Fignon Takes Lead From LeMond in Tour de France

Laurent Fignon ambushed American rival Greg LeMond today to recapture the race leader’s yellow jersey in the Tour de France cycle race.

Fignon’s surprise attack came 2 1/2 miles from the end of the toughest mountain stage of the race.

It was the second time in the tour that the Frenchman had taken the lead from LeMond and the third time in his career that he had won the yellow jersey in l’Alpe d’Huez.

“We always say that the rider who wears the yellow jersey at l’Alpe d’Huez wins the tour,” he said. “I hope it’s true this time, but the race is not over yet.”

Awesome Mountain Passes

The 100.4-mile 17th stage from Briancon over some of the most awesome mountain passes in the Alps was a personal triumph for Dutch rider Gert-Jan Theunisse, who rode alone ahead to win in five hours, 10 minutes and 39 seconds.

But attention was focused on the tactics and maneuvers of the race leaders behind him on the sharp, 8.3-mile climb to the finish at the mountain-top ski resort of l’Alpe d’Huez.

Fignon launched his move 2 1/2 miles from the finish, leaving both LeMond and last year’s tour winner, Pedro Delgado of Spain, far behind.

Delgado, easily the best hill climber of the favorites, finally went after Fignon and caught him a mile later, but LeMond was unable to respond at the end of a punishing day in the blistering heat.

Four Stages to Go

Fignon thus turned a 53-second deficit into a 26-second lead over the American with four stages to go.

Thursday’s 18th stage is a 56.9-mile stretch from Bourg d’Oisans to Villard de Lans with only one demanding climb.

In the women’s Tour de France, meanwhile, Jeannie Longo of France moved steadily away from the field as she scored another convincing stage victory today.

For the second straight day, Longo won easily, capturing the 50-mile seventh stage from Briancon to St. Jean-de Maurienne in the Alps.

Maria Canins of Italy, like Longo a two-time champion, was second, 1:33 behind. She trails Longo in the overall standings by 7:04.

Susan Elias of the United States was third.