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Giro finale
Photo ©: Bettini

93rd Tour de France - ProT

France, July 1-23, 2006

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Stage 8 - Sunday, July 9: Saint-Méen-le-Grand - Lorient, 181 km

Finally... a breakaway success!

Sylvain Calzati: The Lorient Express

By Anthony Tan & Brecht Decaluwé in Lorient, with additional reporting from Tim Maloney

Sylvain Calzati (AG2R)
Photo ©: AFP
(Click for larger image)

Until today, many tried, but for one reason or another, failed in their attempt to escape the peloton's grasp. After a difficult opening week and yesterday's 52-kilometre slog against the clock, though, the sprinters' teams found themselves a little winded when it the time came to chase, giving hope to the sextet out front.

The flipside, however, was that each of them knew this. To win today's stage would require an element of surprise, and Sylvain Calzati's counter with just over 30 kilometres to go turned out to be a perfect jack-in-the-box move.

Once away on his own, the recently-turned 27 year-old summoned his forces from within, calling upon his three years' experience as a professional to distribute his remaining energy as efficiently as possible. This he did to perfection, the previous Tour de l'Avenir champion continuing his time trial of yesterday all the way to Lorient, and in doing so, earning the biggest win of his career.

"I am completely overwhelmed," said Calzati at the finish line. "I was able to take my chance today, and then continued on with a huge final effort... And I made it!"

Kjell Carlstrom (Liquigas)
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini
(Click for larger image)

"Vincent Lavenu [team manager of AG2R - ed. told me that there was a little climb in the next village. Explaining why I attacked there is impossible, it was intuition, I think. What I did know is that when I was alone on top of that climb, I could keep on going."

Finishing two minutes behind Calzati were two remnants of the early breakaway, with Liquigas rider Kjell Carlström outsprinting Patrice Halgand of Crédit Agricole. Ten seconds later, maillot vert Robbie McEwen continued to assert his sprinter superiority, comfortably beating Daniele Bennati and Erik Zabel for fourth, thus seeing no change to the leaderboard.

"This is absolutely fantastic," continued Calzati, still in shock over his accomplishment.

"I thought a lot about my wife and my little girl [during my escape], who are my good luck charms. There was so much going through my mind... I thought about everybody; my family, my trainers... also about the past year.

"2006 was a terrible year for me due to illness and a fall early on in the season [at the Etoile de Bessèges - ed.]. I'm very happy to be back at my level of 2004," he said.

Tomorrow brings a welcome day of rest for the 170 remaining coureurs in the 93rd Tour de France, but not before a 500 kilometre-long air-transfer between Lorient and Bordeaux. And yes, the Pyrenées are now looming.

How it unfolded

Mazzoleni and Gonchar
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini
(Click for larger image)

After the tough time test on Saturday, Sunday's stage was predictable with a long break getting away across the verdant rolling hills of central Brittany to finish in the gritty seaport of Lorient. Stage 8 had four categorized climbs: the steep Cat. 3 Cote de Mur-de-Bretagne (75.0km), Cat. 4 Cote de Saint-Mayeux (78.5km), Cat. 4 Cote de Gouarec (94.0km) and Cat. 4 Cote de Ty Marrec (138.5km), and three intermediate sprints Plessala (38.0km), Locmalo (112.5km) and Plouay (142.0km).

Stage 8 started at 31 minutes after midday on a cool Sunday with light rain. 170 riders rolled out of the village of Saint-Méen-le-Grand, birthplace of three-time Tour winner Louison Bobet and his brother Jean. American Bobby Julich (CSC) didn't start, as he was forced to abandon after crashing after 1.5km in yesterday's time trial.

It was an active start with plenty of attacking and the first one to succeed came from Etxebarria (Euskaltel) after 17.5km in Saint-Launeuc . Seven got across to the little Basque: Voigt (CSC), Dumoulin (AG2R), Weening (Rabobank), Vansevenant (Davitamon), Garcia-Acosta (Caisse d'Epargne), Grabsch (Milram) and Coutouly (Agritubel) - at the 18km mark. Maillot jaune Gonchar's T-Mobile team and Lampre were chasing and after 29km, the break had 0'35. At the first intermediate sprint in Plessala after 38.0km, little Sammy Dumoulin, big Cente Garcia and Jensy Voigt got the points and time bonus just 0'22 ahead of the fast closing peloton, and it all came back together in Plouguenast at the 45.5 km mark after one hour of racing.

The break comes up
Photo ©: Jon Devich
(Click for larger image)

The weather had started to clear as the Tour peloton headed deeper into the green heart of the rural countryside with huge Sunday crowds lining the road in cycling-mad Brittany. CSC's Dave Zabriskie made a clever counter-move 2km after the first break was caught and his attack attracted watchdog Matze Kessler (T-Mobile), Calzati (AG2R), Aerts (Davitamon) and Carlström (Liquigas). Halgand (Credit Agricole) went after the break after 48km, and it took him 8km to bridge, while the peloton was almost 2'00 behind. Dave Z was stung by a bee and was treated by the race doc, but the determined American brushed it off and kept riding hard in the escape.

After 63km in Le Quillio, the fast moving break had gained its max advantage of 7'30 over a Phonak-led peloton. Among the huge crowds lining the steep Cat. 3 Cote de Mur-de-Bretagne after 75.0km, Calzati took the points and doubled up on the next ascent of the Cat. 4 Cote de Saint-Mayeux just 3.5km later, and the escape was 6'20 ahead of the peloton.

Phonak
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini
(Click for larger image)

At Locmalo after 112.5km, the day's second intermediate sprint, non-sprinter Zabriskie beat Calzati and Aerts and his six-second time bonus was enough to move Dave Z past break watchdog Kessler on GC. The sun had come out and the sidewind blowing from the northwest kept the speed in the break high. Zabriskie had been maillot jaune virtuel for quite a while and was working hard in the escape along with Carlström and Halgand, while AG2R's Calzati seemed to be soft pedaling and Kessler was just sitting on, protecting his T-Mobile leader Gonchar's advantage.

Finally as the last 50km arrived, Phonak got some help chasing from Française des Jeux as the break was still 4'00 up the road. Next on the menu du jour was the ascent of the Cat. 4 Cote de Ty Marrec with 42km to go, followed by the final intermediate sprint in Plouay. This stretch of road was the site of the final kilometres of the 2000 World Championships as well as the GP de l'Ouest France and Calzati topped the climb again, while Aerts took the bonus sprint ahead of a surging Dave Z. As the peloton climbed the Cote de Ty Marrec 3'25 behind, perhaps maillot jaune Gonchar's and George Hincapie were having deja vu: Gonchar's won his TT world title here while Hincapie took the GP de l'Ouest France last year on these same roads. Phonak had left the chasing role, but Française des Jeux was now aided by Lampre-Fondital up front.

Sylvain Calzati (AG2R)
Photo ©: Jon Devich
(Click for larger image)

After the town of Plouay, the break seemed to lose cohesion as it headed to Hennebont and the finish in Lorient. Calzati saw his chance and after Calan with 32km to go, the AG2R man made a huge attack and flew the coop. Halgand tried to chase as the others just sat there and watched as Zabriskie knew any move he made would be tracked by watchdog Kessler. Halgand croaked as he tried to chase down the flying Calzati, but luckily Finnish rider Carlström came across.

In Hennebont with 21km to race, Calzati had 0'45 on Carlström and Halgand, 1'00 on Dave Z, Aerts and Kessler, with the peloton at 2'30. A few clicks later, the CSC, Davitamon-Lotto and T-Mobile rider sat up and were absorbed and the peloton shut off the chase, ensuring that the first three riders would make it to the line ahead of them. In Lorient, Calzati took his second career win after the 2004 Tour de l'Avenir, while the Flying Finn of Liquigas-Bianchi took a well deserved runner-up spot ahead of Halgand, while Robbie Mac smacked the rest of the sprinters down in the bunch sprint for 4th place.

Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto)
Photo ©: Sirotti
(Click for larger image)

After Stage 8, the Tour entourage will board a charter flight to Bordeaux and hope to see the World Cup final between Italy and France, then enjoy rest day #1 at this topsy-turvy 2006 Tour De France in Bordeaux.

Stage 9 - Tuesday July 11: Bordeaux-Dax, 170km

Phase Two of the 93rd Tour begins today as the peloton heads south through the piney woods of Les Landes on this dead flat stage to Dax, hometown of renowned French road sprinter Andre' Darrigade. The sprinters' teams will be looking to keep things under control in the battle for the maillot vert as the Pyrenees Mountains loom in the heat haze to the south. Can Big Bad Boonen finally beat Rockin' Robbie Mac on the Route de Tercis? Not if Mac's lovely new leadout go-go Gert Steegmans has anything to say about it!

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us

Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

Images by AFP Photo

Images by Brecht Decaluwé/Cyclingnews.com

Results

1 Sylvain Calzati (Fra) AG2R-Prevoyance                            4.13.18 (42.784 km/h)
2 Kjell Carlström (Fin) Liquigas                                      2.05
3 Patrice Halgand (Fra) Crédit Agricole                                   
4 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Davitamon-Lotto                                 2.15
5 Daniele Bennati (Ita) Lampre-Fondital                                   
6 Erik Zabel (Ger) Milram                                                 
7 Bernhard Eisel (Aut) Francaise Des Jeux                                 
8 Luca Paolini (Ita) Liquigas                                             
9 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick-Step-Innergetic                                  
10 David Kopp (Ger) Gerolsteiner                                          
11 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole                                     
12 Marco Velo (Ita) Milram                                                
13 Francisco Ventoso (Spa) Saunier Duval                                  
14 Sébastien Hinault (Fra) Crédit Agricole                                
15 Oscar Freire (Spa) Rabobank                                            
16 Arnaud Coyot (Fra) Cofidis                                             
17 Miguel Angel Martin Perdiguero (Spa) Phonak                            
18 Gert Steegmans (Bel) Davitamon-Lotto                                   
19 Björn Schröder (Ger) Milram                                            
20 Inaki Isasi (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                                    
21 Anthony Geslin (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                                  
22 Magnus Backstedt (Swe) Liquigas                                        
23 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Liquigas                                        
24 Aitor Hernandez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                                
25 Christophe Rinero (Fra) Saunier Duval                                  
26 Michael Albasini (Swi) Liquigas                                        
27 Matej Mugerli (Slo) Liquigas                                           
28 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Francaise Des Jeux                              
29 Julian Dean (NZl) Crédit Agricole                                      
30 George Hincapie (USA) Discovery Channel                                
31 Matteo Tosatto (Ita) Quick-Step-Innergetic                             
32 Walter Beneteau (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                                 
33 Iker Camano (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                                    
34 Manuel Quinziato (Ita) Liquigas                                        
35 Patxi Vila (Spa) Lampre-Fondital                                       
36 Peter Wrolich (Aut) Gerolsteiner                                       
37 Floyd Landis (USA) Phonak                                              
38 Victor Hugo Pena (Col) Phonak                                          
39 Christophe Laurent (Fra) Agritubel                                     
40 Georg Totschnig (Aut) Gerolsteiner                                     
41 Andriy Grivko (Ukr) Milram                                             
42 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Cofidis                                          
43 Giovanni Lombardi (Ita) Team CSC                                       
44 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Team CSC                                           
45 Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) Lampre-Fondital                                 
46 Christian Vandevelde (USA) Team CSC                                    
47 Steven De Jongh (Ned) Quick-Step-Innergetic                            
48 Alexandre Botcharov (Rus) Crédit Agricole                              
49 Christophe Brandt (Bel) Davitamon-Lotto                                
50 Salvatore Commesso (Ita) Lampre-Fondital                               
51 Andreas Klöden (Ger) T-Mobile                                          
52 Michael Rogers (Aus) T-Mobile                                          
53 Patrik Sinkewitz (Ger) T-Mobile                                        
54 Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Cofidis                                         
55 Christophe Moreau (Fra) AG2R-Prevoyance                                
56 Wilfried Cretskens (Bel) Quick-Step-Innergetic                         
57 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Team CSC                                          
58 Juan Manuel Garate (Spa) Quick-Step-Innergetic                         
59 Haimar Zubeldia (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                                
60 Cadel Evans (Aus) Davitamon-Lotto                                      
61 Christophe Le Mevel (Fra) Crédit Agricole                              
62 Bram Tankink (Ned) Quick-Step-Innergetic                               
63 Jimmy Engoulvent (Fra) Crédit Agricole                                 
64 Patrick Calcagni (Swi) Liquigas                                        
65 Axel Merckx (Bel) Phonak                                               
66 Yaroslav Popovyvch (Ukr) Discovery Channel                             
67 José Rujano (Ven) Quick-Step-Innergetic                                
68 Pietro Caucchioli (Ita) Crédit Agricole                                
69 Laurent Lefevre (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                                 
70 Bert Grabsch (Ger) Phonak                                              
71 Benoît Salmon (Fra) Agritubel                                          
72 Sebastian Lang (Ger) Gerolsteiner                                      
73 Nicolas Portal (Fra) Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears                    
74 Riccardo Ricco (Ita) Saunier Duval                                     
75 Iban Mayo (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                                      
76 Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Quick-Step-Innergetic                            
77 Eddy Mazzoleni (Ita) T-Mobile                                          
78 Alessandro Ballan (Ita) Lampre-Fondital                                
79 Carlos Da Cruz (Fra) Francaise Des Jeux                                
80 Sandy Casar (Fra) Francaise Des Jeux                                   
81 Christopher Horner (USA) Davitamon-Lotto                               
82 Gilberto Simoni (Ita) Saunier Duval                                    
83 Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                                 
84 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Gerolsteiner                                     
85 Frank Schleck (Lux) Team CSC                                           
86 Christian Knees (Ger) Milram                                           
87 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank                                           
88 Paolo Tiralongo (Ita) Lampre-Fondital                                  
89 Bram De Groot (Ned) Rabobank                                           
90 Marcus Fothen (Ger) Gerolsteiner                                       
91 Ralf Grabsch (Ger) Milram                                              
92 Unai Etxebarria (Ven) Euskaltel-Euskadi                                
93 Juan Antonio Flecha (Spa) Rabobank                                     
94 Cédric Vasseur (Fra) Quick-Step-Innergetic                             
95 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre-Fondital                                   
96 José Azevedo (Por) Discovery Channel                                   
97 Cyril Dessel (Fra) AG2R-Prevoyance                                     
98 Tadej Valjavec (Slo) Lampre-Fondital                                   
99 Mikel Astarloza (Spa) AG2R-Prevoyance                                  
100 Serguei Gonchar (Ukr) T-Mobile                                        
101 Samuel Plouhinec (Fra) Agritubel                                      
102 Didier Rous (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                                    
103 Simon Gerrans (Aus) AG2R-Prevoyance                                   
104 Maxim Iglinskiy (Kaz) Milram                                          
105 Mirko Celestino (Ita) Milram                                          
106 Benjamin Noval (Spa) Discovery Channel                                
107 David Zabriskie (USA) Team CSC                                        
108 Oscar Pereiro (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears                    
109 Jens Voigt (Ger) Team CSC                                             
110 Koos Moerenhout (Ned) Phonak                                          
111 José Luis Arrieta (Spa) AG2R-Prevoyance                               
112 Laurent Brochard (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                               
113 Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears                 
114 Ivan Ramiro Parra (Col) Cofidis                                       
115 Robert Hunter (RSA) Phonak                                            
116 Matthieu Sprick (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                                
117 Benoît Vaugrenard (Fra) Francaise Des Jeux                            
118 Nicolas Jalabert (Fra) Phonak                                         
119 Egoi Martinez (Spa) Discovery Channel                                 
120 Paolo Savoldelli (Ita) Discovery Channel                              
121 Viatscheslav Ekimov (Rus) Discovery Channel                           
122 Stéphane Auge (Fra) Cofidis                                           
123 Stephane Goubert (Fra) AG2R-Prevoyance                                
124 Joost Posthuma (Ned) Rabobank                                         
125 Florent Brard (Fra) Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears                    
126 José Luis Rubiera (Spa) Discovery Channel                             
127 Christophe Mengin (Fra) Francaise Des Jeux                            
128 David Lopez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                                   
129 Moises Duenas (Spa) Agritubel                                         
130 Juan Miguel Mercado (Spa) Agritubel                                   
131 Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                                  
132 Manuel Calvente (Spa) Agritubel                                       
133 Eduardo Gonzalo (Spa) Agritubel                                       
134 Sébastien Joly (Fra) Francaise Des Jeux                               
135 Ronny Scholz (Ger) Gerolsteiner                                       
136 Cristian Moreni (Ita) Cofidis                                         
137 Rik Verbrugghe (Bel) Cofidis                                          
138 Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Francaise Des Jeux                              
139 David Millar (GBr) Saunier Duval                                      
140 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank                                      
141 Anthony Charteau (Fra) Crédit Agricole                                
142 Pavel Padrnos (Cze) Discovery Channel                                 
143 Matthias Kessler (Ger) T-Mobile                                       
144 Gustav Larsson (Swe) Francaise Des Jeux                               
145 Fabian Wegmann (Ger) Gerolsteiner                                     
146 Beat Zberg (Swi) Gerolsteiner                                         
147 Michael Boogerd (Ned) Rabobank                                        
148 José Angel Gomez (Spa) Saunier Duval                                  
149 Pieter Weening (Ned) Rabobank                                         
150 Jose Vicente Garcia Acosta (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears       
151 Gorka Verdugo (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                                 
152 Alexandre Moos (Swi) Phonak                                           
153 Giuseppe Guerini (Ita) T-Mobile                                       
154 Ruben Lobato (Spa) Saunier Duval                                      
155 Xabier Zandio (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears                    
156 Pierrick Fedrigo (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                               
157 Isaac Galvez (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears                     
158 David Canada (Spa) Saunier Duval                                      
159 David Arroyo (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears                     
160 Wim Vansevenant (Bel) Davitamon-Lotto                                 
161 Johan Vansummeren (Bel) Davitamon-Lotto                               
162 Inigo Landaluze (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                               
163 David De La Fuente (Spa) Saunier Duval                                
164 Mario Aerts (Bel) Davitamon-Lotto                                     
165 David Moncoutié (Fra) Cofidis                                         
166 Jimmy Casper (Fra) Cofidis                                            
167 Samuel Dumoulin (Fra) AG2R-Prevoyance                                 
168 Cédric Coutouly (Fra) Agritubel                                       
169 José Alberto Martinez (Spa) Agritubel                                 
170 Daniele Righi (Ita) Lampre-Fondital                               3.10
 
Points
 
1 Sylvain Calzati (Fra) AG2R-Prevoyance                                 35 pts
2 Kjell Carlström (Fin) Liquigas                                        30
3 Patrice Halgand (Fra) Crédit Agricole                                 26
4 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Davitamon-Lotto                                   24
5 Daniele Bennati (Ita) Lampre-Fondital                                 22
6 Erik Zabel (Ger) Milram                                               20
7 Bernhard Eisel (Aut) Francaise Des Jeux                               19
8 Luca Paolini (Ita) Liquigas                                           18
9 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick-Step-Innergetic                                17
10 David Kopp (Ger) Gerolsteiner                                        16
11 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole                                   15
12 Marco Velo (Ita) Milram                                              14
13 Francisco Ventoso (Spa) Saunier Duval                                13
14 Sébastien Hinault (Fra) Crédit Agricole                              12
15 Oscar Freire (Spa) Rabobank                                          11
16 Arnaud Coyot (Fra) Cofidis                                           10
17 Miguel Angel Martin Perdiguero (Spa) Phonak                           9
18 Gert Steegmans (Bel) Davitamon-Lotto                                  8
19 Björn Schröder (Ger) Milram                                           7
20 Inaki Isasi (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                                   6
21 Anthony Geslin (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                                 5
22 Magnus Backstedt (Swe) Liquigas                                       4
23 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Liquigas                                       3
24 Aitor Hernandez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                               2
25 Christophe Rinero (Fra) Saunier Duval                                 1
 
Mountains
 
Côte de Mûr-de-Bretagne - Cat. 3, km 75                                   
1 Sylvain Calzati (Fra) AG2R-Prevoyance                                  4 pts
2 Mario Aerts (Bel) Davitamon-Lotto                                      3
3 Matthias Kessler (Ger) T-Mobile                                        2
4 Patrice Halgand (Fra) Crédit Agricole                                  1
 
Côte de Saint-Mayeux - Cat. 4, km 78.5
1 Sylvain Calzati (Fra) AG2R-Prevoyance                                  3 pts
2 Kjell Carlström (Fin) Liquigas                                         2
3 David Zabriskie (USA) Team CSC                                         1
 
Côte de Gouarec - Cat. 4, km 94
1 Sylvain Calzati (Fra) AG2R-Prevoyance                                  3 pts
2 David Zabriskie (USA) Team CSC                                         2
3 Mario Aerts (Bel) Davitamon-Lotto                                      1
 
Côte de Ty Marrec - Cat. 4, km 138.5
1 Sylvain Calzati (Fra) AG2R-Prevoyance                                  3 pts
2 Patrice Halgand (Fra) Crédit Agricole                                  2
3 Mario Aerts (Bel) Davitamon-Lotto                                      1
 
Sprints
 
Plessala, km 38
1 Samuel Dumoulin (Fra) AG2R-Prevoyance                                  6 pts
2 Jose Vicente Garcia Acosta (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears        4
3 Jens Voigt (Ger) Team CSC                                              2
 
Locmalo, km 112.5
1 David Zabriskie (USA) Team CSC                                         6 pts
2 Sylvain Calzati (Fra) AG2R-Prevoyance                                  4
3 Mario Aerts (Bel) Davitamon-Lotto                                      2
 
Plouay, km 142
1 Mario Aerts (Bel) Davitamon-Lotto                                      6 pts
2 David Zabriskie (USA) Team CSC                                         4
3 Kjell Carlström (Fin) Liquigas                                         2
 
Young rider
 
1 Bernhard Eisel (Aut) Francaise Des Jeux                          4.15.33
2 Francisco Ventoso (Spa) Saunier Duval                                   
3 Aitor Hernandez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                                 
4 Matej Mugerli (Slo) Liquigas                                            
5 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Francaise Des Jeux                               
6 Andriy Grivko (Ukr) Milram                                              
7 José Rujano (Ven) Quick-Step-Innergetic                                 
8 Riccardo Ricco (Ita) Saunier Duval                                      
9 Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Quick-Step-Innergetic                             
10 Christian Knees (Ger) Milram                                           
11 Marcus Fothen (Ger) Gerolsteiner                                       
12 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre-Fondital                                   
13 Maxim Iglinskiy (Kaz) Milram                                           
14 Matthieu Sprick (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                                 
15 Benoît Vaugrenard (Fra) Francaise Des Jeux                             
16 Joost Posthuma (Ned) Rabobank                                          
17 David Lopez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                                    
18 Moises Duenas (Spa) Agritubel                                          
19 Eduardo Gonzalo (Spa) Agritubel                                        
20 Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Francaise Des Jeux                               
21 Pieter Weening (Ned) Rabobank                                          
22 Johan Vansummeren (Bel) Davitamon-Lotto                                
23 David De La Fuente (Spa) Saunier Duval                                 
 
Most combative
 
1 Sylvain Calzati (Fra) AG2R-Prevoyance                                   
 
Teams
 
1 AG2R Prevoyance                                                 12.44.24
2 Credit Agricole                                                     2.05
3 Liquigas                                                                
4 Team Milram                                                         2.15
5 Davitamon - Lotto                                                       
6 Euskaltel - Euskadi                                                     
7 Lampre-Fondital                                                         
8 Gerolsteiner                                                            
9 Quick Step - Innergetic                                                 
10 Phonak Hearing Systems                                                 
11 Saunier Duval - Prodir                                                 
12 Cofidis Credit Par Telephone                                           
13 Francaise Des Jeux                                                     
14 Bouygues Telecom                                                       
15 Team CSC                                                               
16 T-Mobile Team                                                          
17 Rabobank                                                               
18 Discovery Channel Team                                                 
19 Agritubel                                                              
20 Caisse D’Epargne-Illes Balears                                         
 
General classification after stage 8
 
1 Serguei Gonchar (Ukr) T-Mobile                                  34.38.53
2 Floyd Landis (USA) Phonak                                           1.00
3 Michael Rogers (Aus) T-Mobile                                       1.08
4 Patrik Sinkewitz (Ger) T-Mobile                                     1.45
5 Marcus Fothen (Ger) Gerolsteiner                                    1.50
6 Andreas Klöden (Ger) T-Mobile                                           
7 Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears               1.52
8 Cadel Evans (Aus) Davitamon-Lotto                                       
9 David Zabriskie (USA) Team CSC                                      1.53
10 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank                                       2.00
11 Matthias Kessler (Ger) T-Mobile                                    2.03
12 Christophe Moreau (Fra) AG2R-Prevoyance                            2.07
13 Paolo Savoldelli (Ita) Discovery Channel                           2.10
14 Eddy Mazzoleni (Ita) T-Mobile                                      2.14
15 Sebastian Lang (Ger) Gerolsteiner                                  2.22
16 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Team CSC                                       2.27
17 George Hincapie (USA) Discovery Channel                            2.30
18 Oscar Pereiro (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears                 2.57
19 Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Francaise Des Jeux                           3.01
20 Didier Rous (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                                 3.15
21 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick-Step-Innergetic                                 
22 Christian Vandevelde (USA) Team CSC                                3.25
23 Yaroslav Popovyvch (Ukr) Discovery Channel                         3.27
24 José Luis Rubiera (Spa) Discovery Channel                          3.34
25 David Millar (GBr) Saunier Duval                                   3.38
26 Mikel Astarloza (Spa) AG2R-Prevoyance                              3.46
27 Haimar Zubeldia (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                            3.47
28 Cyril Dessel (Fra) AG2R-Prevoyance                                 3.50
29 Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) Lampre-Fondital                             3.56
30 Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Cofidis                                         
31 Andriy Grivko (Ukr) Milram                                         3.58
32 Sandy Casar (Fra) Francaise Des Jeux                               4.07
33 José Azevedo (Por) Discovery Channel                               4.09
34 Alessandro Ballan (Ita) Lampre-Fondital                                
35 Giuseppe Guerini (Ita) T-Mobile                                    4.10
36 Egoi Martinez (Spa) Discovery Channel                              4.33
37 Sylvain Calzati (Fra) AG2R-Prevoyance                                  
38 Georg Totschnig (Aut) Gerolsteiner                                     
39 Pavel Padrnos (Cze) Discovery Channel                              4.42
40 Benoît Vaugrenard (Fra) Francaise Des Jeux                         4.44
41 Xabier Zandio (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears                 4.46
42 Axel Merckx (Bel) Phonak                                               
43 Laurent Lefevre (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                             5.00
44 Cristian Moreni (Ita) Cofidis                                      5.05
45 Christian Knees (Ger) Milram                                       5.19
46 Riccardo Ricco (Ita) Saunier Duval                                 5.25
47 José Rujano (Ven) Quick-Step-Innergetic                            5.26
48 Michael Boogerd (Ned) Rabobank                                     5.29
49 Gilberto Simoni (Ita) Saunier Duval                                5.34
50 Ronny Scholz (Ger) Gerolsteiner                                        
51 Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                             5.35
52 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Liquigas                                    5.39
53 Patxi Vila (Spa) Lampre-Fondital                                   5.42
54 Laurent Brochard (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                                
55 Christophe Brandt (Bel) Davitamon-Lotto                                
56 Tadej Valjavec (Slo) Lampre-Fondital                               5.44
57 Ivan Ramiro Parra (Col) Cofidis                                        
58 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Davitamon-Lotto                                6.02
59 Iban Mayo (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                                  6.11
60 Juan Miguel Mercado (Spa) Agritubel                                6.12
61 Pierrick Fedrigo (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                            6.15
62 Koos Moerenhout (Ned) Phonak                                       6.16
63 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Gerolsteiner                                 6.17
64 Nicolas Jalabert (Fra) Phonak                                          
65 Bert Grabsch (Ger) Phonak                                          6.19
66 Iker Camano (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                                6.24
67 Miguel Angel Martin Perdiguero (Spa) Phonak                        6.25
68 Mirko Celestino (Ita) Milram                                           
69 Maxim Iglinskiy (Kaz) Milram                                       6.27
70 David Canada (Spa) Saunier Duval                                   6.28
71 Simon Gerrans (Aus) AG2R-Prevoyance                                6.30
72 Alexandre Botcharov (Rus) Crédit Agricole                          6.36
73 Inigo Landaluze (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                            6.55
74 Erik Zabel (Ger) Milram                                            6.58
75 Oscar Freire (Spa) Rabobank                                            
76 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre-Fondital                               7.06
77 Pietro Caucchioli (Ita) Crédit Agricole                            7.14
78 Cédric Vasseur (Fra) Quick-Step-Innergetic                             
79 Francisco Ventoso (Spa) Saunier Duval                              7.15
80 Patrice Halgand (Fra) Crédit Agricole                              7.16
81 Viatscheslav Ekimov (Rus) Discovery Channel                        7.18
82 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank                                   7.20
83 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole                                 7.21
84 Walter Beneteau (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                             7.24
85 Benjamin Noval (Spa) Discovery Channel                                 
86 Joost Posthuma (Ned) Rabobank                                      7.34
87 Moises Duenas (Spa) Agritubel                                      7.45
88 Jose Vicente Garcia Acosta (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears    7.54
89 Frank Schleck (Lux) Team CSC                                       7.58
90 Gorka Verdugo (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                              7.59
91 David Kopp (Ger) Gerolsteiner                                      8.11
92 José Luis Arrieta (Spa) AG2R-Prevoyance                            8.18
93 Stephane Goubert (Fra) AG2R-Prevoyance                             8.19
94 Bernhard Eisel (Aut) Francaise Des Jeux                                
95 José Angel Gomez (Spa) Saunier Duval                               8.20
96 Benoît Salmon (Fra) Agritubel                                      8.22
97 Fabian Wegmann (Ger) Gerolsteiner                                  8.27
98 Paolo Tiralongo (Ita) Lampre-Fondital                              8.28
99 Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                               8.31
100 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Francaise Des Jeux                         8.32
101 Pieter Weening (Ned) Rabobank                                     8.34
102 Daniele Bennati (Ita) Lampre-Fondital                             8.42
103 Marco Velo (Ita) Milram                                           8.43
104 Anthony Geslin (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                             8.46
105 Luca Paolini (Ita) Liquigas                                       8.48
106 Juan Antonio Flecha (Spa) Rabobank                                    
107 Matthieu Sprick (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                            8.51
108 Alexandre Moos (Swi) Phonak                                       9.04
109 Christophe Rinero (Fra) Saunier Duval                             9.16
110 Eduardo Gonzalo (Spa) Agritubel                                   9.26
111 Christophe Laurent (Fra) Agritubel                                9.31
112 David Lopez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                                   
113 Mario Aerts (Bel) Davitamon-Lotto                                 9.52
114 Gustav Larsson (Swe) Francaise Des Jeux                           9.59
115 Samuel Plouhinec (Fra) Agritubel                                 10.17
116 Michael Albasini (Swi) Liquigas                                  10.20
117 Robert Hunter (RSA) Phonak                                       10.42
118 Manuel Quinziato (Ita) Liquigas                                  10.59
119 Patrick Calcagni (Swi) Liquigas                                  11.14
120 Jens Voigt (Ger) Team CSC                                        11.21
121 Beat Zberg (Swi) Gerolsteiner                                    11.23
122 Salvatore Commesso (Ita) Lampre-Fondital                         11.49
123 Rik Verbrugghe (Bel) Cofidis                                     11.57
124 José Alberto Martinez (Spa) Agritubel                            12.11
125 David Moncoutié (Fra) Cofidis                                    12.15
126 Christopher Horner (USA) Davitamon-Lotto                         12.19
127 Juan Manuel Garate (Spa) Quick-Step-Innergetic                   12.23
128 Ruben Lobato (Spa) Saunier Duval                                 12.42
129 Carlos Da Cruz (Fra) Francaise Des Jeux                          13.00
130 Steven De Jongh (Ned) Quick-Step-Innergetic                      13.09
131 Manuel Calvente (Spa) Agritubel                                  13.21
132 Christophe Le Mevel (Fra) Crédit Agricole                        13.35
133 Victor Hugo Pena (Col) Phonak                                    13.40
134 Sébastien Hinault (Fra) Crédit Agricole                          14.01
135 Samuel Dumoulin (Fra) AG2R-Prevoyance                            14.05
136 David Arroyo (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears                14.11
137 Giovanni Lombardi (Ita) Team CSC                                 14.27
138 Christophe Mengin (Fra) Francaise Des Jeux                       14.31
139 Björn Schröder (Ger) Milram                                      14.34
140 Unai Etxebarria (Ven) Euskaltel-Euskadi                          14.57
141 Julian Dean (NZl) Crédit Agricole                                15.07
142 Ralf Grabsch (Ger) Milram                                        15.23
143 Florent Brard (Fra) Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears               16.08
144 Inaki Isasi (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                              16.18
145 Bram Tankink (Ned) Quick-Step-Innergetic                         16.21
146 Nicolas Portal (Fra) Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears              17.50
147 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Cofidis                                    17.55
148 Peter Wrolich (Aut) Gerolsteiner                                 17.59
149 Arnaud Coyot (Fra) Cofidis                                       18.11
150 Bram De Groot (Ned) Rabobank                                     18.53
151 Matej Mugerli (Slo) Liquigas                                     19.17
152 Matteo Tosatto (Ita) Quick-Step-Innergetic                       19.24
153 Gert Steegmans (Bel) Davitamon-Lotto                             19.36
154 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Team CSC                                    19.39
155 Cédric Coutouly (Fra) Agritubel                                  20.10
156 Isaac Galvez (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears                20.58
157 Johan Vansummeren (Bel) Davitamon-Lotto                          21.17
158 Wilfried Cretskens (Bel) Quick-Step-Innergetic                   24.38
159 Kjell Carlström (Fin) Liquigas                                   24.46
160 Stéphane Auge (Fra) Cofidis                                      24.54
161 Daniele Righi (Ita) Lampre-Fondital                              27.32
162 Jimmy Engoulvent (Fra) Crédit Agricole                           28.16
163 Jimmy Casper (Fra) Cofidis                                       32.30
164 David De La Fuente (Spa) Saunier Duval                           33.37
165 Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Quick-Step-Innergetic                      35.32
166 Wim Vansevenant (Bel) Davitamon-Lotto                            35.42
167 Magnus Backstedt (Swe) Liquigas                                  35.58
168 Aitor Hernandez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                          36.23
169 Anthony Charteau (Fra) Crédit Agricole                           38.23
170 Sébastien Joly (Fra) Francaise Des Jeux                          43.25
 
Points classification
 
1 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Davitamon-Lotto                                  181 pts
2 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick-Step-Innergetic                               164
3 Oscar Freire (Spa) Rabobank                                          146
4 Daniele Bennati (Ita) Lampre-Fondital                                138
5 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole                                   118
6 Erik Zabel (Ger) Milram                                              115
7 Bernhard Eisel (Aut) Francaise Des Jeux                              112
8 Luca Paolini (Ita) Liquigas                                          108
9 Jimmy Casper (Fra) Cofidis                                            77
10 David Kopp (Ger) Gerolsteiner                                        77
11 Inaki Isasi (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                                  76
12 Francisco Ventoso (Spa) Saunier Duval                                74
13 Isaac Galvez (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears                    60
14 Michael Rogers (Aus) T-Mobile                                        59
15 George Hincapie (USA) Discovery Channel                              44
16 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Team CSC                                        43
17 Laurent Brochard (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                              40
18 Sylvain Calzati (Fra) AG2R-Prevoyance                                39
19 Anthony Geslin (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                                38
20 Cristian Moreni (Ita) Cofidis                                        36
21 Arnaud Coyot (Fra) Cofidis                                           33
22 Peter Wrolich (Aut) Gerolsteiner                                     32
23 Gert Steegmans (Bel) Davitamon-Lotto                                 32
24 Kjell Carlström (Fin) Liquigas                                       32
25 Michael Albasini (Swi) Liquigas                                      31
26 Eddy Mazzoleni (Ita) T-Mobile                                        28
27 Andreas Klöden (Ger) T-Mobile                                        27
28 Patrice Halgand (Fra) Crédit Agricole                                26
29 Matthias Kessler (Ger) T-Mobile                                      25
30 Marco Velo (Ita) Milram                                              25
31 Samuel Dumoulin (Fra) AG2R-Prevoyance                                24
32 Alexandre Botcharov (Rus) Crédit Agricole                            23
33 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Francaise Des Jeux                            21
34 David Zabriskie (USA) Team CSC                                       20
35 Alessandro Ballan (Ita) Lampre-Fondital                              20
36 Fabian Wegmann (Ger) Gerolsteiner                                    20
37 Björn Schröder (Ger) Milram                                          19
38 David De La Fuente (Spa) Saunier Duval                               18
39 Jens Voigt (Ger) Team CSC                                            18
40 Floyd Landis (USA) Phonak                                            18
41 Sebastian Lang (Ger) Gerolsteiner                                    18
42 Egoi Martinez (Spa) Discovery Channel                                17
43 Benoît Vaugrenard (Fra) Francaise Des Jeux                           16
44 Walter Beneteau (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                               16
45 Sébastien Hinault (Fra) Crédit Agricole                              16
46 Serguei Gonchar (Ukr) T-Mobile                                       15
47 Cadel Evans (Aus) Davitamon-Lotto                                    15
48 Yaroslav Popovyvch (Ukr) Discovery Channel                           15
49 Aitor Hernandez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                              15
50 José Luis Arrieta (Spa) AG2R-Prevoyance                              14
51 Christophe Laurent (Fra) Agritubel                                   14
52 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Liquigas                                      13
53 Steven De Jongh (Ned) Quick-Step-Innergetic                          13
54 Magnus Backstedt (Swe) Liquigas                                      13
55 Florent Brard (Fra) Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears                   12
56 Georg Totschnig (Aut) Gerolsteiner                                   12
57 Robert Hunter (RSA) Phonak                                           11
58 Patrik Sinkewitz (Ger) T-Mobile                                      10
59 Oscar Pereiro (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears                   10
60 Laurent Lefevre (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                               10
61 Marcus Fothen (Ger) Gerolsteiner                                      9
62 José Luis Rubiera (Spa) Discovery Channel                             9
63 Miguel Angel Martin Perdiguero (Spa) Phonak                           9
64 Mirko Celestino (Ita) Milram                                          9
65 Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                                  9
66 Mario Aerts (Bel) Davitamon-Lotto                                     8
67 Juan Antonio Flecha (Spa) Rabobank                                    8
68 Carlos Da Cruz (Fra) Francaise Des Jeux                               8
69 Gustav Larsson (Swe) Francaise Des Jeux                               6
70 Christophe Mengin (Fra) Francaise Des Jeux                            6
71 Johan Vansummeren (Bel) Davitamon-Lotto                               6
72 Jimmy Engoulvent (Fra) Crédit Agricole                                6
73 Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) Lampre-Fondital                                5
74 David Millar (GBr) Saunier Duval                                      4
75 Riccardo Ricco (Ita) Saunier Duval                                    4
76 Maxim Iglinskiy (Kaz) Milram                                          4
77 David Canada (Spa) Saunier Duval                                      4
78 Jose Vicente Garcia Acosta (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears       4
79 Stéphane Auge (Fra) Cofidis                                           4
80 Paolo Savoldelli (Ita) Discovery Channel                              3
81 Eduardo Gonzalo (Spa) Agritubel                                       3
82 Matej Mugerli (Slo) Liquigas                                          3
83 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank                                          2
84 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Team CSC                                          2
85 Nicolas Jalabert (Fra) Phonak                                         2
86 Matthieu Sprick (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                                2
87 Unai Etxebarria (Ven) Euskaltel-Euskadi                               2
88 Cédric Coutouly (Fra) Agritubel                                       2
89 Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears                 1
90 Cyril Dessel (Fra) AG2R-Prevoyance                                    1
91 Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Cofidis                                        1
92 Joost Posthuma (Ned) Rabobank                                         1
93 Christophe Rinero (Fra) Saunier Duval                                 1
 
Mountains classification
 
1 Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                                  28 pts
2 David De La Fuente (Spa) Saunier Duval                                17
3 Fabian Wegmann (Ger) Gerolsteiner                                     15
4 Sylvain Calzati (Fra) AG2R-Prevoyance                                 13
5 Aitor Hernandez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                               10
6 Björn Schröder (Ger) Milram                                            9
7 Unai Etxebarria (Ven) Euskaltel-Euskadi                                7
8 Matthias Kessler (Ger) T-Mobile                                        6
9 José Luis Arrieta (Spa) AG2R-Prevoyance                                6
10 Christophe Laurent (Fra) Agritubel                                    6
11 Samuel Dumoulin (Fra) AG2R-Prevoyance                                 6
12 Jens Voigt (Ger) Team CSC                                             6
13 Laurent Lefevre (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                                5
14 Mario Aerts (Bel) Davitamon-Lotto                                     5
15 Giuseppe Guerini (Ita) T-Mobile                                       4
16 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Francaise Des Jeux                             3
17 David Lopez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                                   3
18 David Zabriskie (USA) Team CSC                                        3
19 Pierrick Fedrigo (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                               3
20 Patrice Halgand (Fra) Crédit Agricole                                 3
21 Egoi Martinez (Spa) Discovery Channel                                 2
22 Michael Boogerd (Ned) Rabobank                                        2
23 Matthieu Sprick (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                                2
24 Kjell Carlström (Fin) Liquigas                                        2
25 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick-Step-Innergetic                                1
26 Anthony Geslin (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                                 1
27 Juan Manuel Garate (Spa) Quick-Step-Innergetic                        1
28 Cédric Coutouly (Fra) Agritubel                                       1
 
Young rider classification
 
1 Marcus Fothen (Ger) Gerolsteiner                                34.40.43
2 Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Francaise Des Jeux                            1.11
3 Andriy Grivko (Ukr) Milram                                          2.08
4 Benoît Vaugrenard (Fra) Francaise Des Jeux                          2.54
5 Christian Knees (Ger) Milram                                        3.29
6 Riccardo Ricco (Ita) Saunier Duval                                  3.35
7 José Rujano (Ven) Quick-Step-Innergetic                             3.36
8 Maxim Iglinskiy (Kaz) Milram                                        4.37
9 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre-Fondital                                5.16
10 Francisco Ventoso (Spa) Saunier Duval                              5.25
11 Joost Posthuma (Ned) Rabobank                                      5.44
12 Moises Duenas (Spa) Agritubel                                      5.55
13 Bernhard Eisel (Aut) Francaise Des Jeux                            6.29
14 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Francaise Des Jeux                          6.42
15 Pieter Weening (Ned) Rabobank                                      6.44
16 Matthieu Sprick (Fra) Bouygues Telecom                             7.01
17 Eduardo Gonzalo (Spa) Agritubel                                    7.36
18 David Lopez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                                7.41
19 Matej Mugerli (Slo) Liquigas                                      17.27
20 Johan Vansummeren (Bel) Davitamon-Lotto                           19.27
21 David De La Fuente (Spa) Saunier Duval                            31.47
22 Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Quick-Step-Innergetic                       33.42
23 Aitor Hernandez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                           34.33
 
Teams classification
 
1 T-Mobile Team                                                  103.59.39
2 Phonak Hearing Systems                                              3.09
3 Gerolsteiner                                                        3.56
4 Team CSC                                                            4.18
5 AG2R Prevoyance                                                     4.28
6 Discovery Channel Team                                              4.29
7 Francaise Des Jeux                                                  5.36
8 Caisse D’Epargne-Illes Balears                                      6.00
9 Rabobank                                                            6.01
10 Bouygues Telecom                                                   9.19
11 Cofidis Credit Par Telephone                                       9.20
12 Davitamon - Lotto                                                      
13 Lampre-Fondital                                                    9.28
14 Saunier Duval - Prodir                                            10.59
15 Team Milram                                                       11.17
16 Euskaltel - Euskadi                                               13.14
17 Quick Step - Innergetic                                           13.30
18 Liquigas                                                          13.35
19 Credit Agricole                                                   16.26
20 Agritubel                                                         16.38

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