TOUR DE FRANCE : Powerful Late Surge Helps Indurain Extend His Lead

LA PLAGNE, France â€”  For the second consecutive stage, Miguel Indurain of Spain found something extra in the final few miles, warding off a serious challenge and extending his lead against his major rivals in the Tour de France.

Indurain, 31, gained three minutes on Alex Zulle of Switzerland, winner of Tuesday’s leg, in the final nine miles during the first of a series of mountain stages in the Alps, this one 99.5 miles from Le Grand-Bornand to La Plagne.

By placing second with a remarkable finish, Indurain retained the overall lead and finished the day 2 minutes 27 seconds ahead of Zulle, who won the stage in 4 hours 41 minutes 18 seconds. Bjarne Riis of Denmark, second by 23 seconds after Sunday’s individual time trial, fell to third, 5:58 behind. Tony Rominger of Switzerland, winner of the Tour of Italy, was fourth, 6:35 behind.

Laurent Jalabert of France, sixth at the day’s start, lost 5:27 to Indurain and fell to eighth, and Evgeni Berzin of Russia, who was third, was all but eliminated after losing 15 minutes.

“I think he impressed everyone today,� Swiss rider Laurent Dufaux said of Indurain.

The race, which finished in hail and rain, was highlighted by six climbs, each higher than the previous after Monday’s rest day. Today’s 101-mile stage will be even tougher. The route has three major climbs, all more than 5,886 feet, ending with the renowned l’Alpe d’Huez.

But little seems to faze Indurain, who took the lead Sunday when he rallied to win the time trial in the last three miles.

On Tuesday, Zulle had a five-minute advantage before the final climb to La Plagne. With about nine miles to go, Indurain, attempting to win his fifth consecutive Tour, left his Banesto teammates for a solo chase.

By six miles, he trailed Zulle by 3:50. At three miles, it was three minutes. Zulle eventually was first, 2:02 ahead of Indurain.

“The important thing was to leave the others behind,� Indurain said of his overall challengers.