July 13, 2005 – Alex Vinokourov (T-Mobile) has taken the stage today over Phonak’s Santiago Botero. Lance Armstrong and his Discovery team rode hard in the final km to limit the losses to the duo ahead; they ultimately finished just 1:15 ahead of the main group. Armstrong is still in Yellow.

Santiago Botero (Phonak) finished second, after an impressive ride. The Columbian was twice dropped on the stage – each time on the climbs – and managed to catch back up on both descents. However, at the end it was still Vino that had the jump. Credit Agricole’s Christophe Moreau had another solid day, taking the sprint for third.

Results:

1. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) T-Mobile Team 4.47.38
2. Santiago Botero (Col) Phonak Hearing Systems 0.01
3. Christophe Moreau (Fra) Credit Agricole 1.15
4. Bobby Julich (USA) Team CSC
5. Eddy Mazzoleni (Ita) Lampre-Caffita
6. Lance Armstrong (USA) Discovery Channel
7. Cadel Evans (Aus) Davitamon-Lotto
8. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Gerolsteiner
9. Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank
10. Georg Totschnig (Aut) Gerolsteiner

G.C.

1. Lance Armstrong (USA) Discovery Channel 41.59.57 (43.902 km/h)
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