[Tour 2005]Stage 21 - Parade into Paris - The Final Stage

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 18:12:58 -0500

Stage 21 - Final Stage
Corbeil-Essonnes - Paris/Champs-Elysses
Lance's last stage, the parade into Paris, prowling around to the south
of Paris before coming into the city on the right bank of the Seine.
Once there, it's onto the Champs-Elysses for eight final laps of the
circuit.

It would be "traditional" except that the weather did not get the memo,
and cloudly, windy, cold and rainy skies have dampened on the finishing
circuit. Out on the course, Yellow Jersey wearing Lance Armstrong rolls
between team cars, giving his farewell and best wishes to the director
sportifs of each other team.

But, things are up for grabs today - Credit Agricole's Thor Hushovd
needs only to finish in one of the top three places to prevent either
Stuart O'Grady or Robbie McEwen from swiping the Green Jersey on the
final day.

The slick roadway has everyone just easily edging around tight corners
and over the painted crosswalks.

Vinokourov pops away from the bunch, hoping that his lighter blue
Khazakstan National Jersey will camouflage him as he increases his
pressure. He's trying to nab the 6 second intermediate sprint time
bonus, which could put him into 5th place in the General Classification.
It's a highly opportunistic move, and the man most affected by that will
be Gerolsteiner's Santa Rosa Homeboy Levi Leipheimer.

Levi and three teammates immediately mark him, but Vinokourov slides
back to the front and accellerates again - Robert Forster and Levi
Leipheimer are locked right on his wheel.

Vinokourov leads from the front, accellerating and sliding over the
treacherously wet roads. At 100 meters, Vinokourov manages to stay a
solid bike length away as they hit the Chatenay-Malabry sprint point.
Vinokourov clearly suffered from his effort, and Gerolsteiner Ronny
Scholz hikes up his chamois and continues the effort - cooler heads
prevail and hie drifts back to the bunch.

A long wet right hand turn puts three Discovery riders on the deck -
Popovych, Hincapie and Jose Azevedo - Armstrong stays on his bike,
barely able to avoid his teammates as he skids and tripods to stay
upright. They were following the increasing pace of FDJ.com's Bradley
McGee and hit some painted stripes. A number of riders voice their
immediate dissatisfaction with McGee's dalliance.

The Discovery riders all sport a yellow right sleeve on their jerseys,
leading Armstrong toward the final bits of his final Tour and final
race. Throngs line the course and howlingly huge cheers continue to be
heard as the peleton rolls onto their first lap of the Champs Elysses.
Despite the inclimate weather, the foggy horizon and the need for arm
warmers, the crowds pack the barriers.

But, as is written into the Tour Rules, the race referees are able to
nullify the sprint and even the finish time if the weather and road
conditions are judged to be dangerous. Though it isn't actually raining,
the heavy mist which totally obscures most of the camera lenses, and
causes the first U-turn at the end of the roadway to be done at walking
pace could just be judged in this manner.

Not to say it doesn't look incredibly awesome as the peleton fans out 12
or 15 riders across the roadway, all ticking over a smooth gear. The
riders mostly know they've made it through what will be just over 3600
kilometers.

The announcers stay that the GC competition battle has been frozen,
which will tie Vinokourov and Leipheimer.

A breakaway has dribbled out to a gap on what seem to only-dry-in-places
roads.

The wisdom of that idea is instantly obvious as FDJ.com's Carlos Da Cruz
Domina Vacanze's Andrey Grivko and Gerolsteiner's Fabian Wegman slip out
on the dogleg turn near the fountain and slide for a long, long time.
Wegman pops up ready to rumble - not on his bike, but he throws
something down to the ground and hurls a stream of epithets in the
direction of his arriving team car. That's gotta make the mechanic not
want to come to work, but to his credit, one of the unheralded heros of
the Tour leaps out and gets him back on course.

More dicing and efforts keep popping riders off the front, as just the
hints of shadows appear and the roads actually look mostly dry.

There's a bunch of three riders who have 6 seconds over a chasing group
of 8 or 10, with the peleton coming through about 18 seconds behind.
They seem to have upped the pace, although for some reason neither the
cameras or announcers feel it's important to identify the riders who
have gapped the peleton - probably because there's 6 laps to go, and
historically, it's a low percentage move to try to get away on this
hallowed circuit.

Lotto riders keep the pace high for the rest of the bunch. Lance is
surrounded by his teammates - for once this race at the back of the peleton.

After everyone has been reabsorbed, Quick-Step rider Bram Tankink pips
away. Saunier Duval's American Chris Horner tucks onto his rear wheel
and enjoys some quality television time. They zip away to a decent gap,
trading pulls and teasing those who are in pain. They edge out to a 16
second gap. Cofidis organize themselves a bit to chase, as McEwan's
Lotto squad seems suddenly disinterested. Of course, immediately upon
typing that sentance, Lotto pops back into the rotation - which would
mean there's a French team and a squad from Belgium who are each
attempting to put their Australian sprinter across the line first. Must
be why there are so many Foster's Lager adverts....

The weather has finally gotten the memo - and with the sun stabbing
through the clouds, the sprinter's team enjoy clear roads and a solid
grip on the cobbles, reducing the gap to the pair and suddenly sucking
them right up through the bunch. Ever present Carlos Da Cruz has the bit
in his teeth as they come through the finish line, the bell ringing
madly to chime in the final lap of the Tour.

This triggers a few riders to jump, Cofidis sends Cedric Vasseur out as
a sacrificial lamb to mess things up for the other leadout teams. Rubens
Batagliati from Saunier Duval pedals chunky squares but it moves him out
and past Vasseur - Jorg Jaksche from Liberty Seguros marks his effort
along with FDJ.com's Da Cruz - but the bunch does not seem interested in
letting them go. Everyone feels the adrenalin in their muscles for the
win in Paris - they scream back up and envelop them.

Which immediately causes several attempts at the front. The one which
takes over is a sly move by the opportunistic Lauurant Brochard, who
hammers up the barriers, followed closely by Alexandre Vinokourov.

Things are seriously stretched out now and they are rapidly running out
of roadway. It's hard to believe that anyone can increase the pace away
from the bunch, but riders continue to elevate themselves. Vinokourov
has slipped around Brochard, and he and Jaksche work to pry any time gap
they can find.

Into the tunnel, the two are taking only 2 or second pulls, and find
that an FDJ.com rider has attached - it's Brad McGee, who can definitely
power along.

Just as they see the red kite signifying 1000 meters to end this year's
Tour, McGee zigs hard right and tries to put the jump on them. The
effort is too much for Jaksche to react to, as he was in front when it
went, but Vinokourov gives everything he can to reaquire McGee

>From an overhead view, it looks like the two still have a good distance
- it has been a long time since anyone managed to catch the sprinter's
out on the Champs Elysses! McGee dangles tantalizingly close to
Vinokourov, who is speaking in tongues to get back to him. The camera
form the finish line focuses on McGee, and you suddenly see just a hint
of chunkiness in his pedal stroke. Vinokourov must sense it too, as he
swings out to McGee's left and throws log number 3 into the boiler. He
continues pumping past the failing rider and moves away to win the stage!

Behind them, an incensed peleton nearly hits their heels, with McEwen
leading O'Grady, but not getting enough points to unseat Hushovd.

Freewheeling in towards the back of the bunch, Armstrong smiles his way
across the line of his seventh straight Tour de France victory. It's
been a great ride.

Stage 21 -
1 - Alexandre Vinokourov - 3:40:57
2 - Bradley McGee - FDJ.com
3 - Fabian Cancellara - Fassa Bortolo
4 - Robbie McEwen - Lotto
5 - Stuart O'Grady - Cofidis
6 - Allan Davis - Liberty Seguros
7 - Thor Hushovd - Credit Agricole
8 - Baden Cooke - FDJ.com
9 - Bernhard Eisel - FDJ.com
10 - Robert Forster - Gerolsteiner

all riders s.t.

The GC numbers seem to show Leipheimer dropping to 6th overall, some 20
seconds behind Vinokourov.

Other tidbits and trivia -
Cadel Evans gives Australia their best overall Tour finisher in 20 years.
Christophe Moreau finishes as the highest placed French rider, in 11th
place - and it's rumored that his team is not going to offer him a
contract for the upcoming year...
Yaroslav Popovych finishes in 12th overall, also with the White Best
Young Rider Jersey.
Thor Hushovd becomes the first Norwegian to take the Green Jersey, and
Michael Rasmussen makes it two Scandanavian riders holding the other two
jerseys.
Although it carries no jersey, Oscar Pereiro's constant attacking and
stage win gives him the vote as the Tour's Most Aggressive Rider.
Again, we honor Iker Flores of Euskatel-Euskadi, who may have been the
furthest rider behind Armstrong, but nevertheless managed to finish the
hardest sporting event known.
Ivan Basso brings his child onto the podium with him, and Lance tickles
the child. When Jan Ullrich leans in, the child hides her face into
Basso's chest.
Armstrong watches from the podium as the Star Spangled Banner is played,
a poker face of both relief and sorrow, joy and perhaps a readiness to
step down. He addresses the crowd afterwards, turning first to Jan with
words of respect and thanks, then to Ivan. He encourages them to duke it
out next year. Lance ends his speech with "vive le Tour!" and it is over.

The numbers:
MJ#7 - Lance Armstrong (USA), Discovery Channel - 86:15:02
Average Speed - 41.654 kph
2. Ivan Basso (I), CSC, 04:40
3. Jan Ullrich (G), T-Mobile, 06:21
4. Francisco Mancebo (Sp), Illes Balears, 09:59
5. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz), T-Mobile, 11:01
6. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Gerolsteiner, 11:21
7. Mickael Rasmussen (Dk), Rabobank, 11:33
8. Cadel Evans (Aus), Davitamon-Lotto, 11:55
9. Floyd Landis (USA), Phonak, 12:44
10. Oscar Pereiro Sio (Sp), Phonak, 16:04
11. Christophe Moreau (F), Credit Agricole, 16:26
12. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr), Discovery Channel, 19:02
13. Eddy Mazzoleni (I), Lampre, 21:06
14. George Hincapie (USA), Discovery Channel, 23:40
15. Haimar Zubeldia (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 23:43
16. Jorg Jaksche (G), Liberty Seguros, 24:07
17. Bobby Julich (USA), CSC, 24:08
18. Oscar Sevilla (Sp), T-Mobile, 27:45
19. Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz), Credit Agricole, 28:04
20. Giuseppe Guerini (I), T-Mobile, 33:02
21. Carlos Sastre (Sp), CSC, 34:24
22. Xabier Zandio (Sp), Illes Balears, 36:20
23. Leonardo Piepoli (I), Saunier Duval, 36:20
24. Michael Boogerd (Nl), Rabobank, 38:29
25. Paolo Savoldelli (I), Discovery Channel, 44:30
26. Georg Totschnig (A), Gerolsteiner, 49:14
27. Mikel Astarloza (Sp), Ag2r Prevoyance, 54:03
28. Laurent Brochard (F), Bouygues Telecom, 55:29
29. Sandy Casar (F), Francaise des Jeux, 56:47
30. José Azevedo (P), Discovery Channel, 59:48
31. Alberto Contador (Sp), Liberty Seguros, 1:03:25
32. Stefano Garzelli (I), Liquigas-Bianchi, 1:04:49
33. Christopher Horner (USA), Saunier Duval, 1:07:57
34. Stephane Goubert (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, 1:10:53
35. José Luis Rubiera (Sp), Discovery Channel, 1:11:48
36. Pietro Caucchioli (I), Credit Agricole, 1:16:21
37. Maxim Iglinskiy (Kaz), Domina Vacanze, 1:18:44
38. Jorg Ludewig (G), Domina Vacanze, 1:19:05
39. Axel Merckx (B), Davitamon-Lotto, 1:20:15
40. Marcos Serrano (Sp), Liberty Seguros, 1:21:31
41. Michael Rogers (Aus), Quickstep, 1:24:32
42. Alexandre Moos (Swi), Phonak, 1:25:35
43. Jérôme Pineau (F), Bouygues Telecom, 1:31:38
44. Cédric Vasseur (F), Cofidis, 1:33:17
45. Roberto Heras (Sp), Liberty Seguros, 1:38:33
46. Pierrick Fedrigo (F), Bouygues Telecom, 1:41:14
47. Franco Pellizotti (I), Liquigas-Bianchi, 1:41:38
48. Egoi Martinez (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 1:42:29
49. Gutierrez JosĂŠ Enrique (Sp), Phonak, 1:42:35
50. Vladimir Karpets (Rus), Illes Balears, 1:43:45
51. Santiago Botero (Col), Phonak, 1:49:22
52. Patrice Halgand (F), Credit Agricole, 1:53:26
53. David Arroyo (Sp), Illes Balears, 1:54:12
54. Dario Cioni (I), Liquigas-Bianchi, 2:00:39
55. Daniele Nardello (I), T-Mobile, 2:02:23
56. Christophe Brandt (B), Davitamon-Lotto, 2:03:10
57. Matthias Kessler (G), T-Mobile, 2:03:56
58. Sylvain Chavanel (F), Cofidis, 2:05:20
59. Patrik Sinkewitz (G), Quickstep, 2:07:48
60. Iban Mayo (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 2:07:48
61. LĂ-vkvist Thomas (Swe), Francaise des Jeux, 2:07:48
62. Lorenzo Bernucci (I), Fassa Bortolo, 2:08:37
63. David Canada (Sp), Saunier Duval, 2:08:56
64. Angel Vicioso (Sp), Liberty Seguros, 2:09:37
65. Sebastian Lang (G), Gerolsteiner, 2:11:18
66. Juan Manuel Garate (Sp), Saunier Duval, 2:15:17
67. David Moncoutie (F), Cofidis, 2:15:23
68. Walter Beneteau (F), Bouygues Telecom, 2:17:06
69. Iker Camano (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 2:22:41
70. Philippe Gilbert (B), Francaise des Jeux, 2:24:00
71. Nicki Sorensen (Dk), CSC, 2:24:08
72. Pieter Weening (Nl), Rabobank, 2:24:16
73. Juan Antonio Flecha (Sp), Fassa Bortolo, 2:24:21
74. Jose Luis Arrieta (Sp), Illes Balears, 2:25:27
75. Joseba Beloki (Sp), Liberty Seguros, 2:26:26
76. Carlos Da Cruz (F), Francaise des Jeux, 2:26:49
77. O'grady Stuart (Aus), Cofidis, 2:27:19
78. Andriy Grivko (Ukr), Domina Vacanze, 2:28:08
79. Fabian Wegmann (G), Gerolsteiner, 2:29:32
80. Massimo Giunti (I), Fassa Bortolo, 2:29:34
81. Tobias Steinhauser (G), T-Mobile, 2:31:02
82. Didier Rous (F), Bouygues Telecom, 2:33:10
83. Joost Posthuma (Nl), Rabobank, 2:33:59
84. Allan Davis (Aus), Liberty Seguros, 2:34:40
85. Denis Menchov (Rus), Rabobank, 2:35:00
86. Stephan Schreck (G), T-Mobile, 2:35:52
87. Gorazd Stangelj (SLO), Lampre, 2:36:13
88. Nicolas Portal (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, 2:38:01
89. Arvesen Kurt-Asle (Nor), CSC, 2:39:27
90. Yuriy Krivtsov (Ukr), Ag2r Prevoyance, 2:39:51
91. Ronny Scholz (G), Gerolsteiner, 2:43:03
92. Rubens Bertogliati (Swi), Saunier Duval, 2:45:03
93. Beat Zberg (Swi), Gerolsteiner, 2:46:24
94. Francis Mourey (F), Francaise des Jeux, 2:47:14
95. Pavel Padrnos (Cz), Discovery Channel, 2:49:53
96. Ludovic Turpin (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, 2:51:28
97. Anthony Geslin (F), Bouygues Telecom, 2:51:58
98. Alessandro Cortinovis (I), Domina Vacanze, 2:52:02
99. David Loosli (Swi), Lampre, 2:52:41
100. Inigo Landaluze (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 2:52:41
101. Salvatore Commesso (I), Lampre, 2:53:46
102. Luke Roberts (Aus), CSC, 2:54:12
103. Bert Grabsch (G), Phonak, 2:54:35
104. Volodymir Gustov (Ukr), Fassa Bortolo, 2:54:56
105. Bradley Mc Gee (Aus), Francaise des Jeux, 2:55:59
106. Sebastian Joly (F), Credit Agricole, 2:56:10
107. Benjamin Noval Gonzalez (Sp), Discovery Channel, 3:00:59
108. Luis Sanchez (Sp), Liberty Seguros, 3:03:19
109. Erik Dekker (Nl), Rabobank, 3:03:36
110. Daniele Righi (I), Lampre, 3:04:17
111. Bram Tankink (Nl), Quickstep, 3:05:12
112. Mario Aerts (B), Davitamon-Lotto, 3:07:30
113. Alessandro Bertolini (I), Domina Vacanze, 3:09:13
114. Samuel Dumoulin (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, 3:11:02
115. Sebastian Hinault (F), Credit Agricole, 3:14:33
116. Thor Hushovd (Nor), Credit Agricole, 3:15:40
117. Laurent Lefevre (F), Bouygues Telecom, 3:16:06
118. Giovanni Lombardi (I), CSC, 3:18:21
119. Laszlo Bodrogi (Hun), Credit Agricole, 3:18:44
120. Matthieu Sprick (F), Bouygues Telecom, 3:20:47
121. Auge StĂŠphane (F), Cofidis, 3:21:30
122. Inaki Isasi (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 3:21:50
123. Matthew White (Aus), Cofidis, 3:23:41
124. Thomas Voeckler (F), Bouygues Telecom, 3:25:32
125. Marcus Ljungqvist (Swe), Liquigas-Bianchi, 3:25:36
126. Simons Gerrans (Aus), Ag2r Prevoyance, 3:27:03
127. Thierry Marichal (B), Cofidis, 3:30:59
128. Fabian Cancellara (Swi), Fassa Bortolo, 3:32:40
129. Frederic Bessy (F), Cofidis, 3:34:59
130. Michael Rich (G), Gerolsteiner, 3:37:13
131. Manuel Quinziato (I), Saunier Duval, 3:37:31
132. Fred Rodriguez (USA), Davitamon-Lotto, 3:37:58
133. Alessandro Vanotti (I), Domina Vacanze, 3:38:43
134. Robbie Mc Ewen (Aus), Davitamon-Lotto, 3:41:52
135. Karsten Kroon (Nl), Rabobank, 3:42:03
136. Johan Van Summeren (B), Davitamon-Lotto, 3:43:05
137. Mauro Gerosa (I), Liquigas-Bianchi, 3:44:22
138. Nicolas Jalabert (F), Phonak, 3:44:26
139. Guido Trenti (USA), Quickstep, 3:46:24
140. Marc Wauters (B), Rabobank, 3:46:54
141. Kjell Carlström (FIN), Liquigas-Bianchi, 3:47:02
142. Baden Cooke (Aus), Francaise des Jeux, 3:47:17
143. Bernhard Eisel (A), Francaise des Jeux, 3:47:35
144. Mauro Facci (I), Fassa Bortolo, 3:49:30
145. Michael Albasini (Swi), Liquigas-Bianchi, 3:51:03
146. Peter Wrolich (A), Gerolsteiner, 3:51:50
147. Rafael Nuritdinov (UZB), Domina Vacanze, 3:54:14
148. Vicente Garcia Acosta (Sp), Illes Balears, 3:56:34
149. Servais Knaven (Nl), Quickstep, 3:59:07
150. Unai Etxebarria (Vz), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 4:00:24
151. Robert Förster (G), Gerolsteiner, 4:01:40
152. Daniel Becke (G), Illes Balears, 4:02:16
153. Janeck Tombak (Est), Cofidis, 4:03:09
154. Wim Vansevenant (B), Davitamon-Lotto, 4:09:25
155. Iker Flores (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 4:20:24

Overall Points - Final
1. Thor Hushovd (Nor), Credit Agricole, 194 Pts.
2. Stuart O'Grady (Aus), Cofidis, 182 Pts.
3. Robbie Mc Ewen (Aus), Davitamon-Lotto, 178 Pts.
4. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz), T-Mobile, 158 Pts.
5. Allan Davis (Aus), Liberty Seguros, 130 Pts.
6. Oscar Pereiro Sio (Sp), Phonak, 118 Pts.
7. Robert Förster (G), Gerolsteiner, 101 Pts.
8. Lance Armstrong (USA), Discovery Channel, 93 Pts.
9. Baden Cooke (Aus), Francaise des Jeux, 91 Pts.
10. Bernhard Eisel (A), Francaise des Jeux, 88 Pts.
11. Mickael Rasmussen (Dk), Rabobank, 84 Pts.
12. Juan Antonio Flecha (Sp), Fassa Bortolo, 84 Pts.
13. Laurent Brochard (F), Bouygues Telecom, 83 Pts.
14. Anthony Geslin (F), Bouygues Telecom, 79 Pts.
15. Peter Wrolich (A), Gerolsteiner, 79 Pts.
16. Jan Ullrich (G), T-Mobile, 77 Pts.
17. Franco Pellizotti (I), Liquigas-Bianchi, 75 Pts.
18. Arvesen Kurt-Asle (Nor), CSC, 72 Pts.
19. Carlos Da Cruz (F), Francaise des Jeux, 69 Pts.
20. Cadel Evans (Aus), Davitamon-Lotto, 69 Pts.
21. Fred Rodriguez (USA), Davitamon-Lotto, 64 Pts.
22. Philippe Gilbert (B), Francaise des Jeux, 61 Pts.
23. Christophe Moreau (F), Credit Agricole, 58 Pts.
24. Guido Trenti (USA), Quickstep, 58 Pts.
25. Jérôme Pineau (F), Bouygues Telecom, 57 Pts.
26. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Gerolsteiner, 55 Pts.
27. Ivan Basso (I), CSC, 54 Pts.
28. Sandy Casar (F), Francaise des Jeux, 54 Pts.
29. Xabier Zandio (Sp), Illes Balears, 52 Pts.
30. Fabian Cancellara (Swi), Fassa Bortolo, 50 Pts.
31. George Hincapie (USA), Discovery Channel, 46 Pts.
32. Christopher Horner (USA), Saunier Duval, 46 Pts.
33. Lorenzo Bernucci (I), Fassa Bortolo, 43 Pts.
34. Giuseppe Guerini (I), T-Mobile, 41 Pts.
35. Bradley Mc Gee (Aus), Francaise des Jeux, 41 Pts.
36. Sebastian Hinault (F), Credit Agricole, 41 Pts.
37. Pieter Weening (Nl), Rabobank, 40 Pts.
38. Salvatore Commesso (I), Lampre, 40 Pts.
39. Luke Roberts (Aus), CSC, 40 Pts.
40. Eddy Mazzoleni (I), Lampre, 39 Pts.
41. Francisco Mancebo (Sp), Illes Balears, 38 Pts.
42. Daniele Righi (I), Lampre, 36 Pts.
43. Paolo Savoldelli (I), Discovery Channel, 35 Pts.
44. Erik Dekker (Nl), Rabobank, 35 Pts.
45. Inaki Isasi (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 35 Pts.
46. Axel Merckx (B), Davitamon-Lotto, 34 Pts.
47. Cédric Vasseur (F), Cofidis, 34 Pts.
48. Sylvain Chavanel (F), Cofidis, 33 Pts.
49. Massimo Giunti (I), Fassa Bortolo, 33 Pts.
50. Oscar Sevilla (Sp), T-Mobile, 32 Pts.
51. Mauro Gerosa (I), Liquigas-Bianchi, 31 Pts.
52. Bobby Julich (USA), CSC, 31 Pts.
53. Marcos Serrano (Sp), Liberty Seguros, 30 Pts.
54. Nicolas Portal (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, 30 Pts.
55. Daniel Becke (G), Illes Balears, 30 Pts.
56. Georg Totschnig (A), Gerolsteiner, 29 Pts.
57. Thomas Voeckler (F), Bouygues Telecom, 27 Pts.
58. Simons Gerrans (Aus), Ag2r Prevoyance, 27 Pts.
59. Floyd Landis (USA), Phonak, 26 Pts.
60. Andriy Grivko (Ukr), Domina Vacanze, 26 Pts.
61. David Moncoutie (F), Cofidis, 25 Pts.
62. Santiago Botero (Col), Phonak, 25 Pts.
63. Sebastian Lang (G), Gerolsteiner, 25 Pts.
64. Laszlo Bodrogi (Hun), Credit Agricole, 24 Pts.
65. Stefano Garzelli (I), Liquigas-Bianchi, 24 Pts.
66. Egoi Martinez (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 24 Pts.
67. Angel Vicioso (Sp), Liberty Seguros, 24 Pts.
68. Bert Grabsch (G), Phonak, 24 Pts.
69. Manuel Quinziato (I), Saunier Duval, 24 Pts.
70. Rafael Nuritdinov (UZB), Domina Vacanze, 24 Pts.
71. Pietro Caucchioli (I), Credit Agricole, 23 Pts.
72. Maxim Iglinskiy (Kaz), Domina Vacanze, 23 Pts.
73. Samuel Dumoulin (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, 23 Pts.
74. Stephan Auge (F), Cofidis, 22 Pts.
75. Yuriy Krivtsov (Ukr), Ag2r Prevoyance, 22 Pts.
76. David Loosli (Swi), Lampre, 22 Pts.
77. Dario Cioni (I), Liquigas-Bianchi, 20 Pts.
78. Bram Tankink (Nl), Quickstep, 19 Pts.
79. Fabian Wegmann (G), Gerolsteiner, 18 Pts.
80. Patrice Halgand (F), Credit Agricole, 18 Pts.
81. José Azevedo (P), Discovery Channel, 17 Pts.
82. Pierrick Fedrigo (F), Bouygues Telecom, 16 Pts.
83. Jose Luis Arrieta (Sp), Illes Balears, 16 Pts.
84. Rubens Bertogliati (Swi), Saunier Duval, 14 Pts.
85. José Luis Rubiera (Sp), Discovery Channel, 13 Pts.
86. Matthias Kessler (G), T-Mobile, 13 Pts.
87. Juan Manuel Garate (Sp), Saunier Duval, 13 Pts.
88. Ludovic Turpin (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, 13 Pts.
89. Janeck Tombak (Est), Cofidis, 13 Pts.
90. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr), Discovery Channel, 12 Pts.
91. Jorg Jaksche (G), Liberty Seguros, 12 Pts.
92. Jorg Ludewig (G), Domina Vacanze, 12 Pts.
93. Nicolas Jalabert (F), Phonak, 12 Pts.
94. Michael Boogerd (Nl), Rabobank, 11 Pts.
95. Thomas Lövkvist (Swe), Française des Jeux, 9 Pts.
96. Stephan Schreck (G), T-Mobile, 9 Pts.
97. Marcus Ljungqvist (Swe), Liquigas-Bianchi, 9 Pts.
98. Alessandro Bertolini (I), Domina Vacanze, 8 Pts.
99. Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz), Credit Agricole, 8 Pts.
100. Haimar Zubeldia (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 7 Pts.
101. Christophe Brandt (B), Davitamon-Lotto, 7 Pts.
102. Michael Albasini (Swi), Liquigas-Bianchi, 6 Pts.
103. Leonardo Piepoli (I), Saunier Duval, 6 Pts.
104. CarlstrĂ-m Kjell (FIN), Liquigas-Bianchi, 6 Pts.
105. Michael Rogers (Aus), Quickstep, 4 Pts.
106. Nicki Sorensen (Dk), CSC, 4 Pts.
107. Joost Posthuma (Nl), Rabobank, 4 Pts.
108. Luis Sanchez (Sp), Liberty Seguros, 4 Pts.
109. Mauro Facci (I), Fassa Bortolo, 4 Pts.
110. Vladimir Karpets (Rus), Illes Balears, 3 Pts.
111. Giovanni Lombardi (I), CSC, 3 Pts.
112. Matthew White (Aus), Cofidis, 3 Pts.
113. Mikel Astarloza (Sp), Ag2r Prevoyance, 2 Pts.
114. David Canada (Sp), Saunier Duval, 2 Pts.
115. Alessandro Cortinovis (I), Domina Vacanze, 2 Pts.
116. Laurent Lefevre (F), Bouygues Telecom, 2 Pts.
117. Alberto Contador (Sp), Liberty Seguros, 1 Pts.
118. Johan Van Summeren (B), Davitamon-Lotto, 4 Pts.
119. Walter Beneteau (F), Bouygues Telecom, 4 Pts.
120. Alexandre Moos (Swi), Phonak, 5 Pts.
121. Gutierrez JosĂŠ Enrique (Sp), Phonak, 5 Pts.
122. Francis Mourey (F), Francaise des Jeux, 5 Pts.
123. Pavel Padrnos (Cz), Discovery Channel, 5 Pts.
124. Unai Etxebarria (Vz), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 10 Pts.
125. Inigo Landaluze (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 25 Pts.

Overall KOM- Final
1. Mickael Rasmussen (Dk), Rabobank, 185 Pts.
2. Oscar Pereiro Sio (Sp), Phonak, 155 Pts.
3. Lance Armstrong (USA), Discovery Channel, 99 Pts.
4. Christophe Moreau (F), Credit Agricole, 93 Pts.
5. Michael Boogerd (Nl), Rabobank, 90 Pts.
6. Santiago Botero (Col), Phonak, 88 Pts.
7. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz), T-Mobile, 75 Pts.
8. Laurent Brochard (F), Bouygues Telecom, 75 Pts.
9. George Hincapie (USA), Discovery Channel, 74 Pts.
10. Pietro Caucchioli (I), Credit Agricole, 73 Pts.
11. Ivan Basso (I), CSC, 65 Pts.
12. Xabier Zandio (Sp), Illes Balears, 63 Pts.
13. Jan Ullrich (G), T-Mobile, 58 Pts.
14. Georg Totschnig (A), Gerolsteiner, 53 Pts.
15. Cadel Evans (Aus), Davitamon-Lotto, 51 Pts.
16. Oscar Sevilla (Sp), T-Mobile, 44 Pts.
17. Axel Merckx (B), Davitamon-Lotto, 43 Pts.
18. Karsten Kroon (Nl), Rabobank, 41 Pts.
19. Marcos Serrano (Sp), Liberty Seguros, 41 Pts.
20. Juan Manuel Garate (Sp), Saunier Duval, 36 Pts.
21. Francisco Mancebo (Sp), Illes Balears, 36 Pts.
22. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Gerolsteiner, 36 Pts.
23. Dario Cioni (I), Liquigas-Bianchi, 34 Pts.
24. Erik Dekker (Nl), Rabobank, 31 Pts.
25. José Azevedo (P), Discovery Channel, 30 Pts.
26. Paolo Savoldelli (I), Discovery Channel, 29 Pts.
27. Cédric Vasseur (F), Cofidis, 29 Pts.
28. Jorg Ludewig (G), Domina Vacanze, 28 Pts.
29. Floyd Landis (USA), Phonak, 28 Pts.
30. Eddy Mazzoleni (I), Lampre, 28 Pts.
31. Allan Davis (Aus), Liberty Seguros, 26 Pts.
32. Sandy Casar (F), Francaise des Jeux, 26 Pts.
33. Franco Pellizotti (I), Liquigas-Bianchi, 25 Pts.
34. Pieter Weening (Nl), Rabobank, 24 Pts.
35. Stefano Garzelli (I), Liquigas-Bianchi, 24 Pts.
36. Alexandre Moos (Swi), Phonak, 23 Pts.
37. Thomas Voeckler (F), Bouygues Telecom, 20 Pts.
38. Anthony Geslin (F), Bouygues Telecom, 19 Pts.
39. Walter Beneteau (F), Bouygues Telecom, 19 Pts.
40. Carlos Da Cruz (F), Francaise des Jeux, 18 Pts.
41. Angel Vicioso (Sp), Liberty Seguros, 18 Pts.
42. Jorg Jaksche (G), Liberty Seguros, 17 Pts.
43. Philippe Gilbert (B), Francaise des Jeux, 17 Pts.
44. Inigo Landaluze (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 17 Pts.
45. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr), Discovery Channel, 16 Pts.
46. Egoi Martinez (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 15 Pts.
47. Iker Camano (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 15 Pts.
48. Bobby Julich (USA), CSC, 14 Pts.
49. Yuriy Krivtsov (Ukr), Ag2r Prevoyance, 14 Pts.
50. José Luis Rubiera (Sp), Discovery Channel, 14 Pts.
51. Giuseppe Guerini (I), T-Mobile, 14 Pts.
52. David Moncoutie (F), Cofidis, 13 Pts.
53. Joost Posthuma (Nl), Rabobank, 13 Pts.
54. Jose Luis Arrieta (Sp), Illes Balears, 13 Pts.
55. Patrice Halgand (F), Credit Agricole, 12 Pts.
56. Matthias Kessler (G), T-Mobile, 11 Pts.
57. Fabian Wegmann (G), Gerolsteiner, 10 Pts.
58. Andriy Grivko (Ukr), Domina Vacanze, 10 Pts.
59. Christopher Horner (USA), Saunier Duval, 10 Pts.
60. Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz), Credit Agricole, 10 Pts.
61. Rubens Bertogliati (Swi), Saunier Duval, 10 Pts.
62. Jérôme Pineau (F), Bouygues Telecom, 9 Pts.
63. Luis Sanchez (Sp), Liberty Seguros, 9 Pts.
64. Stephan Auge (F), Cofidis, 8 Pts.
65. Stuart O'Grady (Aus), Cofidis, 8 Pts.
66. Mauro Facci (I), Fassa Bortolo, 8 Pts.
67. Ludovic Turpin (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, 8 Pts.
68. Juan Antonio Flecha (Sp), Fassa Bortolo, 7 Pts.
69. Luke Roberts (Aus), CSC, 7 Pts.
70. Inaki Isasi (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 6 Pts.
71. Bert Grabsch (G), Phonak, 5 Pts.
72. Ronny Scholz (G), Gerolsteiner, 5 Pts.
73. Laszlo Bodrogi (Hun), Credit Agricole, 3 Pts.
74. Pierrick Fedrigo (F), Bouygues Telecom, 3 Pts.
75. Hinault SĂŠbastien (F), Credit Agricole, 3 Pts.
76. Samuel Dumoulin (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, 3 Pts.
77. Mauro Gerosa (I), Liquigas-Bianchi, 3 Pts.
78. David Canada (Sp), Saunier Duval, 2 Pts.
79. Joseba Beloki (Sp), Liberty Seguros, 2 Pts.
80. Arvesen Kurt-Asle (Nor), CSC, 2 Pts.
81. Beat Zberg (Swi), Gerolsteiner, 2 Pts.
82. CarlstrĂ-m Kjell (FIN), Liquigas-Bianchi, 2 Pts.
83. Peter Wrolich (A), Gerolsteiner, 2 Pts.
84. Nicolas Portal (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, 2 Pts.
85. Salvatore Commesso (I), Lampre, 1 Pts.
86. Bradley Mc Gee (Aus), Francaise des Jeux, 1 Pts.
87. Daniele Righi (I), Lampre, 1 Pts.
88. Simons Gerrans (Aus), Ag2r Prevoyance, 1 Pts.
89. Fred Rodriguez (USA), Davitamon-Lotto, 1 Pts.

Best Young Rider - Final
1. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr), Discovery Channel, 86h 34' 04"
2. Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz), Credit Agricole, 09:02
3. Alberto Contador (Sp), Liberty Seguros, 44:23
4. Maxim Iglinskiy (Kaz), Domina Vacanze, 59:42
5. Jérôme Pineau (F), Bouygues Telecom, 1:12:36
6. Vladimir Karpets (Rus), Illes Balears, 1:24:43
7. David Arroyo (Sp), Illes Balears, 1:35:10
8. Patrik Sinkewitz (G), Quickstep, 1:48:46
9. Thomas Lövkvist (Swe), Francaise des Jeux, 1:48:46
10. Philippe Gilbert (B), Francaise des Jeux, 2:04:58
11. Pieter Weening (Nl), Rabobank, 2:05:14
12. Andriy Grivko (Ukr), Domina Vacanze, 2:09:06
13. Fabian Wegmann (G), Gerolsteiner, 2:10:30
14. Joost Posthuma (Nl), Rabobank, 2:14:57
15. Allan Davis (Aus), Liberty Seguros, 2:15:38
16. Francis Mourey (F), Francaise des Jeux, 2:28:12
17. Anthony Geslin (F), Bouygues Telecom, 2:32:56
18. David Loosli (Swi), Lampre, 2:33:39
19. Luis Sanchez (Sp), Liberty Seguros, 2:44:17
20. Samuel Dumoulin (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, 2:52:00
21. Matthieu Sprick (F), Bouygues Telecom, 3:01:45
22. Simons Gerrans (Aus), Ag2r Prevoyance, 3:08:01
23. Fabian Cancellara (Swi), Fassa Bortolo, 3:13:38
24. Alessandro Vanotti (I), Domina Vacanze, 3:19:41
25. Johan Van Summeren (B), Davitamon-Lotto, 3:24:03
26. Bernhard Eisel (A), Francaise des Jeux, 3:28:33
27. Mauro Facci (I), Fassa Bortolo, 3:30:28
28. Michael Albasini (Swi), Liquigas-Bianchi, 3:32:01

Overall Team - Final
1. T-Mobile Team, 256h 10' 29"
2. Discovery Channel Team, 14:57
3. Team CSC, 25:15
4. Credit Agricole, 55:24
5. Illes Balears-Caisse D Epargne, 1:06:09
6. Phonak Hearing Systems, 1:09:20
7. Liberty Seguros - WĂŚrth Team, 1:47:56
8. Rabobank, 2:26:30
9. Saunier Duval - Prodir, 2:48:58
10. Ag2r Prevoyance, 2:52:04
11. Gerolsteiner, 3:05:20
12. Bouygues Telecom, 3:13:31
13. Francaise Des Jeux, 3:32:15
14. Davitamon - Lotto, 3:37:45
15. Euskaltel - Euskadi, 3:41:05
16. Domina Vacanze, 4:20:38
17. Lampre - Caffita, 4:33:06
18. Liquigas - Bianchi, 4:50:57
19. Cofidis Credit Par Telephone, 5:03:04
20. Fassa Bortolo, 6:13:26
21. Quick Step - Innergetic, 6:36:48

Most aggressive Rider of the 2005 Tour de France
(Voted by a panel of former Tour winners)
Oscar Pereiro Sio (Sp), Phonak

Thanks for reading, and putting up with temporal displacements of the
reports!

-- Jim

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