Leon Luis Sanchez reminded everyone at the Tour de France that is he is an excellent late attacker by winning the stage in Aurillac.The young Spaniard has won stages at the last two editions of Paris-Nice with similar attacks and pulled off the same trick in spectacular style.
?This victory is similar to the stage I won in Paris-Nice but there are some differences,? he pointed out in the press conference after his win.
?In Paris-Nice I was going for the stage but also trying to win overall, so there was real rage in the finale. It wasn?t quite not the same this time.?
?Of course when I saw that there was a chance of winning, I went for it and got in the break but when we were caught I thought it was all over. Then in the final kilometres Pereiro came up to me and that gave me the inspiration to believe in myself again. I went for it again and the bunch never caught me.?
Sanchez thanked his Caisse d?Epargne team mates for their support during the stage and revealed he had pointed to the sky as he crossed the line in memory of his brother.
?I want to thank my team-mates who did a great job. I dedicate this victory foremost to my brother who died a few years ago,? he said.
?I had a difficult start to the Tour and needed this victory. I had a very bad time trial in Cholet, I hit a curb and had some mechanical problems. Now, after winning, I don?t feel so bad.?
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?Of course tomorrow, I?ll be back in my role as domestique in the team, to help Alejandro (Valverde) and Oscar (Pereiro), they?re both capable of winning the yellow jersey in Paris.?
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TOUR DE FRANCE 2008: STAGE REPORTS
Stage seven: Sanchez takes action-packed stage
Stage six: Ricco storms to win
Stage five: Cavendish takes first Tour win
Stage four: Schumacher wins TT and takes race lead
Stage three: Dumoulin wins stage from break
Stage two: Hushovd wins chaotic sprint
Stage one: Valverde wins
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TOUR DE FRANCE 2008: NEWS
Comment: How the Tour rediscovered its spirit
Doping back in Tour de France headlines
Millar: close but no cigar in Super-Besse [stage six]
Super-Besse shows form of main contenders [stage six]
Millar to go for yellow [stage six]
Team Columbia's reaction to Cavendish's win [stage five]
Cavendish talks about his Tour stage win
Tour comment: Why Evans should be happy [stage four]
Millar: Still aiming for Tour yellow jersey [stage 4]
Who is Romain Feillu?
Cavendish disappointed with stage two result
Millar too close to Tour yellow jersey
Stage 2 preview: A sprint finish for Cavendish?
Millar happy after gains precious seconds in Plumelec
Valverde delighted with opening Tour stage win
Comment: Is Valverde's win a good thing for the Tour?
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