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18 July 2005

19 July News ...

Hincapie Takes Tough Stage Win

Stage 15 of the 92nd Tour de France was something special. Long-time super domestique, George Hincapie (Discovery Channel), battled to a Tour stage win. It was on one of the toughest stages of the 2005 Tour that Hincapie took his first Tour de France victory. The American was in a day-long escape that got whittled down on the last two climbs. "My plan was to join an early breakaway, to take some lead and then help Lance. But we found we had an 18 minute lead, and Johan [Bruyneel, team DS] told me they won't catch you now. Do your own race." Hincapie took advantage of the freedom and flew to a Pyrenean win.

"It was a great year for me. I did well in the classics, I had a baby daughter," said an emotional Hincapie after the stage. "France is my second country, and I am glad my family, and my daughter, were here to see this." Hincapie is married to a former Tour de France podium girl from Digione.

Hincapie's friendship with his team leader, Armstrong goes way back. The two have been friends for over 20 years after they met in Colorado Springs. "We met a long time ago. I was 14 and he was 16 and at the time, and he was already sensational. The first race we did, I asked what the tactics were and he said 'I attack and I win', and that's what he did." Hincapie is one of Armstrong's only teammates to ride with Armstrong on all six Tour wins. "He's one of my best friends and I owe him everything."

For more information on all the attacks, read The Dust Devil's Daily Wrap, Big George-Big Victory.

92nd Tour de France:
Startlist, Classifications, Tour Challengers, Discovery Channel Profile
Key Stages, Key Stage Descriptions, Stages and Maps, Overall Map
Photos, Dust Devil's Daily Wrap

Armstrong Believed Hincapie Would Win

Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) had a long day of answering attack after attack. The American persevered and kept his yellow jersey. To add icing on the Disco cake, Hincapie won the stage from an epic 14-man break. Armstrong was thrilled for his long-time friend, "The sport has not seen this in 20 or 30 years, since Merckx and Hinault. Second in Paris-Roubaix, going over the Galibier with the favorites and then winning at Pla d'Adet? He's one of the best riders in cycling, period."

Armstrong faced his last true mountain-top finish. He was not able to pull off a stage win, but his friend, Hincapie, did. "I could not have picked a better ending. I am not interested in winning stages this year. I'm interested in winning my seventh Tour. Today was perfect. I can't complain." Armstrong now faces the final week of challenges. His big hurdles are over, but the Tour de France is always precarious.

Basso Fired Off All the Missiles

"This is life," said super-Italian Ivan Basso post-stage 15. Basso (Team CSC) was the man who shaped the day's GC race. He threw down his bombs but accepted his rival was stronger. "... There is one that is stronger, you are not able to do anything. There is always little difference between me and Armstrong, but he is a true TT man that goes strong and in the hills you can't drop him. How are you to win?"

Basso may not have cracked Armstrong but he did put in his best efforts to do so. "In the last two days I tried to do all to leave a mark in this Tour. I am satisfied with myself. When I attacked I did not think to gain on Ullrich or Rasmussen, I wanted to make a difference. I attack [dropping] all, excluding him [Armstrong]."

The Italian rode a strong weekend but could not beat his American rival. He had tried three times, on the Portillon with his CSC team. Then on the last two climbs Basso put in solo attacks that were just not strong enough. "On the Portillon we searched to isolate the captains of the other teams and put on the pressure, but there was a head wind. On the penultimate climb, I attacked and I gave the maximum with each pedal stroke, with out worrying about blowing." A confident Basso continued, "But, in these two stages I believe that I demonstrated, to the critics, my strength."

There is still one more week remaining in the 92nd Tour de France. Basso added, "The Tour is not finished ... We are still missing two hard stages in the Massif Central and the last hard TT to Saint-Etienne. The podium is not yet secure." However the big mountain stages have passed, making it harder to drop an opponent for huge time losses. "From now on it is difficult, because the hard climbs aren't at the stage end. I will not leave it be, but I will not commit certain suicides."

Pietro Caucchioli Strong in Escape

Our Italian friend, Pietro Caucchioli (Crédit Agricole), was involved in the day-long escape. The escape succeeded in staying free, but the win went to Hincapie (Discovery Channel). Caucchioli said post-stage, "From the start of the Tour I have tried to go in an escape., but I was not able to enter a good one. This time I made it." On the day's final climb the warfare started for the Italian. "They attacked me on the last climb, but I reentered, I attempted to go free but they [Hincapie and Pereiro] came with me."

Caucchioli was able to finish third on the stage, but now seeks other escapes. "I left Boogerd but Pereiro remained with me. ... With Hincapie, all day he was on the wheels of others, justifiably because Armstrong was in the yellow jersey. Nonetheless, I arrived in third. Not bad. There is still one week. Escape groups will go, and I will give all to win a stage." BiciRace.com wishes Pietro the best of luck. Vai Pietro! For more information on the Crédit Agricole rider, read our recent interview with him.

Defeated Ullrich Tries for Podium

Jan Ullrich (T-Mobile) could not hang with Basso and Armstrong yesterday in stage 15. The fire got too hot and Ulle was out the back door. Now Ullrich is 2'50" down on third place Rasmussen (Rabobank). His goal his to hold this gap until the TT, where he should put all sorts of hurt into the Dane. "Tomorrow, on the rest day, we will train a little and recover as much as we can, since I'm still aiming at that place on the podium," confirmed Ullrich. Stay tuned.

17 July News ...