July 13/04 9:48 am - Tour Stage 9 (Brief)

Posted by Editor on 07/13/04
 

Tour de France

Green jersey holder Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Domo) took his second stage of the Tour in a heartbreaker, when two riders who had been away for 123 kilometre were caught less than 30 metres from the line. Inigo Landaluze (Euskaltel) and Filippo Simeoni (Domina Vacanze) went clear shortly after the first KoM of the day, running their lead up to 10 minutes before the peloton began chasing. Initially, the gap came down quickly, but then stalled with 20 kilometres to go at approximately a three minute gap. At 10 kilometres to go it was still a minute and a half, and it was starting to look like the two leaders might have a chance; especially as the race entered the narrow, twisting streets of Gueret. With 1000 metres remaining the gap was still about 15 seconds, but the pack was chasing hard, and the two leaders began a cat and mouse game - not the best time to do this! Landaluze finally jumped off the wheel of Simeoni in the last 150 metres, but it was too late, and he was swarmed, finally finishing 10th. Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) took second, and Stuart O'Grady (Cofidis) third. No change to the GC.


Stage 9 - St Leonard de Noblat to Gueret, 160.5 km

1 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Lotto-Domo 3:32:55
2 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Credit Agricole
3 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Cofidis - Le Credit Par Telephone
4 Jerôme Pineau (Fra) Brioches La Boulangere
5 Erik Zabel (Ger) T-Mobile Team
6 Janek Tombak (Est) Cofidis - Le Credit Par Telephone
7 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick Step-Davitamon
8 Danilo Hondo (Ger) Gerolsteiner
9 Sergio Marinangeli (Ita) Domina Vacanze
10 Inigo Landaluze (Esp) Euskaltel - Euskadi all s.t.