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 ONCE's Jalabert twice ahead Figueras takes second leg in the Basque Country tour
Posted: Tuesday April 06, 1999 04:49 PM
ZALLA, Spain (AP) -- Italian Giuliano Figueras won the second leg of the Tour of the Basque Country cycling race Tuesday, while Frenchman Laurent Jalabert held the overall lead. Figueras of the Mapei team completed the 204-kilometer (126.5-mile) stage in 5 hours, 15 minutes, 20 seconds, crossing the finishing line just ahead of countryman Wladimir Belli of Festina and Jalabert of ONCE. Also staking his claim over the second stage was Spanish rider Chente Garcia Acosta of Banesto, who sped ahead of the pack at the 12-kilometer (7.4-mile) mark during an early descent. Garcia Acosta slowly stretched his lead to over seven minutes before the pack began closing the gap to catch up with 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) to go. Italy's Marco Pantani finished fourth, and Dutchman Michael Boogerd lost valuable time when he fell nine kilometers from the line but was able to rejoin the race. Jalabert and Davide Rebellin remained out in front with the same total time, while Spaniard Bingen Fernandez was their closest challenger 21 seconds behind. Wednesday's third stage covers 199 kilometers (123.7 miles) with five third-category and one first-category peaks to climb.
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