American Finishes Third In Tour's 14th Stage

It looked like the breakaway might be successful today, but the last climb of the day brought the Peloton back, and the breakaway riders only finished seven seconds ahead of the Peloton. Pierrick Fedrigo [France-Telecom] finished in first place and Salvatore Commesso [Italy-Lampre] finished in second place. Christian Vandevelde [USA-CSC] finished three seconds later to take third place. Overall, the standings are pretty much the same as yesterday.

Tomorrow the riders will take a rest day. But Tuesday brings the first of three very difficult mountain stages in the Alps. Tuesdays ride is a 187 kilometer [116.5 mile] trip from Gap to L'Alpe d'Huez. It has a catagory two climb and two other climbs that are so difficult they are not rated. Each day's race becomes more important now that the Tour de France is entering its last week.

Overall standings:

1. Pereiro [Spain-Balears]..........Yellow Jersey
2. Landis [USA-Phonak]..........1:29
3. Dessel [France-AG2R]..........1:37
4. Menchov [Russia-Rabobank]..........2:30
5. Evans [Australia-Lotto]..........2:46
6. Sastre [Spain-CSC]..........3:21
7. Kloden [Germany-Tmobile]..........3:58
8. Rogers [Australia-Tmobile]..........4:51
9. Mercado [Spain-Agritubel]..........5:02
10. Moreau [France-AG2R]..........5:13
11. Popovych [Ukraine-Discovery]..........5:44
15. Leipheimer [USA-Gerolsteiner]..........7:08
19. Azevedo [Portugal-Discovery]..........9:11
29. Vandevelde [USA-CSC]..........14:58
38. Hincapie [USA-Discovery]..........24:28

Team Standings:

1. CSC
2. Balears..........15:57
3. T-mobile..........22:09
4. Gerolsteiner..........22:55
5. AG2R..........27:43
10. Discovery..........44:49

Polka-Dot Jersey standings:
[Best climber]

1. De La Fuente [Spain-Saunier]..........80 points
2. Rasmussen [Denmark-Rabobank]..........73 points
3. Dessel [France-AG2R]..........62 points
4. Wegmann [Germany-Gerolsteiner]..........61 points
5. Boogerd [Netherlands-Rabobank]..........61 points
9. Landis [USA-Phonak]..........35 points

Green Jersey standings:
[Best sprinter]

1. McEwen [Australia-Lotto]..........252 points
2. Boonen [Belgium-Quickstep]..........222 points
3. Freire [Spain-Rabobank]..........207 points
4. Bennati [Italy-Lampre]..........192 points
5. Zabel [Germany-Milram]..........172 points

White Jersey standings:
[Best young rider]

1. Fothen [Germany-Gerolsteiner]
2. Cunego [Italy-Lampre]..........12:15
3. Sprick [France-Telecon]..........29:07
4. Duenas Nevado [Spain-Agritubel]..........31:22
5. Lovkvist [Sweden-Francaise Des Jeux]..........36:50