Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 5, 1995 TAG: 9505050084
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ASHEVILLE, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
On a rainy and treacherous day for cycling, Sheehan covered the 127 miles from Greenville, S.C., to Asheville in 5 hours, 33 minutes, 56 seconds.
Sheehan, a sixth-year pro from Boulder, Colo., severely injured his back two years ago when he was pinned between two race vehicles during the Tour of Mexico.
Andrei Teteriok of Kazakhstan was second in 5:34:03, with Laurent Madouas of France third in 5:34:06.
``I knew my strength is as a climber and his is sprinting,'' said Sheehan, who jumped ahead of Abdujaparov with about nine miles left. ``I put my head down and never looked back. I didn't want it to come down to a sprint.''
The stage was held under overcast skies and in a steady, intermittent rain that resulted in slick conditions.
Armstrong of Austin, Texas, who took the race lead Sunday, finished sixth and remains 2:43 ahead of Motorola teammate Andrea Peron of Italy. Peron, the winner of the stage last year, finished fourth.
Viatcheslav Ekimov of Russia, who placed fifth, remains third, 2:53 behind Armstrong. Three stages of the 12-day event remain.
``We just need to get through tomorrow and we'll be in good shape,'' said Armstrong, the race's only double stage-winner. ``We should be OK. My biggest concern is bad weather. Today, on the descents, you had rain, mud, slick roads. You couldn't see 100 meters in front of you.''
Sheehan, who rides for Montgomery-Bell, and Abdujaparov, who eventually finished 11th, left the field after 12 miles. The duo rode together and built a 151/2-minute margin about halfway through the race.
``It's every cyclist's dream to win in a race like this, at least it's mine,'' said Sheehan, who has three victories since his accident. ``I wasn't willing to risk too much at the end. It was hairy. I just wanted to stay upright.''
Sheehan's 115-mile breakaway effort was the longest in the event's seven-year history. He moved from 27th to 22nd overall, 22:38 behind.
Robbie McEwen, the Australian amateur who had two top-three stage finishes, and Canadian pro Steve Bauer, were among seven cyclists who withdrew during the stage.
The remaining field will ride 120 miles today from Asheville to Beech Mountain, N.C. The ninth stage includes eight climbs and is regarded as the most difficult stage of the 1,130-mile race.
by CNB