July 23, 2003 – A few weeks ago everyone expected CSC's Tyler Hamilton to be a non-starter in stage two of the Tour de France. Well, it's stage 16 and not only is he still racing, he's also sixth overall and now has a stage win to his credit. Hamilton jumped a breakaway that escaped early on in the stage, soloing to an epic win, just under two minutes ahead of the charging pack. Erik Zabel (Telekom) won his first bunch sprint of the tour, ahead of Yuriy Krivtsov (Jean Delatour). Bianchi's Jan Ullrich and yellow jersey Lance Armstrong (USPS) finished safely at the head of the field, setting up an incredible last few days of the tour. Ullrich himself has said that if he gains back enough time so there is a few seconds difference going into Paris, that he will attack on the final stage, long thought of as a traditional “parade” day for the pack…

The stage victory means another win for Canada's Cervelo, making history as the first Canadian company to have bikes at the Tour de France. This is their second stage win at the 2003 Tour and we reached Cervelo's Gerard Vroomen for his reaction to Hamilton's win today. “I'm not sure what it means for the company, but we're just so happy for Tyler,” said Vrooman. He is one of the nicest athletes I have ever met, and he has been so helpful since the start of our partnership with Team CSC. We were all devastated after stage 1 when he broke his collarbone, and amazed by his perseverance. But to top it off the way he has today is just unbelievable. As somebody just e-mailed me, that's the stuff legends are made of.”

Stage 16 – Wednesday, July 23: Pau – Bayonne, 197.5 km

1. Tyler Hamilton (USA) Team CSC 4.59.41
2. Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Telekom 1.55
3. Yuriy Krivtsov (Ukr) Jean Delatour
4. Luca Paolini (Ita) Quick.Step-Davitamon
5. Gerrit Glomser (Aut) Saeco
6. Bram De Groot (Ned) Rabobank
7. Marcus Zberg (Swi) Gerolsteiner
8. Sandy Casar (Fra) FDJeux.com
9. Fabrizio Guidi (Ita) Team Bianchi
10. Stuart O'grady (Aus) Credit Agricole

Overall:

1. Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal-Berry Floor 70.37.59
2. Jan Ullrich (Ger) Team Bianchi 1.07
3. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Team Telekom 2.45
4. Haimar Zubeldia (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 5.16
5. Iban Mayo (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 5.25
6. Tyler Hamilton (USA) Team CSC 6.35
7. Ivan Basso (Ita) Fassa Bortolo 8.08
8. Christophe Moreau (Fra) Credit Agricole 11.12
9. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) iBanesto.com 16.05
10. Carlos Sastre (Spa) Team CSC 16.12