Pantani Is the King of the Hills
For a person suffering from bronchitis, Marco Pantani did pretty well by winning his second mountain stage in three days at the Tour de France.
Jan Ullrich continued to lead the race with six days to go and Richard Virenque remained in second. Both again battled over the final stretch Monday with Ullrich refusing to let Virenque get away.
Pantani of Italy won the 15th stage by making a late charge up the final mountain. He took off with about 10.6 miles to go on the final climb up the peak of Joux Plane, 5,559 feet.
He was part of a group of 11 riders that broke away from the main pack. The small group included Ullrich and Virenque.
Pantani went on to win by more than a minute. The 15th stage is 130 miles from Courchevel to Morzine, with three major climbs.
The bald-headed Pantani has now won four Tour stages.
The race ends Sunday.
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