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89th Tour de France - Grand Tour
France, July 6-28, 2002

Tour Tech


Tour Tech

Added today: Bonjour's Tour bike: Time VX Special Pro
Recent features:TdF bikes Pt 5: More bikes and parts from Le Tour, TdF bikes Pt 4: A look at the TT bikes, TdF bikes Pt 3: Le Tour's finest rolling stock, Pro bikes: ONCE's Tour Special Giant composite, TdF bikes Pt 2 - The latest lovelies from Le Tour, TdF bikes pt 1 - Droolworthy bikes from Tour Central, Giant's ONCE-Eroski TdF special


Stages & Results

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Tour de France stage 20
Photo: © AFP

Tour de France final

The year of the team

"The first (win) was the comeback, the second one confirmation, the third a really good time, and this year was the year of the team," said Lance Armstrong after his 4th straight Tour De France win. Armstrong exited the 2002 Tour De France the way he entered: right on top. After all the media speculation and scuttlebutt, three time defending Armstrong simply dominated this year's Tour from start to finish, with a prologue win and three other stage victories to once again arrive on the Champs-Elysees in Paris clad in his favorite Paris couture garment, the Maillot Jaune.

A full analysis and wrap up of this year's Tour. Includes a summary of the major players and what we can expect next year.

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Tour de France stage 20
Photo: © AFP

Stage 20 - Sunday July 28: Melun -Paris-Champs-Elysées, 144 km

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Starting at 1:25 Melun, this final stage of the TDF always offers a jaunt through the Paris suburbs, this time entering the City Of Light from the east and missing that famous shot along the quay with the Eiffel Tower in the background. No matter; once the peloton hits the Champs-Elysées for the final criterium laps, they will fight to the finish for the honour of winning the final Tour stage in Paris.

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Tour de France stage 19
Photo: © Sirotti

Stage 19 - Saturday July 27: Regnie-Durette-Macon, Individual TT, 50 km

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Vineyard owner Paul Cinquin and former French Champion Henry Anglade have brought the penultimate stage of the 2002 TDF to this tiny corner of Beaujolais, near Mont Brouilly for a stage start on this time test through the famed vineyards of Burgundy. The first rider departs at 10:45, to finish just in time for lunch, while the final rider is off at 16:20.


Tour de France stage 18
Photo ©:Sirotti

Stage 18 - Friday July 26: Cluses - Bourg-en-Bresse, 176.5 km

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This stage is the last chance for any challengers to attack the Maillot Jaune. Departing Cluses at 12:20, Stage 18 heads west out of the Alps but with the 14 km long Cat. 1 Col de Richemont halfway, plus a Cat 2, Cat 3 and three Cat 4 climbs, Stage 18 could be a tough ride to the stage finish in Bourg-en-Bresse, famous for it's blue-footed poultry.


Tour de France stage 17
Photo ©:AFP

Stage 17 - Thursday July 25: Aime - Cluses, 142 km

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The final Alpine stage of the 2002 Tour De France has a late start in Aimé at 1:00pm, the tiny Savoie town's 4th time to host a TDF stage start. From Aimé, the road goes up almost at once, with the east face of the Cat.1 Cormet de Roseland (19.4 km/5.8%), commencing after only 10 km. The beautiful, wooded climb has two distinct sections separated by a false flat section midway. After the summit, Cormet de Roseland offers a technical descent to the Arly valley, where the Cat. 1 Col des Saisies (15.3 km/6.0%) awaits. Saisies is where Marco Pantani attacked Lance Armstrong here in 2000 and with half the stage yet to go, don't be surprised if this Col is again prime territory to attack the Maillot Jaune.

Col des Aravis (11.7 km/4.9%) crosses the massif of the same name. Not particularly difficult, the Cat. 2 Aravis was first included in the Tour De France 91 years ago. The final Alpine climb of the 2002 Tour De France is the Cat. 1 Col de la Colombière (11.8 km/5.6%), which climbs the magnificent Massif des Aravis via the shorter south side of the col, but with the last 3 km at 8%, the narrow Colombière is no pique-nique. After the final summit, Stage 17 descends 21 km to finish in Cluses, the main town in the Arve valley.


Tour de France stage 16
Photo ©:AFP

Stage 16 - Wednesday July 24: Les Deux Alpes - La Plagne, 179.5 km

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Stage 16 is a bit shorter than the previous day's stage, but it includes more climbing, with three classic hors categorie Alpine ascents on the carte du jour. Departing Les Deux-Alpes at 11:30, the stage climbs the south face of the relentless hors categorie Col du Galibier (33.7 km/4.7%) via the Col du Lauteret, where the Souvenir Henri Desgranges (highest point in the TDF 2645m.) awaits. Stage 16 then makes the 60 km descent to the Maurienne valley, where the harder south face climb up the Col de la Madeleine (19.3 km/7.9%) awaits the Tour peloton. After the summit of the hors categorie Madeleine, there is another long descent to Bellcombe, then through Aime' and up the tough final ascent to La Plagne (17.3 km/7.0%), where Swiss rider Alex Zülle won in 1995.


Tour de France stage 15
Photo ©:AFP

Stage 15 - Tuesday July 23: Vaison-le-Romaine - Les deux Alpes, 226.5 km

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After a rest day to recover from Ventoux, this 7 hour stage concludes in a mountain top finish at Les deux Alpes, Stage 15 starts at 10:20 in the quaint town of Vaison-la-Romaine and heads east across the mountains of Haut-Provence, then up into the Vercours region to the Cat 3. Col de Prémol (2.2 km/5.5%), up the Gorges du Gats to the cat. 2 Col de Grimone (11.5 km/4.8%) after 116 km, then after two more Cat 3. climbs, Stage 15 climbs into the rugged Massif des Ecrins via the Cat. 2 Col d'Ornon (9.8 km/4.8%) and the final assault up to the Cat 1. Les Deux-Alpes (11.5 km/6.1%).

Marco Pantani took charge of the Tour here with his stage win in 1998.


Tour de France stage 14
Photo ©:AFP

Stage 14 - Sunday July 21: Lodève - Mont Ventoux, 221 km

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Over two weeks on the road for the Tour peloton, with one intense week of racing left before Paris. The long, tough Stage 14 starts out at 11:15am in Lodeve, then travels East across the hot, dry Herault interior below the Cevennes mountains to Provence, where ol'Geant awaits after 200 km of racing. (See profile.) Yes, once again, it's Le Mont-Ventoux, the Giant Of Provence, awaiting the Tour peloton at the end of the stage with a difficult mountaintop finish. First scaled in the Tour over a half-century ago, the hors categorie Le Mont-Ventoux (21 km/7.5%) last saw a mano-a-mano stage battle in 2000 between eventual Tour winner Lance Armstrong and challenger Marco Pantani, which the Italian narrowly won. This year there is no Pantani - will another challenger emerge?

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Tour de France stage 13
Photo: © Sirotti

Stage 13 - Saturday July 20, Lavelanet - Béziers, 171 km

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Today in Beziers, one rider defied conventional wisdom to win his second Tour de France stage. Usually not considered a sprinter, he won a five up sprint from a break that included dangerous speedsters but he surged away in the final 150 metres.


Tour de France stage 12
Photo ©:AFP

Stage 12 - Friday July 19, Lannenezan (Haute-Garonne)-Plateau de Beille (Ariège)

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One day later and one day better, an exultant Lance Armstrong (USP) took his second straight stage win after 6 hours of racing today on Stage 12 in the 2002 Tour De France. It was the 14th stage win in Le Grand Boucle for the US Postal Service rider, demonstrating that the American is still unbeatable in the Tour De France.

Stage 11 - Thursday July 18, Pau (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) - La Mongie (Hautes-Pyrénées)

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In a tremendous show of power, Lance Armstrong and his USPS team took control of the Tour De France today on a tumultuous day where all four category leaders jerseys changed hands.


Tour de France stage 10
Photo ©:AFP

Stage 10 - Wednesday July 17, Bazas (Gironde)-Pau (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)

The final flat stage before the Pyrenees was once again run at a frightening pace. The stage was overshadowed by the death of a seven year old boy, who was run over by a Tour caravan vehicle.

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Tour Features


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TDF Diary

Latest Photos - Tour de France - Photos from all stages, sign-ons and post-stage interviews
Added today: Tour finale: The Year of the Team - full analysis and wrap up, John Eustice - Stages 19-20, A podium girl gone bad - Adieu, Floyd Landis - stage 20, Lance Armstrong - July 27 press conference, John Eustice - stages 17-18
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Brad McGee - stage 18 diary, Lance Armstrong - press conference, A podium girl gone bad - Zee Rooles of Zee Game, Mike Tomalaris - Stage 17, Le Tour 101 updated - all your Q's about teams, feeding and smooching answered
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Form guide: TdF teams line-up - The contenders (part three, two, one), Full Tour Preview, Start List, Retirements, Historical Archives


Tour News


Stage 20
Photo ©:AFP

July

July 31 - Rumsas' wife officially under investigation, Products were for her mother
July 30 - Lampre riders interrogated in Lyon: Corticoids, testosterone and EPO seized from Rumsas' wife, Leblanc "a little astonished", Indurain believes Armstrong can win six, Ekimov returns to the fray, and survives, 2003 Centenary Tour will start in Paris, Record percentage of finishers
July 29 - Rumsas' wife arrested
July 29 - Stage 20 wrap up and post stage comments, McEwen's pre-stage thoughts, Erik Dekker survives three weeks on Tour, Tour stats and trivia, Final team prize money
July 28 - Stage 19 wrap up and post stage comments, Belgians react to stage win drought, Belgians react to stage win drought in Tour 2002, "A dreamlike good-bye" for Jaja, Virenque kids as tired as Papa, Stage 20 preview
July 27 - Stage 18 wrap up and post stage comments, A coincidence, McEwen wins 'most important sprint', Monaco wants to host a Tour stage, Stage 19 preview: Régnié-Durette-Mâcon Individual Time Trial
July 26 - Stage 17 wrap up and post stage comments, Lance Armstrong press conference, Raimondas Rumsas profile, Martinez wants the polka dot jersey, Hondo waiting for the finish, Stage 18 preview: Cluses-Bourg-en-Bresse, 369 blood controls so far, Cheap shots at cycling
July 25 - Stage 16 wrap up and post stage comments, Sevilla abandons, 70 riders pardoned, Cooke riding on a special type of saddle, Why negative points?, Stage 17 preview: Aimé-Cluses, 142 km
July 24 - Stage 15 wrap up and post stage comments, End of the road for Moreau, Baguet hanging tough, Stage 16 preview: Les-Deux-Alpes-La Plagne, 179.5 km, Eddy Merckx goes home, Dan Osipow in training, Stage 15 Official Communique
July 23 - Rest Day 2 wrap up, More comments from Ventoux, Stage 15: Vaison-le-Romaine - Les deux Alpes preview, 54 controls made on rest day, Robin Williams on Tour, Voet on Tour, Seven teams still with nine riders, US Postal top the prize money stakes, Armstrong to ride two post Tour criteriums
July 22 - Stage 14 wrap up and post race comments, Fred Rodriguez chills out in Provence, l'Etape du Tour, Stage 14 Communique Medical
July 21 - Stage 13 wrap up and post race comments, Simpson's daughter climbs Ventoux twice, Stage 14 preview: Lodève - Mont Ventoux, CSC Tiscali Rolls With the Punches, A satisfied Santiago Botero, Vaughters Breaks with Credit Agricole, Familiar faces, Mattan sore, De Clercq last but one, Leblanc and Hinault pay respects to Casartelli, Accident victim remembered in Marmande, Stage 13 Official communique
July 20 - Stage 12 wrap up and post race comments, Zabel in Green, but the Battle Continues, Basso Wants the White Jersey, A chat with Victor Hugo Peña, UCI and WADA Differ on Galdeano Salbutamol Case, Sandstød still in hospital, Stage 13 preview: Lavelanet-Béziers, 171 km, Stage 12 Commissaires communique
July 19 - Now it's Lance Vs Robbie; and Robbie Vs Zabel, McGee strung up like a 'roo
July 19 - Stage 11 wrap up and post race comments, Armstrong: More stage wins than Indurain, Lance goes for lightness, Hinault and Baal visit dead boy's family, Stage 12: Lannemezan-Plateau de Beille preview, Jean Delatour works to earn its place in Tour, More reactions to the 'Affaire Gonzalez de Galdeano', Jalabert and Virenque remain popular, Lefevere has to leave, The fastest stages in Tour history, Changes in Stage 13 parcours?, Stage 11 Official communique
July 18 - Stage 10 post stage wrap up and comments, Seven year old boy killed on race route, Stage 11 - July 18: Pau-La Mongie, 158km, Armstrong still bluffing?, UCI: No Gonzalez de Galdeano case, Botero loyal to his troubled country, Prize money in the Tour, Stage 10 Official communique
July 17 - Galdeano goes over drug limit in urine test, but allowed to continue
July 17 - ONCE leaders discuss their hopes, Jalabert to retire in October, FdJeux.com tops prizemoney lists after first week, Vierhouten to leave hospital soon, More car problems for De Rooij
July 16 - Stage 9 post stage wrap up and comments, Interview with Lance Armstrong, Saiz vs Armstrong, McEwen says he's the fastest, No green for O'Grady, Armstrong, the 12 million dollar man, Rogge and Verbruggen will visit Tour
July 15 - Stage 8 post stage wrap up and comments, A good day for the Dutch, Stage 9 Preview, Freire out with injured back, Renier more combative than Durand, Daniel Mangeas honoured, Stage 8 Official communique
July 14 - Stage 7 post stage wrap up and comments, Freire falls and hurts his back, Rous out of the race after breaking collarbone, Presentimento Andrea Tafi, Erik Breukink rates Rabobank's chances, Gian Matteo Fagnini not happy with fine, Medical communique
July 14 - Stage 7: Armstrong involved in crash, loses time
July 13 - Stage 6 post stage wrap up and comments, Monday's TT "not where the Tour will be won or lost" - Bruyneel, Fagnini fined, Shoulder problems for Hamilton, Look's Bike of the Year - the KG 381i, Lotto-Adecco on waterbeds, Medical communique, Valkenburg to host stage finish of 2005 Tour, Mail your favourite Tour De France rider!
July 11 - Stage 4 post stage wrap up and comments, Surprise blood tests before stage 4, De Rooij hit by motorbike, JaJa also part of the caravan, Italian press thin on the ground in France
July 10 - Stage 3 post stage wrap up and comments, Boogerd is running up the bill, Busy Day for FDJ.com, Livingston looking to the mountains, Lance Armstrong Profiled In The New Yorker, Crédit Lyonnais continues until 2008, Ag2r mechanic sent home, Medical communique, Stage 4 preview
July 9 - Stage 2 post stage wrap up and comments, Solid start for Leipheimer, Dekker toughs it out, Breakdancing in the Tour's Village Depart.., Stage 3 preview
July 8 - Stage 1 wrap up and comments, Daddy Yo-Yo, No positives after first check
July 7 - Prologue wrap up and post stage comments, Vasseur excited for the Tour, Centennial 2003 Tour Takes Shape, Tour Dimensions
July 6 - Saeco threatens legal action over Tour exclusion, Tafi disappointed over Mapei, Moreau upbeat about Tour chances
July 5 - Luxembourg American Military Cemetery, Vinokourov out of Telekom's Tour team, 189 riders declared healthy
July 4 - Sevilla and Botero will lead Kelme, Ag2r replaces Paumier with Loder after corticosteroid positive
July 3 - Tom Steels has his sights on the Tour, Lampre-Daikin for the Tour, No love lost between Leblanc and Cipollini
July 2 - More Tour teams decided: FDJeux.com, Euskaltel-Euskadi, Fassa Bortolo, Cofidis, De Waele in for Mapei as Cañada forced out of the Tour, Kurt Van de Wouwer out of Lotto's Tour team
July 1 - Tommy Simpson's daughter to ride Mont Ventoux

June

June 30 - Laurent Roux non-negative for amphetamines, UCI changes its doping rules for grand tours
June 28 - Mapei-Quick Step for the Tour, CSC-Tiscali for the Tour, Official Lotto-Adecco team for the Tour, 100th anniversary Tour de France to begin in Paris
June 27 - Rabobank for the Tour, Domo-Farm Frites for the Tour
June 25 - US Postal announces Tour de France team, More Tour teams: Fassa Bortolo, Alessio and Tacconi
June 23 - Tour teams take shape
June 22 - Coppi's bike to be auctioned at the Tour
June 21 - Menchov, Osa and Mancebo in iBanesto's Tour team, Hondo gets the Telekom nod over Klöden
June 19 - CSC-Tiscali to go with three pronged Tour attack, Tougher anti-doping measures in place for Tour de France
June 18 - Telekom builds team around Zabel for the Tour
June 17 - Giro finish fuels Hamilton's hopes for Tour de France
June 16 - US Postal Tour team not decided yet, No Vainsteins in Tour, Steels in for Mapei
June 15 - Kloeden out of Tour
June 14 - Kelme confident that Tour will be a success
June 13 - Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano: A challenger for Armstrong? Bruyneel comments on Armstrong's Dauphine TT performance
June 12 - Lotto-Adecco-ABX preliminary Tour de France team
June 8 - ONCE to deliver strong competition for USPS at Tour
June 6 - Armstrong responds to Le Monde article
June 5 - US Postal dossier unlikely to be closed before Tour de France, Acqua & Sapone urges Italian boycott of Tour
June 4 - No Savoldelli, Cipollini in the Tour de France, Saeco respond to Tour de France snub, Hamilton's Tour de France start depends on broken shoulder
June 3 - Saeco out of the Tour, Jean Delatour in
June 2 - Saeco suspends Simoni, waits for Tour decision

May

May 26 - Possible replacement for Team Saeco in Tour de France
May 7 - Ullrich renounces the Tour
May 5 - A case for Coast, 2001 Tour declared 'doping free'
May 4 - No Tour invite could spell end for BigMat
May 3 - Tour de France teams: more comments
May 2 - Tour de France team selection preview, Tour de France selection: the final five teams