Many of the motorbike-mounted cameramen staged a protest against the actions of Kelme directeur sportif Alvaro Pino, who had been involved in a serious accident the day before (see Tour Diary).
While the TV and still photographer’s pool argued with the race organization, Refin’s Tobias Steinhauser, hardly a household name, continued the vogue for German attacks by soloing clear of the field after 58 kilometers. He was joined by 10 more riders but was then immediately dropped on the day’s major difficulty, the Col d’Ispeguy, after 88 of the 154.5 kilometers. The powerful break, containing some familiar racers, was forcing the pace. Among them were Voskamp and Henn, while Patrick Jonker of ONCE continued his excellent Tour. MG/Technogym hopefuls Alberto Elli and Michele Bartoli were also present. By the climb of the Puerto Oxtondo, Brunos Boscardin and Thibout, of Festina and Motorola respectively, had caught the breakaway and the 14 riders crossed the summit with 7:20 on the peloton.
With 14 kilometers still to race along the sunny and spectacular French Atlantic coast, Voskamp, Elli, Henn, Boscardin and Thibout slipped away from their companions and forged ahead. Five kilometers later, when Henn again upped the tempo with another headland drag, only Voskamp could go with him and the pair were left alone to fight out the finish between them.
Henn, tired from his efforts in the breakaway and no doubt fatigued from his continuing hard work for team leader Riis, was unable to respond when, 300 meters from the line, the Dutchman came off his wheel to sprint for the line.
RESULTS
1. Bart Voskamp (Hol), TVM 154.5 km in 4:11:02
2. Christian Henn (Ger), Telekom at 0:02
3. Alberto Elli (It), MG/Technogym 0:27
4. Bruno Thibout (Fr), Motorola s.t.
5. Bruno Boscardin (It), Festina 0:32
6. Andrea Ferrigato (It), Roslotto 1:26
7. Pascal Herve (Fr), Festina
8. Erik Breukink (Hol), Rabobank
9. Valentino Fois (It), Panaria
10. Davide Perona (It), Gewiss all s.t.
Points classification: Erik Zabel (Ger), Telekom
Mountains classification: Richard Virenque (Fr), Festina
General classification:
No change to top 10 positions