Originally published Wednesday, July 9, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Tour de France | Stefan Schumacher revels in possession of yellow jersey — if only for a day
Stefan Schumacher finished the 18.3-mile individual trial in 35 minutes, 44 seconds. In the overall standings, Schumacher leads by 12 seconds. He will probably hold the lead in Wednesday's long, flat stage, but he is under no illusions about keeping the jersey.
The Associated Press
CHOLET, France — Stefan Schumacher of Germany took the yellow jersey at the Tour de France, and now says everything else is a bonus. He knows his early lead won't last.
"Everybody dreams of this jersey," he said. "It's incredible. The moment on the podium, you see it a thousand times on television, and to be there for yourself — you can't imagine."
Schumacher captured the first time trial, but the big winner in the fourth stage may have been Australia's Cadel Evans. He gained more than a minute on his biggest challengers, a gap that will mean a lot when the decisive mountain stages arrive.
Schumacher finished the 18.3-mile individual trial in 35 minutes, 44 seconds. In the overall standings, Schumacher leads by 12 seconds. He will probably hold the lead in Wednesday's long, flat stage, but he is under no illusions about keeping the jersey.
"I didn't come to win the Tour," he said. "My goal was to wear the jersey one day and to win a stage."
That Schumacher is riding the Tour at all remains contentious. Stopped by German police for drunken driving in October, Schumacher's blood sample tested positive for amphetamines. He has consistently denied taking drugs. He wasn't punished by cycling authorities because the use of the drug outside of competition is not considered to be an offense.
Two Americans are well-positioned after excellent time trials. Christian Vande Velde is sixth, 41 seconds behind Schumacher. George Hincapie is one place and six seconds farther back.
Wednesday is the fifth stage — the longest and flattest of the race. The route takes riders 144 miles east, setting them up for medium climbs of the Massif Central, beginning Thursday.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
Summit West to open on Saturday
NEW - 11:53 PM
NW Briefs: NW Briefs: Washington volleyball falls at USC
Auto racing: Martin Truex Jr. earns pole for NASCAR event
NW Briefs: Seattle Pacific women out in first round of NCAA soccer tournament
Briefs | NHL: Red Wings beat Canucks in Detroit

Opening day at Crystal Mountain
Skiers crowded the slopes at Crystal Mountain for one of the resort's earliest openings.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Seattle U. Men's Hoops | Big recruit goes from Huskies to Redhawks
- Mariners sign Jack Wilson to 2-year contract
- Razor found in muffin an accident, 'mortified' baker says
- Suspect's family shaken by slaying of police officer
- Mountlake Terrace woman reports razor in muffin
- Ivar's undersea billboards a hoax devised as marketing ploy
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
631 - Seattle man to pack a pistol into community center to protest mayor's ban
227 - Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
177 - GOP clueless as families struggle with health care
172 - KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
138 - Mariners sign Jack Wilson to 2-year contract
128 - Wright State game thread
97 - Person of interest in custody in connection with Greenwood arsons
95 - Rang says Locker not ready for NFL
85 - Licata looks at boosting traffic-ticket revenue
72
- Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- Ivar's undersea billboards a hoax devised as marketing ploy
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- Washington in race for federal education funds
- Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
- An 802.11n upgrade could make a big difference
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Goodwill's Glitter Sale is Nov. 14-15








