Bittersweet Dauphiné for Leipheimer

Team Gerolsteiner's recap' of the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré, where front man Levi Leipheimer placed third on general classification, is an overall positive one. The management of the German team was happy about its captain's placing and its rider's general performances, but nevertheless had some regrets as the result could have been even better. "Today, it was like in the other stages: The other teams let us do nearly all of the work," sport director Raimund Dietzen said after the race. "The boys did a marvelous job for their captain Levi Leipheimer."

In the final part of the stage, the top GC riders increased the rhythm of the race and Yellow jersey wearer Inigo Landaluze wasn't able to follow. In the end, the Spaniard won this year's Dauphiné with an advantage of only 11 seconds to second-placed Santiago Botero (Phonak), with Leipheimer only 38 seconds off. "We couldn't have possibly beaten Botero today, but if the race had lasted one more lap, Levi could have moved up to second for all his hard work," Dietzen continued. "On one hand, the third place is great; on the other, it's a little disappointing to be that near to a victory and not make it. You shouldn't forget that Levi missed out on a stage win only by one second [the time trial on stage three - ed.] and that he beat Armstrong and Vinokourov! Overall, I'm happy that Levi prepared himself so thoroughly here. I'm looking forward to the Tour de France!"

Meanwhile, Gerolsteiner's second Tour de France GC contender, Austrian Georg Totschnig, is racing the Tour de Suisse and placed 14th in the time trial. "This placing is all right," said team manager Hans-Michael Holczer. "When you look at the time gaps, you can see how tight it is up there on the ranking. We are more than satisfied and look forward to the next days."