Thursday, July 24, 2008

More glory for Spain

First it was the European Cup, then Wimbledon; now Spain has a rider wearing the yellow jersey in the last stages of the Tour de France.

Carlos Sastre stormed up L'Alpe-d'Huez to win the stage and put him 1 minute and 24 seconds ahead of his nearest rival Frank Schleck and a further ten seconds ahead of the race favourite Cadel Evans.

In fact there were three Spaniards in the first five of yesterday's stage with Samuel Sanchez second and Alejandro Valverde fourth.

Since the seven consecutive wins of Lance Armstrong, the Tour has been won by Spanish riders; Óscar Pereiro in 2006 and Alberto Contador last year. Spaniard, Miguel Indurain was the first rider to win five consecutive Tours between 1991 and 1995.

Cadel Evans is the better time trialer and is expected to do well during Saturday's 53km time trial from Cerilly to Saint-Amand-Montrond. We will have to wait and see if Sastre can hold on to his lead ready for the final stage into Paris on Sunday.

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