July 23, 2002 (Les deux Alpes, France) – Santiago Botero (Kelme-Costa
Blanca) took his second stage victory in this year’s tour, and Lance
Armstrong (USPS) is one more mountain closer to Paris. In a long breakaway
on the Tour’s longest stage (226.5km), powered by Axel Merckx (Domo-Farm
Frites) amongst others, the lead group hit the final climb with a large
margin over the main peloton, being led by the USPS team. As the leaders
progressed up the final hill, 2000 Tour Polka Dot Jersey winner Botero took
off and soloed to an impressive victory. Lance Armstrong remains in
yellow, over four minutes ahead of Joseba Beloki (ONCE-Eroski ) and six
minutes ahead of Lithuanian Raimondas Rumsas (Lampre Daikin).

Stage 15 – Vaison-le-Romaine – Les deux Alpes, 226.5 km

1. Santiago Botero (Col) Kelme-Costa Blanca 5.55.16 (38.25 km/h)

2. Mario Aerts (Bel) Lotto-Adecco 1.51

3. Axel Merckx (Bel) Domo-Farm Frites 2.30

4. Emmanuel Magnien (Fra) Bonjour 4.22

5. Sandy Casar (Fra) FDJeux.com 4.28

6. José Vicente Garcia Acosta (Spa) iBanesto.com 5.15

7. Raimondas Rumsas (Ltu) Lampre Daikin 6.41

8. Joseba Beloki (Spa) ONCE-Eroski

9. Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal Service

10. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) iBanesto.com 6.46




Overall:

1. Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal Service 62.53.36

2. Joseba Beloki (Spa) ONCE-Eroski 4.21

3. Raimondas Rumsas (Ltu) Lampre Daikin 6.39

4. Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (Spa) ONCE-Eroski 8.50

5. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) iBanesto.com 10.54

6. José Azevedo (Por) ONCE-Eroski 11.11

7. Santiago Botero (Col) Kelme-Costa Blanca 11.31

8. Roberto Heras Hernandez (Spa) US Postal Service 11.46

9. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Rabobank 13.05

10. Ivan Basso (Ita) Fassa Bortolo 14.07