July 14, 2005 – Another superb day of racing from Briançon toDigne-les-Bains, an 187 km stage. Cofidis’ David Moncoutié fulfilled every French rider’s dream, taking a win on Bastille day today in a solo breakaway. Moncoutié attacked with under 40km to go, from a select group containing riders like Axel Merckx (Davitamon-Lotto), Sandy Casar (Française Des Jeux) – who would finish second today, making it a French 1-2 – , Thor Hushovd, Stuey O’Grady (Credit Agricole), among others.

More drama today as well with the annoucenment of Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) before the race that he would not be starting. The tall Belgian crashed heavily several times in the last week and had a knee so swollen he could not mount a bike. That means that the Norwegian Hushovd inherits the Green, and took some more points today with his ninth place. It also means the race for Green is back on, because his gap to O’Grady is only 20 points.

Lance Armstrong’s Discovery team had a bit of bad luck today when Triki Beltran crashed halfway into the stage and could not regain contact or even finish the stage due to injuries. With several key mountain stages remaining, Armstrong may miss the Spanish climber’s services; hopefully the other seven teammates can rise to the ocassion.

Results:

1. David Moncoutié (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit Par Telephone 4.20.06
2. Sandy Casar (Fra) Française Des Jeux @0.57
3. Angel Vicioso (Spa) Liberty Seguros-Würth
4. Patrice Halgand (Fra) Credit Agricole
5. José Luis Arrieta (Spa) Illes Balears-Caisse d’Epargne
6. Franco Pellizotti (Fra) Liquigas-Bianchi
7. Axel Merckx (Bel) Davitamon-Lotto
8. Juan Manuel Garate (Spa) Saunier Duval-Prodir
9. Thor Hushovd (Nor) Credit Agricole 3.15
10. Stuart O’Grady (Aus) Cofidis, Le Credit Par Telephone

G.C.

1. Lance Armstrong (USA) Discovery Channel 46.30.36
2. Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 0.38
3. Christophe Moreau (Fra) Credit Agricole 2.34
4. Ivan Basso (Ita) Team CSC 2.40
5. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Illes Balears-Caisse d’Epargne 3.16
6. Santiago Botero (Col) Phonak Hearing Systems 3.48
7. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Gerolsteiner 3.58
8. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) Illes Balears-Caisse d’Epargne 4.00
9. Jan Ullrich (Ger) T-Mobile Team 4.02
10. Andreas Klöden (Ger) T-Mobile Team 4.16