Into the foothills

Konyshev wins 14th stage; Armstrong remains in the lead

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Posted: Sunday July 18, 1999 12:56 PM

Spectators cheer overall leader Lance Armstrong of the U.S. (yellow jersey) and the rest of the pack during the 14th stage of the Tour de France. AP

SAINT-GAUDENS, France (AP) -- Russia's Dimitri Konyshev, riding for Mercatone, won the 14th stage of the Tour de France on Sunday that took the riders to the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains.

In second place was Italy's Gianni Fares in, with the Mapei team. Another Italian, Massimilliano Lelli, riding for Cofidis, placed third.

The top three were among a group of six that broke away early in the race and was never caught.

The stage followed the same pattern as the previous three days, with the overall leaders some 15 minutes behind, economizing their energy.

The results had no impact on the top overall standings since none of the top three stage winners was among the top 30 leaders in the world's most famous cycling race.

Overall leader Lance Armstrong finished in 61st place but retained the leader's yellow jersey he has worn for the past week, along with his seven-minute, 44-second lead.

Armstrong, riding for the U.S. Postal Service, won the Tour's prologue on July 3, a time trial and a grueling mountain stage in the Alps. The American, who has staged a remarkable recovery from cancer, is the overwhelming favorite to win.

Sunday's stage -- a 199-kilometer (123.6-mile) ride between Castres and Saint-Gaudens -- was the final day of relatively flat racing before next week's potentially decisive climbs in the mountains.

"I knew this was my last chance for a victory since from now on it's climbing, and then sprints," said Konyshev, who has lived in Italy for the last 10 years. "It's very satisfying since last year I had some physical problems."

Previously, his best finish on this year's Tour was second place on the 11th stage which ended in Saint-Etienne.

Married to an Italian and with a one-year-old son, he said it is "99 percent certain" that he will remain in Italy permanently.

The stage began in hot, muggy conditions but showers fell midway through, bringing some relief.

With the second and third positions being taken by Italians, it was another excellent day for Italy. On Saturday, Italians took the top three positions, with Salvatore Commesso winning the stage.

Monday is a rest day -- the second so far on this year's Tour which ends in a week on the famed Parisian avenue, the Champs-Elysees.

 

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