July 21, 2002 (Mont Ventoux, France) – On the same hill where Tom Simpson
collapsed on unlucky Stage 13 on July 13th, 1967 – Le Mont Ventoux –
Richard Virenque (Domo-Farm Frites) had the ride of his life. The infamous
French climber rode away from a day long breakaway to hold off a charging
Lance Armstrong (USPS) to take the victory. Armstrong put more time into
his rival Joseba Beloki (ONCE-Eroski) as well as Raimondas Rumsas (Lampre
Daikin) who is in 3rd overall. Levi Leipheimer (Rabobank ) had an
excellent ride to move up into the top-ten of the overal, and French star
Laurent Jalabert plummetted from his 9th place going into the stage,
finishing well over 20 minutes behind Virenque. Tomorrow is a rest day, and
with every day, the riders get closer to Paris. Armstrong is still in
yellow and it looks like no one can take it from him now.

Stage 14 – Lodève – Mont Ventoux, 221 km



1. Richard Virenque (Fra) Domo-Farm Frites 5.43.26 (38.6 km/h)

2. Alexandre Botcharov (Rus) Ag2R Prevoyance 1.58

3. Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal Service 2.20

4. Marco Serpellini (Ita) Lampre Daikin 2.54

5. Raimondas Rumsas (Ltu) Lampre Daikin 3.36

6. Ivan Basso (Ita) Fassa Bortolo 3.39

7. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) iBanesto.com 3.51

8. Joseba Beloki (Spa) ONCE-Eroski 4.05

9. Dariusz Baranowski (Pol) iBanesto.com 4.10

10. Ivan Gotti (Ita) Alessio 4.16

Overall:

1. Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal Service 56.51.39

2. Joseba Beloki (Spa) ONCE-Eroski 4.21

3. Raimondas Rumsas (Ltu) Lampre Daikin 6.39

4. Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (Spa) ONCE-Eroski 7.04

5. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) iBanesto.com 10.49

6. José Azevedo (Por) ONCE-Eroski 10.57

7. Roberto Heras (Spa) US Postal Service 11.35

8. Oscar Sevilla (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca 12.45

9. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Rabobank 12.54

10. Richard Virenque (Fra) Domo-Farm Frites 13.12