| 07/21/2001 | Cycling News for 7/20/01+TOUR DE FRANCE
STAGE 12: Today, Colombian Felix Cardenas of Kelme-Costa Blanca conquered the first of three stages in the Pyrenees. Cardenas dedicated his win to his newborn son and to the Otxoa family of his teammate and former TDF stage winner Javier Otxoa who continues to recover from the accident that claimed the life of his brother Ricardo.
"I almost quit the race during the Alps due to knee tendonitis, but my director convinced me to stay and told me I would win a stage in the Pyrenees" exclaimed an emotional Cardenas after surviving a long day out on the attack...And the attacks went early today, prominently featuring Cardenas, Paolo Bettini (MAP) and David Extebarria (ESK). The early hours of racing also marked the end of the race for last year's 4th place finisher Christophe Moreau, prologue stage winner, who succumbed to what was described as "ongoing lung problems".
As for the ongoing battle for the yellow jersey, Armstrong and Ullrich marked each other throughout most of the day until the ascent to Ax-les-Thermes. With around 9 kms to go, Ullrich put in his most serious attack of the tour so far, one which could only be matched by yesterday's surprise 4th place in the TT, Roberto Laiseka (ESK)and
Armstrong. With Laiseka eventually moving forward to claim second place, Armstrong rode Ullrich's wheel until about 1.5 km to the line. Armstrong then surged forward to claim 3rd place in the stage and gained 25 seconds over Ullrich in the fight for the overall.
Current yellow jersey wearer, Francois Simon (BJR) rode valiantly, eventually surrendering close to 4 minutes from his morning advantage over Armstrong. Current runner-up, Andrei Kivilev, also continued to have a dream race, staying with Armstrong for most of the day and eventually hanging on to his second overall by 28 seconds! If these
gentlemen are to be deposed tomorrow, they have given their all.
Finally, Rabobank rider Bram de Groot fell during the first descent today (Col de Jau) and suffered serious facial injuries. He was forced to abandon as was Russian Sergei Ivanov due to a crash. Kurt Van de Wouwer (Lotto) fell, finished the stage, but has now abandoned due to a broken collarbone.
Tomorrow's stage will go a long way towards revealing the final selection of this year's tour. With no less than four Category 1 climbs and a finish up the HC Pla D'Adet, this 194 km in all likelihood will spell the end of Francois Simon's stay in yellow.
STAGE 12: RESULTS (PERPIGNAN - AX-LES-THERMES)
1. Felix Rafael Cardenas (KEL) 5:03:34 (32.91 km/h)
2. Roberto Laiseka (ESK) at 0:13
3. Lance Armstrong (USPS) at 0:15
4. Jan Ullrich (TEL) at 0:38
5. David Etxebarria (ESK) at 0:59
6. Oscar Sevilla (KEL) at 1:01
7. Joseba Beloki (ONC)
8. Santiago Botero (KEL) at 1:35
9. Michael Boogerd (RAB)
10.Alexandre Vinokourov (TEL)
11.Stefano Garzelli (MAP)
12.Inigo Chaureau (ESK)
13.Marcos Serrano (ONC)
14.Didier Rous (BJR)
15.Francisco Mancebo (BAN)
G.C. AFTER STAGE 12
1. SIMON, Francois (FRA/BJR) 51h 56:14
2. KIVILEV, Andrei (KAZ/COF) at 8:42
3. ARMSTRONG, Lance (USA/USP) at 9:10
4. BELOKI, Joseba (ESP/ONC) at 13:14
5. ULLRICH, Jan (GER/TEL) at 13:15
6. SEVILLA, Oscar (ESP/KEL) at 16:28
7. GLEZ GALDEANO,I (ESP/ONC) at 16:40
8. BOTERO, Santiago(COL/KEL) at 19:06
9. ROUS, Didier(FRA/BJR) at 22:55
10.SERRANO, Marcos(ESP/ONC) at 22:58
11.BOOGERD, Michael (NED/RAB) at 23:04
12.MANCEBO,Francisco(ESP/BAN) at 23:26
13.GARZELLI, Stefano (ITA/MAP)at 23:51
14.GUTIERREZ, J.E. (SPA/KEL) at 24:04
15.MONTGOMERY, Sven(SWI/FDJ) at 24:14
16.SASTRE, Carlos (ESP/ONC) at 26:15
GREEN JERSEY: STUART O'GRADY
POLKA DOT: LAURENT ROUX
YOUNG RIDER: OSCAR SEVILLA
COMBATIVITY: LAURENT ROUXwww.infociclismo.com
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