Landis WINS Stage 17

[Pangloss62]

If you saw Landis on OLN yesterday, it's hard to believe he could ride well today, let alone win the stage. The below is from VeloNews.com:


Floyd Landis (Phonak) chased down and destroyed an 11-rider breakaway to ride alone to victory in the 17th stage of the Tour de France on Thursday.

After cracking in spectacular fashion the day before, on the climb too La Toussuire, Landis found his legs once more in the 200.5km Alpine stage between St. Jean de Maurienne to Morzine-Avoriaz.

Carlos Sastre (CSC) escaped on the final climb and rode in for second at 5:42 back, with Christophe Moreau (Ag2r Prevoyance) third at 05:58.

Race leader Oscar Pereiro Sio (Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears) finished seventh at 7:08 to retain the yellow jersey by 12 seconds over Sastre and 30 over Landis, who said he wasn't finished yet.

"I want to win this race, not just a stage," Landis said. "I think I can do it ... it's a long time trial ... I need to win another stage, but I think I can do it."

To see how the stage unfolded, simply CLICK HERE to open our Live Update Window. Then stay tuned for a complete report, photos and results.

Stage results
1. Floyd Landis (USA), Phonak
2. Carlos Sastre (Sp), CSC, at 5:42
3. Christophe Moreau (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, at 5:58
4. Damiano Cunego (I), Lampre, at 6:40
5. Michael Boogerd (Nl), Rabobank, at 7:08
6. Frank Schleck (Lux), CSC, same time
7. Oscar Pereiro Sio (Sp), Caisse d'Epargne-I.B., s.t.
8. Andréas Klöden (G), T-Mobile, s.t.
9. Haimar Zubeldia (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, s.t.
10. Cadel Evans (Aus), Davitamon-Lotto, at 7:20
11. Mickael Rasmussen (Dk), Rabobank, at 7:24
12. Denis Menchov (Rus), Rabobank, s.t.
13. Patrik Sinkewitz (G), T-Mobile, s.t.
14. Tadej Valjavec (Slo), Lampre, at 8:37
15. Giuseppe Guerini (I), T-Mobile, s.t.
16. Cyril Dessel (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, at 8:49

Overall
1. Oscar Pereiro Sio (Sp), Caisse d'Epargne-I.B.
2. Carlos Sastre (Sp), CSC, at 0:12
3. Floyd Landis (USA), Phonak, at 0:30
4. Andréas Klöden (G), T-Mobile, 02:29
5. Cadel Evans (Aus), Davitamon-Lotto, 03:08
6. Denis Menchov (Rus), Rabobank, 04:14
7. Cyril Dessel (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, 04:24
8. Christophe Moreau (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, 05:45
9. Haimar Zubeldia (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 08:16

[Griff]

Being in a hotel room last night, I got to see Landis lose all that time. This result one day later is amazing! I hope it isn't steroids... I'll cheer him unless/until he gets busted.

Landis was awesome! I thought he'd blown it but what a comeback (drug free, one hopes). This years Tour has been superb, the uncertainty of who might win has given it an edge that for the past few years it hasn't had. Lance Armstrong was the dog's bollocks and will always be something of a hero with what he had to overcome and achieved but the Tour became predictable. Now everyone gets a chance at the yellow jersey. Go, Landis!

[Pangloss62]

Who was that really tall British cyclist? I can't remember.