Sports / Other Sports
No lapse of concentration allowed in Tour's fourth stage
(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-07-11 11:05
COMPIEGNE, France - There will be much to lose and little to gain in
Wednesday's fourth stage of the Tour de France.
With four fourth-category climbs along the 193-km stage from
Villers-Cotteret to Joigny, a single mistake could end up in a rider
losing a lot of time.
"This stage is the first really lumpy one of the race," said Tour
competition director Jean-Francois Pescheux.
"It could leave some of the small fry struggling to keep pace. If the
field gets lined out, just one lapse in concentration can lead to a rider
losing contact with the main field.
"This should be an interesting stage, with a lot of action."
However, the stage should end in a bunch sprint and former world champion
Tom Boonen, fourth in Tuesday's third stage, will try to snatch his first
Tour stage victory in two years.
Swiss Fabian Cancellara, who retained the overall lead when he won the
stage on Tuesday, has made it clear he will defend his yellow jersey.
"If the other teams want a piece of the cake, they will have to come and
get it," the Team CSC rider said.
German Andreas Kloeden of Astana is second 33 seconds behind Cancellara
with Saunier Duval's David Millar of Britain third a further 11 seconds
back.
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