Cycling: TOUR DE FORCE BY FLYING SCOT.Byline: JIM FRASER James Reay (Jim) Fraser (8 February 1908‑1 April 1970) was a Member of the Australian House of Representatives for the Australian Capital Territory from 1951 to 1970.Fraser was born in Derby, Tasmania and educated at Launceston High School. SCOT David Millar David Millar (born January 4, 1977 in Malta) is a Scottish road racing cyclist, currently racing for UCI ProTeam Saunier Duval-Prodir as a time-trial specialist.[1] In 2008 he will be riding for Team Slipstream, and will become a part-owner. romped to his first Tour de France triumph yesterday then hailed French superstar Laurent Jalabert Laurent Jalabert (born November 30, 1968) is a French former professional road racing cyclist, from 1989 to 2002. Affectionately known as "Jaja" (the word is slang for a glass of wine; when he continued drinking wine as a professional, the nickname stuck because of the as the man who made it possible. Jalabert, a national hero in France, launched the crucial 11-man breakaway which ended with Millar sprinting to victory at the end of the 13th stage in Beziers. It was the 25-year-old Scot's second Tour stage success but his first 'proper' victory after he won the opening prologue pro·logue also pro·log n. 1. An introduction or preface, especially a poem recited to introduce a play. 2. An introduction or introductory chapter, as to a novel. 3. An introductory act, event, or period. in 2000. And last night the Cofidis rider paid tribute to Jalabert and said: "Laurent did that for me. We're good friends and when I saw him go I knew he had done it for me." The Scot came to the Tour with his sights set on a stage victory and was delighted to have achieved his goal. He revealed: "I came here to win a road stage - not the prologue and not a time trial - and it feels good to prove I can do it. "When I found out back in January I had glandular fever glandular fever Infectious mononucleosis, see there I honestly believed my season was over. But the rest of the team encouraged me to get fit again and it has paid off." But Millar knows it will be a few years before he really makes his presence felt in the most gruelling event in world sport. He said: "As long as Lance Armstrong Lance Armstrong (born Lance Edward Gunderson on September 18, 1971) is a retired American professional road racing cyclist. He won the Tour de France—cycling's most prestigious race—seven consecutive times, from 1999 to 2005. is still riding I won't win the Tour. I'm waiting for Lance to retire and hopefully then I'll be ready to make my mark." Jalabert started the race-winning move in the early stages, taking an 11-man group clear of the main field and into a 14-minute lead at one point. Then with eight of the day's 106 miles to go Millar launched his assault and took four riders with him. A series of attacks and counter-attacks kept the pace high on the run-in but Millar was alert to the danger and always looked in control. With the finish in sight he came off the wheel of Dutchman Michael Boogert and flashed over the line a bike-length clear of second-placed David Extebarria of Spain after more than four hours of racing. There was no change in the overall standings with American ace Armstrong still well on course to take his fourth consecutive yellow jersey of overall winner in Paris next Sunday. The Texan leads Spain's Joseba Beloki by two minutes 28 seconds with another Spaniard, Igor Gonzales de Galdeano third at 3.19. Factfile: 1977: Born January 4 in Malta. 1997: Turns professional, joining the Cofidis team and wins the Tour de L'Avenir prologue. 1998: Wins two time trial stages in the Tour de L'Avenir. 1999: Winner of the Manx International and takes second in the Criterium International. Takes the King of the Mountains jersey and is fourth overall in the Tour of Valencia. 2000: Wins the prologue in the Tour de France and wears the yellow jersey for three days. 2001: Takes the prologue and sixth stage in the Tour of Spain. Wins the silver medal in the World Championship time trial. 2002: Is third in the time trial stage of the Tour of Romandy and finishes second overall in the Clasica de Alcobendas. Wins his first road stage in the Tour de France. |
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