Vinokourov's Second Renaissance

The 196km 15th stage, from Foix to Loudenvielle, began 11.28am. There were 163 riders at the start: Pozzato (LIQ) and Gilbert (FDJ) were not at the sign on. The itinerary included five climbs: the cat-2 Col de Port (at 27.5km), the cat-2 Portet d’Aspet (99.5km), the cat-1 Col du Mente (114km), the ‘hors categorie’ Port de Bales and the cat-1 Col du Peyresourde (184.5km). The intermediate sprints were in Saint-Girons (at 68km) and Marignac (127km). _ _ Elite Riders In Early Escapes _ Once again Chavanel (COF) attacked right at the start but didn’t gain any advantage. It soon became evident that the stage would be one for surprises. Verdugo gained a lead with an attack at the 10km mark and he was joined by Moreau, Pereiro, Menchov, Vinokourov and Vinokourov. They were caught 5km from the top. Verdugo insisted and was joined, before the summit, by Garate, Tschopp, Arroyo, Menchov, Gadret, Goubert, Kohl, Beltran, Vinokourov and Cobo. Garate led the escape group over the Port pass while the peloton was 25” behind. There was a general regrouping on the descent. The average for the first hour was 37.5km. The capture was at the 38km mark. _ Dessel (A2R) abandoned before the first summit and Le Mevel (C.A) crashed and was taken to hospital with a suspected broken left collarbone. _ _ Vinokourov Insists On Being In Escape _ Arroyo, Kirchen, Arvesen, Vande Velde, Menchov, Turpin, Zubeldia, Landaluze, Perez, Bennati, Vila, Kohl, Halgand, Hincapie, Lefevre, Tschopp, Albasini, Vaugrenard, Garate, Knees, Vinokourov, Ivanov, Navarro and Cobo joined forces at the 40km mark. The peloton eased its pace and the advantage of 25 escapees grew quickly. By 59km, the peloton’s deficit was 6’00”. In Satint-Girons (68km) the advantage had grown to 7’35”. The average speed for the second hour was 45.7km/h. Six riders from Rabobank were at the head of the peloton that was 9’20” behind at the base of the Portet d’Aspet. The only surge on the 2nd climb came from Lefevre who rushed ahead of the escape group 50m from the top to claim first-plast points. The peloton was 7’50” behind at the summit. _ _ Col de Mente _ As the peloton began its ascent of the 3rd climb it was 7’30” behind. There was no sign of aggression on the 3rd climb. Garate jumped ahead to lead Lefevre and the others in the escape over the top. The peloton had lost time on the ascent and crested the summit 8’30” behind Garate’s group. _ _ Port de Bales _ Landaluze accelerated 22km before the 4th climb. He was joined by Ivanov, Tschopp, Kohl and Arroyo. At the base of the Port de Bales they were 50” ahead of the 20 other escapees and 8’00” ahead of the peloton. Menchov set off in pursuit and caught the five fugitives with 12km to climb. Ivanov dropped back to collect Vino and tow him to the lead group once that was done the domestique stopped his effort immediately. At the top Vinokourov was 45" behind Tschopp, Kirchen and Arroyo, and was riding together with Cobo, Garate and Zubeldia. _ _ Vino Attacks For A Second Victory In Three Days _ On the final climb, Vinokourov attacked repeatedly until he cracked his rivals and with 15km to go in the stage, he was alone at the front. He crested the final summit 30" ahead of his nearest rivals. He increased his advantage on the descent and claimed his fifth stage victory at the Tour de France, his second in three days. _ _ Battle Of The Climbers _ Rabobank controlled the pace of the peloton from the 40km mark onward. Although Weening, De Groot and Niermann peeled off at the base of the penultimate climb, Rasmussen still had the support of a brilliant Boogerd almost all the way to the top of the Col de Peyresourde. It wasn't until 5km to climb on the final ascent that Rasmussen was forced to respond to an attack. Contador launched an attack wtih such severity that no one but Rasmussen could follow. This pair rode together, then attacked each and repeated this scene several times and, by the summit, it worked in their favor as they built a lead over over a minute on Evans. Hincapie waited for Contador and led his team-mate down the descent. _ Rasmussen was outsprinted by Contador for 10th place, 5'31" behind Vinokourov but he increased his led over Evans from 3'04" at the start of the stage to 4'00". He will wear the yellow jersey for the 16th stage.