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 Sunday, March 27th 2005 |
| Stage 3At Charleville-Mézières - 8,3 km |
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| Julich, again! |
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 Bobby Julich wins the final 8,5km time-trial staged around Charleville-Mιziθres. A victory ahead of Voigt and Arvesen that earns him the overall win of the Criterium International, two weeks after winning Paris-Nice. |
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 After the hill race staged during the morning, three riders could still hope for overall victory: Dekker, winner this morning, Jaksche, second but in the same second as the Dutchman and Julich, third at 3". The overall win on the Criterium International was yet again to be decided after the time-trial, ultimate chapter of the Ardennes weekend.
For such a specific exercise linking power and strategy, the CSC riders looked to be favourites depite Leipheimer grabbing an early lead with the provisional fastest time. Arvesen was the first to beat the American Gerolsteiner rider in a time of 101628. Voigt then struck the new best time in 100842 just before Julich crossed the line in 100535. Two riders were still to compete: Jaksche and Dekker, specialists of the discipline. But the German, ever-present during the morning's stage eventually clocked a disappointing 103164. Despite a decent time of 101600, Dekker was forced to leave the overall win to Bobby Julich.
 After Paris-Nice, the American wins a second prestigious title in less than two weeks. Dekker finishes second , 11" adrift, while Jaksche takes third place on the podium, 22" behind the race winner.
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| Stage winner |
Bobby JULICH |
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| Overall |
Bobby JULICH |
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| Points |
Bobby JULICH |
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| Best climber |
Jorg JAKSCHE |
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| Best young |
Thomas DEKKER |
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| Best team |
Team CSC |
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| Starter's list | Time schedule |
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