Vinokourov saves some pride as Rasmussen retains lead

KAZAKHSTAN’S Alexandre Vinokourov won the 15th stage of the Tour de France between Foix and Loudenvielle-Le Louron yesterday.

The pre-race favourite timed his attack on the 196-km stage to perfection, but following his capitulation in Sunday’s 14th stage, when he lost over 28 minutes, poses no threat to the yellow jersey holder, Denmark’s Michael Rasmussen.

Rasmussen retains the overall lead by 2:23 from Alberto Contador despite his rival’s best efforts to drop him in the closing 10km of the stage.

The Spaniard kicked continually, but Rasmussen responded on each occasion and the duo crossed the line 5:31 behind Astana’s Vinokourov.

Rabobank rider Rasmussen admitted to being tested by Contador (Discovery Channel), who retains the white jersey for the best young rider.

Rasmussen said: “I was certainly under pressure. Contador attacked me many times — he has fantastic acceleration, I was on the limit — but I managed to stay with him. My main objective today was to control the race and stay with Contador if he attacked. I had enough to do staying on his wheel.”

One mountain stage remains tomorrow following today’s rest day. The stage from Orthez to Gourette-Col d’Aubisque passes through Spain, where Contador will receive partisan support from his home crowd, and Rasmussen believes the result of that stage will go a long way to determining the overall winner on Sunday.

“Wednesday is the decisive day, and with the finish line close, everything is wide open,” he added.

Rasmussen insists he has now seen off all challengers for the tour crown bar one. “I only have to worry about Alberto for the coming days,” he said. “Never write him off.”

A group of 25 riders from 17 different teams, including Vinokourov, broke away at the 55km mark and the peloton were happy to allow them to gain momentum and they established a 9:25 advantage at one stage.

The lead group split ahead of the Port de Bales, the day’s only hors categorie climb, with five launching an escape, but Vinokourov reeled them in on the ascent before attacking on the Col de Peyresourde with 15km to go.

Vinokourov said he was determined to make up for his woeful performance on Sunday, when he crashed out of contention.

He said: “Yesterday I didn’t have any strength at all so the tour is over for me. It’s difficult to understand for me. The problem was in my head, not in my legs, I felt good this morning and that’s why I gave it a go.”

The triumph was Vinokourov’s second stage win of the 2007 Tour — and the fifth of his career — following his triumph in the Stage 13 time-trial at Albi.