DAY 5
VIRE - PLUMELEC 217km
9th July 1997
Unlucky Fred!
Another day of staying near the front for Chris, under the guidance of big man
Eros Polli, in an attempt to avoid another inevitable crash. There were two
crashes today one where a child stepped out into the bunch and was taken to
Hospital, and another near the finish which saw Alex Zulle yet again delayed,
this time loosing 36 secs on the leading bunch, which included Chris.
Gan took advantage of the Telecom Train build up to the finish. Zabel faded to
the line, Cipollini was unusually boxed in. This left Fred Moncassin and Nicola
Minali lunging for the line. A photograph seperated what seemed to be a dead
heat, the verdict going to Minali. Chris finished in the front group.
PLUMELEC - LE PUY DU FOU 225km
1. Nicola Minali (Batik) 2. Fred Moncassin (GAN) 3. E.Zabel (Telekom) 4. M.Cipollini (Saeco) .... 8. S.O'Grady (GAN)Overall
1. M.Cipollini 21:56:46 2. E.Zabel @ 4 3. CHRIS BOARDMAN 35 4. J.Ullrich 29 5. F.V'broucke 41
Current Chris Status!