Date:23/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/23/stories/2008072360622100.htm

Sport - Cycling

Dessel wins 16th stage

JAUSIERS: French rider Cyril Dessel has won the 16th stage of the Tour de France on Tuesday as the pack returned from Italy across two huge Alpine climbs.

Frank Schleck of Luxembourg retained the overall leader’s yellow jersey with just one more Alpine stage to come on Wednesday.

The stage took riders along two climbs which are beyond classification: the 21.5km Lombarde pass and the 25.5km La Bonette-Restefond pass.

Wednesday’s 17th stage is the toughest of this year’s 95th Tour edition, a 210.5km ride featuring the Galibier and Croix de Fer passes and a finish up the L’Alpe d’Huez — all three beyond classification. —AP