Armstrong loses some of his lead at Tour de France
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-07-08 09:28

The hapless Mengin placed 128th with a puffed bruised left eye _ a sorry end to a remarkable ride. He had ridden at the front for much of Thursday's stage, breaking away from the main chasing pack of riders early in the day.

Four other racers joined him and their small group built up a lead of more than eight minutes at one point. Mengin then took the lead alone nearing Nancy, by surging ahead on the final climb. But he was tiring and about to be caught when he fell.

For his efforts, he was rewarded with the combativeness prize, awarded each day by a jury to the most courageous or aggressive rider. The prize is worth euro2,000 (US$2,402)

"I look more like a boxer," the battered Mengin said.

But Mengin's misfortune was Bernucci's blessing.

"I am truly very happy," the stage winner said. "I wasn't expecting it. When I got to the end, I saw there was no one there."

Close

2005 East China Sea United Search and Rescue Drill Search-and-rescue drill in the East China Sea Anti-Japanese invasion war commemorated

Today's Top News     Top China News
London terror bombings kill 37, wound 700         US mass transit alert goes to 'orange'         Hu calls for open, just world trade         SEPA ruling ends debate on park project         New Party delegation arrives in Nanjing         China tightens controls on alcohol sales	CPC expeled 49,000 unqualified members in 2004       New Party group visits martyrs' cemetery       Heatwave bakes China, power demand up       Beijing: Many unclear about July 7 incident       Shopping centre blast injures 47 in Liaoning       China berates U.S. over Unocal vote