Vinokourov Wins 13th Stage At Tour De France While Rasmussen Retains Lead

Saturday, July 21st 2007, 2:26 pm

By: News On 6

ALBI, France (AP) - Alexandre Vinokourov raced back into contention at the Tour de France, while Michael Rasmussen retained the overall lead with an unexpected strong showing in Saturday's time trial.

Vinokourov had a time of one hour six minutes 34 seconds for the 54-kilometre 13th stage in and around Albi to close to within 5:10 of Rasmussen after starting the day 8:05 behind.

With his fourth career Tour stage victory, the Kazkh rider moved from 19th spot to ninth overall.

Vinokourov, who has felt pain in both knees since crashing in the fifth stage, was 1:14 in front of second-place Cadel Evans of Australia. Andreas Kloeden of Germany took third, 1:39 back.

"I gave everything. I'm happy with my performance," Vinokourov said. "It was important to me to show myself and to the other riders who had counted me out that it was too early for the general classification to be decided.

"It's not at all over. For us, the Tour starts today."

Rasmussen, not known to be strong in time trials, not only defended his yellow jersey - he even overtook Alejandro Valverde despite the Spaniard starting three minutes before him.

"This was the time trial of my life," Rasmussen said. "I was in better condition than some of my competitors, and when I saw Valverde in front of me that was really a lot of motivation."

The roads were slick from rain. Several riders crashed, including Vinokourov's Astana teammates - Kloeden and Andrey Kashechkin - who both crossed the finish line with grazes on their hips.

Roads began to dry out as Rasmussen, who started last in the race against the clock in which riders set off one by one down the starter's ramp.

Evans, who rides for Predictor Lotto, vaulted into second place from fourth to be one minute back overall. Discovery Channel rider Alberto Contador moved to third, 2:31 behind.

Sunday's 14th stage is a return to the mountains with a 197-kilometre trek from Mazamet to Plateau-de-Beille, the first of three punishing rides in the Pyrenees.

Rasmussen has been under pressure since his removal from the Danish national team because he was not available for doping tests. The decision was announced Thursday, and new claims have arisen that he had tried to take doping materials into Italy five years ago.

A former amateur mountain-bike racer from Colorado has alleged Rasmussen tried to trick him into carrying doping materials into Italy in March 2002.

"I only answer questions regarding the race," Rasmussen said Saturday. "I decided to put the last couple of days behind me, and focus on the race."