After 90 km in today's stage Didier Roux from France rode away from the first group and stayed away from the other cyclists until the finish. A group of nine cyclists with few favorites and no sprinters followed after five minutes. There were four dropouts. The most important was world champion Johan Museeuw (member of 247 teams).
The result of this stage was almost as difficult to predict as the result of the stage of yesterday. The stage victory in the game went to Keith Williams from the USA. Paul Jeffrey (UK) became second and the third place went to Arie Altena (The Netherlands). The top 3 in the overall rankings managed to get some points today thanks to Laurent Dufaux who finished in the top 10. René Leerdam from The Netherlands remains in the lead. Fellow countrymen Kees Winder and Wim Hoefs follow at only 10 and 13 points.
There are only three stages left: two flat stages and a time trial. At this moment it is impossible to predict the final result of the game but one thing is certain: the differences between the top players will be small.
More detailed stage report by Velonews. More detailed stage results by Nando SportServer.
1. 34 Keith Williams (USA)
2. 30 Paul Jeffrey (UK)
3. 29 Arie Altena (The Netherlands)
4. 28 Mark Legg (USA)
5. 27 B. Kroon (The Netherlands)
6. 26 Andy Starsky (USA)
7. 23 Frank Kornips (The Netherlands)
8. 21 Roland Clarijs (The Netherlands)
9. 19 Eric L. Deardorff (USA)
19 Käre Nordahl (Denmark)
19 Sarah Petherbridge (UK)
12. 18 Kleinjj (France)
18 Malcolm Foster (USA)
14. 17 Stefan Kandera (Germany)
15. 16 Erik van Hout (The Netherlands)
16 Fred Fitchett (USA)
17. 15 Bart van Roosmalen (The Netherlands)
15 Erwin Keij (The Netherlands)
15 Frank Achten (The Netherlands)
15 Guy Roberts (UK)
15 Ian Miller (Malaysia)
15 Ivan Peeters (Belgium)
15 La - Aluminios - Girao (Portugal)
15 Nick Lowe (UK; England)
15 Steve Allen (USA)
15 Steve Coley (New Zealand)
15 Trevor Sosebee (USA)
15 Trevor Wurtele (Canada)
29. 14 Don Mah (Canada)
14 Erik TKS (Sweden)
14 Fabian van den Barselaar (The Netherlands)
14 Ferry Grinwis (The Netherlands)
14 Frans Vos (The Netherlands)
14 Herlinde Leemans (Belgium)
14 Jan Thissen (The Netherlands)
14 Martin Jaeggi (Switzerland)
14 Michael G Andersen (Denmark)
14 Robert Nagoda (USA)
14 Roberto Reno' (Italy)
14 Roberto Salaberry (Uruguay)
41. 13 Alan Scurrel (UK; England)
13 Christiaan Muller (The Netherlands)
13 Erik Dijkman (The Netherlands)
13 Erwin Munsterman (The Netherlands)
13 Gabriella Ekstroem (Sweden)
13 Giampaolo Picozza (Italy)
13 Harm Jan Verweij (The Netherlands)
13 J.A.E. van der Horst. (The Netherlands)
13 Lemmers (The Netherlands)
13 Liz (UK)
13 Luc Aercus (Belgium)
13 Marcel Heuts (The Netherlands)
13 Margriet Bakker (The Netherlands)
13 Marius Rouwenhorst (The Netherlands)
13 Morten Vested Olesen (Denmark)
13 Nedamco (The Netherlands)
13 Remy Ottenheim (The Netherlands)
13 Roberts' Razende Rooie Rakkers (The Netherlands)
13 Rodney Tiesselinck (The Netherlands)
13 Thomas Munch (Denmark)
13 Tonko Bruggink (The Netherlands)
13 Wil Custers (The Netherlands)
63. 12 Andre Mota Liz (Portugal)
12 Anthony van der Veen (The Netherlands)
12 Bertus ten Brinke (The Netherlands)
12 Brett Glah (USA)
12 Brian Roth (USA)
12 Carlos Girao (Portugal)
12 Chrétien Breebaart (The Netherlands)
12 Chris Minns (Canada)
12 Daisy Rood-Bakker (The Netherlands)
12 David Wilkinson (UK)
12 DeFazio (USA)
12 Ed Roos (The Netherlands)
12 Eibert Jongsma (The Netherlands)
12 Evelien Koridon (The Netherlands)
12 G.W.J. Heerink (The Netherlands)
12 Gwen O'Keefe (USA)
12 Hans & Joop (The Netherlands)
12 Harry Raspe (The Netherlands)
12 Henry Djerlev (USA)
12 J. Gale (USA)
12 J. Kolderman (The Netherlands)
12 Jan Bracke (The Netherlands; Zevenbergen)
12 Jennie Knuts (Sweden)
12 John Norman (Germany)
12 Marcel Stolk (The Netherlands)
12 Micheal Balon (USA)
12 Niels Ras (The Netherlands)
12 Peter Tamulis (USA)
12 Peter Verhoeven (The Netherlands)
12 Poirot (France)
12 R. Diemer (Switzerland)
12 Rene Marechal (Canada)
12 Rick van der Veen (The Netherlands)
12 Roger M. Anderson (USA)
12 Russell Barrett (Australia)
12 Simon Baker (UK)
12 Simon Westdijk (The Netherlands)
12 Team Chupacabra (USA; Houston)