THE RACE LIVE

The winner of the Col d’Aubisque climb, Cadel Evans, elevated himself from 11th overall to seventh with his fourth place finish in stage 16. The new top 10 is:
1. Lance Armstrong (USA) DSC - 2,826km in 66h52’03" (42.034km/h)
2. Ivan Basso (Italy) CSC - at 2’46"
3. Mickael Rasmussen (Denmark) RAB - at 3’09"
4. Jan Ullrich (Germany) TMO - at 5’08"
5. Franciso Mancebo (Spain) IBA - at 6’31"
6. Levi Leipheimer (USA) GST - at 7’35"
7. Cadel Evans (Australia) DVL - at 9’29"
8. Floyd Landis (USA) PHO - at 9’33"
9. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kazakstahn) TMO - at 9’38"
10. Christophe Moreau (France) C.A - at 11’47"

Oscar Pereiro won the sprint for stage honours in Pau ahead of three escape companions. The top 10 in the 16th stage of the 2005 Tour de France is:
1. Oscar Pereiro Sio (Spain) PHO - 180.5km in 4h38’40" (38.863km/h)
2. Xabier Zandio (Spain) IBA - at same time
3. Eddy Mazzoleni (Italy) LAM - at same time
4. Cadel Evans (Australia) DVL - at same time
5. Philippe Gilbert (Belgium) FDJ - at 2’52"
6. Anthony Geslin (France) BTL at 2’25"
7. Jorg Ludewig (Germany) DOM at 2’25
8. Juan Antonio Flecha (Spain) FAS at 2’25"
9. Ludovic Turpin (France) A2R at 2’25"
10. Cedric Vasseur (France) COF at 2’25"

The peloton was led over the line by Brochard 3’26" behind Pereiro.

Pereiro Sio has beaten Mazzoleni, Zandio and Evans to win the 16th stage. This quartet finished 2’25" ahead of Gilbert who led the eight-man chase group across the line.

Evans didn’t even try to sprint... he was too tired from having done all the work in the final 20km. He was passed by the three others in the escape with 300m to go.
Oscar Pereiro Sio has won the sprint for first place. It’s the Spaniard’s first stage win in the Tour de France.

Evans continues to do most of the work in the lead group. He has led Mazzoleni, Pereiro and Zandio under the 1km to go sign.

Evans, Mazzoleni, Pereiro and Zandio are now leading Geslin, Ludewig and Gilbert.

The peloton is now 3’30" behind Evans’ group which has less than 2km to go in the stage.

Ludewig has attacked the chase group. He has been joined by Pineau and Gilbert.

It now seems certain that the stage win will go to either Evans, Mazzoleni, Pereiro and Zandio. These four are 1’55" ahead of the eight chasers with 3km to go.

There are 4km to go in the stage. Evans continues to do most of the work in the lead group. He is seeking a top 10 place in the general classification in his first Tour de France. He has spent three minutes on the front for every minute the others in the escape do... he may be too tired to contest the stage but if he maintains his current advantage on the bunch, he’ll be in the top 10 after stage 16.

Oscar Pereiro Sio has been awarded today’s ’Prix de la Combativite’. This is an prize that’s determined by a voting panel. It’s the second stage in a row that the Spaniard has been awarded with the ’most aggressive rider’ title.

With 10km to go in the stage the peloton is 4’05" behind Evans, Mazzoleni, Pereiro and Zandio.

Flecha, Vasseur, Turpin, Gilbert, Geslin, Pineau, Serrano and Ludewig are 1’55" behind with 10km to go in the stage.

Evans, Mazzoleni, Pereiro and Zandio are now 10km from the end of the stage. Evans and Zandio were part of the first successful escape that broke free of the peloton at the 26km mark.

With 15km to go in the stage, the peloton is being led by three riders from the T-Mobile team. This group is 4’25" behind Evans, Mazzoleni, Pereiro and Zandio.

With 15km to go in the stage Evans, Mazzoleni, Pereiro and Zandio led Gilbert and Pineau by 1’35" and Serrano, Ludewig, Vasseur, Geslin, Flecha and Turpin by 1’50".

Pineau has caught Gilbert with about 15.5km to go. They are 1’39" behind the four stage leaders.

Cadel Evans (DVL), Oscar Pereiro Sio (PHO), Eddy Mazzoleni (LAM) and Xabier Zandio (IBA) are now 15km from the finish of the stage. Evans is doing more work than anyone else in the escape because he has the most to gain as he is the best-placed of the escape in the general classification.

The peloton was 4’30" behind the four leaders at the top of the final climb.

At the top of the final climb Serrano, Ludewig, Vasseur, Geslin, Pineau, Flecha and Turpin were 1’55" behind Evans, Zandio, Pereiro and Mazzoleni.

At the top of the final climb, Gilbert has escape the Vasseur group. The FDJ rider was 1’40" behind Evans’ quartet.

At the top of the final climb in stage 16, the points were won by:
1. Oscar Pereiro Sio (PHO) 3pts
2. Cadel Evans (DVL) 2pts
3. Xabier Zandio (IBA) 1pt

The four leaders are now less than 20km from the finish of the 16th stage.

Evans, Mazzoleni, Zandio and Pereiro are now 4’45" ahead of the peloton. The leading quartet are about the crest the final climb of the stage which is at the 161km mark.

With 25km to go in the stage, the peloton is 5’05" behind the four stage leaders. Riders from T-Mobile, Rabobank and Credit Agricole are at the head of the yellow jersey’s group.

Evans, Mazzoleni, Pereiro and Zandio are near the 4th climb of the stage. This is a cat-4 ascent at the 161km mark. After 155.5km of racing, Vasseur’s eight-man group was 1’50" behind the stage leaders.

The four stage leaders are now less than 25km from the finish of stage 16. They have a lead of 2’05" on the eight-man chase group and 5’50" ahead of the peloton.

Evans’ group is now 2’05" ahead of Vasseur’s group with about 28km to go.

At the 146.5km mark, the peloton is 6’15" behind Evans, Mazzoleni, Pereiro and Zandio.

Serrano, Ludewig, Vasseur, Geslin, Pineau, Gilbert, Flecha and Turpin are now together and are 2’15" behind the four stage leaders who have 30km to go.

There are riders from the T-Mobile formation at the front of the peloton. They must be concerned about the presence of Evans in the lead group. The Australian began the stage in 11th place overall. He was 12’57" behind Armstrong... his current advantage on the bunch is 6’50".

The peloton has just cross the line for the 2nd intermediate sprint (at the140.5km mark). It was 6’50" behind Evans, Mazzoleni, Zandio and Pereiro.

Vasseur, Geslin, Pineau, Gilbert, Turpin and Flecha are 2’30" behind the four stage leaders at the site of 2nd intermediate sprint (140.5km).

At the site of the 2nd sprint, Ludewig and Serrano were 1’35" behind Pereiro, Evans, Mazzoleni and Zandio.

The points for the sprint in Arthez-d’Asson were won by:
1. Oscar Pereiro Sio (PHO) 6pts
2. Cadel Evans (DVL) 4pts
3. Xabier Zandio (IBA) 2pts

Horner has a flat front tire. He is being serviced by his team car and is likely to catch up with the yellow jersey’s bunch before too long.

Evans (DVL), Mazzoleni (LAM), Pereiro (PHO) and Zandio (IBA) lead the yellow jersey’s group by 6’20" at the 130km mark.

Evans’ quartet is now 5km from the site of the 2nd intermediate sprint.

Evans, Mazzoleni, Pereiro and Zandio lead the stage and are currently 2’30" ahead of Vasseur, Geslin, Gilbert, Flecha, Pineau and Turpin.

Mazzoleni and Evans have been caught by Pereiro and Zandio at the 131km mark.

Evans and Mazzoleni are now at the 130km mark of the 180.5km stage. Not far behind the two leaders are Zandio and Pereiro.

Andreas Kloden is attacking the peloton on the descent. He has a lead of about 200m on the yellow jersey’s group which is being led by five Discovery Channel riders (including the yellow jersey).

While in the lead of the stage, Pereiro has punctured. Evans and Mazzoleni are now first and second on the road.

At the start of the stage Kloden (TMO) was in 10th place overall. He has slipped down the ranking now that Evans has bolted up the road.

Evans has now been passed by Eddy Mazzoleni.

There are now two riders at the front of the stage. Pereiro has caught events on the descent. The Spaniard has flashed past the Australian who crashed on a bit of gravel on this descent at the start of June. "It was a stupid accident," said Evans of the incident. "It’s the first time I’ve crashed and broken a bone in training." He is still riding with a fractured collarbone which hasn’t healed too well.
You can therefore understand his cautious approach to this descent.

Kloden is leading the yellow jersey’s peloton over the Col du Soulor summit.

The yellow jersey’s peloton has grown significantly on the stretch of road between the Col d’Aubisque and the Col du Soulor. This bunch is now 5’30" behind the stage leader, Evans who has about 58km to go.

Pereiro is now 15" behind the stage leader.

Evans has increased his advantage on the yellow jersey’s group which is now 5’20" behind. The Australian was determined to make an impression on the stage. Before the start today he found out about the death of a compatriot, Amy Gillett, who was hit by a car while training with the women’s team in Germany.
All five other Gillett’s team-mates are in hospital after the devastating accident.
This is the reason Cadel is wearing black tape on his left sleeve today.

Evans is 4’40" ahead of the peloton as he climbs the (non-categorized) Col du Solour. The top of this rise is at the 118km mark.

Cadel Evans is inspired today. He claimed the 20 points for first place at the top of the Col d’Aubisque. In a twist of irony, it was on the descent which he’s currently riding that he crashed and broke his collarbone not long before his debut in the Tour de France. It was the fourth time he broke the same bone in the last 20 months.
The last accident was when he was doing a reconnaisance of the course at the start of June.

At the top of the Col d’Aubisque, Cadel Evans lead by:
47" - Pereiro
59" - to Mazzoleni & Zandio
1’15" - to Serrano
1’33" - to Ludewig
2’24" - to Gilbert & Flecha
2’44" - to Geslin, Pineau and Turpin
4’15" - to Rasmussen, Horner, Armstrong, Ullrich, Heras...

Armstrong’s group was 4’15" behind Evans at the top of the Col d’Aubisque.

At the top of the Col d’Aubisqe, Cadel Evans lead by:
47" - Pereiro
59" - to Mazzoleni & Zandio
1’15" - to Serrano
1’33" - to Ludewig
2’24" - to Gilbert & Flecha
2’44" - to Gelsin, Pineau and Turpin

Cadel Evans has collected the points for first place at the top of the Col d’Aubisque with a lead of 47" over Oscar Pereiro.

Armstrong, Ullrich, Basso, Vinokourov, Heras, Rasmussen, Leipheimer and Landis is the yellow jersey’s group. Armstrong has now come to the front of this elite posse.

Ullrich has acclerated at the front of the yellow jersey’s peloton. He has been matched by Armstrong, Rasmussen and Basso. They are about to catch Heras and Vinokourov.

Evans is 1km from the top of the Col d’Aubisque. The Australian rider began the stage in 11th place overall. His advantage on the yellow jersey’s peloton now is 5’05".

With 3km to go, Heras and Vinokourov are 4’40" behind Evans. The peloton is at 5’05". Kloden is at 5’25".

Sastre is setting the pace of the yellow jersey’s group. This pack includes: Armstrong, Hincapie, Ullrich, Landis, Rasmussen, Basso, Sastre, Leipheimer, Mancebo...

With 3km to climb to the top of the Col d’Aubisque, the situation is as follows:
Evans leads the stage. Behind him are:
Zandio - at 25"
Flecha - at 1’00"
Mazzoleni with a group of four others at 1’25"
Sorry we can’t give you more details but race radio hasn’t offered the full list of names.

Heras has caught up with Vinokourov.

There are now 10 riders in the yellow jersey’s group. Hincapie has just caught up with his team leader.

Evans is now 3.5km from the top of the Col d’Aubisque. He is 5’15" ahead of the yellow jersey’s group.

There are eight riders with Armstrong. They are: Ullrich (TMO), Basso & Sastre (CSC), Mancebo (IBA), Rasmussen (RAB), Landis (PHO), Kashechkin (C.A) and Leipheimer (GST)

With 5km to climb, Evans leads by the following margins:
25" - to Zandio & Flecha
50" - to Ludewig & Gilbert
1’00" - to Pineau
1’10" - to Turpin
1’35" - to Mazzoleni and Pereiro

Ullrich and Basso have attacked the yellow jersey. Armstrong has responded and has taken Rasmussen with him. Landis and Leipheimer and now playing catch-up.

Evans is still in the lead of the stage. He has 5km to go to the top of the Col d’Aubisque.

There are eight riders in the yellow jersey’s group. They are: Armstrong, Hincapie, Ullrich, Basso, Sastre, Leipheimer, Rasmussen and Kloden.

Vinokourov has just caught up with Fred Rodriguez.

There are three T-Mobile riders at the front of the yellow jersey’s peloton. This group has just caught Sastre.

Cadel Evans is now less than 6km from the top of the Col d’Aubisque. He leads the remnants of the escape group by 50".

The CSC rider who recently attacked the peloton was Sastre not Sorensen as reported in an earlier flash. He has caught up with Steinhauser who attacked at the 98km mark.

Kashechkin has dropped Arroyo in the counter-attacking move.

The rider in the front of the stage is Cadel Evans. The Australian has a black armband on today in memory of his compatriot Amy Gillett, a member of the Australian nation road cycling team, who died yesterday in an accident while training in Germany.

Cadel Evans has attacked at the front of the stage. He has a lead of about 200m on the nine other escapees.

Bobby Julich and Andreas Kloden have been caught by the peloton. Now it’s Sorensen’s turn to attack for the CSC team.

Tobias Steinhauser attacked the peloton before Kloden’s surge. The T-Mobile rider has a lead of 18" on the peloton.

Andreas Kloden and Bobby Julich are now trying to escape the peloton. They have a lead of about 50m on the yellow jersey’s bunch.

Mazzoleni, Serrano and Pereiro are now 1’05" behind the 10 stage leaders.

Roberto Heras has attacked the peloton at the 96.5km mark. He has already joined Kashechkin and Arroyo.

At the 96km mark, the peloton was 7’00" behind the 10 escapees.

Zandio, Evans, Rodriguez, Flecha, Horner, Vasseur, Geslin, Pineau, Gilbert, Ludewig and Turpin are 6’00" ahead of Alexandre Vinokourov and 6’30" ahead of Kashechkin and Arroyo.

Rodriguez has been dropped by Pereiro, Mazzoleni and Serrano.

Kashechkin and Arroyo have attacked the peloton which is now at the 95km mark and are 7’15" behind the 10 leaders.

Serrano, Mazzoleni, Pereiro and Rodriguez are now 2’10" behind the 10 stage leaders.

Fred Rodriguez has been caught by Pereiro, Mazzoleni and Serrano.

Vinokourov is now 30" ahead of the peloton which is being led by Noval of the Discovery Channel team.

Vinokourov’s attack has been successful. He leads the yellow jersey’s peloton by 17".

Zandio, Evans, Rodriguez, Flecha, Horner, Vasseur, Geslin, Pineau, Gilbert, Ludewig and Turpin are now 2’20" ahead of Mazzoleni, Serrano and Pereiro.

With 17km to climb to the Aubisque summit, Vinokourov has attacked the yellow jersey’s peloton.

At the 91km mark, the yellow jersey’s peloton is 7’35" behind Evans’ escape group.

The bunch is being led by the Discovery Channel team. This group is now 1km from the start of the Col d’Aubisque climb.

With 16.5km to go to the top of the Col d’Aubisque, Mazzoleni and Pereiro have caught Serrano.

There are now 10 riders in the lead of the stage. They are: Zandio, Evans, Flecha, Horner, Vasseur, Geslin, Pineau, Gilbert, Ludewig and Turpin.
Rodriguez has been dropped from the escape group.

The AG2R rider in the escape group, Turpin, has punctured. He has a new wheel and is now racing to rejoin the nine riders in the lead of the stage.
Rodriguez has been dropped by the escape group on the early slopes of the Col d’Aubisque.

The peloton has grown significantly on the descent of the Col de Marie-Blanque and the ensuing section in the valley between the 2nd and third climbs. The Discovery Channel team has come to the front of the bunch again. This group is now 5’50" behind the 11 escapees.

Kashechkin is still having problems with his nose. He was hit in the face by a spectator on the Marie-Blanque climb. He has gone back to consult the race doctor again.

As the peloton exits the feedzone, it is 4’50" behind Zandio, Evans, Rodriguez, Flecha, Horner, Vasseur, Geslin, Pineau, Gilbert, Ludewig and Turpin.

Pereiro and Mazzoleni are still trying to bridge the gap to the 11 leaders.
Currently Zandio, Evans, Rodriguez, Flecha, Horner, Vasseur, Geslin, Pineau, Gilbert, Ludewig and Turpin lead Serrano by 1’25" and Mazzoleni and Pereiro by 2’25".
The yellow jersey’s peloton is at 4’20".

At the 82km mark, the peloton is 4’22" behind the 11 escapees.

The 11 escapees are 1’30" ahead of Marcos Serrano.

The 11 stage leaders are now in Bielle which is the site for today’s feedzone (at the 82km mark).

The 11 riders are now 2’40" ahead of the counter-attack by Pereiro and Mazzoleni.
The yellow jersey’s peloton has just gain support of Moreau, O’Grady, Rous, Rubiera and a few others on the descent. There are now 20 riders in the yellow jersey’s bunch that’s 3’45" behind the stage leaders at the 75.5km mark.

There 13th and 14th riders in the stage are Eddy Mazzoleni and Pereiro who have joined forced on the descent of the Col de Marie-Blanque.
Ahead of this pair are: Zandio, Evans, Rodriguez, Flecha, Horner, Vasseur, Geslin, Pineau, Gilbert, Ludewig and Turpin. Then comes Serrano (at 1’30").

Armstrong & Hincapie (DSC), Ullrich, Guerini & Kloden (TMO), Basso & Julich (CSC), Mancebo (IBA), Rasmussen (RAB), Landis (PHO, Leipheimer (GST) and Heras (LSW) are the riders in the yellow jersey’s peloton.

At the top of the Col de Marie-Blanque the 11 stage leaders were:
1’30" ahead of Serrano
2’50" ahead of Pereiro
2’55" ahead of Mazzoleni
3’12" ahead of the yellow jersey’s peloton.

The points for the second climb of stage 16, the category-one Col de Marie-Blanque were won by:
1. Ludewig (DOM) 15pts
2. Geslin (BTL) 13pts
3. Zandio (IBA) 11pts
4. Gilbert (FDJ) 9pts
5. Evans (DVL) 8pts
6. Turpin (A2R) 7pts
7. Vasseur (COF) 6pts
8. Horner (SDV) 5pts

Eddy Mazzoleni has attacked the yellow jersey’s peloton.

Jorg Ludewig has led the escapees over the summit of the Col de Marie-Blanque.

With 1km to climb on the Col de Marie-Blanque Pereiro has a 12" lead on the yellow jersey’s group which is now 3’40" behind the 10 stage leaders.

One of the two Davitamon riders on the attack today, Fred Rodriguez, has been dropped from the lead group.

Armstrong, Hincapie, Ullrich, Basso, Julich, Mancebo, Rasmussen, Leipheimer, Landis, Pereiro, Heras, Mazzoleni are the riders who are in the yellow jersey’s bunch.

The escapees have less than 1km to go before they reach the top of the 2nd climb.

Pereiro has attacked the yellow jersey’s group again. His surge has dropped Vinokourov, Azevedo, Guerini, Kloden, Sastre and others from the elite group that’s now about 4’20" behind the 11 stage leaders.

Totschnig, Brochard, Goubert, Merckx, Landaluze, Sastre, Piepoli, Savoldelli, Mayo, Rubiera are some of the riders who have been dropped by the yellow jersey’s peloton.

Hincapie is now setting the pace of the yellow jersey’s group.

The yellow jersey’s peloton has about 20 riders in it. This group has just caught Pereiro.

Mazzoleni and Basso are now leading the peloton’s pursuit of Pereiro. Armstrong has reacted and chased down the move by the rider in second overall. This group has just caught up with Vinokourov.

We don’t have a time check on the two riders who have attacked the peloton on the Col de Marie-Blanque but can report that Pereiro and Vinokourov are still ahead of the peloton. Leipheimer has been caught by Mazzoleni and Basso who are now leading the bunch.

Kashechkin has a bleeding nose because of a recent incident with a spectator who appears to have hit him in the face.

One of the riders who was on the attack at the front of the peloton has turned around. Kashechkin has been thumped by a spectator and he is now seeking help from the race doctor.

Several riders have been dropped by the peloton. The latest to lose contact is Moncoutie.

Sastre has not been able to maintain his attack at the head of the peloton. He has been replaced by Pereiro who is now riding with Leipheimer, Vinokourov, Kacheshkin.

Vinokourov, Sastre, Kacheshkin and Leipheimer are attacking the peloton.

With 6km to climb on the Col de Marie-Blanque the peloton is 6’00" behind Zandio, Evans, Rodriguez, Flecha, Horner, Vasseur, Geslin, Pineau, Gilbert, Ludewig and Turpin.

Vinokourov has attacked the peloton on the 2nd climb of the stage.

Serrano is now 2’45" behind the 11 stage leaders who are 5km from the summit of the Col de Marie-Blanque.

Daniel Becke of the Illes Balears team has crashed in the peloton. He doesn’t appear to be badly injured and is already back on his bike and racing to rejoin the bunch that’s still being led by riders from the Discovery Channel team.

The peloton is now on the Col de Marie-Blanque with a deficit of 6’10" on the 11 escapees.

The escapees are now on the climb to the only cat-1 summit of the 16th stage, the Col de Marie-Blanque. This is a 9.3km ascent with an average gradient of 7.7 per cent. The seventh and eighth kilometer are particularly steep - with an average gradient of 11.5 per cent.

Botero, Karpets, Forster, McGee and Kroon have been dropped by the peloton.

Zandio, Evans, Rodriguez, Flecha, Horner, Vasseur, Geslin, Pineau, Gilbert, Ludewig and Turpin are now at the 57.5km mark. They have an advantage 3’25" on Serrano and over five minutes on the peloton.

Of the 11 riders who are now over five minutes ahead of the peloton, two have previously won a stage of the Tour de France.
Cedric Vasseur won the stage to La Chatre in 1997 and Juan Antonio Flecha won in Toulouse in 2003.

The peloton is 5’10" behind the 11 escapees at the top of the first climb, the Col d’Ichere (at 50.5km).

At the top of the Col d’Ichere, Serrano was 3’30" behind the 11 escapees.

With the peloton at the 49km mark, it was 5’20" behind Evans’ escape group. In between the fugitives and the peloton was the counter-attacking rider, Serrano. He was 4’15" behind the 11 leaders.

The points at the top of the first climb today, the cat-three Col d’Ichere (at 50.5km) were won by:
1. Jerome Pineau (BTL) 4pts
2. Jorg Ludewig (DOM) 3pts
3. Chris Horner (SDV) 2pts
4. Fred Rodriguez (DVL) 1pt

The escapees are less than 1km to go before reaching the summit of the cat-3 Col d’Ichere.

As the leaders near the summit of the Col d’Ichere, the 11 escapees are 5’10" ahead of Serrano and 5’25" ahead of the peloton.

Marcos Serrano (LSW) has attacked the peloton on the Col d’Ichere.

The peloton is now in Lourdios-Ichere (at the 46km mark). It is 5’10" behind the 11 escapees.

The average speed in the first hour of stage 16 is 47.5km/h.

The peloton is at the 45km mark and is currently 5’00" behind Zandio (IBA), Evans & Rodriguez (DVL), Flecha (FAS), Horner (SDV), Vasseur (COF), Geslin and Pineau (BTL), Gilbert (FDJ), Ludewig (DOM) and Turpin (A2R).

Cadel Evans said this morning that he was going to try and get in today’s escape group. He was upset by the news of the tragic accident that claimed the life of one of his compatriots, Amy Gillett (nee Safe), in Germany yesterday.
"The least I can do," said Evans, "is to get in a break and try and dedicate the stage win to the entire Australian national team. Words are never enough to express the sadness I felt after hearing the news of the accident..."
With the current advantage of 4’10" on the peloton, Evans has moved from 11th overall to virtual sixth.

At the 42km mark, the 11 escapees in stage 16 have a lead of 4’10" on the peloton.

At the start of today’s stage there were 156 riders in the peloton. Below is a list of the nations which are still represented in the 92nd Tour de France:
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)
21 - 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; Gianluca Bortolami did not start stage 16).
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) and Kazakstahn
2 – Denmark, Norway, Russia (Evgeni Petrov did not start stage 10); Sweden (Magnus Backstedt did not start stage 16).
1 – Estonian (Kirsipuu abandoned during stage nine); Colombia, Finland, Hungary, Uzbekstahn, Portugal, Czech Republic, Slovenia and Venezuela
0 – Brazil (Luciano Pagliarini abandoned during stage nine); Luxembourg (Kim Kirchen abandoned during the 11th stage); South Africa (Robbie Hunter abandoned during stage 12)

The 11 escapees who attacked the peloton at the 26km mark of stage 16 now have a lead of 3’10". The riders involved are: Zandio (IBA), Evans & Rodriguez (DVL), Flecha (FAS), Horner (SDV), Vasseur (COF), Geslin and Pineau (BTL), Gilbert (FDJ), Ludewig (DOM) and Turpin (A2R).

There are concerns for the health of the five other women from the Australian national road cycling team which was hit by a car in Germany while on a training ride yesterday. Here is a summary of the injuries sustained in the head-on accident.
Alexis Rhodes is in the intensive care unit and her condition is described as "critical". Alexis is understood to have multiple fractures in the thoracic region (the part of the trunk between the neck and the abdomen)
Louise Yaxley - now stabilized, but her condition is still considered "serious" (which is one level down from "critical")
Katie Brown - at first it was thought Katie may lose a leg, but Fredericks said surgery on her leg was considered successful. In "serious" condition and in recovery after sustaining multiple fractures
Lorian Graham - in a "satisfactory" condition. Understood to have both collarbones broken, plus broken hands, as well as knee and leg injuries;
Katie Nichols - in a "satisfactory" condition. Had severe deep tissue damage including torn tendons, but again, surgery was considered successful
Amy Gillett - deceased

There was a tragic accident involving six riders from the Australian women’s national team in Germany yesterday. While full details are still filtering in, it’s with great sadness that we can report that 29-year-old Amy Gillett lost her life after a car crashed into the six women who were on a training ride before a stage of the Thuringen Rundfahrt.
The five other women were also seriously injured. The riders involved were: Katie Brown, Lorian Graham, Kate Nichols, Alexis Rhodes and Louise Yaxley. They are currently in hospital.
The driver of the car that careened into the six women apparently lost control of her vehicle and was on the wrong side of the road. She hit the women head-on. Gillett died at the scene of the accident.

Cadel Evans is one of the riders in the escape group. After 15 stages of the 2005 Tour he was in 11th place in the general classification. The Australian began the stage 12’57" behind Lance Armstrong.

The Discovery Channel team is at the head of the peloton that’s now 2’20" behind 11 escapees.

At the 33.5km mark, the 11 escapees are 1’40" ahead of the peloton.
Zandio (IBA), Evans & Rodriguez (DVL), Flecha (FAS), Horner (SDV), Vasseur (COF), Geslin and Pineau (BTL), Gilbert (FDJ), Ludewig (DOM) and Turpin (A2R) are the riders in the break.

At the 30.5km mark the escapees have a lead of 40" on the peloton.

Evans (DVL), Vasseur (COF), Ludovic (DOM), Zandio (IBA), Turpin (A2R), Flecha (FAS), Pineau (BTL), Gilbert (FDJ), Rodriguez (DVL), Horner (SDV), Geslin (BTL) are now on the attack. They escaped the peloton at the 26km mark. After three kilometers they have established a lead of 30" on the peloton.

The points for the sprint in Bidos were won by:
1. Philippe Gilbert (FDJ) 6pts/6"
2. Ludovic Turpin (A2R) 4pts/4"
3. Juan Antonio Flecha (FAS) 2pts/2"

All the escape attempts have been reeled in by the peloton. The bunch is now 1km away from the site of the first intermediate sprint in Bidos (at 27km).

After being dropped early today, Leipheimer, Vinokourov and Hushovd have rejoined the peloton at the 21km mark.

Zandio (IBA), Joly (C.A) and Iglinskiy (DOM) are now chasing the seven riders who attacked at the 19km mark.

Julich (CSC), Flecha (FAS), Canada (SDV), Serrano (LSW), Pellizotti (LIQ), Fedrigo (BTL) and Goubert (A2R) are the rider who are now at the front of the stage. Contador could not continue with the escape. He is now back in the peloton.

Flecha (FAS) is the rider instigated the current escape. He was joined by Serrano (LSW), Pellizotti (LIQ) and Julich (CSC), Canada (SDV), Goubert (A2R) and Contador (LSW).
They are now at the 19km mark.

There are four riders on the attack. We can confirm that Serrano and Pellizotti are involved but await the names of the other riders.

The 16th stage has begun at an extremely rapid pace. There are many attacks at the front of the peloton (none with any real success in the first 15km) and the speed has caused some riders to be dropped early today. The latest rider to slip off the back of the peloton is Levi Leipheimer of the Gerolsteiner team.

Hushovd and Vinokourov have been dropped early today. They are currently in the convoy at the rear of the peloton.

After being dropped in the first four kilometers, Vladimir Karpets has rejoined the peloton. He was involved in an accident during the neutral zone this morning.

There has been a crash in the peloton that includes Andreas Kloden. All the riders are back on their bikes and racing to rejoin the peloton that’s now at the 13km mark.

Vladimir Karpets crashed in the neutral zone this morning. He has been dropped by the peloton in the early phase of today’s stage. Also dropped early was Santiago Botero, but the Colombian has recently rejoined the bunch.

The 13 riders who escaped the peloton early in stage 16 have been caught at the 7km mark.

Riders from Bouyges Telecom, Francaise des Jeux, Phonak, Cofidis and Saunier Duval were subjected to blood tests this morning. All were clear with no abnormalities found.

There are a total of 13 riders now in an escape group that’s at the 4km mark. The advantage of the escapees is 13". The riders involved are:
Popovych (DSC), Roberts (CSC), Zandio (IBA), Moos (PHO), Vicioso (LSW), Kashechkin (C.A), Auge (COF), Sinkewitz (QST), Commesso & Righi (LAM), Zberg (GST), Martinez (EUS) and Goubert (A2R).

Popovych, Zandio, Kashehskin, Righi, Zberg, Martinez, Goubert are currently chasing down the two early escapees.

The two riders who have escaped the peloton at the 1.5km mark are Salvatore Commesso (LAM) and Alexandre Moox (PHO).

Racing in stage 16 began at 12.19pm. There have been a several escape attempts in the first kilometer. The peloton is moving along at a rapid pace early in the stage from Mourenx to Pau.

There are 156 riders still in the 92nd Tour de France. The two riders who were not at the sign on after the second rest day are Magnus Backstedt (LIQ) and Gianluca Bortolami (LAM).

After 15 stages of the 2005 Tour de France, a total of 549,150 Euros in prize money has been won. The breakdown, per team is listed below.
52,330 Euro – Discovery Channel
48,820 Euro – Rabobank
49,540 Euro – T-Mobile
37,900 Euro – Credit Agricole
37,160 Euro – Gerolsteiner
35,730 Euro – Davitamon-Lotto
34,130 Euro – Team CSC
31,190 Euro – Cofidis
30,340 Euro – Quickstep-Innergetic
30,230 Euro – La Francaise des Jeux
26,000 Euro – Fassa Bortolo
25,080 Euro – Illes Balears-Caisse d’Epargne
24,360 Euro – Phonak Hearing Systems
17,050 Euro – Bouyges Telecom
15,740 Euro – Liquigas-Bianchi
12,770 Euro – Liberty Seguros-Wurth
12,270 Euro – Saunier Duval-Prodir
8,870 Euro – AG2R Preyovance
7,970 Euro – Domina Vacanze
3,810 Euro – Euskaltel-Euskadi
(The exchange rate today is approximately one Euro = 1.19 US Dollars.)

The peloton is currently in the 3.7km neutral zone. The official start is expected to be at about 12.20pm. Live coverage will begin as soon as the flag is dropped to signal the start of racing.

The temperature at the start of the 16th stage is 25 degrees Celsius in the air and 33 degrees at road level. High clouds linger over the course but the weather bureau has not forecast any rain for the stage from Mourenx to Pau.

After 15 stages of the 2005 Tour de France, the four major prize classifications are led by the following riders:
Lance Armstrong (DSC) wears the yellow jersey as leader of the general classification. The Texan has a 2’46” advantage on Ivan Basso (CSC) and 3’09” on Mickael Rasmussen (RAB). The only other rider in the peloton who has won the Tour de France, Jan Ullrich, is in fourth place overall, 5’58” behind Armstrong.
Thor Hushovd (C.A) wears the green jersey as 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 as leader of the mountains classification. The Danish rider inherited the lead in stage eight and currently has 185 points, 71 more than Oscar Pereiro Sio (PHO) and 93 more than Armstrong.
Yaroslav Popovych (DSC) wears the white jersey as the leader of the youth classification. The Ukranian is 6’08” ahead of Andrey Kashechkin (C.A) and 36’42” ahead of Alberto Contador (LSW).

There are two intermediate sprints in the 16th stage. They are in Bidos (at the 27km mark) and Arthez-d’Assons (at 140.5km).

There are four categorized climbs in the stage from Mourenx to Pau. Mountain points will be allocated at the following summits:
The category-three Col d’Ichere - a 4.4km climb that rises to 674m with the summit at the 50.5km mark.
The category-one Col de Marie-Blanque - a 9.3km climb that rises to 1,035m with the summit at the 70.5km mark.
The ’hors category’ Col d’Aubisque - a 16.5km climb that rises to 1,709m with the summit at the 108.5km mark.
The category-four Cote de Pardies-Peitat - a 2.6km climb that rises to just 392m with the summit at the 161km mark.

The 180.5km 16th stage of the 2005 Tour de France is scheduled to begin at 12.10pm. There is a 3.7km neutral zone before the riders reach the site of the official start.
Today’s stage from Mourenx to Pau includes the final ’hors category’ summit of the 2005 Tour. The Col d’Aubisque is at the 108.5km mark. After the summit there is 72km to the finish in the capital of the Pyrenees-Atlantiques department.