Tour de France : Flat Stage Is Won by Ruttiman

Switzerland’s Niki Ruttiman won the 96-mile 14th stage of the Tour de France Thursday, but Frenchman Bernard Hinault kept the overall lead.

Ruttiman, a 24-year-old climber on Hinault’s La Vie Claire team, covered the mainly flat stage from Luchon to Blagnac in hot, humid weather in 3 hours 47 minutes 44 seconds.

Frenchman Christophe Lavainne was second and the Netherlands’ Twan Poels third, both 32 seconds behind Ruttiman. Dutchman Paul Haghedooren was fourth, 33 seconds off the pace, and Belgian Henrick Devos was fifth, 7:17 minutes behind.

Hinault retained the overall lead, while teammate Greg LeMond of the United States remained second overall and shaved Hinault’s lead to 34 seconds by winning a bonus sprint.

Switzerland’s Urs Zimmermann kept third overall, 2:58 behind Hinault, and Robert Millar of England maintained fourth, 3:32 behind. Spaniard Pedro Delgado was fifth, 6:46 back.

Today, the riders face the 139.8-mile 15th stage between Carcassonne and Nimes. It will be the last day of flat riding before they tackle the French Alps.