July 19, 2002, – (Plateau de Beille, France) – Another day, another win
for Lance Armstrong. An early break contained a mix of well-known french
riders including Laurent Jalabert (CSC-Tiscali), the legendary and thus
far unlucky rider set to retire at the end of this year; Miguel “Little
Mig” Martinez (Mapei-Quickstep), the mountain biker – turned-road pro; as
well as the back-for-more former multiple Polka Dot Jersey winner Richard
Virenque (Domo-Farm Frites).
Although the break was ultimately caught, and poor Jalabert was robbed of
another victory, solace could be found in the way of polka dots as he now
wears the Climber’s Jersey. Armstrong (USPS) powered away from the
remainder of the lead group, putting another minute into Joseba Beloki
(ONCE-Eroski), who was third, and ahead of his own teammate Roberto Heras
(USPS, who was second. The fight for the Green Jersey remains
close. Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Adecco) took the first intermediate sprint
over Erik Zabel (Team Deutsche Telekom) which means that Zabel has a slim
one point lead.
Stage 12 – Lannenezan – Plateau de Beille, 199.5 km
1. Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal Service 6.00.29
(33.31 km/h)
2. Roberto Heras Hernandez (Spa) US Postal Service 1.04
3. Joseba Beloki (Spa) ONCE-Eroski
4. Santiago Botero (Col) Kelme-Costa Blanca 1.11
5. Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (Spa) ONCE-Eroski
6. Raimondas Rumsas (Ltu) Lampre Daikin 1.23
7. Carlos Sastre (Spa) CSC-Tiscali 1.33
8. Marcos A.Serrano (Spa) ONCE-
Eroski 1.37
9. Oscar Sevilla (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca 2.07
10. Andrei Kivilev (Kaz) Cofidis 2.39
11. Axel Merckx (Bel) Domo-Farm Frites 2.47
12. David Moncoutié (Fra) Cofidis
13. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Rabobank
14. Stephane Goubert (Fra) Jean Delatour
15. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) iBanesto.com 3.17
16. Christophe Moreau (Fra) Credit Agricole
17. Dario Frigo (Ita) Tacconi Sport 3.32
18. José Azevedo (Por) ONCE-Eroski 3.33
19. José Enrique Gutierrez (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca 4.04
20. Haimar Zubeldia (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 4.21
Overall:
1. Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal Service
46.47.47 (42.23 km/h)
2. Joseba Beloki (Spa) ONCE-Eroski 2.28
3. Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (Spa) ONCE-Eroski 3.19
4. Raimondas Rumsas (Ltu) Lampre Daikin 5.15
5. Santiago Botero (Col) Kelme-Costa Blanca 5.44
6. Marcos A.Serrano (Spa) ONCE-Eroski 7.14
7. Roberto Heras Hernandez (Spa) US Postal Service 8.01
8. José Azevedo (Por) ONCE-Eroski 8.24
9. Oscar Sevilla (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca 9.05
10. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) iBanesto.com 9.10