Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 20, 1995 TAG: 9507200055
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: PAU, FRANCE LENGTH: Medium
The rest of the cyclists paid their respects as well. Tour DuPont champion Lance Armstrong and Frankie Andreu of the United States, Steve Bauer of Canada, Alvaro Mejia of Colombia, Stephen Swart of New Zealand and Andrea Peron of Italy were allowed to go ahead as a group in a gesture to Casartelli, an Italian who was killed during Tuesday's stage after a crash on a mountain descent.
Peron led the pack across the line of the 16th stage.
``There is nothing else to say except `Thank you' to all the cyclists who rode today to pay homage to Fabio,'' Bauer said.
It was a spontaneous idea that came during the day as the pack moved slowly between Tarbes and Pau. A quick discussion among the leaders, then a word or two between Bauer and the race directors and the idea was developed.
``I share their feelings,'' said Bernard Hinault, a five-time winner of the tour and now one of the race officials. ``How can you run a race when you are thinking of a teammate who has gone?''
After a slow pace, the Motorola team went to the head of the pack with about six miles remaining in the 147-mile stage.
In the final stretch, the Motorola riders moved about 100 yards ahead of the main pack to finish as a group to the applause of the crowd that usually waits for a sprint finish.
There was no emotion shown by any of the Motorola riders as they kept their hands on their handlebars across the finish line, in sharp contrast to other stage winners who usually raise their hands in victory.
The Motorola team wore black ribbons on their sleeves in memory of Casartelli.
Riders held a minute of silence before the start of the leg in Tarbes with the Motorola riders at the front.
``The riders don't have a lot of energy this morning,'' said Hennie Kuiper, the assistant manager of Motorola. ``It's very hard for everybody but it's important that the group stay together. ''
At the finish, the race directors decided to have no official standings for the individual stage, crediting everyone with the same time as Peron, who crossed the finish in 7 hours, 50 minutes, 12 seconds.
Miguel Indurain, seeking his fifth consecutive tour victory, finished in the pack to maintain his overall lead.
The race has two flat stages with an individual time trial Saturday before ending in Paris on Sunday.
by CNB