ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, July 6, 1996 TAG: 9607080052
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: AIX-LES-BAINS, FRANCE
SOURCE: Associated Press
Stephane Heulot retained the overall lead for the third consecutive day in the Tour de France cycling race and Dutch rider Michael Boogerd won the rain-drenched 128-mile leg from Arc-et-Senans to Aix-les-Bains.
American Lance Armstrong pulled out about one-third of the way through the sixth stage.
Armstrong, a U.S. Olympic cyclist and the winner of the Tour DuPont the past two years, had fallen about two minutes behind the main pack when he pulled out. He was 51st in the overall standings at the time.
``I think I've got bronchitis and even if the Olympics weren't coming up, I'd still have abandoned because I'm feeling so bad,'' said Armstrong, 24, who is one of the favorites in the Olympics road race July 31.
``I don't know what we're going to do. We've got to find out what's wrong first,'' said a scratchy-voiced Armstrong.
Poor weather has plagued the Tour de France since its start June 29, with rain and heavy winds every day. Forecasters said there was a chance of snow today as the race heads into the French Alps.
Motorola team manager Jim Ochowicz denied Armstrong pulled out to save his strength for the Olympics, when professional cyclists will compete for the first time.
``That doesn't have anything to do with it,'' Ochowicz said. ``The weather has been a big problem for us. Lance felt some bronchitis coming on last night. He doesn't stop unless there's a reason.''
Armstrong's departure is a big loss to the Motorola team, racing in its last Tour under the Motorola name. The company announced in May it was ending its five-year sponsorship of America's top cycling team.
Armstrong went down in a minor spill in Thursday's fifth stage. He wasn't seriously injured and finished with the main pack.
Boogerd pulled away in the final stretch and nearly slipped in the last curve but hung on to win his first stage of his career.
He finished about three bike lenghths ahead of German Erik Zabel and France's Laurent Jalabert. Boogerd was clocked in 5 hours, 5 minutes and 38 seconds.
Five-time defending champion Miguel Indurain finished with the main pack and was eighth overall, 4 minutes, 17 seconds back. He is trying for a record sixth Tour. Only Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx and Bernard Hinault have won five each.
LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. Michael Boogerd of the Netherlands crosses theby CNBfinish line Friday to win the 128-mile sixth stage of the Tour de
France. It is the first stage win of Boogerd's career.