Tour de France : Spaniard Wins the 10th Stage, but Dane Retains Overall Lead

Angel Jose Sarrapio of Spain edged Frenchman Jean-Claude Bagot on the final sprint Sunday to win the 114-mile 10th stage of the Tour de France cycle race.

Denmark’s Joergen Pedersen retained the overall lead for the fourth consecutive day. Joel Pelier of France won a 12-second bonus sprint early in the stage to move into second place overall, 1 minute and 3 seconds back. Stephen Roche of Ireland dropped to third, 1:05 behind.

Five-time champion Bernard Hinault, winner of Saturday’s individual time trial, fell to fourth place, trailing Pedersen by 1:10.

Sarrapio and Bagot escaped the pack after Bagot won a bonus sprint 35 miles into the stage. The two built a more than six-minute lead. Sarrapio flew past the worn-out Bagot on the final sprint to win the flat stage from Nantes in 4 hours 27 minutes 16 seconds.

Belgian Eric Vanderaerden led in the pack, that included all the leaders, 3:41 later. Belgians’ Franck Hoste and Josef Lieckens were fourth and fifth, respectively, on the stage.

“I had to keep going,” Bagot said. “I was hoping he (Sarrapio) would help me a little because we had more than five minutes lead over the pack, but he wouldn’t. I don’t know why. I am very disappointed.”

American Greg Lemond is eighth, 1:59 off the pace.

The riders are to run another flat stage today, the 160-mile 11th stage to Bordeaux.