Tour de France:German Linus Gerdemann took the
overall leader's yellow jersey with victory on the 197.5-km seventh
stage of the Tour de France from Bourg-en-Bresse to Le
Grand-Bornand today.
The 24-year-old, who was part of a 15-man breakaway, attacked
decisively on the ascent of the category-one Col de la Colombiere
towards the end of the stage, a 197.5-km trek from Bourg-en-Bresse
to Le Grand-Bornand.
Riding his first Tour de France, Gerdemann finished 40
seconds ahead of Spaniard Inigo Landaluze of the Euskaltel team.
Another Spaniard, Saunier-Duval's David De La Fuente, came home
third, 1:39 off the pace.
On Bastille Day, the first Frenchman was Laurent Lefevre in
fifth for Bouygues Telecom.
As expected, Swiss time trial world champion Fabian
Cancellara surrendered the overall lead after finishing behind the
peloton. He dropped to 108th in the standings, 22:15 adrift of
Gerdemann.
"It's just incredible. I have to thank all those who believed
in me and supported me, especially the team," said Gerdemann. "It
was hardly anything automatic they'd support a young cyclist like
me.
"We knew it was going to be very hard today. We were all
working for the captain (Michael Rogers). When I realised I was
stronger, I tried to attack. It was so hard 300 metres from the
finish. My legs were so heavy that I could hardly peddle
anymore."
Astana riders Alexander Vinokourov and Andreas Kloeden, who
sustained injuries in separate crashes on Thursday, finished in the
main pack.
Kloeden, sixth in the overall standings 3:39 behind
compatriot Gerdemann, is the best placed of the race favourites.
"It was a bit better than yesterday," Vinokourov told
reporters. "I still suffered a lot. It was important to get past
the first pass. It's almost a victory for me.
"I hope it will be better tomorrow. I wanted to stay with the
favourites. Then, we'll see," the Kazakh added.
A group of 15 riders, including former Giro d'Italia winner
Paolo Savoldelli, built an advantage of 8:30 shortly after the
category-three climb of the Cote de Corlier.
The peloton was then spurred into action by the CSC and
Predictor Lotto teams and reduced the gap to 4:15 before the ascent
of the Col de la Colombiere.
Cancellara was soon dropped off the pack along with American
George Hincapie and green jersey holder Tom Boonen.
Kazakh Dmitriy Fofonov of the Credit Agricole team and
Gerdemann broke away from the leading group at the start of the
16-km climb.
The German, with only one Tour of Switzerland stage win to
his name, left Fofonov stuck on the tar 20 km from the finish line
with an impressive burst of speed and then held off Landaluze's
challenge.
Sunday's eighth stage will start from Le Grand-Bornand to a
summit finish in Tignes after a 165-km ride and three category-one
climbs.