Italian Cipollini Adds Seventh Stage to Streak

Mario Cipollini pedaled to victory in Saturday’s seventh stage of the Tour de France, becoming the first rider in 69 years to win four consecutive legs.

The lanky 32-year-old Italian conquered Australian Stuart O’Grady in a frantic race for the finish line of the 142-mile stage from the historic town of Avesnes-sur-Helpe, near the Belgian border, to Thionville, which lies in the center of the Lorraine region.

“It’s unreal to imagine what I have achieved today,” Cipollini said. “I have a fantastic team, and they permit me to win in such style. This is really unbelievable stuff.”

Jaan Kirsipuu of Estonia retained the overall leader’s yellow jersey, which has been his since Monday. Cipollini was 14 seconds behind Kirsipuu all told, and O’Grady was third. Despite a fall when his rear wheel skidded and his feet slipped off the pedals as the sprint reached its peak, Erik Zabel of Germany was in fourth place overall.

The highest-ranked American, Lance Armstrong of Austin, Texas, moved from sixth place to fifth overall after Saturday’s stage of cycling’s premier race.

Frenchman Charles Pellissier was the last to win four successive stages, in 1930. In Friday’s stage, Cipollini was bumped up to first place when Tom Steels of Belgium was disqualified for knocking into two competitors.

But today’s race, a 35-mile time trial, might end this string of victories for Cipollini, whose strength lies elsewhere. After 118 miles in Saturday’s stage, Frenchmen Jacky Durand and Lylian Lebreton broke from the pack and, at one point, had an 11-minute lead, but the pack caught up with three miles left.

The U.S. Postal Service team, which includes Armstrong and six other Americans, was first in overall standings Saturday.

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Tour de France

Saturday’s seventh stage:

* Stage: A 142-mile route from Avesnes-sur-Helpe, near the Belgian border, to Thionville, next to Luxembourg.

* Stage winner: Italy’s Mario Cipollini, riding for the Saeco team, won fourth straight stage, edging his rivals in a time of 5 hours 26 minutes 59 seconds.

* Others: Australia’s Stuart O’Grady finished second and Jaan Kirsipuu of Estonia was third. Saturday’s stage was marked by a long breakaway by Frenchmen Jacky Durand and Lylian Lebreton, who were caught by the pack with about three miles to go.

* Overall: Kirsipuu did well enough to retain yellow jersey. Cipollini remained in second place, 14 seconds behind leader. O’Grady moved into third place, 34 seconds behind. American Lance Armstrong edged up to fifth place, 54 seconds behind.

* Next stage: Today, a 35-mile time trial in city of Metz.