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Article: Cool Contador closes in on Rasmussen ; CYCLING
- Article from:
- The Independent (London, England)
- Article date:
- July 23, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2007 The Independent - London. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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Michael Rasmussen of Denmark extended his overall lead in the
Tour de France yesterday against all of the top challengers - except
Alberto Contador.
The Spaniard narrowly beat Rasmussen to claim the 14th stage as
the race entered the Pyrenees after the two riders had broken away
from the small trailing pack of riders. The 197-kilometre (122-
mile) stage from Mazamet to Plateau de Beille featured two ascents
so tough they defy classification in cycling's rating system.
Their two-man show exposed how climbing specialists have an edge
in this 94th edition of cycling's premier race. The stages expected
to be crucial in determining the final standings are two more days
in the P yrenees and a ...