Botero banishes Alps demons

SANTIAGO BOTERO put recent mountain misery behind him to take victory in stage 15 of the Tour de France to Les Deux Alpes yesterday.

The Colombian, who cracked on the famous Mont Ventoux climb two days ago, led an early break away then bravely held on for the win in the Alpine ski resort.

‘‘Even in the last few kilometres I was worried that I might go bang and throw it away, but it didn’t happen,’’ said the Kelme rider. Botero’s effort, however, was not enough to threaten the yellow jersey of Lance Armstrong, who again flexed his muscles when his main rivals threatened.