Tour de France Stage 4: Astana is Astounding

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Le dernier kilomètre dAstana Tour de France 2009

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sourced by Barbara McPherson

The much discussed team time trial was held today in the Tour de France with Team Astana putting in an astounding effort to win the day for the team.  Team Astana covered the 40km route in 46  29 32. Team Astana showed the world how strong they were not only winning the team competition but also finishing riders in second Lance Armstrong, third Alberto Contador, fourth Andreas Kloden, and fifth Levi Leipheimer. Astana made up the 40 second deficit to tie Fabian Cancellara's lead for the yellow jersey.  Perhaps the biggest surprise of the day came with Columbia-Highroad's fifth place finish.  The powerhouse performer was expected to give Team Astana a real fight for first place.

The question of who would wear the yellow jersey at the end of today's battle came down to hundredths of a second, taking into consideration the time ridden on day one's individual time trial.  Fabian Cancellara gets to keep the yellow for one more day with zero space between him and Lance Armstrong. 

Perhaps in a portent of what the course would do to the riders, the "devil" showed up near the start of the race.  Rabobank rider, Denis Menchov, took a spill at what was dubbed the 'Australian' curve early in the course.  The turn claimed more riders, but the spectacular spill came later in the course when four riders for Team Bbox - Telecom misread a corner and ended up in a field.  They recovered to finish the race.

Team Finish:  Astana, Garmin-Slipstream, SaxoBank, Liquigas, Columbia-Highroad

Individual:  Fabian Cancellara, Lance Armstrong, Alberto Contador, Andreas Kloden, Levi Leipheimer

Tomorrow the Tour moves to Le Cap D'Agde and on to Perpignan, a distance of 197 km.  This moves the Tour to the start of the Pyrenees.