Tour de France : Frenchman Vichot Wins Stage, but Hinault Keeps Overall Lead

Frenchman Frederic Vichot won the 16th stage of the 72nd Tour de France bicycle race Monday, crossing the finish line alone, while countryman Bernard Hinault retained the leader’s yellow jersey.

Frenchman Charles Mottet placed second in the 153.5-mile leg between Aurillac and Toulouse. Italy’s Guido Bontempi was third.

The route, which took the riders to the foot of the Pyrenees, provided Vichot, known for his descents, with a setting for his talents. It was during the 46.6-mile descent to Decazeville that Vichot moved out of the pack. He gained time steadily, peaking with a 20-minute 35-second advance at the 78th mile.

Vichot was timed in 6 hours 31 minutes 54 seconds, Mottet in 6:35:05 and Bontempi in 6:35:09.

In the overall standings, Hinault leads with 84:25:02, while American Greg LeMond is runner-up, 3 minutes 38 seconds behind.

It was the 18th day in the 2,485-mile test that winds its way clockwise around France and ends in Paris Sunday. Ahead of the 146 riders still competing are two climbs today in the 130-mile 17th stage to Luz-Ardiden.

Valerie Simonnet of France won the first stage of the second half of the Women’s Tour de France. Italy’s Maria Canins, who won the first half, retained the overall lead.

Simonnet won the 65-mile leg from La Guepie in 2 hours 42 minutes 7 seconds in the final sprint, edging runner-up Viola Paulitz of West Germany and Belgium’s Marina Mampay, who finished third.

In the overall standings, Canins has 12.820 points. Jeannie Longo of France is second with 12.026 and American Phyllis Hines is third with 11.494.