TOUR de FRANCE UPDATE - STAGE FIVE

By Debbie Bulloch



Frenchman wins Étape Cinq of the Tour de France!

Well, it was not our own Monsieur Arcabulle Odriscoll, but a Franchman indeed won today's State Five - Thomas Voeckler of France claimed his first stage victory in the Tour de France.

Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland retained the overall lead, with seven-time champion Lance Armstrong a fraction of a second behind after the fifth stage, a 122-mile ride along the windy Mediterranean Sea from Le Cap d'Agde to Perpignan.

Voeckler, who wore the coveted leader's jersey for nine days in 2004, made his move 3.1 miles from the finish Wednesday to escape a small breakaway. The Frenchman arrived at the line with tears in his eyes.

"I dedicate this victory to myself, my son and my wife, who actually didn't see me win as she was returning home in a plane," the 30-year-old Voeckler said.

Voeckler clocked 4 hours, 29 minutes, 35 seconds, seven seconds faster than the peloton that was barreling down on him. Mikhail Ignatiev of Russia was second ahead of Britain's Mark Cavendish, who won the peloton's sprint. The seven second margin of victory does not reflect the true margin of Voeckler's victory. As he approached the finish line, Voelcker slowed down and kept looking back, perhaps in disbelief of his own victory. It was certainly nice for the French spectators to see a native son win a stage, before the TdF moves to a finish in Spain.

Armstrong finished in the main pack and retained second place overall, 19 seconds ahead of his rival and Astana teammate Alberto Contador. Former Tour runner-up Andreas Kloeden is fourth, 23 seconds back, and Levi Leipheimer of the United States is fifth, 31 seconds behind.

This year's Team Astana looks to be the team to beat. The team's strong performance in yesterday's team time trial demonstrated the team's power and exceptional discipline of each of its riders.

ÉTAPE CINQ - 196.5 km (122 miles) of beautiful countryside!

Departure: Le Cap d’Agde

A seaside resort where fresh water and salt water converge, Cap d’Agde is a land of contrasts with 14 kilometres of fine sand beaches, protected natural areas devoted to walking and numerous leisure activities and special events for families: tennis, golf, scuba diving, water sports, Aqualand, Ile des Loisirs (Leisure Island), a children’s amusement park, a casino, discotheques, an aquarium, an Underwater Trail, a national Nature Reserve, the Museum of Underwater Archaeology that houses the famous Ephèbe bronze… The city of Agde, a stone’s throw away, is steeped in 2600 years of history. It was founded in the 5th century before J.C. by the ancient Greeks who named it “Agathé Tyché”, “Good Fortune.” Volcanic rock, from the volcanic eruption of Mont Saint-Loup 750 000 years ago, is everywhere in evidence.



Arrival: Perpignan

Perpignan is a fascinating city that remains steeped in the distinctive culture and identity of its history. Positioned at the gateway to the Roussillon, Perpignan is a vibrant and booming urban community, with the future Perpignan-Barcelona high-speed train line, the construction of the Archipel theatre by the French architect Jean Nouvel, and a commitment to becoming the first 100 % renewable positive energy city in Europe. Perpignan’s horizon is dominated by the outline of the Pic du Canigou and the Mediterranean Sea, and the gusts of the tramontane (strong northern wind) render its bright blue sky cloud free: this is Perpignan the Catalan. A hub of Catalan culture, a City of Art and History, Perpignan boasts a richly cosmopolitan heritage, the reflection of a radiant and popular city. Perpignan enchants visitors; the rhythm of city life is punctuated by its numerous festivities, blending tradition and festivals of all genres.

Note: My own family, on my mother’s side, comes from Spanish Catalonia. When the TDF rides through Barcelona, it will be riding through my family’s ancestral land.