Dekker Wins Stage 8, Armstrong Slips to 15th
July 8 -- — Capping a week of aggressive riding and daring escapes, Erik Dekker of the Netherlands rode solo to victory in Stage 8 of the Tour de France today, as Italy’s Alberto Elli held the leader’s yellow jersey for a third day.
Dekker finished the 205-kilometer (126.4-mile) stage from Limoges to Villeneuve-sur-lot, France, in a time of 4 hours 22 minutes and 14 seconds. Frenchman Xavier Jan finished second, 52 seconds behind Dekker, while Spaniard Vicente Garcia-Acosta and American Fred Rodriguez were third and fourth, respectively.
The Tour’s main contenders — including Elli, American Lance Armstrong, German Jan Ullrich, Frenchman Laurent Jalabert, and Italian Marco Pantani — finished together in the main pack, nearly six minutes behind Dekker.
Elli Still in Yellow
Today’s results did little to alter the overall standings of the Tour. Elli remains the leader, with Frenchman Fabrice Gougot in second, 12 seconds back, and Belgian Marc Wauters in third, at 1:17 back.
The race favorites fell back several places in the overall standings, but remain in the same position relative to one another.
Jalabert, who lost the yellow jersey to Elli Thursday, slipped back to 14th position, 5:40 behind Elli. Armstrong slipped to 15th, at 5:54 back, while Ullrich slipped to 28th place, 6:37 off the lead.
Dekker on the Attack
Once again, the favorites spent the day tucked behind their respective teammates, keeping out of the wind as they conserved energy for Monday’s first grueling mountain stage.
But for Dekker and other riders with little chance for the overall win, today was a day for spending energy, not saving it.
Less than a mile from the starting line, Dekker attacked the main pack but was quickly reeled in by the rest of the group. An hour later, Dekker joined another escaping group of 14 riders that included Rodriguez, the U.S. National Champion, and fellow countryman Frankie Andreu, Armstrong’s teammate.
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