Tour de France : LeMond Wins Stage, Clinches 2nd

Greg LeMond has remained in second place behind overall leader Bernard Hinault through most of the 72nd Tour de France bicycle race. But Saturday, on the eve of the grand finale, the American decided to give it a little extra.

LeMond poured on the speed in a 29.5-mile individual time trial around Lake Vasiviere and became the first U.S. rider ever to win a stage of the Tour de France.

LeMond’s time of 1 hour 2 minutes 51 seconds was five seconds better than Hinault’s and left LeMond in second place.

LeMond, who trails Hinault by 1 minute 54 seconds, is assured of a second-place finish in the final overall standings.

The 144 riders--down from the 180 who started the Tour--will take a train to Orleans before the closing 121.8-mile stage, which enters Paris and ends today with a final sprint up the Avenue des Champs Elysees.