Mark Cavendish of Great Britain won the 18th stage of the 2010 Tour de France on Friday, July 23, with a powerful sprint finish to win by several bike lengths. But yellow jersey holder Alberto Contador held onto his 8-second lead over Luxemburger Andy Schleck with only tomorrow's time trial remaining in the Tour. Lance Armstrong is in 23rd place.
The 18th Stage of the 2010 Tour de France
Sprinter Mark Cavendish won the 18th stage of the Tour de France, his fourth stage victory in this year's race and the 14th of his career. The relatively long but flat 123-mile ride from Salies-de-Bearn to Bordeaux was perfect for sprinters like Englishman Cavendish who pedaled furiously the last half-kilometer to pull clear of the pack behind him.
Cavendish swerved left to get around two riders with only 200 meters to go and pedaled madly as he then moved back to the right right to cross the finish line ahead by two and a half bike lengths. Julian Dean of New Zealand was second and Alessandro Petacchi of Italy was third.
Lance Armstrong finished the 18th stage 37 minutes, 58 seconds back, in 23rd place overall.
Alberto Contador Almost Assured Tour Win
Spaniard Alberto Contador, the defending Tour champion, maintained an 8-second lead over Andy Schleck of Luxembourg. Saturday’s crucial 32-mile time trial from Bordeaux to Pauillac is the last stage of the 2010 Tour de France, and given that Contador is stronger sprinter than Schleck it will take a major disaster to deny Contador his fifth Tour de France Victory.
Schleck, however, is conceding nothing yet. “I feel good. I have nothing to lose,” Schleck said. “He’s better but I’m not bad, too. We’re going to see a battle tomorrow.”
Lance Armstrong Meets French President Sarkozy After 17th Stage
Lance Armstrong met with French President Nicolas Sarkozy after the 17th stage on Thursday, and Armstrong said the meeting was just “two old guys who like to ride bikes” after Sarkozy joined him at the top of the legendary Col du Tourmalet mountain stage.
Armstrong said they spoke about the possibility of swapping jobs after the 17th stage of the Tour de France on Thursday.
“He could become president, I can’t become a champion,” Sarkozy replied.
For more on Lance Armstrong and the 2010 Tour de France see:
Tour de France 2010 - Alberto Contador Claims 3rd Tour Title
Tour de France 2010 - Lance Armstrong Seeks Stage Win Thursday
Tour de France 2010 – Lance Armstrong and Austin, Texas!
Tour de France 2010 - Contador 1st, Lance Armstrong Seeks Stage
Even without his leadoff man, Cavendish triumphs
Clayton Browne - Clayton Browne has a BA and an MS in Anthropology, and has been writing professionally since 1994. He worked for many years in both ...
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