DAY 9
Stage 8 : SAUTERNES - PAU 165km
13th July 1997
The Heat is on!
Todays 165km stage started in rain, but brightened up soon after the start with
strong cross winds making the going tough. Many riders hoped for an easy day
as the mountains approach, they were unlucky. The heat was on with the now familiar
Telecom train leading out Zabel for the finish. Zabel repayed the faith of his team
winning the stage, but it was close as 4 riders lunged for the line and a photo had
decide the outcome. Several small breaks attempted to spoil the sprinters day
but to none avail.
Chris finished in the pack, his objectives for the Tour so far going to plan with a
prologue win and being in a good position as the mountains approach without working
himself or the team into the ground. Gan still hold the yellow jersey in Cedric Vasseur,
but as the race real starts tomorrow it is doubtfull he will hold it much longer, even
though he has nearly 3 minutes over Chris and Ullrich.
For Chris its make or brake, like he said before the Tour, most people are expecting
great things from him & he has only finished the race once before. Time will tell!
Stage 8 : SAUTERNES - PAU 165km
1. Erik Zabel (All/TEL) 161,50 km in 3 h 22:42. 2. Nicola Minali (Ita/BAT) à 00:00. 3. Jeroen Blijlevens (P-B/TVM) 00:00. 4. Frédéric Moncassin (Fra/GAN) 00:00. 5. Lauri Aus (Est/CSO) 00:00.
Overall
1. Cédric Vasseur (Fra/GAN) 41 h 46:41. 2. Erik Zabel (All/TEL) à 01:21. 3. Chris Boardman (G-B/GAN) 02:54. 4. Jan Ullrich (All/TEL) 02:56. 5. Stuart O'Grady (Aus/GAN) 02:59. 6. Frédéric Moncassin (Fra/GAN) 03:04. 7. Abraham Olano (Esp/BAN) 03:04. 8. Laurent Jalabert (Fra/ONC) 03:06. 9. Oskar Camenzind (Sui/MAP) 03:22.
Current Chris Status!
Current GAN Status!