THE RACE LIVE

After 14 stages in the 2005 Tour de France, the top 10 overall is as follows:
1. Lance Armstrong (USA) DSC - 2,440km in 55h58’17" (43.32km/h)
2. Mickael Rasmussen (Denmark) RAB - at 1’41"
3. Ivan Basso (Italy) CSC - at 2’46"
4. Jan Ullrich (Germany) TMO - at 4’34"
5. Levi Leipheimer (USA) GST - at 4’45"
6. Floyd Landis (USA) PHO - at 5’03"
7. Francisco Mancebo (Spain) IBA - at 5’03"
8. Andreas Kloden (Germany) TMO - at 5’38"
9. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kazakstahn) TMO - at 7’09"
10. Christophe Moreau (France) C.A - at 8’37"

Georg Totschnig is only the second Austrian to win a stage of the Tour de France. It’s been a long time between victories as the only other rider from Austria to enjoy a stage victory was Max Bulla back in 1931.

Georg Totschnig and his Gerolsteiner team have won for the first time at the Tour de France. The top 10 in stage 14 is:
1. Georg Totschnig (Austria) GST 220.5km in 5h43’43" (38.491km/h)
2. Lance Armstrong (USA) DSC - at 56"
3. Ivan Basso (Italy) CSC - at 58"
4. Jan Ullrich (Germany) TMO - at 1’16"
5. Levi Leipheimer (USA) GST - at 1’31"
6. Floyd Landis (USA) GST - at 1’31"
7. Francisco Mancebo (Spain) IBA - at 1’47"
8. Mickael Rasmussen (Denmark) RAB- at 1’47"
9. Andreas Kloden (Germany) TMO - at 2’06"
10. Haimar Zubeldia (Spain) EUS - at 2’20"

Armstrong has finished the stage about 48" behind Totschnig. Basso is third and Ullrich fourth.

Armstrong is leading out the sprint for second place ahead of Basso...

Georg Totschnig has won the 14th stage of the Tour de France. It’s his first stage victory.

Armstrong and Basso are now just 1’13" behind Totschnig who is looking like he’s going to win the stage after a dramatic day-long escape.

Ullrich has indeed lost contact with the yellow jersey. He is already about 100m behind Armstrong and Basso.

Lance is now out of the saddle and dancing on the pedals. He is being matched by Basso and Ullrich.

Ullrich is at the front of the yellow jersey and is really straining to try and put some distance into Armstrong and Basso. He didn’t gain an inch. Armstrong is now preparing to launch an attack...

With 3km to go Totschnig leads Armstrong, Ullrich and Basso by 1’50"; Landis by 2’05"; Leipheimer by 2’10" and Rasmussen and Mancebo by 2’30".

Lance, Ivan and Jan are 1’50" behind Totschnig with 3km to go.

Rasmussen is riding with Mancebo. They have just caught and past Garzelli. The last time check had the rider in second overall (Rasmussen) just 30" behind Armstrong.

Georg Totschnig has about 3km to climb. He has a lead of 2’10" on Armmstrong, Ullrich and Basso who have just dropped the birthday boy, Garzelli. Will the Gerolsteiner rider be able to hold on for the stage victory?

Armstrong has been at the front of the chasing trio for the last 500m. With 4km to go they are 2’10" behind Totschnig.

The yellow jersey’s trio has just caught Stefano Garzelli. Lance, Ivan and Jan are now in pursuit of Georg Totschnig who is less than 4km from the finish.

There are two other riders with Rasmussen - Mancebo and Kloden.

With 5km to go in the stage, Totschnig led by:
2’10" - to Garzelli
3’15" - to Armstrong, Ullrich, Basso, Leipheimer, and Landis
3’25" - to Rasmussen, Mancebo et al...
4’10" - to Vinokourov.

Leipheimer and Landis have lost contact with Armstrong, Basso and Ullrich.

With 5km to go in the stage, Armstrong’s group is 3’15" behind Totschnig. Rasmussen’s group is at 3’25".

Walter Beneteau has been caught by the yellow jersey’s group which has just dropped Landis and Leipheimer.

Garzelli is 2’10" behind Totschnig with 5km to go in the 14th stage.

The acceleration from Basso has also eliminated Rasmussen from the yellow jersey’s peloton.

Basso is now trying to drop Armstrong. It was a move that dropped Mancebo and Kloden from the yellow jersey’s group.

There are now eight riders in the yellow jersey’s group: Armstrong, Ullrich, Kloden, Basso, Landis, Leipheimer, Mancebo and Rasmussen.

With 5km to go Totschnig has a lead on Armstrong’s group of 4’22". If he wins it will be his (and Gerolsteiner’s) first stage victory in the Tour de France.

The riders with Armstrong are: Ullrich, Kloden, Basso, Landis, Mancebo, Rasmussen, Leipheimer and Zubeldia.

There are still three riders ahead of the yellow jersey’s group. Totschnig leads by 4’22". He is being chased by Garzelli and Beneteau.

Evans has dropped out of the yellow jersey’s group.

Vinokourov has been caught by his team-mates. Kloden and Ullrich - for some reason - led the pursuit of Vinokourov...

The riders in the yellow jersey group at the base of the final climb are: Armstrong, Ullrich, Kloden, Basso, Leipheimer, Mancebo, Landis, Evans, Rasmussen and Kloden.

There is 4’20" between Totschnig and Armstrong’s group with 10km to go. There yellow jersey’s group is now being attacked by Vinokourov!

There are now 11 riders in Armstrong’s group because Vinokourov has caught up on the descent. There are three T-Mobile riders in this posse.

The stage leader is now about 9km from the finish fo the stage. He has a lead of 4’30" over Armstrong’s group.

The race direction has just order the Discovery Channel team car to stop following the yellow jersey’s bunch because Vinokourov is right behind. The Kazakh T-Mobile rider is about 150m behind the yellow jersey’s group of 10.

Totschnig is now in Ax-les-Thermes. He has 10km to climb to the summit of Ax-3-Domaines.

There are still three riders ahead of the yellow jersey. Totschnig leads the stage. In second is Garzelli. In third is Beneteau... and then comes the yellow jersey’s posse of 10 riders.

There are now about 10 riders in Armstrong’s group. They are: Armstrong, Ullrich, Kloden, Basso, Mancebo, Evans, Rasmussen, Landis, Leipheimer, Zubeldia.

The leader Totschnig is 3’55" ahead of Armstrong’s group with 20km to go in the stage.

On the descent from the Pailheres climb Totschnig leads Garzelli by 1’10". We don’t have times for the yellow jersey group but can report that there are still four riders with Armstrong - Ullrich, Basso, Leipheimer and Landis.

At the top of the Port de Pailheres the stuation is:
1. Totschnig (GST) 20pts
2. Garzelli (LIQ) 18pts - at 52"
3. Beneteau (BTL) 16pts - at 3’15"
4. Ullrich (TMO) 14pts - at 3’50"
5. Landis (PHO) 12pts - at 3’50"
6. Armstrong (DSC) 10pts - at 3’50"
7. Leipheimer (GST) 8pts - at 3’50"
8. Basso (CSC) 7pts - at 3’50"
9. Mancebo (IBA) 6pts - at 4’30"
10. Rasmussen (RAB) 5pts - at 4’30"
11. Evans (DVL) at 4’30"...
Vinokourov was at 4’45".

Beneteau is 3’15" behind Totschnig at the summit...

Armstrong’s group is now 3’55" behind the stage leader, Totschnig.

Rasmussen’s group has just caught and past Grivko at the 1km to climb sign.

The second rider over the summit is Stefano Garzelli. He is 52" behind Totschnig.

George Totschnig has claimed the 20pts for first at the top of the Port de Pailheres.

Totschnig is still leading the stage. He is 4’10" ahead of Armstrong’s quintet and 5’45" ahead of Rasmussen’s group.

There are five riders in a group that’s now 1’00" behind Armstrong’s group.
These two elite groups consist of:
Armstrong, Basso, Ullrich, Landis and Leipheimer.
Then comes: Rasmussen, Evans, Garate, Kloden, Zubeldia and Mancebo.

Armstrong, Basso, Ullrich, Landis and Leipheimer have caught Gatate. Armstrong is now out of the saddle and setting the pace of this group.

The yellow jersey’s group now consists of just five riders: Armstrong, Ullrich, Basso, Landis and Leipheimer.

Vinokourov has been dropped from the Rasmussen group that is now being led by Mancebo.

The stage leader is Totschnig. With 5km to climb, he led by the following margins in the Port de Pailheres:
30" - Garzelli
1’40" - Beneteau
2’55" - Garate
4’40" - Armstrong, Ullrich, Nardello, Landis, Moos, Leipheimer and Basso.
5’30" - Rasmussen, Vinokourov, Evans, Zubeldia, Mancebo, Kloden and Kashechkin.

Vinokourov and Zubeldia have caught Rasmussen’s group that includes Mancebo, Evans, Kashechkin...

Armstrong has raised his right hand to call for the team-car. He has now dropped to the rear of his group of seven riders (Nardello, Ullrich, Armstrong, Leipheimer, Moos, Landis and Basso).

The stage leader is Totschnig. With 5km to climb, he led by the following margins in the Port de Pailheres:
30" - Garzelli
1’40" - Beneteau
2’55" - Garate
3’14" - Grivko...

Leipheimer has fought his way back to the yellow jersey’s group.

Moos has been caught by the yellow jersey’s group which is now: Armstrong, Ullrich, Basso, Landis and Moos.

Basso has been at the front of the yellow jersey’s group for some time now. The pace setting duties have just been taken over by Ullrich... now it’s Armstrong. It’s too much for Gilbert who has been dropped.

There are now five riders in the yellow jersey’s group - Armstrong, Ullrich, Basso, Landis and Gilbert. They lead Rasmussen’s group (Kashechkin, Evans, Mancebo and Kloden) by 1’20".

Gilbert has been caught and dropped by Armstrong’s quartet.

Totschnig is now alone in the front of the stage. He has dropped Garzelli who now trails by about 50m with 5km to climb.

Garzelli and Totschnig are still at the front of the stage. The time gaps are as follow:
30" - to Beneteau
1’40" - to Garate
2’05" - to Grivko
3’05" - to Nardello
3’30" - to Moos
4’00" - to Da Cruz
...Armstrong’s group was at 4’50" at the last check.
Rasmussen is at 5’30".

Garzelli and Totschnig are 4’50" ahead of Armstrong’s group.

Garzelli and Totschnig are still at the front of the stage. The time gaps are as follow:
30" - to Beneteau
1’40" - to Garate
2’05" - to Grivko
...More to follow.

The yellow jersey’s group is back to four again. They are: Armstrong, Ullrich, Basso and Landis.

After Basso and Ullrich’s attack, the yellow jersey’s group consists of seven riders again... they are: Armstrong, Ullrich, Basso, Leipheimer, Landis, Evans and Kashechkin.

Basso and Ullrich have surged ahead of the yellow jersey’s group. Armstrong and Landis have responded well but on a right hand turn Armstrong has elbowed Landis...

There are now seven riders in the yellow jersey’s group. They are: Armstrong, Ullrich, Basso, Leipheimer, Landis, Evans and Kashechkin. They are 5’40" behind Garzelli and Totschnig.

There are now four riders in the yellow jersey’s group - Armstrong, Kashechkin, Ullrich and Basso. They are leadind three riders (Vinokourov, Evans and Landis).

The stage is still being led by Totschnig and Garzelli. They are 5’25" ahead of the yellow jersey’s group.

Just as the yellow jersey’s group was coming back together Basso has attacked.

The riders in Armstrong’s group are:
Ullrich, Evans, Kashechkin, Mancebo, Rasmussen, Vinokourov, Basso, Landis...

There has been a regrouping in the yellow jersey’s group. The riders who are just behing Armstrong’s posse are Rasmussen and Mancebo.

Armstrong is now riding alongside Kashechkin in a five man group that includes Ullrich, Basso, Landis and Vinokourov.

Basso is also in the group that’s now being chased down by Armstrong.

In Ullrich’s group is Kashechkin, Vinokourov, Landis...

Armstrong has failed to respond to the attack by Ullrich. He is currently riding with Leipheimer, Evans, Kloden, Landis and Mancebo.

Ullrich has attacked Armstrong’s group. He is now closing in on Basso. There is no sign of a reaction from Armstrong who is currently riding alongside Leipheimer and Landis. The yellow jersey has no team-mates wiht him.

There are now 12 riders in the yellow jersey’s group. Kloden and Piepoli have caught up. As they reached this group Basso and Vinokourov attacked...

Armstrong, Ullrich, Vinokourov, Basso, Mancebo, Evans, Rasmussen, Landis, Kasheschkin, Leipheimer are the riders in the yellow jersey bunch.

The peloton has been attacked by Vinokourov. He has been chased dowon by Armstrong, Basso, Rasmussen, Mancebo, Ullrich, Evans and Leipheimer.

Garzelli, Beneteau and Totschnig lead the stage. They are ahead of the remnants of the escape by the following margins.
15" - Nardello
33" - Moos
40" - Garate
55" - Grivko
1’10" - Krivtsov
140" - Gilbert and Da Cruz

The T-Mobile led peloton is now 7’05" behind the stage leaders - Garzelli, Beneteau and Totschnig.

The peloton is now being led by six riders from the T-Mobile squad including the winner of the stage to Briancon, Alexandre Vinokourov.

McEwen, Moncoutie, Voeckler, Hushovd, Fedrigo, Gerrans are some of the riders who have been dropped early on the ascent of the Port de Pailheres.

The stage is being led by Garzelli, Moos, Beneteau and Totschnig. We don’t have a time check on the remnants of the 10-man escape group at this stage.

There are now four T-Mobile riders at the head of the peloton.

The two Ukrainians in the escape group were the next to lose contact with Garzelli’s group.

Alexandre Moos has attacked the lead group in the first kilometer of the 15.1km climb. The first to drop behind are Da Cruz and Gilbert.

After 176.5km, the real racing action in the 14th stage has just begun. The 10 escapees are now on the Port de Pailheres climb. Their advantage over the peloton is 9’19".

The peloton is currently 9’25" behind Totschnig, Garzelli, Garate, Beneteau, Gilbert, Da Cruz, Grivko, Krivtsov and Moos.
The 10 escapees are near the base of the ’Hors Category’ climb of the Port de Pailheres.

The peloton is at the 167km mark, the latest time check has this group 9’45" behind the 10 escapees.

Points for a ’Hors Category’ climb are awarded to the first 10 riders at the top. The allocation is as follows:
1st - 20pts
2nd - 18pts
3rd - 16pts
4th - 14pts
5th - 12pts
6th - 10pts
7th - 8pts
8th - 7pts
9th - 6pts
10th - 5pts

The teams of the riders in first and second in the climbing classification are now moving towards the front of the peloton. The pace setting duties have been done by riders from Euskaltel since the feedzone (at 132.5km). They lead the Discovery Channel squad. Behind the yellow jersey are riders from Rabobank and Credit Agricole.

The 10 escapees are about 10km away from the ’Hors Category’ climb in today’s stage. The summit of the Port de Pailheres is at the 191.5km mark. It’s a 15.1km climb.

The rider who finished third last in the 13th stage, Brad McGee, is suffering again today. The Australian who has two Tour stage wins to his name (stage seven in 2002 and the prologue in 2003) spent a few hours with the physio last night trying to correct an injury to his left leg which is giving him a lot of grief.

Totschnig, Garzelli, Garate, Beneteau, Gilbert, Da Cruz, Grivko, Krivtsov and Moos are now in Gesse at the 167km mark. They are 9’40" ahead of the peloton.

There are now three riders from the Euskaltel team at the head of the peloton. This group is currently 9’49" behind the 10 escapees.

Carlos Da Cruz is one of the riders who has been at the front of today’s stage since the 7km mark. The French FDJ rider was the man who instigated yesterdays long escape at the 17km mark. Together with Voeckler, Flecha, Turpin and Horner the 28-year-old worked up a maximum advantage on the peloton of 9’20".
He was caught after 146km of racing in the stage to Montpellier and still had the energy to finish 29th.

There peloton is being led by Eusklatel and Discovery Channel riders but they aren’t travelling as well as the 10 escapees who have recently pushed their advantage up to 9’50" at the 153km mark.

The only time that the Tour has raced over the Port de Pailheres was during the centenary edition in 2003. Here is the top 10 of the ’Hors Category’ col two years ago:
1. Mercado
2. Sastre
3. Rubiera
4. Dufaux
5. Virenque
6. Moreau
7. Beltran
8. Menchov
9. Ullrich
10. Vinokourov

The ’Hors Category’ col in today’s stage is the 2,001m high Port de Pailheres. This climb has only been on the Tour’s itinerary once before. In the 2003 Tour, Juan Miguel Mercado claimed first place points at the top of the 15.1km ascent.

The advantage of the escapees has dropped slightly. The peloton is now 9’20" behind.

In the last couple of minutes the pace of the peloton has picked up. The bunch was 9’35" behind at the last check. This is likely to drop now because three Euskaltel riders are now at the head of the pack and appear keen to try and reel in the escape of Totschnig, Garzelli, Garate, Beneteau, Gilbert, Da Cruz, Grivko, Krivtsov and Moos.

One Euskaltel rider has come to the front of the peloton. The orange-clad squad has a lot of loyal supporters from the Basque country on the final climb of the stage.

The peloton is being led by riders from the Discovery Channel team. They are 9’35" behind the 10 escapees.

The best-placed of the 10 escapees in the general classification after 13 stages is Totschnig. Here is a summary of who is in the break that began at the 7km mark and where they are in the general classification before today’s stage.
Daniele Nardello (Italy) TMO - 81st at 1h04’15"
Alexandre Moos (Switzerland) PHO - 64th at 56’13"
Juan Manuel Garate (Spain) SDV - 67th at 58’14"
Stefano Garzelli (Italy) LIQ - 26th at 14’21"
Walter Beneteau (France) BTL - 84th at 1h05’56"
Georg Totschnig (Austria) GST - 22nd at 11’43"
Carlos Da Cruz (France) FDJ - 118th at 1h41’45"
Philippe Gilbert (Belgium) FDJ - 92nd at 1h16’46"
Andriy Grivko (Ukraine) DOM - 108th at 1h32’25"
Yuriy Krivtsov (Ukraine) A2R - 97th at 1h18’33"

The bunch is at the 131km mark with a deficit of 9’35" on the 10 escapees.

The average speed for the third hour of racing in stage 14 is 40.2km/h. The average for the first three hours is 44.5km/h.

Totschnig, Garzelli, Garate, Beneteau, Gilbert, Da Cruz, Grivko, Krivtsov and Moos are now in the feedzone (at the 132.5km mark). They have pushed their advantage over the peloton up to 9’20".

With 12km to go to the feedzone the peloton’s deficit to the 10 escapees is nine minutes.

At the top of the fourth climb the peloton was 8’50" behind Totschnig, Garzelli, Garate, Beneteau, Gilbert, Da Cruz, Grivko, Krivtsov and Moos.

The Port Pailheres is the major obstacle in today’s stage. It’s a ’Hors Category’ col that rises for 15.1km at an average gradient of 8.1 per cent! The distance between the Col du Paradis and the Pailhere’s ascent is 60.8km.
The 10 escapees had a lead on the peloton of 9’00" at the last time check.

The points for the Col du Paradis were won by:
1. Juan Manuel Garate (SDV) 4pts
2. Georg Totschnig (GST) 3pts
3. Andriy Grivko (DOM) 2pts
4. Stefano Garzelli (LIQ) 1pt

The 10-man escape group has begun the ascent of the cat-3 Col du Paradis. This is a 5.8km climb with an average gradient of 4.1 per cent. The summit is at the 115.5km mark.
Totschnig, Garzelli, Garate, Beneteau, Gilbert, Da Cruz, Grivko, Krivtsov and Moos lead the peloton by 9’00".

At the top of the 3rd climb of the stage, the peloton is 9’00" behind the 10 escapees (Totschnig, Garzelli, Garate, Beneteau, Gilbert, Da Cruz, Grivko, Krivtsov and Moos).

The first time a stage of the Tour concluded at Ax-3-Domaines, the ski station was known as Plateau de Bonascre. That was in 2001. The top 10 in the 12th stage four years ago was:
1. Cardenas
2. Laiseka at 13"
3. Armstrong at 15"
4. Ullrich at 38"
5. D. Etxebarria at 38"
6. Sevilla 1’01"
7. Beloki at 1’01"
8. Botero at 1’35"
9. Boogerd at 1’35"
10. Vinokourov at 1’35"

The 10 escapees are 8’45" ahead of the pelotn which is now at the 105km mark.

The points at the top of the cat-4 Col des Fourches (at the 104km mark) were won by:
1. Juan Manuel Garate (SDV) 3pts
2. Walter Beneteau (BTL) 2pts
3. Andriy Grivko (DOM) 1pts

At the 98.5km mark the peloton was 8’25" behind the 10-man escape group.

The last time a stage of the Tour de France concluded at Ax-3-Domaines was in 2003. The winner of the stage was Carlos Sastre. The Spaniard finished the day with a pacifier in his mouth... it was a gesture for his daughter. Sastre said afterwards that he carries the pacifier in his jersey pockets as a reminder not to take too many risks on the descents because there are more important things in life than winning races.
The top 10 in the 13th stage two years ago was:
1. Sastre
2. Ullrich at 1’01"
3. Zubeldia at 1’03"
4. Armstrong at 1’08"
5. Vinokourov at 1’18"
6. Basso at 1’20"
7. Mercado at 1’24"
8. Mayo at 1’59"
9. Moreau at 2’32"
10. Hamilton at 2’34"
Of this group only Mercado and Hamilton are not in this year’s race.

The points at the top of the cat-4 Col de Bedos (at the 98.5km mark) were won by:
1. Juan Manuel Garate (SDV) 3pts
2. Stefano Garzelli (LIQ) 2pts
3. Walter Beneteau (BTL) 1pt

The peloton is now 8’20" behind the escapees.

The peloton has reached the summit of the first climb with a deficit of 8’05" on the escapees (Totschnig, Garzelli, Garate, Beneteau, Gilbert, Da Cruz, Grivko, Krivtsov and Moos).

The pace has eased in the second hour of racing in stage 14. The average speed was 42.4km/h. The average after two hours is 46.6km/h.

The points for the cat-4 Col de Villerouge (at 90.5km) were won by:
1. Yuriy Krivtsov (A2R) 3pts
2. Juan Manuel Garate (SDV) 2pts
3. Andriy Grivko (DOM) 1pt

Totschnig, Garzelli, Garate, Beneteau, Gilbert, Da Cruz, Grivko, Krivtsov and Moos are 8’00" ahead of the peloton which is now at the 83km mark.

Totschnig, Garzelli, Garate, Beneteau, Gilbert, Da Cruz, Grivko, Krivtsov and Moos are 5km from the first climb of the stage. The Col de Villerouge is a cat-4 ascent is 6.3km long with an average gradient of 3.6 per cent.

The peloton has arrived at the site of the 2nd intermediate sprint with a deficit of 7’40" on the 10-man escape group.

The points for the sprint in Saint-Laurent-de-Cabrerisse (at the 78km mark) were won by:
1. Carlos Da Cruz (FDJ) 6pts
2. Philippe Gilbert (FDJ) 4pts
3. Andriy Grivko (DOM) 2pts

The advantage of Totschnig (GST), Garzelli (LIQ), Garate (SDV), Beneteau (BTL), Gilbert and Da Cruz (FDJ), Grivko (DOM), Krivtsov (A2R) and Moos (PHO) over the peloton is now 7’00".

The escapees are near the site of the second intermediate sprint. The two FDJ representatives in the break - Da Cruz and Gilbert - claimed first and second place in Narbonne. The next sprint is at the 78km mark in Saint-Laurent-de-Cabrerisse.
The latest time check had the escape 6’30" ahead of the peloton.

At the 68km mark, the peloton is 6’20" behind the 10 escapees.

The peloton appears to have lost interest in the chase. The advantage of the 10 escapees has recently blown out to 5’25".

The 10 escapees have an advantage of 4’45" over the peloton which has just past the 65.5km mark.

Of the 10 riders on the attack since the 7km mark of stage 14, three wear a ’dossard’ that suggests they are the leader of their teams. Juan Manuel Garate is number ’81’, Stefano Garzelli is ’111’ and Georg Totschnig ’161’.

As the peloton past the 60.5km mark it was 4’30" behind the 10 escapees. The maximum gain so far today was 4’40" at the 57km mark.
The escape began after 7km of racing with 15 riders attacking the peloton. The riders now in the lead are: Totschnig (GST), Garzelli (LIQ), Garate (SDV), Beneteau (BTL), Gilbert and Da Cruz (FDJ), Grivko (DOM), Krivtsov (A2R) and Moos (PHO).

The advantage of the 10 stage leaders has grown slightly in the last couple of kilometers. After 57km of racing, the peloton is 4’40" behind.

One of the riders who is in the early escape of stage 14 turns 32 today. Stefano Garzelli and nine others are currently 4’30” ahead of the peloton. The Liquigas-Bianchi team leader has been a professional since 1998. He has 12 wins to his credit including the overall title at the 2000 Giro d’Italia.
Garzelli shares his birthday with Miguel Indurain and in 1998, the Italian’s first pro victory was the Grand Prix Miguel Indurain. His last race win was the 19th stage of the 2004 Giro d’Italia, but Stefano did win the points classification of the Tour of Romandie earlier this year.

The peloton is at the 52.5km mark and is 4’30" behind Nardello, Moos, Garate, Garzelli, Beneteau, Totschnig, Da Cruz, Gilbert, Grivko and Krivtsov.

The average speed for the first hour of racing in stage 14 is 50.8km/h.

The points for the intermediate sprint at the 50km mark were won by:
1. Carlos Da Cruz (FDJ) 6pts
2. Philippe Gilbert (FDJ) 4pts
3. Andriy Grivko (DOM) 2pts

With 5km to go to the sprint in Narbonne, the peloton was 3’50" behind the 10 escapees.

The 10 escapees are now at the 45km mark. They are 5km away from the site of the intermediate sprint in Narbonne.

At the 40km mark, the peloton is 3’20" behind Nardello, Moos, Garate, Garzelli, Beneteau, Totschnig, Da Cruz, Gilbert, Grivko and Krivtsov.

The Saunier Duval rider who won the Spanish championship on the Sunday before the Tour is one of the 10 riders who are on the attack in stage 14. Juan Manuel Garate’s only professional victory was the race that earned him the right to wear the red and yellow jersey as champion of Spain.

The five-time winner of the Tour de France (from 1991 to 1995), Miguel Indurain celebrates his 41st birthday today.

The 10 riders on the attack are:
Daniele Nardello (Italy) TMO
Alexandre Moos (Switzerland) PHO
Juan Manuel Garate (Spain) SDV
Stefano Garzelli (Italy) LIQ
Walter Beneteau (France) BTL
Georg Totschnig (Austria) GST
Carlos Da Cruz (France) FDJ
Philippe Gilbert (Belgium) FDJ
Andriy Grivko (Ukraine) DOM
Yuriy Krivtsov (Ukraine) A2R

Of the 10 riders who are currently 1’40" ahead of the peloton, only one has previously won a stage of the Tour de France. Daniele Nardello (TMO) was the winner of the 13th stage to Carpentras in 1998.

At the 31km mark, the bunch was 1’40" behind the 10 escapees.

The last time check for the 10-man escape group (Nardello, Moos, Garate, Garzelli, Beneteau, Totschnig, Da Cruz, Gilbert, Grivko and Krivtsov) was 55" over the peloton. The escapees are now at the 31km mark.

Of the 10 riders which are currently 55" ahead of the peloton (at the 28km mark), the best in the general classification after 13 stages is the Austrian Georg Totschnig. The Gerolsteiner rider began today ranked 22nd (11’43" behind Armstrong).

Nardello, Moos, Garate, Garzelli, Beneteau, Totschnig, Da Cruz, Gilbert, Grivko and Krivtsov have a lead of 32" at the 26km mark.

The peloton is now at the 25.5km mark. It is 20" behind the 10-man escape group.

Nardello, Moos, Garate, Garzelli, Beneteau, Totschnig, Da Cruz, Gilbert, Grivko, Krivtsov are now 20" ahead of the peloton.

The maximum gain of the 15-man escape was 20" at the 11km mark. Riders from the Rabobank team are now at the head of the peloton.

Today is the 32nd birthday of Stefano Garzelli, one of the riders in the 15-man escape group that attacked at the 7km mark.

At the 7km mark a group of 15 riders attacked the peloton. They are: Popovych (DSC), Nardello (TMO), Moos (PHO), Pereiro (PHO), Facci (FAS), Garate (SDV), Garzelli (LIQ), Chavanel (COF), Beneteau (BTL), Totschnig (GST), Cooke (FDJ), Da Cruz (FDJ), Gilbert (FDJ), Camano (EUS), Kritsov (A2R).
At the 12km mark they are 17" ahead of the peloton.

The 92nd Tour began with riders from 28 countries in the peloton. After 13 stages there are 25 nations represented. The summary of which riders abandoned when is listed below:
29 - Spain (Constantino Zaballa abandoned during stage five; Isaac Galvez abandoned during stage eight; Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano and Jose Angel Gomez both abandoned with injuries sustained in crashes in stage nine; Manuel Beltran abandoned during stage 12; Alejandro Valverde abandoned during stage 13).
26 - France (Mengin did not start stage eight; Sylvain Calzati abandoned during stage eight; Jean-Patrick Nazon abandoned during stage 11; Nicolas Fritsch abandoned during stage 12)
22 - Italy (Claudio Corioni abandoned during stage six; Alessandro Spezialetti did not finish stage seven; Dario Frigo did not start stage 11; Stefano Zanini abandoned during stage 11; Angelo Furlan abandoned during stage 12).
15 - Germany (Jens Voigt finished outside the time limit in stage 11)
10 - Australia
9 – Belgium (Kevin Hulsmans finished outside the time limit in stage 11; Tom Boonen did not start stage 12)
8 - USA (Dave Zabriskie abandoned during stage nine)
7 - The Netherlands (Van Bon Abandoned during stage eight; Gerben Lowik did not start stage 14)
6 – Switzerland (Steve Zampieri abandonded during stage seven).
4 - Ukraine (Honchar did not start start eight)
3 - Austria (Gerrit Glomser abandoned during stage 10); Kazakstahn and Sweden
2 – Denmark, Norway and Russia (Evgeni Petrov did not start stage 10).
1 – Estonian (Kirsipuu abandoned during stage nine); Colombia, Finland, Hungary, Uzbekstahn, Portugal, Czech Republic, Slovenia and Venezuela
0 – Brazil (Luciano Pagliarini abandoned during stage nine); Luxembourg (Kim Kirchen abandoned during the 11th stage); South Africa (Robbie Hunter abandoned during stage 12)

After 13 stages of racing, only five of the 21 teams have the full contingent of nine riders. So far 29 riders have abandoned the Tour. The complete teams are: T-Mobile, Cofidis, Bouyges Telecom, Gerolsteiner and Euskaltel-Euskadi.

The 14th stage of the 92nd Tour de France began at 10.52am. There were 160 riders at the sign on. The one rider who did not take the start was Gerben Lowik (RAB).
There have been no early attacks but the pace of the peloton is rapid.

The temperature at the start of stage 14 in Agde is 26 degrees Celsius in the air and 35 degrees at road level. The sun is shining and it’s expected to get hotter later in the day. There’s virtual no wind on the coast or in the Pyrenees on this third Saturday of the 2005 Tour de France.

The retirement of Alejandro Valverde during stage 13 means that one of the four prize jerseys will be worn by a different rider today. Below is a summary of who wears what for stage 14:
Lance Armstrong (DSC) is still in the yellow jersey. His advantage of 38” on Mickael Rasmussen (RAB) in the general classification didn’t change after the stage to Montpellier yesterday. In third place is Christophe Moreau (C.A) who is 2’34” behind the American defending champion.
Thor Hushovd (C.A) will wear the green jersey as the leader of the points classification. He has 164 points, 14 more than two Stuart O’Grady (COF) and 22 more than Robbie McEwen (DVL).
Rasmussen still wears the polka-dot jersey as leader of the mountains classification. The winner of stage nine has a tally of 160 points, 71 more than Moreau and 72 more than Santiago Botero (PHO).
Yaroslav Popovych (DSC) is back in the white jersey as the leader of the youth classification. The Ukranian has a lead of just seven seconds on Andrey Kashechkin (C.A) but he’s 13’06” ahead of the rider in third place Alberto Contador (LSW).

The live coverage for the Tour’s internet site is done with the help of Radio Tour. The signal is transmitted via planes which hover above the race each day. As today’s stage is in excess of 200km the organizers have explained that it’s unlikely that the signal will be heard at the site of the finish for the first hour of racing in stage 14.
We will endeavour to relay as much information as possible, but the coverage is not likely to be as complete as usual.

Although the 14th stage is one for the mountain specialists, the sprinters will help animate the early phaze of the race from Agde to Ax-3-Domaines. There are two intermediate sprints with 6, 4 and 2 points on offer for the first three riders over the line.
These ’primes’ are in Narbonne (at the 50km mark) and Saint-Laurent-de-Caberisse (at 78km).

The stage from Agde to Ax-3-Domaines features six categorized climbs:
The cat-4 Col de Villerouge (at 90.5km).
The cat-4 Col de Bedos (at 98.5km).
The cat-4 Col des Fourches (at 104km).
The cat-3 Col du Paradis (at 104km).
The ‘Hors Category’ Port de Pailheres (at 191.5km)
And the cat-1 final climb to the ski station of Ax-3-Domaines.

The 220.5km stage from Agde to Ax-3-Domaines is scheduled to begin at 10.35am. There is a 7.9km neutral zone before the riders reach the site of the official start which is expected to be at around 10.50am.