|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|||
| Wednesday, July 25 |
|||
| Voigt survives heat to win stage Reuters | |||
SARRAN, France -- German rider Jens Voigt
was savouring his first solo stage victory at the Tour de France
on Wednesday after two previous moments of glory in the race
went largely unnoticed.
Voigt already has one stage under his belt in the current
Tour after helping Credit Agricole to victory in the team time
trial in the first week. He even wore the yellow jersey for a
day after finishing in a successful escape group with Laurent
Jalabert on July 14.
Naturally enough, it was the Frenchman Jalabert who made all
the headlines for his Bastille day win, while the time trial
victory was put down to sound tactics and collective will.
Voigt was in the spotlight by himself on Wednesday, though,
as he surged past an exhausted Brad McGee to take the 16th stage
after an heroic break on a blisteringly hot day.
"The yellow jersey is important but this is very important
"In a few years' time people will remember who won a stage
but maybe not who wore the yellow jersey for a day."
Voigt escaped as part of a seven-man group after 61
kilometres of the 229.5-km run from Castelsarrasin to Sarran.
He and McGee staged their own solo breakaway with 25
kilometres to go before the Australian faded, leaving Voigt to
enjoy the run-in to the finish line.
"I was able to slow down because I could see McGee was
exhausted," he said. "I knew I was going to win the stage.
"It was a pleasure to cross the line alone. It's the first
time in my life I've done it so I wanted to celebrate.
"This win wasn't about luck, though. It was hard work.
"There were more than 150 kilometres to go when we made the
break and the temperature was in the 30s. I wanted to get there
and go fast so I pushed hard from the start."
Voigt praised the spirit in the Credit Agricole camp but
left the door open for a move when his contract is up at the end
of the year.
"There's a real fighting spirit in the team and a great
atmosphere.
"I'll see what happens with my contract, though, whether
it's a move to another team or staying here."
 Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories | |
ALSO SEE Armstrong still cruising; Voigt wins stage Wednesday's Tour de France results Wasp stinger, strict anti-doping rules force rider out Crash forces five out of Tour de France Tour de France: Day-by-day | |
|
|
