The best is yet to come
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ByEurosport
Published 11/06/2006 at 10:53 GMT
On the brink of his biggest career victory, American Levi Leipheimer can be more than happy with his Dauphiné, and his hopes for the Tour de France. A cautious Leipheimer was not yet ready to declare victory, but with a final 131-km stage to Grenoble left
CYCLING 2006 Criterium du Dauphine Libere Sisteron - Briançon Leipheimer
Image credit: Reuters
"There's still one tough, hilly stage left to race," a cautious Leipheimer told reporters after finishing a strong fourth to increase his overall lead to one minute and 48 seconds over France's Christophe Moreau.
But with three Cat. 4 climbs, one Cat. 3 climb, and a downhill finish, Leipheimer's Gerlosteiner team should be able to keep things firmly in control and the yellow jersey safely on their leader's back.
"I would love to win this race," Leipheimer said after the peloton and he battled a massive mountain stage that they will again see on the Tour. "It's not over yet. There is another difficult stage before the finish, not as difficult as today's though."
The former US Postal team-mate of Lance Armstrong finished sixth in last year's Tour de France for his second consecutive top-ten finish.
If he proves to maintain the form that help saw him conquer the Ventoux and the Dauphiné, then he could be headed for much greater than a third straight top-ten, perhaps even a podium come July.
Follow LIVE coverage of the final stage of the Dauphiné from St. Jean-de-Maurienne to Grenoble on Sunday.
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