CYCLING TOUR DE FRANCE : No Respite for LeMond as the Alps Loom

The Tour de France moves within reach of the Alps after today’s 129-mile stage that ends at Gap, where Greg LeMond might have his last chance to gain a fourth victory.

In Sunday’s uneventful 146-mile stage, Miguel Indurain of Spain retained the yellow jersey worn by the overall Tour leader. He remains three minutes ahead of Charly Mottet of France, followed by Gianni Bugno of Italy (3:10), Claudio Chiappucci of Italy (4:06) and LeMond of Wayzata, Minn. (5:08).

Moreno Argentin of Italy became the third Italian rider in three days to win a stage, as he took off alone 40 miles from the finish on the stage’s last climb.

Argentin, the 1986 world road race champion, held a three-minute lead on the main group before they closed the margin shortly before Ales. Thomas Wegmuller of Switzerland was second, 1:07 behind. Mauro Ribeiro of Brazil, an earlier stage winner, was third, 1:12 back.

The continued heat--Sunday’s temperatures soared to 95 degrees--made it impossible for LeMond to get a badly needed rest to prepare for Tuesday’s Alp climbs.

Bob LeMond confirmed Sunday that his son is suffering from an infection after a test showed a high white blood cell count. He said tests were taken to determine the cause.

“Greg has been through tougher things in his life,” the elder LeMond told reporters. “He’ll try to recover and he’ll do his best, but it may be very difficult.”