AX-LES-THERMES, France -- Colombian
cyclist Felix Cardenas dedicated his stage win in the Tour de
France on Friday to two absent friends from his Kelme team,
Javier and Ricardo Otxoa.
The Otxoa twins were hit by a car in February in a tragic
accident in Malaga. Ricardo was killed and Javier fell into a
coma from which he has only recently emerged.
"This win is for the Otxoa brothers," Cardenas said after
his triumph in the 166.5-kilometre stage from Perpignan to
Ax-les-Thermes. "We (the Kelme team) were determined to win a
stage in the Pyrenees."
Javier, who is out of intensive care and recovering near his
home in the Basque country, won the classic Hautacam stage in
the Pyrenees last year.
"The team obviously misses him," said Cardenas. "We've
worked so hard to make up for his absence and I dedicate this
win to the brothers."
Cardenas said he was thrilled his victory coincided with
Colmbia's national day, although he did not plan it that way.
"I didn't plan to win on the national day -- I just wanted
to win a stage and I chose one of the three stages in the
Pyrenees," Cardenas told reporters.
"I felt very good today. I tried to seize the first
opportunity to attack," he added.
Cardenas powered up the final climb and narrowly avoided
being caught by Spanish rider Euskaltel's Roberto Laiseka and
defending Tour champion Lance Armstrong of US Postal, who
finished second and third, respectively.
The Colombian said his radio was broken, and as a result he
did not understand that the pair were only seconds behind him.
"There was no radio, so no advice. I didn't know Armstrong
and Laiseka were coming up. But when I saw one of the cars
behind me, I knew I had to go.
"I tried very hard and suffered to win," he added.
The 28-year-old Kelme rider and father of two said he was
looking forward to seeing his new son for the first time. The
baby was born a month ago but has not yet been named.
"I want to fly home as soon as possible. We have chosen
three first names for him, but my family are waiting for me to
come home and decide which one works best," Cardenas said.
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