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Simeoni dismounts to win 18th stage
CUENCA, Spain (Reuters) -- Italy's Filippo Simeoni staged a bizarre demonstration against drugs in cycling on Thursday, walking across the line with his bike in the air to win the 18th stage of the Tour of Spain. Simeoni had established a 30-second lead by the last kilometer after attacking on the treacherous descent from the Alto de Castilla close to the finish of the 154-km stage from Albacete. The Cantina Tollo rider stopped a few meters from the line, dismounted and walked to victory with his bike in his arms. "I have been planning that gesture for a long time," he told reporters. "It was for two reasons: firstly to make people realise what a beautiful and healthy sport cycling is, and how war should only be sporting war. "Secondly, because I have a love-hate relationship with the bike, it makes me suffer so but it gives me so much as well." Cycling's ruling body UCI fined Simeoni 400 Swiss francs ($250) for "irregular behavior disturbing the development of the race." Race leader Oscar Sevilla finished safely in the main peloton, but was critical of the high-speed finish. "It's unfair that after so much sacrifice you risk having problems because of a dangerous course," the Spaniard said. The race ends on Sunday. Geert Verheyen of Belgium was second in the stage and Rafael Diaz Justo of Spain third, 28 seconds behind Simeoni. Sevilla leads compatriot Angel Casero by 25 seconds in the overall standings. Simeoni was one of 12 riders who broke away after 70 kilometers of fast racing, shortly after the hot spot sprint at Montilla de Palancar, a move which also included sprinter Erik Zabel of the Telekom team. They were pulled back by sprinters' squads as Cuenca approached before Spaniard Oscar Laguna made the first move on the short, cobbled ascent of Castillo. Santiago Blanco succeeded in breaking away and leading by eight seconds over the summit, 12 kilometers from the finish. However, the Spaniard crashed twice on two right-hand bends and Simeoni, who finished last in his first major Tour, the 1995 Vuelta, took full advantage. "I waited behind but when I saw Blanco had crashed I seized my chance to attack. It was a very fast descent, but I knew I had a chance."
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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