July 25, 2002 (Bourg-en-Bresse, France) – If yesterday’s stage was a stage
for Italy, certainly today could have been one for the Scandinavians. Former
Espoir Time Trial World Champion (1998) Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole),
from Norway, took the stage in a long breakaway consisting of 10 riders. As
well as a Norwegian, there were a few more Scandinavians in the breakaway, with
Danes Nicki Sørensen (CSC-Tiscali) and Jakob Storm Piil (CSC-Tiscali )
riding for their team’s first stage win. Hushvod attacked with Christophe
Mengin (FDJeux.com) and just managed to beat the Frenchman at the line.

The Green Jersey competition is still close: Australia’s Robbie McEwen
(Lotto-Adecco)
beat Erik Zabel (Team Deutsche Telekom) by one place, which means that the
points competition is led by the Australian by just one point.

Lance Armstrong (USPS) is still in Yellow, and only has a few stages until
Paris.
It looks like the Texan is about to add Tour number four to his
palmares.

Stage 18 : Cluses – Bourg-en-Bresse, 176.5 km

1. Thor Hushovd (Nor) Credit Agricole 4.28.28 (39.44km/h)

2. Christophe Mengin (Fra) FDJeux.com

3. Jakob Storm Piil (Den) CSC-Tiscali 0.05

4. Leon van Bon (Ned) Domo-Farm Frites 0.33

5. Jörg Jaksche (Ger) ONCE-Eroski

6. Nicki Sørensen (Den) CSC-Tiscali

7. Gian Matteo Fagnini (Ita) Team Deutsche Telekom 0.40

8. Erik Dekker (Ned) Rabobank

9. Thierry Loder (Fra) Ag2R Prevoyance

10. Nicola Loda (Ita) Fassa Bortolo 6.59

Overall:

1. Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal Service 77.30.35 (39.78
km/h)

2. Joseba Beloki (Spa) ONCE-Eroski 5.06

3. Raimondas Rumsas (Ltu) Lampre Daikin 7.24

4. Santiago Botero (Col) Kelme-Costa Blanca 10.59

5. José Azevedo (Por) ONCE-Eroski 12.08

6. Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (Spa) ONCE-Eroski 12.12

7. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) iBanesto.com 12.28

8. Roberto Heras Hernandez (Spa) US Postal Service 12.54

9. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Rabobank 13.58

10. Carlos Sastre (Spa) CSC-Tiscali 14.49