Thaindian News

Juan Manuel Garate of Spain, from the team Rabobank, won the stage 20 of the 2009 Tour de France on Saturday, July 25th. In the last dash of efforts by the riders to claim a stage win before the final lap in Paris on Sunday, July 26, the Spaniard was the one who successfully beat back all competition.

The 167 kilometers ride that had stretched over an expanse from Montelimar to Mont Ventoux had showcased some of the best rides and moments in the Tour this year. The overall standings at the end of the stage 20 remained mostly unchanged with Alberto Contador (Spain) from Astana at the top with 81 hours 46 minutes 17 seconds. Andy Schleck (Luxembourgh) from the Saxo Bank lagging behind the top rank holder by just 4:11 minutes. United States’ Lance Armstrong from the team Astana at third, just 5:24 minutes behind Contador. The top five rounds up with Bradley Wiggins (Great Britain) from Garmin-Slipstream at the fourth position with a 6:04 minutes gap and at the fifth position is Frank Schleck, (Luxembourg) from Saxo Bank, 6:04 minutes behind the top scored time.

For the stage 20, Garate came in at 4 hours 39 minutes 21 seconds. Following him hurriedly at second position was the German, Tony Martin from the Team Columbia, just 00:03 seconds behind. Saxo Bank’s Andy Schleck came in at third, 00:38 seconds later and the Spaniard, Alberto Contador from the team Astana finished fourth almost on heels. Astana’s Lance Armstrong rounded rounded up the top five positions for the stage 20 when he reached the finish line 00:41 seconds later than Garate.

The final dash for win is going to be the most interesting one with Cavendish, Hushovd and Contador all putting in their last effort to clinch the win en route to Paris, in what is touted as a showcase platform for the sprinters.