Spain Rules In France

By PEZ Crew On Mar 31, 2002

Spain Rules In France
Euskaltel-Euskadi rider Alberto Martinez of Spain has taken overall victory at the Criterium International in northern France. Martinez rode a fantastic 8.5 km TT in the afternoon, securing a 1 second margin over Lance Armstrong – enough to post his first victory of the year. The stage was won by Credit Agricole’s Jens Voigt, who beat Martinez by 7 seconds and moved himself into4th place on GC.

In the morning’s hilly 98.5 km second stage, Cofidis rider David Moncoutie took over the overall lead after sprinting to victory over Aitor Gonzalez (Spain) of Kelme-Costa Blanca. The two had broken away on the last hill climb and gained a 9 second advantage over the chase group, which included Armstrong.

Armstrong showed his pre-Tour prep is coming along, as he very nearly took the overall of the race, and he should be a factor in the weeks to come as he supports teammate George Hincapie in his quest for a World Cup victory.

Final Overall GC
1. Alberto Martinez (Spain) Euskaltel-Euskadi
2. Lance Armstong (USA) US Postal Service at 1 sec
3. David Moncoutie (France) Cofidis at 12 secs
4. Jens Voigt (Germany) Credit Agricole at 17 secs
5. Laurent Brochard (France) Jean Delatour at 19 secs
6. Aitor Gonzalez (Spain) Kelme-Costa Blanca at 21 secs
7. Inigo Cuesta (Spain) Cofidis at 25 secs
8. Mario Aerts (Belgium) Lotto-Adecco at 27 secs
9. Rik Verbrugghe (Belgium) Lotto-Adecco at 31 secs
10. Bradley McGee (Australia) La Francaise des Jeux at 31 secs

Stage 3 Results 8.5 Kms Individual Time Trial: Charleville Mezieres
1. Jens Voigt (Germany) Credit Agricole 10 min 23.27 secs
2. Alberto Martinez (Spain) Euskaltel-Euskadi at 7 secs
3. Lance Armstong (USA) US Postal Service at 8 secs
4. Rik Verbrugghe (Belgium) Lotto-Adecco at 12 secs
5. Bradley McGee (Australia) La Francaise des Jeux at 12 secs
6. Andreas Kloden (Germany) Telekom

Stage 2 Results: Les Mazures – Montherme: 98.5 Kms
1. David Moncoutie (France) Cofidis 2-29-58
2. Aitor Gonzalez (Spain) Kelme-Costa Blanca
3. Inigo Cuesta (Spain) Cofidis at 9 secs
4 Cйdric Fragniere (Swi) Phonak Hearing Systems
5 Mario Aerts (Belgium) Lotto-Adecco
6 Guido Trentin (Italy) Cofidis
7 Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal Service
8 Alexandre Shefer (Kazhakstan) Alessio
9 Josй Alberto Martinez (Spain) Euskaltel-Euskadi
10 Laurent Brochard (Fra) Jean-Delatour

Like PEZ? Why not subscribe to our weekly newsletter to receive updates and reminders on what's cool in road cycling?