Tour De France: Schleck Clings on to Yellow As Dessel Delivers in Mountains

Cyril Dessel won the 16th stage, but Frank Schleck remains the race leader after an arduous day in the mountains
The French rider Cyril Dessel today won the 16th stage of the Tour de France, but Frank Schleck remains in the yellow jersey after a energy-sapping afternoon in the mountains.

Dessel, of the Mondiale team, beat countryman Sandy Casar, of Francaise des Jeux, with Spain's David Arroyo, of Caisse d'Epargne, third.

The Luxembourg rider Schleck retained the overall leader's yellow jersey, with the Austrian Bernhard Kohl and Cadel Evans, of Australia, still in second and third, respectively.

Today's ride through the Alps was one of the most severe of the Tour, including two climbs – the 21.5km Lombarde pass and the 25.5km La Bonette-Restefond pass – that are too steep for official classification.

Stage 16 final results1. Cyril Dessel (FRA) ALM - 157km in 4h31'27" (34.702km/h)2. Sandy Casar (FRA) FDJ at same time3. David Arroyo (ESP) GCE at same time4. Yaroslav Popovych (UKR) SIL at 3"5. George Hincapie (USA) THR at 24"6. Nicolas Portal (FRA) GCE at 24"7. Tadej Valjavec (SLO) ALM at 24"8. Stefan Schumacher (GER) GST at 1'03"9. Andy Schleck (LUX) at 1'28"10. Bernhard Kohl (AUT) GST at 1'28"

© Guardian News & Media 2008
Published: 7/22/2008
 
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