BOULOGNE SUR MER, France -- Lance Armstrong finished 49th in
the first stage of the Tour de France on Sunday, a leg that
Germany's Erik Zabel won in a mass sprint.
Armstrong, aiming for his third consecutive Tour title, remained
in third place in the overall standings. The Texan finished third
in Saturday's prologue, an individual time trial in Dunkirk.
|  | | Lance Armstrong continued his conservative pace during Sunday's Stage 1 of the Tour de France. |
Zabel, riding for Team Telekom, completed the 120.78-mile
circuit between St. Omer and this northern port city in 4 hours, 55
minutes, 15 seconds.
"It's a big victory," said the German, who has won nine stages
in his five Tours. "It means a lot to have so many victories. But
I'm not so keen on statistics."
Christophe Moreau of France, the prologue winner, retained the
yellow jersey.
Zabel was just ahead of Romans Vainsteins of Latvia and
third-place Jimmy Casper of France. Armstrong finished with the
same time as the leaders but was way behind in the pack.
France's Jacky Durand led for 77 miles during the middle of the
stage but his lead vanished in the final nine miles.
Armstrong is the favorite to win this year. He is expected to
wait until the tough mountain stages, halfway through the race, to
make a run for the lead.
Jan Ullrich, considered Armstrong's main challenger, finished
22nd and was fifth in the overall standings,
A cold drizzle stopped shortly after the stage began, but riders
faced strong winds that slowed the pace throughout the day. Zabel
averaged 24.506 mph, a speed that was lower than expected.
Despite the poor weather, thousands lined the route of the
mostly flat stage as it wound through open fields and picturesque
villages.
Italy's Daniele Nardello needed his left elbow stitched after
falling about 15 miles from the finish. He ended the stage in last
place, more than 12 minutes behind the pack. He was to be checked
at a hospital in Boulogne.
Belgium's Fabien de Waele was the first rider to quit the race.
He sustained a hairline break of his left hip after falling in
Saturday's prologue and went home.
 Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories |
|
ALSO SEE
Tour de France results -- Stage 1
Moreau blisters way to Tour de France lead
Tour de France results -- prologue
Tour de France: Day-by-day
Favorites for the 2001 Tour de France
French cycling fans jeer Armstrong and team
Armstrong knows to pace himself for Tour de France
|
