turning on their head now, as Otxoa has dropped Mattan
who goes back to Durand. In turn, Michael Sandstod leapfrogs back to
the next bunch of 9, with riders such as Mancebo, Odriozola (Banesto),
Botero and Llorente (Kelme), Atienza (Saeco). Hoj (FdJ), and Verheeyen
(Lotto). A little further behind is Hincapie, Tauler (Kelme), Herve
(Polti), Savoldelli (Saeco) and Millar (Cofidis).
Total gap is still some 12 minutes from the front to the peloton, who
are strong with US Postal riders. An attack is launched by Michele Bartoli
(Mapei).
15:22 CET - 155.0 km/50 km to go
Bartoli's attack leaves Zulle and Armstrong behind, and he takes Jimenez
(Banesto) with him in pursuit of the groups in front. Laurent Jalabert
is dropped from the peloton.
Virenque now attacks the Armstrong group, which has no more Postal
riders left in it. Zulle, Guerini, Ullrich and Pantani are still there
though.
15:35 CET - 158.0 km/47 km to go
The situation now: Virenque, Herve and Heras, Jimenez, Escartin, and
Beloki are a little way in front of a group with Armstrong, Julich,
Moreau, Luttenberger, Pieri, Baranowksi, Ullrich, Pantani etc. (not
Olano, who has been dropped).
They are some minutes behind a group with Botero, Atienza, Llorente,
Odriozola, and Mancebo. The total gap between Otxoa, who is first to
the top of the Aubisque, and the Armstrong group is 10'30.
15:42 CET - 163 km/42 km to go
Oxtoa has 4'50 on Mattan (descending), who still has a handy lead on
the foursome of Mancebo, Odriozola, Botero and Atienza. A minute behind
them is the Virenque group, who have made some headway on the main grouop
containing Armstrong, Ullrich etc.
15:46 CET - 165 km/40 km to go
Millar has made it over the top with the Armstrong group - a great
performance by the first Maillot Jaune of the race. This group is still
11'35 behind Otxoa.
15:58 CET - 175 km/30 km to go
The results of the Aubsique climb: Otxoa, Mattan, Botero, Beltran,
Virenque, Beloki, Atienza, Heras, Jimenez, Escartin, Odriozola, and
Herve.
Otxoa is still a long way in front, and the chasing group is being
attacked by Virenque on the Col du Solour. On this climb, Otxoa again
takes the points, followed by Mattan. Heras takes third, 9 minutes behind.
Groupe Armstrong is still together, although there are no Posties in
sight. Millar and Olano manage to scrape back on this group though.
Much further back is Elli, who struggled to the top of the Aubisque
22 minutes behind.
16:10 CET - 185 km/20 km to go
Virenque is a little way ahead of Mancebo, Botero, and Escartin over
the Soulour, still 4 minutes behind Mattan, and nearly 9 minutes behind
Otxoa. Both these two riders have ridden an incredible race so far.
Heras, Beloki, and Beltran are a few seconds more behind, while the
Armstrong/Pantani/Ullrich group is still at 11 minutes, being towed
by Guerini. There are a lot of Kelme and Banesto riders up the road.
16:18 CET - 188 km/17 km to go
The Virenque/Mancebo escape is foiled by Escartin, Heras, Botero, Jimenez,
and Beltran. They have under 20 kilometres to go, and are still behind
Mattan and Otxoa. Armstrong's group has less than 25 kilometres to go.
16:24 CET - 194 km/11 km to go
Javier Otxoa is riding like a man possessed, as he passes the devil
on the side of the road. He still has 8'46 on Richard Virenque's group,
with less than 11 kilometres to go until the summit of the Hautacam.
The main peloton is still together at the bottom.
The bunch is being driven by Guerini still, with Mercatone Uno prominent
as well.
16:33 CET
Otxoa will win for sure now, as he has 4 kilometres to go. Meanwhile
in the peloton with Armstrong in it, Marco Pantani launches himself
off the front, followed by Zulle. Armstrong can not hang on.
16:36 CET
Armstrong does manage to bridge to Pantani, and now leads the Pirate.
Otxoa has not far to go now.
16:38 CET
And now, Armstrong loses Pantani, who has no answer to his powerful
climbing style. This is looking good for the 1999 Tour winner. Ullrich
is further back with Bartoli, in the main group, and Armstrong is increasing
his lead.
16:42 CET
Armstrong continues to motor up through the Virenque group, catching
Botero and dropping him. Escartin has attacked the Virenque group though.
The gap from Armstrong to Otxoa is a total of 8'30
16:45 CET
The 1999 Tour winner blasts through the remnants of the Virenque group,
leaving them in his wake. Further down the mountain, Zulle, Boogerd,
Ullrich, Pantani et al struggle after the Postal rider.
16:49 CET - 200 km/5 km to go
The situation now: Otxoa is still well ahead, with some 2 km to travel(?),
7:22 behind him is Armstrong in a group containing Virenque, Jimenez,
Escartin, Heras and Beltran. Nico Mattan has finally been caught and
is in a little group containing Beloki and Mancebo. The peloton follow
behind.
16:53 CET - 201 km/4 km to go
Armstrong does it again - he rides Virenque, Escartin, Beltran, Botero,
Heras, and Jimenez off his wheel with less than five kilometres to go
to the summit of the Hautacam. He should take second in the stage, but
put on the yellow jersey tonight. Otxoa is just 4'25 ahead of Armstrong
now.
16:56 CET - 202.5 km/2.5 km to go
Otxoa is 4:10 to Armstrong who has got Jimenez with him now
16:58 CET - 203 km/2.0 km to go
Otxoa is really struggling up the final few kilometres, paying for
his 155 km break. Armstrong and Jimenez may well catch him if he cannot
find some extra strength. The crowd is urging him and pushing him all
the way though. Meanwhile, Armstrong is completely focussed, as he was
in Sestriere a year ago. He has dropped Jimenez.
17:02 CET - 204 km/1.0 km to go
The gap between Armstrong an
d Otxoa is now 2.15 and falling, but the Kelme rider has only 1 km
to go. What a chase!
17:05 CET - 205 km/0 km to go
Javier Otxoa (Kelme) hangs on to take the win at the top of Lourdes-Hautacam,
after 155 kilometres in the lead. Lance Armstrong comes though, under
two minutes behind to takes second place.
It's Jimenez next, followed by Vireneque who is over a minute behind
Armstrong. Then Beltran, Escartin, Heras, Moreau(!), Beloki, Zulle,
Mancebo, Van de Wouwer and Ullrich. Pantani is yet to come.
Several riders have lost far too much time today to even threaten
the GC. Armstrong, in a repeat performance of Sestriere last year, has
managed to capture the yellow and take the Tour by the throat. Many
expectations were completely shattered today on the road to Lourdes-Hautacam.
Results
1 Javier Otxoa (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca 6.09.32
2 Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal Service 0.42
3 José Maria Jimenez (Spa) Banesto 1.13
4 Richard Virenque (Fra) Team Polti 1.57
5 Manuel Beltran (Spa) Mapei-Quick Step
6 Fernando Escartin (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca 2.02
7 Roberto Heras (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca
8 Christophe Moreau (Fra) Festina 3.05
9 Joseba Beloki (Spa) Festina 3.35
10 Alex Zulle (Swi) Banesto 3.47
11 Francisco Mancebo (Spa) Banesto
12 Kurt Van De Wouwer (Bel) Lotto-Adecco 3.55
13 Jan Ullrich (Ger) Team Deutsche Telekom
General classification after stage 10:
1 Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal Service 39.24.30
2 Jan Ullrich (Ger) Team Deutsche Telekom 4.14
3 Christophe Moreau (Fra) Festina 5.10
4 Marc Wauters (Bel) Rabobank 5.18
5 Peter Luttenberger (Aut) O.N.C.E.-Deutsche Bank 5.21
6 Joseba Beloki (Spa) Festina 5.23
7 Manuel Beltran (Spa) Mapei-Quick Step 5.44
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