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Course: At 153.5km, this is the 2005 Tour’s second shortest road stage, but certainly not the easiest. The climbs aren’t particularly difficult, but the roads are often narrow and twisting, the perfect ingredients for another breakaway. There’s a fast downhill toward Le Puy before a final short, up-and-down loop into the backside of town. History: Only two Tour stages have finished at Le Puy. The last time, in 1996, the stage went to the Swiss Pascal Richard, who went on to take the following month’s Olympic title in Atlanta. Favorites: Teams yet to win a stage will be going for the

This time Giuseppe Guerini saw the people who wanted to take his photo. En route to winning Friday's stage 19, a hilly 153km from Issoire to Le Puy-en-Velay, Guerini enjoyed a clean run to the finish line. That’s something he didn’t get on his way to winning at L'Alpe d'Huez in 1999. Back then, a fan - the now infamous "Erik the Photographer" - capturing Guerini’s victorious pedal strokes about a kilometer from the line forced the Italian to fall before finishing. “Yes, L’Alpe d'Huez is more dangerous,” said a smiling Guerini, 35, when reminded at his post-stage press

Stage Results1. Giuseppe Guerini (I), T-Mobile, 3:33:04, 43.225kmp for 153.5km2. Sandy Casar (F), Francaise des Jeux, 00:103. Franco Pellizotti (I), Liquigas-Bianchi, 00:104. Oscar Pereiro Sio (Sp), Phonak, 00:125. Salvatore Commesso (I), Lampre, 02:436. Arvesen Kurt-Asle (Nor), CSC, 02:487. Nicolas Portal (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, 02:488. Bert Grabsch (G), Phonak, 02:489. Sylvain Chavanel (F), Cofidis, 02:4810. Pieter Weening (Nl), Rabobank, 03:50 11. Jose Azevedo(P), Discovery Channel, 04:2112. Carlos Da Cruz (F), Francaise des Jeux, 04:2113. Juan Antonio Flecha (Sp), Fassa Bortolo, 04:2114.

Leipheimer aiming for fifthLevi Leipheimer needs a strong ride in Saturday’s 55.5km individual time trial at Saint Etienne to reach his stated goal of finishing among the Tour’s top five. Standing in front of him is Spanish rider Francisco Mancebo, fifth overall at 1:04 ahead of sixth-place Leipheimer. Under normal conditions, Leipheimer is a stronger, more consistent time trialist, but the final week of the Tour is something else altogether. “It will be difficult to make up more than a minute in the time trial,” Leipheimer said. “It's not a normal time trial. It's hilly and that

Sprinter Alessandro Petacchi ended his six-season stay with Fassa Bortolo by signing with the team's top Italian rival, Domina Vacanze, on Friday. The 31-year-old cyclist, who opted out of the Tour de France to keep himself fresh for the world road race championship in September, has agreed a three-season deal. Petacchi received other offers but wanted to stay in Italy. Having lost their top rider and with their main sponsor pulling out, the Fassa Bortolo team will fold at the end of the current season.

On Thursday T-Mobile took back the lead in the overall team competition of the Tour and Jan Ullrich took back 36 seconds from Mickael Rasmussen, putting himself in a good position to claim the third podium spot in the final time trial on Saturday. Victory in the team competition and third overall, results most teams would be very pleased with at the end of the Tour. Not so T-Mobile. “We’re disappointed that we didn’t get the yellow jersey,” says new team director, former star sprinter Olaf Ludwig. “That was clearly our goal. We wanted to isolate Lance, which we managed to do a few times.

Second act for Cipo'?The recently retired Italian champion Mario Cipollini may make a second career as a television personality. According to Eurosport, the deep-voiced playboy was close to accepting an offer to work as one of the broadcaster’s “consultants” for the Tour de France – the expert commentators narrating the broadcast. “We wanted to have Cipollini too,” says executive producer Patrick Chassé, who oversees the Eurosport coverage. “He wanted to spend the holidays with his family, so it was not possible.” “Maybe next year,” says Chassé. McEwen ready to rage on

The reasons behind those long stemsDear Lennard,Judging from photos, it seems that the pros favor longer stems than the rest of us. Is there any truth in this observation? If so, does it have to do with pros being fitted with smaller frames than amateur/recreational riders, or just preferring a longer reach?Tom Dear Tom,Yes, they definitely do favor long stems. For instance, all of the Bontrager carbon stems on the Discovery team bikes are 140mm. Riders on the team using shorter stems (130mm mostly) do not have carbon stems because only 140mm stems were delivered at the team training camp in

The Tour may be winding down, but our man Casey Gibson isn't. He's still snapping away out there; here's what caught his eye on stage 19.

Simon Gillett has gone to the University Clinic in Jena, Germany, to visit five Australian cyclists injured in the tragic accident that claimed the life of his wife, 29-year-old Amy Gillett, on Tuesday. Gillett died instantly when a teenage driver lost control of her vehicle, crossed to the other side of the road and plowed into the six-member Australian women's team, which was training for the Thuringen Rundfahrt, which was to start the next day. Gillett's funeral will be held July 29 in Ballarat. South Australian Alexis Rhodes, 20, and Tasmanian Louise Yaxley, 23, remain in

I just competed in my hometown race, the Alpenrose Velodrome Challenge (AVC). The AVC has always been one of my favorite races, but it wasn’t in my plans for the season until I broke my back and was given a leave of absence my team in Switzerland. I returned to Portland, thinking there’s no place like home to recover. I got back on the bike after a couple weeks, and figured that since I was here and on the bike again, maybe I’d be able to race. My coach argued that normally, one should get a full month of just riding before even thinking about the sort of intensity that a race like this

After four races spread out over three and a half months, the battle for the men’s overall cross-country title on the NORBA National Mountain Bike Series couldn’t be any closer. Coming off last weekend’s event at Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Idaho, American Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Subaru-Gary Fisher) and Canadian Geoff Kabush (Maxxis) are dead even with 642 points apiece. That will make Saturday’s men’s cross-country event at stop No. 5 in Snowmass, Colorado, the featured event on a day that will also include the women’s cross-country, plus a full slate of evening mountain-cross action. The

This is not the time for Lance Armstrong to take chances, push harder, let it all hang out. Unless, that is, he wants to check off the one accomplishment he's lacked on his final Tour de France: a stage win to call his own. The Discovery Channel captain has taken and held a commanding overall lead without winning a single stage, and Saturday's final time trial gives him an excellent chance to change that. The rolling 55.5km route at Saint-Etienne in central France should suit a fast roller and climber like Armstrong. But it will also severely test legs worn out by the thousands of

Stage 19 - Issoire to Le Puy-en-Velay >153.5km

Stage 19 - Issoire to Le Puy-en-Velay >153.5km

Guerini collects a second career Tour stage win

Casar took the sprint for second, not the prize he was after.

Guerini gets the green light from T-Mobile

Illes Balears works to keep the gap reasonable.

Pelizzotti joins in to add some horsepower

Is this contest already settled?

Nicely timed, Giuseppe,

Guerini was almost denied his 1999 stage win.

After gluing up nine sets of tubulars, clinchers probably start looking pretty good

Why is this man laughing?

Probably because he thinks this man is going to win the 2006 Tour

Landis and his James Bond eyewear

Guerini tears it up on the descent

The leaders fly along

The obligatory ruins shot

Sometimes a shooter gets desperate for images as the race winds down

The cross-country course

The downhill track

The Super-D route

Course: Unlike the easy finish in 2003, up the Atlantic coast, this year’s Tour sees a series of difficult stages through the Massif Central. The last 60km of this stage includes a challenging Cat. 2 climb out of the Tarn Gorge, a Cat. 3 climb at 15km to go, a swift downhill into the Lot valley at Mende, and a severe 14-percent Cat. 2 climb in the final 1.5km. History: In the only Tour stage finish at Mende, in 1995, Laurent Jalabert used the closing Croix-Neuve climb to drop his longtime breakaway companions and score a memorable Bastille Day stage victory. Favorites: Depending on the

The third week of the Tour de France often becomes many races within one. Thursday's 189km stage 18 from Albi to Mende was one of those days. Riders desperate for a stage victory to "save" their Tours were off the front attacking over the hilly, five-climb course through France's Massif Central. And the overall contenders were cooling their jets until the day's final climb, anxious to either drop rivals ahead of them on the GC, make up time they've lost on previous days or, at least in the case of Ivan Basso, take one last swing for the fences. Marcos Serrano, a Spanish

We’ve had the Alps and the Pyrénées. Now comes the Massif Central, with three challenging stages that will decide the final outcome of the 2005 Tour de France. At 189km, Thursday’s stage 18 is the longest of the three. It’s also likely to be the hottest of the three, with a blazing sun and forecast temperatures in the upper-80s. The heat will make this stage particularly difficult as there’s not much shade on the limestone plateaus that the course traverses in the Aveyron and Lozère regions. The last 80 kilometers are particularly difficult starting with a Cat.3 climb just before the race

1. Marcos Serrano (Sp), Liberty Seguros, 189km in 4:37:36 (40.85kph)2. Cedric Vasseur (F), Cofidis, 00:273. Axel Merckx (B), Davitamon-Lotto, 00:274. Xabier Zandio (Sp), Illes Balears, 01:085. Franco Pellizotti (I), Liquigas-Bianchi, 01:086. Thomas Voeckler (F), Bouygues Telecom, 01:287. Luke Roberts (Aus), CSC, 01:288. Matthias Kessler (G), T-Mobile, 01:449. Egoi Martinez (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 02:0310. Carlos Da Cruz (F), Francaise des Jeux, 02:38 11. Cadel Evans (Aus), Davitamon-Lotto, 11:1812. Lance Armstrong (USA), Discovery Channel, 11:1813. Ivan Basso (I), CSC, 11:1814. Jan Ullrich

Lance Armstrong will kick start his retirement years with 600 of his best friends during a huge blowout Sunday night in Paris. Armstrong’s illustrious career will be feted in the private affair at the Paris Ritz hotel in the heart of Paris. The A-list guest ledger includes top Hollywood and political movers and shakers. “This year we’re doing more of a celebration of Lance and his accomplishments,” said Dan Osipow, Discovery Channel team spokesman. “Win or lose, we’re going to celebrate Lance’s career, but we’re hoping we’re going to win.” More than 600 invited guests along with riders,

Ten-speed chains and ConneX linksDear Lennard,I've broken two 10-speed chains, but since using ConneX links I have not had a problem. I use the ConneX chain and the Campy chain and the connecting link seems like one of the best bits of design ever. Are they being used in the peloton, and if not, why not?Peter Dear Lennard,Given the tight tolerances of 10-speed chains and the importance of correct reassembly, why don't teams use ConneX links? I understand that these work very well with either Campy or Shimano chains, as well as with Wippermann.Mark Dear Mark and Peter,Master links

Hey Bob,Last week some guy opened the door on his truck just as I was passing by him and I couldn't avoid running into the door. I have a large gash in my forehead and my Giant is totaled. The guy's insurance company originally was very nice, but yesterday I received a letter in which they blamed me for “riding too close to the parked cars” and “failing to keep a look out” and stated that they are “not accepting liability” in the matter. Am I out of luck?J.F.Seattle, Washington Dear J.F.,Don’t let a letter from the insurance company scare you away from a potential claim. We have all

Attention Retailers:Be sure to hold on to your 2005 Official Tour de France Guides! They will be in high demand for the remainder of the year. The Guide should be displayed until September 14th. Please do not send in returns until after this date. Call 1-800-494-1413 (option 2) with any related questions.

Stage 18 - Albi to Mende >189km

Stage 18 - Albi to Mende >189km

Serrano scores one for the Liberty squad

The KMC chain and master link used by Liberty Seguros

Cañada's prototype Rotor Q-Ring

A fiddly adjustment, that

Vasseur, Kessler and the others posed no threat on GC

The Massif Central is beautiful but a tough ride

Merckx and Vasseur try to bring Serrano back

Serrano still had enough to attack

Ullrich isn't giving up without a fight

Julich is heading to Paris with his best result since 1998

Course: At 239.5km, this is the longest stage of the 2005 Tour. There’s rolling terrain throughout, but the key to victory could be the closing 12km loop at Revel, which includes the Cat. 3 St-Ferréol climb 7km from the finish line. History: The last two times that a stage has finished in Revel, two-man breakaways have arrived to contest the finishing sprint. In 1995, it was Sergej Uchakov who outthought a youthful Lance Armstrong, while in 2000, on an almost identical course as this year’s, Erik Dekker got the better of Santiago Botero. Favorites: Long-distance specialists like Rabobank’s

With five stages to go and with 10 teams still without a stage win, competition is again going to be fierce on Wednesday’s 239.5km jaunt from Pau to Revel, which is the longest stage of the 2005 Tour de France. As on virtually every other road stage to date, expect attacks right from the start until the right combination of riders and teams is together. On Tuesday, the first substantial move by 13 men didn’t work because Discovery Channel’s Yaroslav Popovych was in the mix. The next, from 11 riders, also seemed a little suspect because then 12th-placed Cadel Evans slipped into the break. In

Two-time Giro d’Italia champion Paolo Savoldelli finally left his mark on the Tour de France in his fourth start in the race by winning Wednesday's stage 16 from Pau to Revel. Under a cloudless sky, the 32-year-old Italian and Discovery Channel teammate of race leader Lance Armstrong, won the 239.5km stage by coming from behind to outlast CSC’s Norwegian Kurt-Asle Arvesen. In third place, eight seconds back, was Australian Tour rookie Simon Gerrans (AG2R), followed at 11 seconds by Frenchman Sébastien Hinault (Crédit Agricole).He was the last member of a four-man splinter group that was

Stage Results1. Paolo Savoldelli (I), Discovery Channel, 5:41:192. Arvesen Kurt-Asle (Nor), CSC, 00:003. Simons Gerrans (Aus), Ag2r Prevoyance, 00:084. Sebastien Hinault (F), Credit Agricole, 00:115. Andriy Grivko (Ukr), Domina Vacanze, 00:246. Oscar Sevilla (Sp), T-Mobile, 00:517. Bram Tankink (Nl), Quickstep, 00:518. Daniele Righi (I), Lampre, 00:539. Samuel Dumoulin (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, 03:1410. Allan Davis (Aus), Liberty Seguros, 03:14 11. Pierrick Fedrigo (F), Bouygues Telecom, 03:1412. Dario Cioni (I), Liquigas-Bianchi, 03:1413. Rubiera Jose Luis (Sp), Discovery Channel, 03:1414.

Alexandre Vinokourov has had his fill of T-Mobile. After five successful years with the German communications corporation, the “Kamikaze Kazakh” is looking for a new challenge. “He wants to ride somewhere as a captain, lead a team in the Tour,” says team manager Olaf Ludwig, soberly. Adds Vinokourov, who is ranked ninth in this Tour, almost 10 minutes behind Lance Armstrong: “I want to win the Tour de France in the coming years.” At the start of Wednesday’s stage in Pau, Vinokourov said he would make an official announcement in Paris, adding somewhat jokingly, “For me there is either

How many Pro Tour teams ride tubies?Dear Lennard,Approximately what percentage of Pro Tour teams rides tubular tires? A friend and I recently debated this topic. We agreed that team members rode whatever tire sponsors provided, but we couldn't agree on what percentage of Pro Tour teams rode tubular tires. A ballpark estimate would be appreciated and will determine who buys post-ride ales for the next few weeks.Bart Dear Lennard,I realize from your recent article that several teams are using tubeless tires at this year's Tour. That seems like the way of the future, but as for the ways

Two successive stages of the Tour de France this week put the same rider – Phonak’s Oscar Pereiro – on to both sides of the same question, namely when is a rider obligated to pull through in a breakaway? In stage 16 George Hincapie found himself in a breakaway group on what had to be the toughest stage of this Tour de France. As you know, Hincapie is a teammate and real workhorse for Lance Armstrong, the overall leader of the Tour. As a result, it’s well understood that Hincapie had absolutely no obligation to pull through as the break moved away from the peloton. Even though it was

Whither Vinokourov?The official announcement that Alexandre Vinokourov is leaving T-Mobile at the end of this season has set the tongues wagging at the Tour de France. Rumor had it that Vinokourov was headed to Discovery Channel even before Wednesday’s news, but team officials say the blond Kazakh isn’t necessarily on their wish list. “Vino’ is one o the top riders in the peloton, but I never thought of Vino’ as a candidate of winning the Tour,” said Discovery Channel boss Johan Bruyneel. “He’s an interesting rider, but he’s interesting for everybody.” Instead, Discovery Channel was hoping

Stage 17 - Pau to Revel >239.5km

Stage 17 - Pau to Revel >239.5km

Savoldelli notches another win for Discovery

Periero was out of gas at the end of stage 15...

... and had plenty left the next time around

And just in case you thought you'd get through a Tour without a sunflower shot. . . .

Sevilla leads the break

Savoldelli was irked by Hinault's refusal to work

Discovery was happy to see a break go

Savoldelli comes from behind for the win

And here's another. . . .

Hinault at the front

Armstrong has a snack as Landis, Evans and Moreau get their lunch eaten by T-Mobile's attacks

Fedrigo triggers a split

Course: Following the second rest day (at Pau), this final Pyrenean stage features two of the region’s toughest climbs, the Cat. 1 Marie-Blanque and hors-cat Aubisque. But after the final descent, there’s still 50km of mostly flat roads to negotiate before the finish. History: Pau has hosted 53 stage finishes since first being included on the Tour route in 1930. The last time a stage finished here after scaling the Aubisque was in 1993, when Italian Claudio Chiappucci saved his until-then-failed Tour with a stage win over a small breakaway group. Favorites: This stage is likely to be