THIS WEEK IN PRO CYCLING
Dauphine: Mayo isn't giving up without a fight
Too bad Iban Mayo isn't talking up a big game for the upcoming Tour de France.
The tenacious Euskaltel rider won his second stage of the 55th Dauphine Libere on Thursday, edging out Lance Armstrong and Francisco Mancebo after attacking hard in the Alps.
"In a stage like that, held in such heat it's, not the quickest who comes out on top but the freshest," said Mayo, who also won the opening prologue. "It was a good win, but Armstrong is stronger. It's clear he's going very good now and will be even better at the Tour."
Mayo, Armstrong and Mancebo chugged away from the fractured peloton on the Category 1 Col de la Ramaz, leaving everyone else sucking on their fumes. Christophe Moreau (Credit Agricole) and Alexandre Botcharov (Ag2r) went away before Armstrong & Co. turned on the afterburners and were caught on the grinding climb.
Mancebo made a move before the 1613 meter summit, but Mayo and Armstrong caught him on the descent. Coming into the finish, Mancebo was spent and Mayo outsprinted the Texan for the win.
"It was a hard stage, very hot. My team responded perfectly today," said Armstrong, who is defending his hold on the leader's jersey he won in Wednesday's time trial. "I was impressed with Mayo today. He's an excellent rider."
But Mayo is talking down his chances for the Tour, insisting that he's not thinking about the overall classification at cycling's big dance.
"I am going to the Tour thinking about winning a stage. That's better for our team, our sponsor and me," said Mayo, winner of the Tour of Basque Country in April. "It makes more sense to make something spectacular than to fight to be in 10th place."
But here Mayo is obviously using all of his forces to try to steal the Dauphine Libere away from Armstrong, who comes back as the defending champion.
"We expect Mayo to attack all the way to the finish," said U.S. Postal's sport director Johan Bruyneel. "He's strong, aggressive and an impressive rider. It will be a good challenge for our team to work to protect Lance's lead."
Armstrong actually widened his grip on the overall lead as Mayo bumped ahead of David Millar on GC. Millar couldn't follow the Armstrong-Mayo-Mancebo move after suffering an untimely puncture, but rebounded to finish in the first chase group and now sits in third at 2:12 back.
"My goal here is to finish in the top five and be with the strongest climbs in the mountain stages," Millar said earlier in the week. "My form is coming up and this is a good test."
Levi Leipheimer (Rabobank) remained in seventh place overall after finishing 21st at 1:32 back just behind the front group of 15 lead chasers while Floyd Landis (USPS) and Tyler Hamilton (CSC) finished more than 20 minutes back. Hamilton said he's using the Dauphine to fine-tune his form going into the Tour and is not riding for the GC.
Earlier in the stage, French cyclist Jacky Durand had to be taken to the hospital for seven stitches after colliding with a police motorbike.
The 55th Dauphine Libere continues Friday with the 192km fifth stage from Morzine to Chambery. The stage hits two Cat. 4 climbs in the opening 60km followed by a Cat. 3 climb at 110km. The Cat. 2 Cote du Pas de la Fosse tops out with just 12km to go and it's a fast downhill into Chambery.
