Popovych Wins Ahead Of A Storm

Stage Details _ Four climbs: Col des Ares (category-2 at the 27km mark), Cote de Pujos (cat-4 at 47.5km), Cote de Paul de Pailhes (cat-4 at 126.0km) and the Cote de Pamiers (cat-4 at 136.0km). _ Intermediate sprints: in Caumont (at 76.0km) and Mirepoix (162.0km). _ Weather conditions: hot with temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius. _ Number of riders: 165 – no retirees overnight. Official start time: 12.16pm. _ _ The first serious escape was instigated by Le Mevel (C.A) at 6km. He was joined by Voigt (CSC), Kopp (GST), De Groot (RAB), McEwen (DVL), Vansummeren (DVL), Bennati (LAM), Righi (LAM), Brard (CEI), Boonen (QSI), Moreni (COF), Ventoso, Da Cruz (FDJ), Backstedt (LIQ) and Fedrigo (BTL). Their maximum gain was 30”. Galzvez (CEI) abandoned after 20km of racing. The escapees were caught before the first climb. On the Col des Ares, Hincapie (DSC), Voigt (CSC), Bennati (LAM) and Pereiro (CEI) went on the attack. They were pursued by a group including Rasmussen (RAB) who claimed points at the top. Shortly after, a group of 15 led the peloton. They were: Hincapie, Voigt, Bennati, Pereiro, Rasmussen, Guerini (TMO), Goubert (A2R), Cunego (LAM), Hushovd (C.A), Verdugo (EUS), Moncoutie (COF), Chavanel (COF), Moreni (COF), Millar (SDV) and Albasini (LIQ). At 43km they were 45” ahead of the peloton that was led by Davitamon-Lotto. _ Savoldelli (DSC) abandoned in Aspet (42km). The average speed for the first hour was 46.0km/h. Millar led Rasmussen and Pereiro over the line of the 2nd climb. At 50km, the 15 led by 1’00”; 60km – 1’10”… this was the maximum gain of the escape. At the 70km mark, six riders waited for the peloton. The men who insisted with the attack were: Hincapie, Voigt, Guerini, Goubert, Bennati, Verdugo, Moncoutie, Millar and Albasini. Davitamon-Lotto maintained control of the peloton’s pursuit. The points in Caumont were won by: Bennati, Guerini and Hincapie. The peloton was led by Bouygues and Milram and was 45” behind the nine escapees. Albasini attacked at the 86km mark. He was chased down by Hincapie, Voigt, Moncoutie and Goubert. The rest of the escapees were caught at the 88km mark. The escape ended at the 94km mark. The average speed for the 2nd hour was 47.2km/h. _ _ Oscar, Yaroslav, Alesandro and Christophe Allowed To Escape… _ At the 98km mark, Freire, Ballan, Popovych and Le Mevel attacked. They led by 30” at the 102km mark. McEwen (DVL) tried to chase momentarily but he ceased his efforts after speaking to team-mate Evans and Landis (PHO). At the 106km mark, the four led by 1’50”. The points for the 3rd climb were won by Le Mevel, Freire and Popovych… the peloton was led by Phonak and had a deficit of 3’55” at the 126km mark. At 140km the four led by 4’10”; this dropped to 3’55” but grew again to 4’15” at the 160km mark… At the Mirepoix sprint, the points were won by: Freire, Ballan and Le Mevel. The peloton was at 4’05”. _ _ Popovych Wins The Day…! _ Milram began helping Phonak with the chasing duties 40km from the finish. Zabel’s team soon retreated back into the bunch. With 25km to go, the peloton was 4’40” behind the escapees. The best-placed rider in the escape group was Popovych; he began the day 9’00” behind Landis. He attacked Freire, Ballan and Le Mevel 8km before the finish. Le Mevel quickly dropped out of the lead group. Freire and Ballan tried their luck with escapes but Popovych was the most consistent in the lead group. He tried repeatedly and, three kilometres from the finish, he made the winning move. Popovych won the stage, 24” ahead of Ballan. It is the second Ukrainian stage victory of the 2006 Tour. _ Floyd Landis finished in the peloton that cross the line 4’25” behind Popovych. The American Phonak rider will wear the yellow jersey again in stage 13.