Dauphiné today: Vinokourov tops Mont Ventoux, Leipheimer maintains GC lead

[HuckleB]

Armstrong continues to look to be near form, as he worked with the lead chase group to close the gap considerably on the breakaway of Vino and friends. More when the details are posted.


On edit:

TOP TEN FOR MONT VENTOUX STAGE:

1 Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) T-Mobile Team 4.07.23
2 Jose Gomez Marchante (Spa) Saunier Duval-Prodir 0.06
3 Wim Van Huffel (Bel) Davitamon-Lotto 0.16
4 Lance Armstrong (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.37
5 Floyd Landis (USA) Phonak Hearing Systems 0.41
6 Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz) Credit Agricole 0.43
7 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Gerolsteiner 0.46
8 Inigo Landaluze (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 1.31
9 Nicolas Fritsch (Fra) Saunier Duval-Prodir 1.36
10 David Moncoutie (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit Par Telephone 1.45

-----

TOP TEN IN GENERAL CLASSIFICATION:

1 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Gerolsteiner 15.19.29
2 Lance Armstrong (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.21
3 Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) T-Mobile Team 0.26
4 Floyd Landis (USA) Phonak Hearing Systems 0.37
5 Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz) Credit Agricole 2.00
6 Santiago Botero (Col) Phonak Hearing Systems 2.25
7 Jose Gomez Marchante (Spa) Saunier Duval-Prodir 2.53
8 Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) Fassa Bortolo 3.07
9 Oscar Pereiro (Spa) Phonak Hearing Systems 3.16
10 David Moncoutie (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit Par Telephone 3.45

[HuckleB]

1. In other news: Damiano Cunego diagnosed with Epstein-Barr

http://www.velonews.com/race/int/articles/8178.0.html

"Doctor's say a diagnosis of Epstein-Barr Virus has gone a long way toward explaining Damiano Cunego's less-than-stellar performance at this year's Giro d'Italia and also put his Tour de France plans in doubt.

The 2004 Giro d'Italia champion, who has 18 career titles, will undergo further examinations at Milan's Raffaele hospital on June 20 to determine whether he can compete next month in France.

The virus may explain the 23-year-old's disappointing performance for Lampre at this year's Giro in which he finished in 18th position, 24 minutes behind champion Paolo Savoldelli.

"In a certain sense I am glad we have found out about his virus because that explains what happened at the Tour - that was the reason for his collapse," Lampre director Beppe Martinelli was quoted as saying in Thursday's Gazzetta dello Sport. "However, it's not the kind of news we wanted."

..."

[HuckleB]

2. Leipheimer holds Dauphiné lead as Vino' wins atop Ventoux

http://www.velonews.com/race/int/articles/8179.0.html

The rundown on today's stage.

[HuckleB]

3. Merckx solos to Dauphine stage win; Landaluze earns jersey

A blast from the past, of sorts. What a break!

http://www.velonews.com/race/int/articles/8181.0.html

"Davitamon's Axel Merckx produced some family magic to accelerate to victory in the fifth stage of the Dauphine Liberé in Grenoble on Friday.

Euskaltel's Inigo Landaluze claimed the race leader's yellow jersey from Gerolsteiner's Levi Leipheimer, who was still to come in with the main bunch who had over a 10-minute deficit to Merckx in the final 20km of the race.

Merckx broke away from a six-strong group of riders on the foot of the Grimone climb, the second of five on the stage and at nine kilometers long at an average gradient of nine percent probably the toughest.

The 31-year-old dug deep to race ahead and increased his lead to a maximum of four minutes on his immediate pursuers and crossing the line with a healthy margin, one week before his famous father's 60th birthday.

..."

[HuckleB]

4. Preliminary stage and GC standings:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2005/jun05/dauphinelibere05/?id=results/dauphinelibere055

Looks like Euskaltel-Euskadi might make it two years in a row.

[HuckleB]

5. OK. I get it.

Nobody cares.

Salud.

:(