Moncoutie storms to Bastille win

John Roberts

Moncoutie became the 15th Frenchman since World War II to win on France’s national holiday. It was his second stage win in five Tours.

“It’s fabulous,” Moncoutie said. “I’m so happy to win. It’s July 14.”

Moncoutie took the lead on the Col du Corobin, the fourth of five ascents on the 116.2-mile trek from Briancon to Digne-les-Bains, and cycled alone to the finish.

The Cofidis team rider completed the stage in 4 hours, 20 minutes, six seconds.

Armstrong cruised in with his main rivals in a group more than 10 minutes back, but lost teammate Manuel Beltran, who crashed and dropped out of the race.

The Spanish rider, known as ‘Triki’ by his teammates, fell on the Cote des Demoiselles Coiffees climb, the stage’s first ascent.

He got back on his bike but later quit on the advice of a Tour doctor. He was being kept overnight for observation at a hospital, although initial examinations found no serious injury.

Beltran, 34, is a specialist mountain climber and will be missed by Armstrong when the race heads into the Pyrenees on Saturday. He has been part of the American’s Tour-winning team since 2003.

“It could be very critical with the days we have coming up,” Armstrong said.

“Three tough days in the Pyrenees. We don’t want to lose any climbers and Triki is one of our pure climbers.”

But Armstrong said he felt he could rely on his remaining seven Discovery Channel teammates to help fill Beltran’s place in the mountains that straddle France and Spain.

“I feel very confident that with those seven guys we can manage,” Armstrong said.

His lead over second-placed Mickael Rasmussen of Denmark stayed at 38 seconds, with French rider Christophe Moreau still third overall, 2:34 behind the six-time champion.

Italian rider Ivan Basso is 2:40 back, fourth overall, with Jan Ullrich 4:02 behind in ninth.