Dimitri Konyshev of Russia, riding for the Mercatone Uno team, won the 199 kilometre 14th stage of the Tour de France from Castres to Saint-Gaudens yesterday, crossing the line in 4hr 37min 59sec.
The 33-year-old Konyshev, the first Russian to win a Tour stage - in Pau in 1990 - wrapped up the fourth stage win of his career - but his first since 1991, just ousting Italian Gianni Faresin of Mapei in a late dash for the line. Konyshev is making a return to the epic event this summer after four years away.
Race leader Lance Armstrong of the United States held on to the yellow jersey as the peloton came in 13 minutes adrift of the pacesetters. The American thus marked the 80th anniversary of the introduction of the famous jersey - officially first worn by Frenchman Eugene Christophe, in Grenoble on July 18th, 1919 - by celebrating his seventh straight day as leader.
Armstrong is still 7min 44sec ahead of Spain's Abraham Olano of ONCE and 7:47 ahead of Switzerland's Banesto rider, Alex Zulle.
Today is a rest day while tomorrow sees the riders tackle a 15th stage from Saint Gaudens to Piau-Engaly which includes five tough climbs over 173 kilometres.
Meanwhile, Lance Armstrong's doctor stressed yesterday that the Tour de France leader was not taking any banned drugs to boost his recovery from cancer.
Doctor Lawrence Einhorn said the American star was "not having any medical treatment" and was merely being monitored.
French rider Christophe Bassons had suggested leading riders were still taking performance-enhancing drugs despite the scandal that overshadowed last year's Tour. Bassons quit the race yesterday.
But Einhorn denied rumours that Armstrong, who contracted the disease in 1996, was being treated with interleukin, a medicine to help the recovery of cancer sufferers.
"Interleukin is a highly toxic product and I can guarantee you 100 per cent that Lance Armstrong is not taking such medicaments," said Einhorn.
He also dismissed the idea that Armstrong would ever use drugs.
"Like myself, he is a fervent supporter of the struggle against drugs. I can tell you he is only taking vitamins." (reopens)
Meanwhile the president of the International Cycling Union (UCI) claimed yesterday that moves to clean up the sport's drug-tarnished image were having an effect.
Hein Verbruggen said he was convinced that allegations of doping against Armstrong were unjustified.
"Regretfully, I expected this kind of thing. Cycling has created this situation for itself. Last year we found doping existed on a larger scale than we thought. Now there is a kind of reaction.
"But I do not think the suspicions surrounding Armstrong are justified. They are not correct. Yet I can understand that such suspicions exist," said Verbruggen.
Asked how he could quantify the improvement in the doping situation, Verbruggen said improved doping controls made the picture much clearer.
"Several sporting directors have also called me to say the race is cleaner than in the past," Verbruggen added.
