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02-17-02, 08:35 AM
I got this today in my Eurosprt newsletter, I thought it was funny so I'll pass it on to you guys.
Horse helps Bartoli take Med lead
Italy's Michele Bartoli won the fourth stage of the Tour of the Mediterranean on Saturday, helped by a runaway horse that disrupted the bunch some 50 kms from the finish line.
The Fasso Bartolo rider, who finished the 143.7-km stage more than a minute ahead of his closest rivals, climbed to first place in the overall standings.
The bunch was closing in on early leaders Lazlo Bodrogi of Hungary and Frenchman Richard Virenque when a panicked horse joined the fray, causing chaos among the riders and allowing Bartoli and a lucky few to break away.
Even after the animal had been ousted from the course, the bunch was unable to regroup and the gap increased between the main group and the leaders.
Bartoli attacked on his own in the steep final stretch to Mount Faron to record his second win at the top of the mountain overlooking Toulon in just under four hours.
It was the fourth consecutive stage victory by an Italian in the five-day race which finishes in Marseille on Sunday.
With a one minute and 12 seconds overall lead over team mate Paolo Tiralongo, the former World Cup winner looks reasonably safe for final victory.
Horse helps Bartoli take Med lead
Italy's Michele Bartoli won the fourth stage of the Tour of the Mediterranean on Saturday, helped by a runaway horse that disrupted the bunch some 50 kms from the finish line.
The Fasso Bartolo rider, who finished the 143.7-km stage more than a minute ahead of his closest rivals, climbed to first place in the overall standings.
The bunch was closing in on early leaders Lazlo Bodrogi of Hungary and Frenchman Richard Virenque when a panicked horse joined the fray, causing chaos among the riders and allowing Bartoli and a lucky few to break away.
Even after the animal had been ousted from the course, the bunch was unable to regroup and the gap increased between the main group and the leaders.
Bartoli attacked on his own in the steep final stretch to Mount Faron to record his second win at the top of the mountain overlooking Toulon in just under four hours.
It was the fourth consecutive stage victory by an Italian in the five-day race which finishes in Marseille on Sunday.
With a one minute and 12 seconds overall lead over team mate Paolo Tiralongo, the former World Cup winner looks reasonably safe for final victory.