Danish cyclist Michael Rasmussen fought off every attempt by the Discovery Channel team to unseat him from the overall lead of the Tour de France on Wednesday.
After attacks on the final climb by Levi Leipheimer and Alberto Contador, Rasmussen pulled away with less than a mile to the summit of the Col d'Aubisque and won the Stage 16 all by himself.
Leipheimer, in 4th place overall, gained some time on 3rd place rider Cadel Evans by crossing the finish line in second place, just 17 seconds ahead of Evans. Contador, the 3rd rider to cross the line, lost his chance to overtake or at least close his margin to Rasmussen.
“I gotta hand it to him. He's been solid and his team has been great,” Leipheimer said about Rasmussen after the race.
All the meaningful action on the 136-mile stage from Orthez to Gourette – Col d’Aubisque boiled down to the last seven miles on the Col d'Aubisque. Team CSC cyclist Carlos Sastre had been in a breakaway most of the day, but couldn't sustain his lead when the chasing yellow jersey group sped up.
Rabobank controlled the pace, but as the slope pitched up on the final climb, Michael Boogerd and Denis Menchov slipped back and Discovery Channel began launching its attack to put Contador in the yellow.
First Yaroslav Popovych began driving the group about 7 miles from the summit. By the time he finished about a mile later, only the race leaders remained.
Then Leipheimer and Contador took turns attacking Rasmussen, but each time Rasmussen would slowly but surely claw his way back up to the attacker. In the meantime, the attacks took their toll on Evans, who rode at his own pace to the top.
The attacks must have taken a toll on Contador as well. With about 3 miles to go, he was content to sit behind Leipheimer and Rasmussen.
At the 1 kilometer banner, Rasmussen attacked and rode away by himself as neither Discovery cyclist could respond. Barring an accident or other catastrophe, solidified his position at the top of the podium.
While losing time to Rasmussen, Contador widened the margin over 3rd place Evans, and Leipheimer gained about 17 seconds on him.
The finishing order was Rasmussen, Leipheimer, Contador, Evans, and Mauricio Soler (Barloworld).
The Top 5 overall are:
1. Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank
2. Alberto Contador (Spa) Discovery — 3:10
3. Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor-Lotto — 5:03
4. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery — 5:59
5. Carlos Sastre (Spa) Team CSC — 9:12
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