1989 Tour de France stage 16: LeMond increases lead

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LEMOND IN CHARGE AFTER BATTLE IN THE MOUNTAINS

Tuesday July 18, 1989

Gap-Briançon, 174km

Being picked up was ‘plan B’ for some of them, for that early break contained Johan Lammerts, ADR team-mate of race leader Greg LeMond who could use a friend, and Ronan Pensec, who would be on hand to help team-mate Robert Millar if necessary.

Although Mottet nearly lost one of his followers, Steven Rooks, who with front forks juddering, just pulled back from a sheer drop on one bend, Mottet’s invitation to his ‘suicide ball’ left only one man and he wasn’t quite dead: Laurent Fignon couldn’t stay the pace but fought every metre of the final kilometres into Briancon in the wake of the leaders.

Cornillet was first to the summit, with Richard second, the rest of the group spread over five minutes. Luis Herrera (Café de Colombia) led the pursuit behind. This was a false show of strength by the former mountains winner in the Tour, for he would fade to finish 10 minutes down.

Just below the summit the 20-kilometre to go board beckoned. Mottet didn’t wait to see that before testing his companions’ nerves to the limit with an attack more at home on the ski-slopes. He skimmed through the bends, taking LeMond, Theunisse and Rooks with him.

STAGE RESULT

1. Pascal Richard (Swi) Helvetia-La Suisse 4-46-45

OVERALL

1. Greg LeMond (USA) ADR 72-42-30

TEAM

1. Reynolds 218-16-2

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Keith Bingham joined the Cycling Weekly team in the summer of 1971, and retired in 2011. During his time, he covered numerous Tours de France, Milk Races and everything in-between. He was well known for his long-running 'Bikewatch' column, and played a pivotal role in fighting for the future of once at-threat cycling venues such as Hog Hill and Herne Hill Velodrome.