Source: CCTV.com

07-24-2007 10:54

Astana team leader Alexandre Vinokourov claimed his second victory in three days on Monday, when he won Stage 15 of the Tour de France. Michael Rasmussen of the Rabobank team finished back in 11th place, but retains the overall leader's yellow jersey.

Monday's 15th stage took the field on a 196-kilometre mountain route from Foix to Loudenvielle-Le Louron. Yellow Jersey wearer Michael Rasmussen of Denmark knew that if he was to defend his lead over Spain's Alberto Contador, he had to cover any attack from the front of the peloton.

Alexandre Vinokourov broke away from the lead group six kilometres from home. The Astana rider saw off the challenge of Luxembourg's Kim Kirchen of T-Mobile and Spaniard Haimar Zubeldia of Euskaltel, who finished second and third.

Rasmussen and Contador were locked in a mini-battle of their own. The young Discovery Channel rider attacked Rasmussen half a dozen times up the final climb.

Vinokourov ground on, taking the fifth stage win of his career and second in three days. His chances in the overall classification have all but evaporated, however, as the 33 year-old Kazakh lies well outside the top twenty.