- HOT TOPICS:
- The new VeloNews.com (BETA)
Guesdon takes stage as Jalabert and Botero tangle it up
La Française des Jeux’s Frederic Guesdon scooted ahead of his jostling breakaway to take the fifth stage of the Dauphine Libere in Grenoble on Friday.
Guesdon was lying fifth as the line loomed when an incredible jostle for position by his fellow riders 300 meters out cleared the way for him to win in a time of 5hr 7min and 59sec.
Colombian Santiago Botero had been trailing Laurent Jalabert for most of the 206km when he decided to make a move to grab second spot on the final climb.
He used his wheel to knock Jalabert out of the way, forcing the Frenchman to take his feet out of his pedals and miss out on the final sprint, wrecking his chances of winning.
"I had Botero on my back all day then he hit my wheel at the same moment as Guesdon was going away," said Jalabert. "I don't understand his attitude, I don't have the feeling he was racing to win."
Winner Guesdon happily accepted his seventh-career win after taking full advantage of the clash.
"I have to be honest,” Guesdon said. “I'm far from being the strongest rider but when I found myself on the top of the final climb with the others I thought anything was possible. Then I spotted that Botero and Jalabert were clashing I made my sprint."
The U.S. Postal Service’s Lance Armstrong was far away from the controversy, finishing with the main field in 33rd, more than nine minutes behind the day’s stage winner. Since none of the men in the winning break posed a threat to the overall standings, Armstrong continues to hold the overall lead, some 16 seconds ahead of teammate Floyd Landis.
Landis a pleasant surprise
Landis has been a revelation at the event and jumped from 11th to second overall following yesterday's fourth stage.
"Johan (Bruyneel, the USPS team's director sportif) said it would make it easier on the team if I went away in a break," Landis said. "I was sitting on, but had the excuse to do so. It was the first break of the day and I was the only one even close on GC. I thanked the team for letting me go in the break and appreciated the confidence they had in me. From now on, I will do what I can (for the team). If I can keep my spot, great, but will work for Lance to keep him in the lead."
Landis began to garner attention following his effort at Mount Ventoux in stage two.
"Ventoux went really well," Landis said. "Going into it, Johan said Chechu (teammate Jose Luis Rubiera) and I should stay out of the way and be there to help Lance to the top. I sat on (Credit Agricole's Jonathan) Vaughters and he rode tempo for what seemed like 30 minutes as he rode for (teammate Christophe) Moreau. Then there were a couple of attacks and the next thing I know there are like six or so guys left. I turned around and there wasn't much left. I tried to cover a couple of attacks and finally couldn't got with anyone and then rode alone over the last few kilometers.
"I had been up Ventoux a few times before - we did it in last year's Paris-Nice - but I had never done it quite like that. I was quite pleased - tired, but at least I had something to be happy out. There are plenty of times after a race when you are wiped out with nothing to show for it."
In his first year with the USPS team, Landis added, "As for as the racing goes, I have lots to learn, as I do with training and resting as well. This team experience has been wonderful, I couldn't be happier. I couldn't ask for better people to surround myself with. I still have a ways to go and Johan said I should focus on being my best in July."
