THE RACE LIVE

After 15 stages of the 2005 Tour de France, the top 10 in the general classification is as follow:
1. Lance Armstrong (USA) DSC - 2,645.5km in 62h09’59" (42.309km/h)
2. Ivan Basso (Italy) CSC - at 2’46"
3. Mickael Rasmussen (Denmark) RAB - at 3’09"
4. Jan Ullrich (Germany) TMO - at 5’58"
5. Francisco Mancebo (Spain) IBA - at 6’31"
6. Levi Leipheimer (USA) GST - at 7’35"
7. Floyd Landis (USA) PHO - at 9’33"
8. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kazakstahn) TMO at 9’38"
9. Christophe Moreau (France) C.A - at 11’47"
10. Andreas Kloden (Germany) TMO - at 12’01"

The top 10 in the stage from Lezat-sur-Leze to Pla-d’Adet is:
1. George Hincapie (USA) DSC - 205.5km in 6h’06’38" (33.63km/h)
2. Oscar Pereiro Sio (Spain) PHO - at 06"
3. Pietro Caucchioli (Italy) C.A - at 38"
4. Michael Boogerd (Netherlands) RAB - at 57"
5. Laurent Brochard (France) BTL - at 2’19"
6. Ivan Basso (Italy) CSC - at 5’04"
7. Lance Armstrong (USA) DSC - at 5’04"
8. Oscar Sevilla (Spain) TMO - at 6’28"
9. Jan Ullrich (Ger) TMO - at 6’28"
10. Mickael Rasmussen (Denmark) RAB - at 6’32"

George Hincapie has become the first team-mate of Lance Armstrong to win a stage of the Tour since 1999. Although Hincapie has enjoyed team time trial success before, this is his first individual stage win in the Tour de France. He is the eighth American (after LeMond, Phinney, Pierce, Hampsten, Armstrong, Hamilton and Zabriskie) to win a solo stage of the Tour de France.

Sevilla has led his team-mate Ullrich over the line 6’27" behind Hincapie.

Basso has led Armstrong over the line to 5’03" behind Hincapie.

Ullrich has been following the wheel of Sevilla for the last 5km of the climb to Pla-d’Adet. He is now in the final kilometer of the stage.

Lance and Ivan are still riding together with 1km to go. They have survived the orange mass which spilled out on to the road for the closing kilometers of the climb.

Caucchioli has finished the stage in 3rd place, about 36" behind Hincapie.

George Hincapie began his sprint with 250 meters to go. His is the seventh American to win a stage of the Tour de France!

Pereiro is leading Hincapie in the final kilometer of the 15th stage. George has never won an individual stage of the Tour de France before. He has been a member of Armstrong’s team for each victorious campaign and now looks like his ready to hit out in the sprint for the stage win.

Hincapie and Pereiro are parting the crowd with 1km to go in the stage. It appears that their great escape - which began at the 27km mark - is going to pay off with one of them going to win the stage.
Who will it be... Oscar or George?

Pereiro and Hincapie are 2km from the finish of the stage. They are 5’20" ahead of the yellow jersey. Could George become the seventh American to win a stage of the Tour de France? It appears that the only man who could change that is Oscar Pereiro Sio...

Since the beginning of the Armstrong Era none of his team-mates have ever won a stage (with the exception of the team time trial, of course). Today Hincapie is in prime position to change that fact. The American is the only rider to have been with Armstrong for each of the Texan’s winning campaigns.

Armstrong is out of the saddle and stomping on his pedals. He and Basso are now 5km from the finish of the stage. They are 5’21" behind the leading pair - Hincapie and Pereiro who are now 3km from the finish of the stage.

Ullrich cannot get close to Armstrong and Basso who are still 20" ahead.

Hincapie and Pereiro are having a discussion at the front of the stage. They are 4km from the finish fo the stage.

Armstrong is 5’50" behind the stage leaders. Ullrich is at 6’05"...

Caucchioli has attacked the lead group. He has been chased down and past by Pereiro and Hincapie.

Davis has been caught by Armstrong and Basso. The Australian is still with the yellow jersey.

Hincapie, Pereiro, Caucchioli and Boogerd lead the yellow jersey by 6’05" and Ullrich by 6’30".

The four stage leaders are now 5km from the finish of the stage. They are 6’30" ahead of Armstrong and Basso and 6’45" ahead of Ullrich.

Armstrong and Basso are 15" ahead of Ullrich. The German has been stranded on his own since the 9km to go mark. He is fighting his way back to the yellow jersey’s group.

Caucchioli has caught up with Hincapie, Boogerd and Pereiro. There are now four riders in the lead of the stage. They are about 6’30" ahead of the yellow jersey.

Hincapie, Pereiro and Boogerd are now 6km from the finish. They have a lead of 6’40" on the yellow jersey.

Basso and Armstrong are about 15" ahead of Ullrich.

Basso is gritting his teeth and striving to drop Armstrong but the yellow jersey is capable of matching the Italian. We don’t have a time check for Ullrich but he appears to be about 100m behind.

Basso and Armstrong have dropped Ullrich. The distance between these riders is about 50 meters. Basso and Armstrong have just caught Camano.

Ivan Basso has attacked Armstrong’s group. The yellow jersey has set off in pursuit of the CSC rider. Armstrong is now only about 10m behind Basso. Ullrich has not been able to follow.

Armstrong’s group is 7’35" behind the leaders with 10km to go.

There are now five riders in the yellow jersey group - Armstrong, Ullrich, Basso, Pineau and Bertogliati.

Hincapie, Boogerd and Pereiro are 20" ahead of Caucchioli and 30" ahead of Sevilla and Brochard.

There are now three riders in the lead of the stage: Pereiro, Hincapie and Boogerd... Pereiro is setting the pace.

At the 15km mark Armstrong, Basso and Ullrich were 7’50" behind the six escapees. Rasmussen’s group was at 8’30".

There has been an attack in the lead group from Oscar Sevilla (TMO). He is being chased down by Pereiro who is now racing ahead of the four other escapees.

Brochard, Boogerd, Pereiro, Sevilla, Hincapie, Caucchioli are the six riders who are currently about 8’00" ahead of the yellow jersey.

The six riders in the lead of the stage are now less than 10km from the finish. They are about to begin the climb to the ’hors category’ summit at Pla-d’Adet.

Armstrong, Ullrich and Basso are 8’25" behind the stage leaders with 20km to go in the 15th stage.

Brochard has attacked his five escape companions on the descent. He was chased down by Hincapie and now the six riders are together again.

At the top of the Col de Val-Louron climb the situation of the race is as follows: Brochard’s group of six led Davis by 4’00"; Camano by 6’05"; Armstrong, Ullrich and Basso by 7’40"; Rasmussen, Leipheimer, Landis, Vinokourov, Mancebo, Moreau, Mazzoleni and Piepoli by 8’45"...

The riders in Rasmussen’s group include: Leipheimer, Landis, Vinokourov, Mancebo, Moreau, Mazzoleni and Piepoli. They were 8’45" behind Brochard.

The yellow jersey’s trio is 7’40" behind at the top of the Col de Val-Louron.

The points for the 5th climb of stage 15 were won by:
1. Brochard 15pts
2. Pereiro 13pts
3. Boogerd 11pts
4. Hincapie 9pts
5. Caucchioli 8pts
6. Sevilla 7pts
7. Davis 6pts - at 4’00"
8. Camano 5pts - at 6’05"

Camano was the 8th rider over the 5th climb. He was 6’05" behind Brochard.

Bertogliati is now riding with Armstrong, Basso and Ullrich... but only momentarily. The Swiss rider is rockin’ and rollin’ in an attempt to match the pace that’s being churned out by Ullrich.

At the top of the 5th climb, Allan Davis was 4’00" behind Brochard.

With 25km to go in the stage, Brochard’s group was 8’00" ahead of Basso, Armstrong and Ullrich. Rasmussen’s group was 8’35".

Armstrong, Basso and Ullrich are still together with 25km to go in the stage. Armstrong has been at the front of this trio but he’s now dropped behind to watch Ullrich do some work.

The position of the six escapees at the top of the 5th climb is as follows:
1. Brochard 15pts
2. Pereiro 13pts
3. Boogerd 11pts
4. Hincapie 9pts
5. Caucchioli 8pts
6. Sevilla 7pts

Laurent Brochard has taken 15 points for first place at the top of the Col de Val-Louron Azet.

The yellow jersey’s trio are 8’35" behind the six stage leaders and 35" ahead of Rasmussen’s group.

Rasmussen is riding with Mancebo, Landis, Piepoli, Vinokourov and Leipheimer. Alas we don’t know how far behind the yellow jersey these riders are.

The six stage leaders - Hincapie, Boogerd, Sevilla, Brochard, Pereiro and Caucchioli - are now less than 1km from the summit of the Col de Val-Louron Azet.

Ullrich is now ahead of Armstrong and Basso. Armstrong responded quickly and raced ahead of the German.

Basso is leading Armstrong and Ullrich with about 4.5km to go to the top of the Col de Val-Louron Azet.
(We don’t have any time checks on the dropped riders but will report them once they have been given by race radio.)

Basso began his attack at the 179.5km mark. There are 5km to climb and Ullrich is now out of the picture. Armstrong has just hit the accelerator but he’s eased the pace and Ullrich is coming back to Armstrong and Basso.

Kroon has been caught by Basso and Armstrong who have just dropped Ullrich.

Basso has come to the front of the yellow jersey’s peloton. He has put some distance into Ullrich and Armstrong but the yellow jersey has responded.

Vinokourov and Ullrich are now driving the yellow jersey’s peloton. Evans is the latest rider to be dropped.

Rubiera has just been dropped by the yellow jersey’s peloton.

There are four Discover Channel riders in the yellow jersey’s peloton. They are: Armstrong, Azevedo, Rubiera and Popovych.

Some of the riders who have dropped out of the yellow jersey’s peloton are: Goubert, Contador, Jaksche, Zubeldia, Moreau, Kloden...

Guerini (TMO) has come to the front of the yellow jersey’s peloton. His turn of pace has dropped his team-mate, Kloden, from the elite selection.

Sastre is leading the yellow jersey’s group as they begin the ascent of the Col de Val-Louren. They have 13km to climb. The first rider to drop out of this pack is Julich.

There are five Discovery riders at the head of the yellow jersey’s peloton - Savoldelli, Rubiera, Popovych, Azevedo and Armstrong.
Sastre of the CSC team has just come up to interrupt the Discovery sequence.

The yellow jersey’s peloton is 11’45" behind the six escapees who now have 5km to go on the 5th climb.

The yellow jersey’s peloton is 11’45" behind the six escapees who now have 5km to go on the 5th climb.

Sevilla is still in the lead group but he’s just not participating with the pace setting.

Sevilla has dropped behind the leading group several times now. He doesn’t appear to have too much trouble keeping up with the five others at the front of the stage but he may be receiving team orders to wait for T-Mobile’s leaders (Ullrich, Kloden and Vinokourov). Similar tactics were employed yesterday when Nardello was in the escape group.

There was a brief acceleration from Laurent Brochard. He has been chased down by the five others in the lead group. The two riders who are not setting the pace are Sevilla and Hincapie.

Pereiro, Caucchioli, Brochard, Hincapie, Sevilla and Boogerd are 11’45" ahead of the yellow jersey’s peloton at the 169.5km mark.

The fifth climb of the 15th stage is 7.4km long with an average gradient of 8.3 per cent. The road rises from 978m to 1,580m to the summit.

The six stage leaders are 7km from the top of the 5th climb of the 15th stage. Pereiro is setting the pace of the escape which is about 11’30" ahead of the yellow jersey’s peloton.

The yellow jersey’s group is 11’30" behind the six escapees at the summit of the 4th climb.

Here is a reminder of the riders who are in the yellow jersey’s peloton: Armstrong, Azevedo, Popovych, Rubiera (DSC), Ullrich, Kloden, Vinokourov (TMO), Basso (CSC), Mancebo (IBA), Jaksche (LSW), Evans (DVL), Rasmussen (RAB), Landis (PHO), Piepoli, Horner (SDV), Moreau, Kashechkin (C.A), Mazzoleni (LAM) and Leipheimer (GST).

Two riders who were dropped on the Col de Peyresourde have caught up with the yellow jersey’s group. Both Evans and Jaksche are in the peloton that’s now being led by Jose Luis Rubiera.

There are now 158 riders in the Tour. The last rider to retire is Wilfried Cretskens of the Quickstep team. There are now just five riders left in the Belgian-registered squad.

The six riders who crested the Col de Peyresourde are still riding together on the descent. They are being pursued by Davis but appear to be content to ride together on the approach to the 5th climb, the Col de Val-Louron Azet.

At the top of the 4th climb, the points were won by:
1. Brochard 15pts
2. Boogerd 13pts
3. Pereiro 11pts
4. Sevilla 9pts
5. Hincapie 8pts
6. Cauccioli 7pts
7. Davis 6pts - at 1’08
8. Camano 5pts - at 2’50"
9. Bertolini - at 3’12"

Allan Davis has reached the top of the 4th climb 1’08" behind the six stage leaders.

Boogerd, Pereiro, Caucchioli, Sevilla, Hincapie and Brochard have crested the summit of the Col du Peyresourde.
(Full results will follow shortly.)

Armstrong, Azevedo, Popovych, Rubiera (DSC), Ullrich, Kloden, Vinokourov (TMO), Basso (CSC), Mancebo (IBA), Rasmussen (RAB), Landis (PHO), Piepoli, Horner (SDV), Moreau, Kashechkin (C.A), Mazzoleni (LAM) and Leipheimer (GST).
This group is 11’58" behind the six stage leaders.

Boogerd, Pereiro, Caucchioli, Sevilla, Hincapie and Brochard are now 1km from the summit of the Col du Peyresourde.

Moreau, Evans and Jaskche were all dropped by the yellow jersey’s bunch on the Col de Peyresourde. This trio has just fought their way back to the bunch that’s 12’30" behind the six stage leaders.

At the 157km mark, the yellow jersey’s peloton is 12’30" behind Boogerd’s group of six.

There are now four Discovery riders at the front of the yellow jersey’s peloton. They are: Azevedo, Rubiera, Popovych and Armstrong.

Jaksche and Contador have been dropped from the yellow jersey’s peloton.

Christophe Moreau has been dropped by the yellow jersey’s peloton.

The six riders in the lead are: Boogerd, Pereiro, Caucchioli, Sevilla, Hincapie and Brochard are now 3km from the summit of the Peyresourde climb.

The six stage leaders are now 13’40" ahead of the yellow jersey’s bunch.

The yellow jersey’s peloton is in Saint-Aventin (wtih 52km to go). This group is now 13’55" behind the six stage leaders.

The riders in the yellow jersey’s peloton are:
Armstrong, Azevedo, Popovych, Rubiera, Savoldelli (DSC), Ullrich, Kloden, Vinokourov (TMO), Basso, Sastre (CSC), Mancebo, Arroyo (IBA), Evans (DVL), Rasmussen (RAB), Landis (PHO), Horner, Piepoli (SDV), Contador, Jaksche (LSW), Moreau, Kashechkin (C.A), Mazzoleni (LAM), Leipheimer (GST).

Kessler’s turn of setting the pace lasted about 150 meters. He has swung off and Sastre is in control of the peloton again. Behind him is Azevedo, Savoldelli, Rubiera, Popovych and Armstrong.

Julich and Fedrigo have just been dropped by the peloton.

The pace of the peloton is now being set by Sastre (CSC) and Kessler (TMO). Behind this pair are riders from the Discovery Channel team.

Botero, Totschnig, Mayo, Heras, Zubeldia and Chavanel are some of the riders who have been dropped from the yellow jersey’s peloton.

At the 149km mark of today’s stage the peloton’s deficit to the six leaders is 15’25".

As has been mentioned a few times already in the newflashes today, the 13th stage of the 2001 Tour followed a similar course to today. All the six climbs were a feature of the stage four years ago. The riders who claimed the points on the cat-one Col du Peyresourde in 2001 were:
1. Jalabert
2. Vinokourov
3. Garzelli
4. Brozyna
5. Vermaut
6. Laiseka
7. Botero
8. Moncoutie
9. Livingson
10. Ullrich
11. Armstrong
12. Beloki

The peloton is now 15’50" behind the six stage leaders.

The fourth climb of the day is 13km long with an average gradient of seven per cent. The summit is 1,569m high and comes at the 162km mark of today’s stage.

The peloton is now 16’15" behind the six-man lead group. There are four CSC riders at the front of the yellow jersey’s bunch.

After Kroon acceleration and consequent explosion, the lead group now consists of: Boogerd, Pereiro, Brochard, Sevilla, Hincapie and Caucchioli.
Kroon is already 45" behind the stage leaders.

Kroon has done his ’domestique’ duties. He spent a lot of time setting the pace of the escape group and just before he was dropped he put in a big effort... with the intention of sending his senior team-mate, Boogerd, on a winning route to the finish.

The leaders are now 10.5km from the summit of the Peyresourde climb. Kroon is out of the saddle and setting a rapid pace. It is enough to drop Camano, Davis and Bertolini out of the lead group.

The bunch has just reached the top of the Col du Portillon. It is 16’15" behind the stage leaders.

There are 10 riders in the lead group - Hincapie, Sevilla, Boogerd, Kroon, Pereiro, Davis, Caucchioli, Brochard, Bertolini and Camano - they are 12km from the top of the 4th climb.

The leaders are now on the fourth climb of the stage. They are 16’20" ahead of hte peloton that’s now being led by four CSC riders.

Sastre (CSC) is now at the head of the peloton that’s 16’20" behind the escapees. The peloton is 1km from the top of the Portillon climb and two more CSC riders have come forward in the last 200m.

The riders at the front of the stage are now in Luchon, at the 147km mark. Kroon has been quite aggressive in the last couple of kilometers.

The Euskaltel team is down to eight riders. The first of the Basque-based squad to abandon the 92nd Tour is David Herrero.

Totschnig has been dropped by the peloton.

The first Discovery Channel riders to be dropped by the peloton is Benjamin Noval who had been at the head of the peloton during the ’lazy’ phase of the stage.

There are still two CSC riders at the head of the peloton. The pace is currently being set by Sorensen who came ot the front with 7km to climb. Behind him is Sastre... he has a Discovery Channel shadow in the form of Savoldelli, Azevedo and Armstrong.

At the top of the Col du Portillon, Dekker was 4’00" behind Kroon.

Three of the riders dropped from the lead group - Astarloza, Pineau and Bertogliati - crested the Portillon climb 1’40" behind Kroon.

The points for the third climb of the 15th stage have been won by:
1. Kroon 15pts
2. Boogerd 13pts
3. Pereiro 11pts
4. Caucchioli 9pts
5. Davis 8pts
6. Sevilla 7pts
7. Hincapie 6pts
8. Camano 5pts

Kroon has led eight riders over the summit of the Col du Portillon. This group is now 1’15" ahead of Astarloza, Bertogliati and Pineau and about 16’45" ahead of the peloton.

There are now nine riders in the lead group. Alessandro Bertolini is the latest victim of the pace being set by Kroon.

The 10 leaders are now 1km away from the summit of the Col du Portillon. The pace is beting set by Kroon. Then comes Pereiro, Davis and Caucchioli.

The CSC team has sent Nicki Sorensen and Carlos Sastre to the front of the peloton. The pace they’re setting is too much for many of riders in the peloton. A ’grupetto’ is forming at the back. The latest rider to be dropped by the bunch is Stefano Garzelli.

The peloton is 17’40" behind the 10 leaders. The bunch is being led by Luke Roberts (CSC) and is 17’40" behind the escapees.

The lead group is now being led by Karsten Kroon of the Rabobank team. The Dutch squad has been in charge of the escape today. The move was instigated by Boogerd and two team-mates joined him at the 27km mark. Rabobank riders have won first place points on both climbs today.

Bertogliati has lost contact with the lead group which now consists of 10 riders.

There are now 11 riders in the group at the front of the stage. They are: Kroon and Boogerd (RAB), Pereiro (PHO), Caucchioli (C.A), Bertolini (DOM), Hincapie (DSC), Sevilla (TMO), Davis (LSW), Brochard (BTL) and Camano (EUS).

Pineau (BTL) is also losing contact with the escape group.

The second rider to be dropped by the escape group on the Col du Portillon is Mikel Astarloza.

There are two CSC riders now setting the pace for the peloton. They are Nicki Sorensen and Bobby Julich. The last time check had the bunch 17’50" behind the 14 escapees.

After his puncture, Basso has rejoined the peloton with the help of two team-mates.

Dekker has been dropped from the 14-man escape group with 5km to go on the Col du Portillon.

The leader of the CSC team has just had a rear tire puncture. He has a new wheel and is being helped by two team-mates to rejoin the peloton. The two CSC riders who had been setting the pace are no longer at the head of the bunch.

The peloton is now being led by two riders from the CSC team. The current pace setters are Luke Roberts and Kurt-Asle Arvesen.

The peloton has just entered Spanish territory. There are about 10km of today’s stage contested on Spanish roads.

The escapees have begun the ascent of the Col du Portillon. They have 8km to go on the climb that is 8.4km long with an average gradient of 7.3 per cent.

The peloton is being led by two CSC riders. The pace has been picked up a bit since the feedzone. The bunch is now in Fos at the 116km mark.

Beloki (LSW) was dropped on the first climb of the stage. The Spaniard is in pursuit of the peloton which is 4’15" ahead.

Some of the riders are wearing special white armbands today with ’Fabio’ written on them. It’s part of a tribute to Fabio Casartelli.

The peloton was 18’45" behind the 14 escapees at the feedzone (110km).

The peloton has arrived in Saint-Beat (at the 110km mark) the site of today’s feedzone which is at the base of the Col de Mente.

The peloton is now at the 106km mark, 18’10" behind Hincapie, Sevilla, Boogerd, Dekker, Kroon, Pereiro, Bertogliati, Davis, Caucchioli, Brochard, Pineau, Bertolini, Camano and Astarloza.

Thomas Voeckler has had a rear tire puncture on the descent of the Col de Mente.

The peloton has reached the top of the Col de Mente. It was led by Discovery Channel riders and was 18’00" behind the 14 escapees.

The peloton is now 17’55" behind the leading 14. The bunch is being led by Noval and Padrnos.

Hincapie, Sevilla, Boogerd, Dekker, Kroon, Pereiro, Bertogliati, Davis, Caucchioli, Brochard, Pineau, Bertolini, Camano and Astarloza are now in the feedzone (at the 110.5km mark).

The peloton is still being led by riders from Discovery Channel. They are now 3km from the top of the Col de Mente.

Voeckler has been dropped by the peloton on the Col de Mente.

The 14 leaders have 100km to go in the stage. They are on the descent of the Col de Mente. There are 37.5km between the 2nd and third summits of today’s stage.

The peloton is still being led by riders from the Discovery Channel team. The current pacesetter is Benjamin Noval.
One of the riders who was dropped early on the climb, Brad McGee, has rejoined this group that’s now over 18 minutes behind the 14 escapees.

The points at the top of the Col de Mente (at 100.5km) were won by:
1. Dekker 15pts
2. Kroon 13pts
3. Boogerd 11pts
4. Pereiro 9pts
5. Caucchioli 8pts
6. Sevilla 7pts
7. Davis 6pts
8. Bertogliati 5pts

The Rabobank riders in the escape are absorbing as many climbing points as possible to help their team-mate Rasmussen who has the lead in the mountains classification. Dekker claimed the 15 points for first place on the Col de Mente.
(Full results will follow shortly.)

McGee and Menchov are two riders who have recently been dropped by the peloton at the start of the Col de Mente climb.

Erik Dekker is again setting the pace on the climb. He rode tempo on the Col du Portet d’Aspet and he’s doing the same again on the Col de Mente.

With the peloton 7km from the second summit it is 18’25" behind the 14 escapees (who have just 1km to climb).

Michael Boogerd is one of the 14 riders with an advantage of 18 minutes on the peloton. The Dutchman has two stage wins to his name. The last time he enjoyed success in the Tour was at La Plagne. That was at the end of a 179km stage that began in Les Deux Alpes. The first mountain that day was the Col du Galibier. Boogerd began his move only 30km into the stage.
He reached the finish in La Plagne with an advantage of 1’25" on Sastre and Armstrong.
Boogerd instigated today’s escape at the 27km mark.

The peloton is now 18 minutes behind the 14 escapees at the 91.5km mark.

There have been no attacks in either the lead group of the peloton since the escape was established at the 27km mark.
The escapees are sharing the work although the Rabobank trio - Dekker, Kroon and Boogerd - are spending a little more time ont he front than the other 11. This group is currently 4km from the summit of the Col de Mente.

The 13th stage of 2001 was on a similar course to today’s. It included all the same climbs. At the top of the Col de Mente four years ago, the points were won by:
1. Laurent Jalabert
2. Alexandre Vinokourov
3. Steve Vermaut
4. Thomasz Brozyna
5. Alberto Lopez de Munain
6. Xavier Jan
7. Fabio Baldato
8. Laurent Roux
9. Antonio Tauler
10. Jean-Cyril Robin

At the top of the Col du Portet d’Aspet, the peloton’s deficit to the 14 leaders was 17’20".

The 2nd climb of the stage is the Col de Mente. This is a 7km long ascent with an average gradient of 8.6 per cent. The leaders are currently steepest section - kilometers three and four.

The escape group is now 17’15" ahead of the peloton. The leading group is being led by Karsten Kroon of the Rabobank team.

The escapees are now on the Col de Mente. They have 7km to climb before they reach the first cat-1 summit of the 15th stage.

The pace of the peloton isn’t exactly rapid on the first climb of the day but it’s too fast for Joseba Beloki. The Spaniard was the first to be dropped by the peloton on the Col du Portet d’Aspet.

The best-placed of the escapees in the general classification is Pereiro of the Phonak team. Here is a summary of who is in the escape group and what their deficits are to Armstrong after 14 stages.
Pereiro - 24th at 24’40"
Hincapie - 25th at 24’59"
Boogerd - 29th at 32’54"
Astarloza - 31st at 34’33"
Sevilla - 34th at 37’27"
Brochard - 37th at 50’15"
Caucchioli - 43rd at 59’45"
Pineau - 55th at 1h10’21"
Camano - 95th at 1h44’12"
Bertogliati - 107th at 1h59’25"
Davis - 117th at 2h13’01"
Dekker - 120th at 2h15’57"
Bertolini - 132nd at 2h24’04"
Kroon - 152nd at 2h38’21"

At the 81km mark, the peloton is 16’45" behind Hincapie, Sevilla, Boogerd, Dekker, Kroon, Pereiro, Bertogliati, Davis, Caucchioli, Brochard, Pineau, Bertolini, Camano and Astarloza.

The memorial for Fabio Casartelli is at the 89km mark of today’s stage. The escapees are about to pass it as they aim towards the first cat-1 climb of the day, the Col de Mente.

The peloton is at the 79km mark with a deficit of 16’30" on the 14 escapees.

The Portet d’Aspet is a cat-2 climb, so Dekker’s first place earned him 10 points (not 15 as posted in the previous flash). The results of the first climb today are:
1. Dekker 10pts
2. Caucchioli 9pts
3. Boogerd 8pts
4. Pereiro 7pts
5. Kroon 6pts
6. Brochard 5pts

Dekker has lead the escapees over the Col du Portet d’Aspet. He has collected 15 points in the climbing classification. (Full results will follow shortly.)

The peloton is over 14 minutes behind the 14 man escape group. At the front of the bunch is Pavel Padrnos from the Discovery Channel team.

The leaders are less than 1km from the top of the Col du Portet d’Aspet. The rider setting the pace on the first climb is Erik Dekker (RAB).

The 14 escapees are on the first climb of the day. Hincapie, Sevilla, Boogerd, Dekker, Kroon, Pereiro, Bertogliati, Davis, Caucchioli, Brochard, Pineau, Bertolini, Camano and Astarloza are over 14 minutes ahead of the peloton. The summit of the Portet d’Aspet is less than 3km away.

The first climb of today’s stage was also the first climb of stage 13 in 2001. The top 10 at the cat-1 summit four years ago was:
1. Laurent Roux
2. Laurent Jalabert
3. Alberto Lopez Munain
4. Alexandre Vinokourov
5. Thomasz Brozyna
6. Xavier Jan
7. Steve Vermaut
8. Antonio Tauler
9. Fabio Baldato
10. Victor Hugo Pena

The last time a stage of the Tour last concluded at the site of today’s finish, was in stage 13 of the 2001 race. The top 10 back then was:
1. Lance Armstrong
2. Jan Ullrich - at 1’00"
3. Joseba Beloki - at 1’46"
4. Roberto Heras - at 1’46"
5. Stefano Garzelli - at 2’29"
6. Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano - at 2’52"
7. Laurent Jalabert - at 3’12"
8. Marcos Serrano - at 3’15"
9. Inigo Chaurreau - at 3’25"
10. Andrei Kivilev - at 4’02"

The peloton has just past the site of the 2nd intermediate sprint in Argein (at the 69.5km mark). It was 14’25" behind Hincapie, Sevilla, Boogerd, Dekker, Kroon, Pereiro, Bertogliati, Davis, Caucchioli, Brochard, Pineau, Bertolini, Camano and Astarloza.

All the climbs that are part of the itinerary today were also part of the 194km 13th stage of the 2001 Tour. The main difference is that that stage began in Foix.

The peloton is at the 67.5km mark with a deficit of 13’40" on the 14-man escape group.

Hincapie, Sevilla, Boogerd, Dekker, Kroon, Pereiro, Bertogliati, Davis, Caucchioli, Brochard, Pineau, Bertolini, Camano and Astarloza now lead the peloton by 13’00"... this check was taken when the bunch was at the 64.5km mark.

There are three Rabobank riders in today’s escape group. All of them have won at least one stage of the Tour in the past. They are: Michael Boogerd, Erik Dekker and Karsten Kroon.

The 14 riders who are now 11’40" ahead of the peloton (which is at the 60km mark) have achieved the biggest leading margin of any escape in this year’s Tour. The previous best was by five riders (Posthuma, Brochard, Krivtsov Facci and Sanchez) who got 10’40" ahead of the peloton on the day to Courchevel.

The points for the second intermediate sprint were won by:
1. Alessandro Bertolini (DOM) 6pts
2. Pietro Caucchioli (C.A) 4pts
3. Allan Davis (LSW) 2pts

The peloton does appear interested in chasing the 14 escapees. The move began at the 27km mark. Now that the bunch is the 60.5km, its deficit is 11’40".

The 14 escapees are now 11’00" ahead of the peloton which is at the 58km mark.

Ullrich has just got a new front wheel after puncturing.

Hincapie, Sevilla, Boogerd, Dekker, Kroon, Pereiro, Bertogliati, Davis, Caucchioli, Brochard, Pineau, Bertolini, Camano and Astarloza are now 5km from the site of the 2nd intermediate sprint.

George Hincapie is one of the riders in the 14-man escape group. The rider who turned 32 four days before his 9th Tour began his career with the American-registered Motorola team in 1994. He was one of Fabio Casartelli’s team-mates during the early years in the pro peloton.

The escape group is 10’20" ahead of the peloton which is now at the 55km mark.

The winner of four stages of the Tour (from six starts), Jaan Kirsipuu is 36 today. The Estonian Credit Agricole rider has yet to finish the race. He abandoned the Tour this year during the ninth stage.

The average speed for the first hour of stage 15 is 46.8km/h.

The peloton is 7’20" behind the 14 escapees at the 45.5km mark.

Of the 14 riders in the escape group, five have previously won a stage of the Tour de France (six if you include team time trials).
The riders in the escape who have won an individual stage are:
Michael Boogerd (RAB) in Aix-les-Bains in 1996 and La Plagne in 2002
Erik Dekker (RAB) in Villeneuve-sur-Lot, Revel and Lausanne in 2002 and Pontarlier in 2001
Karsten Kroon (RAB) in Plouay in 2002
Laurent Brochard (BTL) in Loudenvielles in 1997
Rubens Bertogliati (SDV) in 2002 in Luxembourg
George Hincapie (DSC) has been part of the squad that’s won the team time trial in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

Of the 14 riders who are currently on the attack, the best placed in the general classification after 14 stages is Oscar Pereiro Sio of the Phonak team. He began today’s stage in 24th place overall, 24’40" behind Armstrong.

The 14 escapees have pushed their advantage over the peloton up to 4’40" at the 39km mark.

The peloton is not at all interested in chasing down the 14 escapees. At the site of the first sprint, the bunch was 4’00" behind Hincapie (DSC), Sevilla (TMO), Boogerd (RAB), Dekker (RAB), Kroon (RAB), Pereiro (PHO), Bertogliati (SDV), Davis (LSW), Caucchioli (C.A), Brochard (BTL), Pineau (BTL), Bertolini (DOM), Camano (EUS) and Astarloza (A2R).

The points for the sprint in Clermont were won by:
1. Allan Davis (LSW) 6pts
2. Pietro Caucchioli (C.A) 4pts
3. Mikel Astarloza (A2R) 2pts

The peloton is being led by the Discovery Channel team. This squad has one representative in the 14-man escape group (Hincapie) which is about to contest the first intermediate sprint (at the 37km mark).

The 14 escapees are now at the 33km mark.

Hincapie (DSC), Sevilla (TMO), Boogerd (RAB), Dekker (RAB), Kroon (RAB), Pereiro (PHO), Bertogliati (SDV), Davis (LSW), Caucchioli (C.A), Brochard (BTL), Pineau (BTL), Bertolini (DOM), Camano (EUS) and Astarloza (A2R) are the riders who are currently in the lead of the 15th stage.

The first of two intermediate sprints in the 15th stage is in Clermont at the 37km mark. The leaders are now at the 32km mark but, alas, we still don’t have the names of the riders involved in the 14-man escape.

The 14 riders are 15" ahead of the peloton at the 30km mark. We will post the names of the riders involved as soon as they are announced by race radio.

At the 29km mark there are 14 riders ahead of the peloton. The second peloton has caught up with the one that’s now in pursuit of the 14 escapees.

The latest attack has come from Michael Boogerd of the Rabobank team. The Dutchman began his move a the 27.5km mark.

Heras, Kloden, Hushovd, Leipheimer are some of the riders who have been off guard as the pace at the start of the 15th stage has split the peloton.

The peloton caught Arrieta, Botero, Contador, Serrano, Pellizotti, Auge, Pineau, Commesso, Casar and Martinez at the 24km mark.

The 10 escapees have a small advantage on the peloton which is now in Sabarat at the 23.5km mark.

A Rabobank rider is leading the peloton’s pursuit of the 10 escapees. The advantage of Botero’s escape group is down to just 8".

The riders involved in the first successful escape of the 15th stage are:
Jose Luis Arrieta (IBA)
Santiago Botero (PHO)
Alberto Contador (LSW)
Marcos Serrano (LSW)
Franco Pellizotti (LIQ)
Stephane Auge (COF)
Jerome Pineau (BTL)
Salvatore Commesso (LAM)
Sandy Casar (FDJ)
Egoi Martinez (EUS)

The 10 escapees have 15" on the peloton. The move began at the 17km mark. The T-Mobile team is at the head of the bunch.

Arrieta, Botero, Contador, Serrano, Pellizotti, Auge, Pineau, Commesso, Casar and Martinez now have a lead of 10" on the peloton.

The escapees have been reeled in by the peloton. The bunch is now in Carla-Bayle at the 16km mark.

Marcos Serrano (LSW) is chasing the three escapees who attacked at the 14km mark.

There are now three riders ahead of the peloton. Alberto Contador (LSW) has caught up with Botero and Martinez.

Santiago Botero (PHO) and Egoi Martinez (EUS) are now on the attack. They began their move at the 14km mark.

The latest escape attempt has come from Bouyges Telecom’s Laurent Brochard. He didn’t gain much of a lead and has already been reeled in by the peloton.

The 92nd Tour began with riders from 28 nations. With the retirements of Robbie Hunter (of South Africa), Jaan Kirsipuu (of Estonia), Kim Kirchen (of Luxembourg) and Luciano Pagliarini (of Brazil) there are now riders from 24 countries in the race. The breakdown is as follows:
29 - Spain (Constantino Zaballa abandoned during stage five; Isaac Galvez abandoned during stage eight; Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano and Jose Angel Gomez both abandoned with injuries sustained in crashes in stage nine; Manuel Beltran abandoned during stage 12; Alejandro Valverde abandoned during stage 13).
26 - France (Mengin did not start stage eight; Sylvain Calzati abandoned during stage eight; Jean-Patrick Nazon abandoned during stage 11; Nicolas Fritsch abandoned during stage 12)
22 - Italy (Claudio Corioni abandoned during stage six; Alessandro Spezialetti did not finish stage seven; Dario Frigo did not start stage 11; Stefano Zanini abandoned during stage 11; Angelo Furlan abandoned during stage 12).
15 - Germany (Jens Voigt finished outside the time limit in stage 11)
10 - Australia
9 – Belgium (Kevin Hulsmans finished outside the time limit in stage 11; Tom Boonen did not start stage 12)
8 - USA (Dave Zabriskie abandoned during stage nine)
7 - The Netherlands (Van Bon Abandoned during stage eight; Gerben Lowik did not start stage 14)
6 – Switzerland (Steve Zampieri abandonded during stage seven).
4 - Ukraine (Honchar did not start start eight)
3 - Austria (Gerrit Glomser abandoned during stage 10); Kazakstahn and Sweden
2 – Denmark, Norway and Russia (Evgeni Petrov did not start stage 10).
1 – Estonian (Kirsipuu abandoned during stage nine); Colombia, Finland, Hungary, Uzbekstahn, Portugal, Czech Republic, Slovenia and Venezuela

After 14 stages of the Tour de France the following riders are at the top of the four major prize classifications:
Lance Armstrong (DSC) wears the yellow jersey as the leader of the general classification. He increased his leading margin over second place in yesterday’s stage to Ax-3-Domaines. Armstrong now leads Mickael Rasmussen (RAB) by 1’41” and Ivan Basso (CSC) by 2’46”.
Thor Hushovd (C.A) wears the green jersey as the leader of the leader of the points classification. The Norwegian has 164 points, 14 more than Stuart O’Grady (COF) and 22 more than the triple stage winner, Robbie McEwen (DVL).
Rasmussen wears the polka-dot jersey for seventh day. The Danish rider has 175 points in the mountains classification. He leads Christophe Moreau (C.A, who has 89pts) and Santiago Botero (PHO, who has 88pts).
Yaroslav Popovych (DSC) wears the white jersey as the leader of the youth classification. The Ukranian increased his lead over Andrey Kacheschkin (C.A) from seven seconds after 13 stages to 2’56” after yesterday’s stage in the Pyrenees. In third place is Maxim Iglinskiy (DOM) who is 27’56” behind ‘Popo’.

The peloton is now at the 7km mark. There was an escape attempt from a Phonak rider, Pereiro, but he was quickly chased down by the bunch.

The escape attempt amounted to nothing. The peloton is all together at the 5km mark.

There are 12 riders now attempting to break free of the peloton. We will post the names of the riders involved if the escape succeeds.

The peloton is now at the 4km mark. There was an attack from Samuel Dumoulin (A2R) but he was quickly chased down.

The 15th stage began at 11.10am. There were 160 riders at the sign-on with no overnight withdrawals. The peloton is at the 2km mark and there have been no early attacks.

There is a bit of cloud cover at the site of today’s start in Lezat-sur-Leze. The temperature this morning is 23 degrees Celsius in the air and 25 degrees at road level.
At the finish, the sun is shining and the temperature is climbing up to about 30 degrees before the peloton begin racing on what is bound to be a very hot day.

There are two intermediate sprints in the 202.5km 15th stage: the first in Clermont (at 37km), the second in Argein (at 69.5km).
The first climb begins only 10km after the second sprint.

The 15th stage features no less than six difficult climbs. It will be an emotional day as the peloton passes the memorial to Fabio Casartelli who lost his life because of injuries sustained in a crash during the Tour de France 10 years ago. The race direction will stop on the first climb to pay tribute to the 1992 Olympic road race champion.
The climbs today are:
The cat-two Col du Portet d’Aspet (at 85km)
The cat-1 Col de Mente (at 100.5km)
The cat-1 Col du Portillon (at 137.5km)
The cat-1 Col de Peyresourde (at 162km)
The cat-1 Col de Val-Louron Azet (at 182.5km)
And the final ascent to the ‘hors category’ summit at Pla-d’Adet

The 15th stage of the 2005 Tour de France, from Lezat-sur-Leze to Saint-Lar-Soulon (Pla-d’Adet), will get underway at 11.10am. There is only 600m of neutral zone before the flag will fall to signal the start of the hardest stage of the 92nd edition of the race.