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89th Tour de France - Grand Tour
France, July 6-28, 2002
Tour de France news flash for July 14, 2002
Edited by Jeff Jones
Armstrong involved in crash, loses time
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Defending champion Lance Armstrong (USPS) lost 27 seconds in today's 7th stage from Bagnoles-de-l'Orne to Avranches, after a crash occurred with 3 kilometres to go. The Texan didn't come down in the fall, but his bike was tangled up with teammate Robert Heras', who was following Armstrong and had been run into from behind. Unfortunately for Armstrong, the crash came too close to the end for him to rejoin the peloton, and he crossed the line in 91st place, 27 seconds behind his main rivals including race leader Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano. The time loss meant he fell from third on GC to 8th, at 34 seconds.
Armstrong was unhurt, and only mildly ruffled as he told reporters afterwards: "I didn't crash but I put my foot down and had to straighten my handlebars. I'm not upset about it. It just means I'll have to ride a bit faster in the individual time trial on Monday."
The stage was won by Australian Bradley McGee (FDJeux.com), who attacked inside the last kilometre to finish in front of Jaan Kirsipuu (Ag2r) and Pedro Horillo (Mapei).
Full results & report
Live report
Photos
