Botero takes Classique des Alpes
The besieged Kelme team managed to put its troubles aside as Colombia's Santiago Botero and his Spanish teammate finished one-two at the Classique des Alpes Saturday. Botero joined a break with at the 22km mark in the 164 km Tour de France warm-up with David Moncoutie (Cofidis), Jorgen-Bo Petersen and Kelme teammate Jose Gutierrez. The other two riders fade with 40km to go and Botero was joined by Sevilla on the final climb of the day. Botero, a climber’s jersey winner at the at the 2000 Tour de France, earned his 11th professional win Saturday as he was encouraged to take the top spot by
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By VeloNews Interactive
Photo: Graham Watson
The besieged Kelme team managed to put its troubles aside as Colombia’s Santiago Botero and his Spanish teammate finished one-two at the Classique des Alpes Saturday.
Botero joined a break with at the 22km mark in the 164 km Tour de France warm-up with David Moncoutie (Cofidis), Jorgen-Bo Petersen and Kelme teammate Jose Gutierrez. The other two riders fade with 40km to go and Botero was joined by Sevilla on the final climb of the day. Botero, a climber’s jersey winner at the at the 2000 Tour de France, earned his 11th professional win Saturday as he was encouraged to take the top spot by his teammate at the line.
The two Kelme men finished two minutes ahead of the next group, four riders led by Danish rider Jurgen Bo Petersen. The one-two finish gives hope to the debt-ridden Kelme team, which has not been able to pay its riders since April, may still be able to be a factor in the upcoming Tour de France.