July 22/98 12:40 pm - Pantani Wins Stage 11

Posted by Editor on 07/22/98
 

Pantani Takes Stage 11

A somewhat less eventful second day in the mountains today. The racers faced 1 Category 1 climb, and 3 Category 2‚s, before the final 25 kilometres have steady uphill to the finish at the „Beyond Category‰ climb of Plateau de Beille. After the obligatory early break, a more serious one involving Roland Meier (Cofidis) and Jose Javier Gomez (Kelme). Telekom and Mercatone Uno (Pantani‚s team) set the pace at the front of the dwindling peleton, content to let Meier sit out in front, but monitoring his time gap. On the final climb, Pantani made his attack, as expected, catching Meier with about 4.5 kilometres to go. Ullrich was leading the chase group, but did not appear worried, as Pantani went 1 minute clear. With Ullrich was Bobby Julich (Cofidis), Michael Boogerd (Rabobank), Leonardo Piepoli (Saeco), Fernando Escartin (Kelme) and Christophe Rinero (Cofidis). So Pantani got his stage win, and moved into 4th overall. Abraham Olano (Banesto) dropped out in today‚s stage, apparently injured in a fall yesterday.

Stage 11 - Luchon to Plateau de Beille, 170 km

1. Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno)
2. Roland Meier (Cofidis)
3. Bobby Julich (Cofidis)
4. Michael Boogerd (Rabobank)
5. Leonardo Piepoli (Saeco)...

GC

1. Jan Ullrich (Telekom)
2. Bobby Julich (Cofidis)
3. Laurent Jalabert (ONCE)
4. Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno)
5. Michael Boogerd (Rabobank)