Tour de France
July 1-23, 2000
Stage 8 Limoges to Villeneuve-sur-Lot (200 kms)
July 8, 2000
Dekker Gets His First Stage Win
By James Raia
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| Graham Watson |
Happy day: Dekker takes his first Tour de France stage win
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VILLENEUVE-SUR-LOT, France—After two unsuccessful previous long break attempts, Erik Dekker of the Netherlands tried again Saturday and won the first Tour de France stage of his career.
Italian Alberto Elli (Telekom), who acquired the race leader's jersey with his sixth-place finish in the sixth stage, retained his 12-second cushion over Fabrice Gougot (Credit Agricole) of France in the general classification. Marc Waters (Rabobank) of Belgium remained third overall, trailing by 1:17.
Defending race titlist Lance Armstrong (USPS) finished comfortably in the main field with Elli, 5:42 behind the winner. But Armstrong lost four places, and is now 16th overall and the second American in the remaining field of 171.
Fred Rodriguez (Mapei) of Emeryville, Calif., competing in the Tour for the first time, finished fourth, 58 seconds behind. He moved into 11th overall, 4:46 behind Elli.
"I'm not too concerned about the general classification," said Rodriguez, 26, the reigning U.S. road champion. "I'm a good climber, but at the same time I don't have the fitness yet or the experience to do well in the overall standings or win a mountain stage, so I will stick to the flat stages."
Rodriquez was part of a chase group that developed after 48km. It caught the 14-rider group of leaders after 114km and it stayed together until Dekker's final move.
Dekker, 29, (Rabobank), who began the day more than 23 minutes behind and in 164th position, attacked from within the first kilometer. While his lead group eventually built a lead of 10:30, Dekker attacked again with 28 kilometers left. He broke free from all pursuers and claimed the 203.5-kilometer Limoges to Villeneuve-Sur-Lot eighth stage road race in 4
hours 22 minutes and 28 seconds.
Xavier Jan (Francaise des Jeux) of France was second, trailing Dekker by 52 seconds. Vincente Garcia-Costa (Banesto) of Spain was third, another four seconds back, and two seconds ahead of group of four that included Rodriguez.
Rodriguez's strong showing gave U.S. riders their highest finish since Armstrong's second place in the opening-day time trial July 1.
For Dekker, the stage win was retribution for his long breaks in stages 2 and 5. On both previous occasions, his breaks were futile, particularly in the second stage when he cramped after a long break with Jacky Durand (Lotto) of France and finished last in the stage. Dekker's win improved his general classification only six places.
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