News Article -- July 10, 2005

Voigt Puts CSC Back in Yellow

Jens Voigt was given free rein to attack in Sunday's 9th stage of the Tour de France, and the big German made the most of it, finishing third and reclaiming the yellow jersey Team CSC held the first three stages.

"We had a team meeting before the race," said Voigt, who last wore the yellow jersey for one day in the 2001 Tour. "(Team manager Bjarne) Riis said everyone with (team leader Ivan) Basso today, but Jens you're free to attack. I've been asking Bjarne every day, but he said no. Finally he let me free today and I was able to do what I wanted to do and it worked out great."

Sunday's 171-kilometer moderately difficult mountain stage from Gérardmer to Mulhouse was bittersweet for CSC, which saw American David Zabriskie - who won the jersey from Lance Armstrong in the opening time trial - abandon the race.

Sunday's stage - with four Cat. 3 climbs, one Cat. 2 and the Cat. 1 Le Ballon d'Alsace - was won by Danish rider Michael Rasmussen of Rabobank in 4 hours, 8 minutes, 20 seconds, the mountain points leader who ran away with the race four kilometers in.

Voigt and Frenchman Christophe Moreau of Credit Agricole were part of a counter attack that never saw Rasmussen again. The two former teammates worked together to finish 3:04 behind the winner and 3 minutes ahead of the yellow jersey peloton.

Voigt flatted in the late-going, but ex-teammate Moreau waited for him to help drive to the finish line.

"I want to thank so much Moreau that he waited for me. It would have been very difficult to try to maintain the difference when you're alone in that situation. We drove together to try to catch Rasmussen, but he was very strong today," he said. "I'm very happy to have this jersey. Today I wanted, I got it, so voila."

Voigt was philosophical about the woes of his teammate Zabriskie, who crashed twice in earlier stages, including with just over a kilometer to go and the overall lead in the team time trial.

"He was really hurting from his crash and today's stage started again very fast. The Tour gets harder and harder," Voigt said. "Whatever happens, he's still my hero. He gave the team a great start with the stage win and the yellow jersey. He beat Lance Armstrong and that doesn't happen very often."

Team CSC had never held the yellow jersey in any previous Tour and now has claimed it for four of the first nine stages of this year's Tour.

"Today was the last opportunity to try to get the jersey. It was our last chance before the mountains," said Voigt, referring to the Alps, where the team would like to pass the jersey to Basso at Courchevel on Tuesday.

"It would be ideal if that happens. I'm just not made for the high mountains, but I'm not complaining. You can't have it all. At CSC, we are all riding for Ivan Basso. We are going to protect him."

Armstrong's Discovery Channel team bounced back from its rough day in Saturday's stage, when the six-time Tour champ was left isolated on the moderately difficult climb. Armstrong was safely inside the team's protective envelope over the hilly profile of Sunday's stage.

"The sharks are in the water," said manager Riis. "It was a bit of a surprise for sure (Saturday), so we'll see what happens. Everyone will have a better idea once we get to Courchevel."

The team will enjoy the first of two rest days on Monday. The peloton was whisked on to waiting planes and were flown to Grenoble while the rest of the Tour caravan had a long, 450-kilometer drive.

Team CSC riders will go for a morning training ride to keep the legs fresh, have a short press conference in the afternoon then enjoy some quiet time.

The Tour gets vertical for the first difficult climb in Tuesday's stage 10 that starts in Grenoble, travels 192.5 grueling kilometers and ends high in the French Alps to the posh ski resort at Courchevel.

Stage 9 - Sunday, July 10: Gérardmer - Mulhouse, 171 km

Results

1. Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 4.08.20 (41.315 km/h)
2. Christophe Moreau (Fra) Credit Agricole 3.04
3. Jens Voigt (Ger) Team CSC
4. Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Cofidis, Le Credit Par Telephone 6.04
5. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Française Des Jeux

Team CSC

16. Kurt-Asle Arvesen (Nor) 6.04
38. Giovanni Lombardi (Ita)
39. Ivan Basso (Ita)
46. Bobby Julich (USA)
69. Nicki Sörensen (Den)
81. Carlos Sastre (Spa)
102. Luke Roberts (Aus)14.17

General classification after stage 9

1. Jens Voigt (Ger) Team CSC 32.18.23 (46.22 km/h)
2. Christophe Moreau (Fra) Credit Agricole 1.50
3. Lance Armstrong (USA) Discovery Channel 2.18
4. Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 2.43
5. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) T-Mobile Team 3.20

Team CSC

6. Bobby Julich (USA) 3.25
7. Ivan Basso (Ita) 3.44
9. Carlos Sastre (Spa) 3.54
68. Nicki Sörensen (Den) 10.29
87. Kurt-Asle Arvesen (Nor) 16.22
98. Luke Roberts (Aus) 20.06
107. Giovanni Lombardi (Ita) 23.45

Teams classification

1. Team CSC 94.39.52
2. Rabobank 2.35
3. T-Mobile Team 4.50
4. Discovery Channel Team 4.58
5. Phonak Hearing Systems 6.02

For more on Team CSC, visit the official Team CSC site