Riis Retains Control, Indurain Stays Back

Veteran Swiss Pascal Richard won Friday’s 12th stage of the Tour de France cycle race, but Dane Bjarne Riis stayed firmly in command.

Richard came out best of a nine-strong group that pulled away shortly after the start of the shortest ride of this year’s Tour, 89.17 miles from Valence.

The pack, including Riis and his main rivals for final victory, came in more than 15 minutes later with German Erik Zabel taking the sprint for 10th place to retain the green jersey for the points classification leader.

Riis, knowing the men in front could do his lead no harm, spent a quiet day in the main bunch to hang on to first place overall, 40 seconds ahead of Russian Evgeny Berzin with Swiss Tony Rominger third a further 13 seconds back.

Riis, who took the yellow jersey after Monday’s ninth stage which ended in Sestriere, Italy, controlled the race, watching out for attempts by his pursuers.

“I thought they might try something, but they didn’t,” said the Dane, who was particularly worried about Miguel Indurain.

The Spaniard, chasing a record sixth Tour win, lies a modest eighth more than four minutes behind the leader and was expected to try to gain some time.

“I don’t know if there’s something wrong with him, but it’s not my problem,” Riis said. “It’s not over yet, but so far it’s going just fine.”

The pack let the breakaway group build a comfortable lead in the picturesque Ardeche Mountains. Experienced riders in that group such as Jesper Skibby and Erik Breukink of the Netherlands are not contenders for victory in Paris on July 21.