# 1998 Tour de France, Prologue to Stage 11

The 1998 Tour de France was the 85th edition of Tour de France, one of cycling's Grand Tours. The Tour began in Dublin, Ireland with a prologue individual time trial on 11 July and Stage 11 occurred on 22 July with a mountainous stage to Plateau de Beille. The race finished on the Champs-Élysées in Paris on 2 August.

## Prologue

11 July 1998 — Dublin, 5.6 km (3.5 mi) (ITT)
The 1998 race commenced in the Irish capital of Dublin. Prior to the prologue, the Tour was already in uproar, as Festina masseur Willy Voet was found at the Belgian border carrying in his car performance-enhancing drugs. The team nonetheless started the race, placing three riders in the top ten. The prologue was won by favorite Chris Boardman, 4 seconds in front of Abraham Olano. Previous year's winner Jan Ullrich came in sixth, just 5 seconds behind Boardman.
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Chris Boardman (GBR) | GAN | 6' 12" |
| 2 | Abraham Olano (ESP) | Banesto | + 4" |
| 3 | Laurent Jalabert (FRA) | ONCE | + 5" |
| 4 | Bobby Julich (USA) | Cofidis | + 5" |
| 5 | Christophe Moreau (FRA) | Festina | + 5" |
| 6 | Jan Ullrich (GER) | Team Telekom | + 5" |
| 7 | Alex Zülle (SWI) | Festina | + 7" |
| 8 | Laurent Dufaux (SWI) | Festina | + 9" |
| 9 | Andreï Tchmil (BEL) | Lotto | + 10" |
| 10 | Vjatceslav Ekimov (RUS) | US Postal | + 11" |
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Chris Boardman (GBR) | GAN | 6' 12" |
| 2 | Abraham Olano (ESP) | Banesto | + 4" |
| 3 | Laurent Jalabert (FRA) | ONCE | + 5" |
| 4 | Bobby Julich (USA) | Cofidis | + 5" |
| 5 | Christophe Moreau (FRA) | Festina | + 5" |
| 6 | Jan Ullrich (GER) | Team Telekom | + 5" |
| 7 | Alex Zülle (SWI) | Festina | + 7" |
| 8 | Laurent Dufaux (SWI) | Festina | + 9" |
| 9 | Andreï Tchmil (BEL) | Lotto | + 10" |
| 10 | Vjatceslav Ekimov (RUS) | US Postal | + 11" |

## Stage 1

12 July 1998 — Dublin to Dublin, 180.5 km (112.2 mi)
The windy and rainy first stage included the Cat. 3 climb of Wicklow Gap after 111 km. Tom Steels took his first ever stage win.
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Tom Steels (BEL) | Mapei | 4h 29' 58" |
| 2 | Erik Zabel (GER) | Team Telekom | s.t. |
| 3 | Robbie McEwen (AUS) | Rabobank | s.t. |
| 4 | Gian Matteo Fagnini (ITA) | Saeco | s.t. |
| 5 | Nicola Minali (ITA) | Riso Scotti–MG Maglificio | s.t. |
| 6 | Frédéric Moncassin (FRA) | GAN | s.t. |
| 7 | Philippe Gaumont (FRA) | Cofidis | s.t. |
| 8 | Mario Traversoni (ITA) | Mercatone Uno | s.t. |
| 9 | François Simon (FRA) | GAN | s.t. |
| 10 | Ján Svorada (CZE) | Mapei | s.t. |
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Chris Boardman (GBR) | GAN | 4h 36' 10" |
| 2 | Abraham Olano (ESP) | Banesto | + 4" |
| 3 | Laurent Jalabert (FRA) | ONCE | + 5" |
| 4 | Bobby Julich (USA) | Cofidis | + 5" |
| 5 | Christophe Moreau (FRA) | Festina | + 5" |
| 6 | Jan Ullrich (GER) | Team Telekom | + 5" |
| 7 | Alex Zülle (SWI) | Festina | + 7" |
| 8 | Erik Zabel (GER) | Team Telekom | + 8" |
| 9 | Tom Steels (BEL) | Mapei | + 9" |
| 10 | Laurent Dufaux (SWI) | Festina | + 9" |

## Stage 2

13 July 1998 — Enniscorthy to Cork, 205.5 km (127.7 mi)
For stage 2, the Tour stayed in Ireland. Chris Boardman lost the jellow jersey after crashing some 50 km before the finish. He had to withdraw from the race. The race paid homage to Sean Kelly, passing his home village of Carrick-on-Suir. The stage was won in a mass sprint by Ján Svorada, with Erik Zabel taking yellow.
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Ján Svorada (CZE) | Mapei | 5h 45' 10" |
| 2 | Robbie McEwen (AUS) | Rabobank | s.t. |
| 3 | Mario Cipollini (ITA) | Saeco | s.t. |
| 4 | Alain Turicchia (ITA) | Asics | s.t. |
| 5 | Tom Steels (BEL) | Mapei | s.t. |
| 6 | Emmanuel Magnien (FRA) | FDJ | s.t. |
| 7 | Jaan Kirsipuu (EST) | Casino | s.t. |
| 8 | Nicola Minali (ITA) | Riso Scotti–MG Maglificio | s.t. |
| 9 | Jeroen Blijlevens (NED) | TVM | s.t. |
| 10 | Silvio Martinello (ITA) | Polti | s.t. |
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Erik Zabel (GER) | Team Telekom | 10h 21' 16" |
| 2 | Tom Steels (BEL) | Mapei | + 7" |
| 3 | Frédéric Moncassin (FRA) | GAN | + 7" |
| 4 | Abraham Olano (ESP) | Banesto | + 8" |
| 5 | Laurent Jalabert (FRA) | ONCE | + 9" |
| 6 | Bobby Julich (USA) | Cofidis | + 9" |
| 7 | Christophe Moreau (FRA) | Festina | + 9" |
| 8 | Jan Ullrich (GER) | Team Telekom | + 9" |
| 9 | Ján Svorada (CZE) | Mapei | + 10" |
| 10 | Robbie McEwen (AUS) | Rabobank | + 11" |

## Stage 3

14 July 1998 — Roscoff to Lorient, 169 km (105.0 mi)
For Bastille Day, the Tour returned to its homeland. The race was dominated by a 9-man breakaway, including three Frenchmen. The hopes of the French fans were spoiled by Team Telekom's Jens Heppner, taking the stage in a sprint finish over Xavier Jan. Heppner's win saved Telekom's day, as Erik Zabel lost the maillot jaune to Bo Hamburger.
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Jens Heppner (GER) | Team Telekom | 3h 33' 36" |
| 2 | Xavier Jan (FRA) | FDJ | s.t. |
| 3 | George Hincapie (USA) | US Postal | + 2" |
| 4 | Bo Hamburger (DEN) | Casino | s.t. |
| 5 | Stuart O'Grady (AUS) | GAN | s.t. |
| 6 | José Vicente García (ESP) | Banesto | s.t. |
| 7 | Pascal Hervé (FRA) | Festina | s.t. |
| 8 | Francisco Cabello (ESP) | Kelme | s.t. |
| 9 | Pascal Chanteur (FRA) | Casino | + 5" |
| 10 | Fabrizio Guidi (ITA) | Polti | + 1' 10" |
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Bo Hamburger (DEN) | Casino | 13h 55' 00" |
| 2 | George Hincapie (USA) | US Postal | + 2" |
| 3 | Stuart O'Grady (AUS) | GAN | + 3" |
| 4 | Jens Heppner (GER) | Team Telekom | + 3" |
| 5 | Xavier Jan (FRA) | FDJ | + 21" |
| 6 | Pascal Hervé (FRA) | Festina | + 22" |
| 7 | José Vicente García (ESP) | Banesto | + 23" |
| 8 | Pascal Chanteur (FRA) | Casino | + 28" |
| 9 | Francisco Cabello (ESP) | Kelme | + 47" |
| 10 | Erik Zabel (GER) | Team Telekom | + 1' 02" |

## Stage 4

15 July 1998 — Plouay – Cholet, 252 km (156.6 mi)
The longest stage of the 1998 Tour led the riders over 252 km. Over the course there was a heavy "war for the bonuses" at the three intermediate sprints, with Stuart O'Grady coming out as the winner and taking the yellow jersey, the first Australian to do so for 16 years.
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Jeroen Blijlevens (NED) | TVM | 5h 48' 32" |
| 2 | Nicola Minali (ITA) | Riso Scotti–MG Maglificio | s.t. |
| 3 | Ján Svorada (CZE) | Mapei | s.t. |
| 4 | Frédéric Moncassin (FRA) | GAN | s.t. |
| 5 | Andrei Tchmil (BEL) | Lotto | s.t. |
| 6 | Erik Zabel (GER) | Team Telekom | s.t. |
| 7 | Tom Steels (BEL) | Mapei | s.t. |
| 8 | Lars Michaelsen (DEN) | TVM | s.t. |
| 9 | Maximilian Sciandri (GBR) | FDJ | s.t. |
| 10 | Fabio Baldato (ITA) | Riso Scotti–MG Maglificio | s.t. |
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Stuart O'Grady (AUS) | GAN | 19h 43' 29" |
| 2 | Bo Hamburger (DEN) | Casino | + 11" |
| 3 | George Hincapie (USA) | US Postal | + 11" |
| 4 | Jens Heppner (GER) | Team Telekom | + 14" |
| 5 | Xavier Jan (FRA) | FDJ | + 32" |
| 6 | Pascal Hervé (FRA) | Festina | + 33" |
| 7 | José Vicente García (ESP) | Banesto | + 34" |
| 8 | Pascal Chanteur (FRA) | Casino | + 39" |
| 9 | Francisco Cabello (ESP) | Kelme | + 58" |
| 10 | Erik Zabel (GER) | Team Telekom | + 1' 01" |

## Stage 5

16 July 1998 — Cholet to Châteauroux, 228.5 km (142.0 mi)
Before stage 5, Festina's team manager Bruno Roussel was suspended and taken in for police questioning. The team nevertheless started the stage. The peloton rode through Brittany in heavy rain which prevented attacks from being successful.
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Mario Cipollini (ITA) | Saeco | 5h 18' 49" |
| 2 | Erik Zabel (GER) | Team Telekom | s.t. |
| 3 | Christophe Mengin (FRA) | FDJ | s.t. |
| 4 | Andrea Ferrigato (ITA) | Vitalicio Seguros | s.t. |
| 5 | Philippe Gaumont (FRA) | Cofidis | s.t. |
| 6 | Robbie McEwen (AUS) | Rabobank | s.t. |
| 7 | George Hincapie (USA) | US Postal | s.t. |
| 8 | Fabrizio Guidi (ITA) | Polti | s.t. |
| 9 | Frédéric Moncassin (FRA) | GAN | s.t. |
| 10 | Alessio Bongioni (ITA) | Asics | s.t. |
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Stuart O'Grady (AUS) | GAN | 25h 02' 18" |
| 2 | George Hincapie (USA) | US Postal | + 7" |
| 3 | Bo Hamburger (DEN) | Casino | + 11" |
| 4 | Jens Heppner (GER) | Team Telekom | + 14" |
| 5 | Xavier Jan (FRA) | FDJ | + 32" |
| 6 | Pascal Hervé (FRA) | Festina | + 33" |
| 7 | José Vicente García (ESP) | Banesto | + 34" |
| 8 | Pascal Chanteur (FRA) | Casino | + 39" |
| 9 | Erik Zabel (GER) | Team Telekom | + 45" |
| 10 | Francisco Cabello (ESP) | Kelme | + 58" |

## Stage 6

17 July 1998 — La Châtre to Brive-la-Gaillarde, 204.5 km (127.1 mi)
Stage 6 was marked by many attacks, but none proved to be successful. In the end, Mario Cipollini took his second consecutive stage win.
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Mario Cipollini (ITA) | Saeco | 5h 05' 32" |
| 2 | Nicola Minali (ITA) | Riso Scotti–MG Maglificio | s.t. |
| 3 | Ján Svorada (CZE) | Mapei | s.t. |
| 4 | Frédéric Moncassin (FRA) | GAN | s.t. |
| 5 | Erik Zabel (GER) | Team Telekom | s.t. |
| 6 | Tom Steels (BEL) | Mapei | s.t. |
| 7 | Mario Traversoni (ITA) | Mercatone Uno | s.t. |
| 8 | Jeroen Blijlevens (NED) | TVM | s.t. |
| 9 | Emmanuel Magnien (FRA) | FDJ | s.t. |
| 10 | George Hincapie (USA) | US Postal | s.t. |
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Stuart O'Grady (AUS) | GAN | 30h 07' 48" |
| 2 | George Hincapie (USA) | US Postal | + 9" |
| 3 | Bo Hamburger (DEN) | Casino | + 13" |
| 4 | Jens Heppner (GER) | Team Telekom | + 16" |
| 5 | Xavier Jan (FRA) | FDJ | + 34" |
| 6 | Pascal Hervé (FRA) | Festina | + 35" |
| 7 | José Vicente García (ESP) | Banesto | + 36" |
| 8 | Pascal Chanteur (FRA) | Casino | + 41" |
| 9 | Erik Zabel (GER) | Team Telekom | + 43" |
| 10 | Ján Svorada (CZE) | Mapei | + 47" |

## Stage 7

18 July 1998 — Meyrignac-l'Église to Corrèze, 58 km (36.0 mi) (Individual time trial)
On the morning before stage 7, the first long time trial, turmoil hit the Tour. After its manager had confessed to doping practices in Team Festina, the team was pulled from the race. Initially, the team refused to accept and declared its intention to race, but later left the Tour in disgrace. Tour favorite and French hero Richard Virenque was seen on TV stating his innocence, shaken by tears. On the road, Jan Ullrich lived up to his reputation as an excellent time trialist and took the stage, an impressive 70 seconds in front of Tyler Hamilton. He also took the yellow jersey.
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Jan Ullrich (GER) | Team Telekom | 1h 15' 25" |
| 2 | Tyler Hamilton (USA) | US Postal | + 1' 10" |
| 3 | Bobby Julich (USA) | Cofidis | + 1' 18" |
| 4 | Laurent Jalabert (FRA) | ONCE | + 1' 24" |
| 5 | Viacheslav Ekimov (RUS) | US Postal | + 1' 40" |
| 6 | Abraham Olano (ESP) | Banesto | + 2' 13" |
| 7 | Evgeni Berzin (RUS) | FDJ | + 2' 21" |
| 8 | Francesco Casagrande (ITA) | Cofidis | + 2' 22" |
| 9 | Stéphane Heulot (FRA) | FDJ | + 2' 22" |
| 10 | Bo Hamburger (DEN) | Casino | + 2' 29" |
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Jan Ullrich (GER) | Team Telekom | 31h 24' 37" |
| 2 | Bo Hamburger (DEN) | Casino | + 1' 18" |
| 3 | Bobby Julich (USA) | Cofidis | + 1' 18" |
| 4 | Laurent Jalabert (FRA) | ONCE | + 1' 24" |
| 5 | Tyler Hamilton (USA) | US Postal | + 1' 30" |
| 6 | Viacheslav Ekimov (RUS) | US Postal | + 1' 46" |
| 7 | José Vicente García (ESP) | Banesto | + 1' 50" |
| 8 | Stuart O'Grady (AUS) | GAN | + 1' 53" |
| 9 | Abraham Olano (ESP) | Banesto | + 2' 12" |
| 10 | Jens Heppner (GER) | Team Telekom | + 2' 17" |

## Stage 8

19 July 1998 — Brive-la-Gaillarde to Montauban, 190.5 km (118.4 mi)
Six climbs of lower categories were on this stage's profile, making it perfect for strong breakaway groups. The stage was won by breakaway king Jacky Durand, getting the best from a 6-rider sprint finish.
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Jacky Durand (FRA) | Casino | 4h 40' 55" |
| 2 | Andrea Tafi (ITA) | Mapei | s.t. |
| 3 | Fabio Sacchi (ITA) | Polti | s.t. |
| 4 | Eddy Mazzoleni (ITA) | Saeco | s.t. |
| 5 | Laurent Desbiens (FRA) | Cofidis | s.t. |
| 6 | Joona Laukka (FIN) | Lotto | s.t. |
| 7 | Philippe Gaumont (FRA) | Cofidis | + 1' 34" |
| 8 | Erik Zabel (GER) | Team Telekom | + 7' 45" |
| 9 | Serguei Ivanov (RUS) | TVM | s.t. |
| 10 | Ján Svorada (CZE) | Mapei | s.t. |
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Laurent Desbiens (FRA) | Cofidis | 36h 09' 56" |
| 2 | Andrea Tafi (ITA) | Mapei | + 14" |
| 3 | Jacky Durand (FRA) | Casino | + 43" |
| 4 | Joona Laukka (FIN) | Lotto | + 2' 54" |
| 5 | Jan Ullrich (GER) | Team Telekom | + 3' 21" |
| 6 | Bo Hamburger (DEN) | Casino | + 4' 39" |
| 7 | Bobby Julich (USA) | Cofidis | + 4' 39" |
| 8 | Laurent Jalabert (FRA) | ONCE | + 4' 45" |
| 9 | Tyler Hamilton (USA) | US Postal | + 4' 51" |
| 10 | Viacheslav Ekimov (RUS) | US Postal | + 5' 07" |

## Stage 9

20 July 1998 — Montauban to Pau, 210 km (130.5 mi)
Léon van Bon won his second Tour stage, beating Jens Voigt in a sprint finish, with the peloton rapidly approaching.
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Léon van Bon (NED) | Rabobank | 5h 21' 10" |
| 2 | Jens Voigt (GER) | GAN | s.t. |
| 3 | Massimiliano Lelli (ITA) | Cofidis | s.t. |
| 4 | Christophe Agnolutto (FRA) | Casino | s.t. |
| 5 | Erik Zabel (GER) | Team Telekom | + 12" |
| 6 | Robbie McEwen (AUS) | Rabobank | s.t. |
| 7 | Tom Steels (BEL) | Mapei | s.t. |
| 8 | Mario Traversoni (ITA) | Mercatone Uno | s.t. |
| 9 | François Simon (FRA) | GAN | s.t. |
| 10 | Lars Michaelsen (DEN) | TVM | s.t. |
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Laurent Desbiens (FRA) | Cofidis | 41h 31' 18" |
| 2 | Andrea Tafi (ITA) | Mapei | + 14" |
| 3 | Jacky Durand (FRA) | Casino | + 43" |
| 4 | Joona Laukka (FIN) | Lotto | + 2' 54" |
| 5 | Jan Ullrich (GER) | Team Telekom | + 3' 21" |
| 6 | Bo Hamburger (DEN) | Casino | + 4' 39" |
| 7 | Bobby Julich (USA) | Cofidis | + 4' 39" |
| 8 | Laurent Jalabert (FRA) | ONCE | + 4' 45" |
| 9 | Viacheslav Ekimov (RUS) | US Postal | + 5' 07" |
| 10 | José Vicente García (ESP) | Banesto | + 5' 11" |

## Stage 10

21 July 1998 — Pau to Luchon, 196.5 km (122.1 mi)
The Tour entered the mountains on stage 10. On the program were the two H.C. climbs of Col d'Aubisque and Col du Tourmalet and the 1st category climbs of Col d'Aspin and Col de Peyresourde. Jan Ullrich reclaimed the yellow jersey, but lost 23 seconds to Marco Pantani, who went after eventual stage winner Rodolfo Massi on the last climb and came in second.
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Rodolfo Massi (ITA) | Casino | 5h 49' 40" |
| 2 | Marco Pantani (ITA) | Mercatone Uno | + 36" |
| 3 | Michael Boogerd (NED) | Rabobank | + 59" |
| 4 | Bobby Julich (USA) | Cofidis | s.t. |
| 5 | Giuseppe Di Grande (ITA) | Mapei | s.t. |
| 6 | José María Jiménez (ESP) | Banesto | s.t. |
| 7 | Fernando Escartín (ESP) | Kelme | s.t. |
| 8 | Jan Ullrich (GER) | Team Telekom | s.t. |
| 9 | Jean-Cyril Robin (FRA) | US Postal | s.t. |
| 10 | Leonardo Piepoli (ITA) | Saeco | s.t. |
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Jan Ullrich (GER) | Team Telekom | 47h 25' 18" |
| 2 | Bobby Julich (USA) | Cofidis | + 1' 18" |
| 3 | Bo Hamburger (DEN) | Casino | + 2' 17" |
| 4 | Laurent Jalabert (FRA) | ONCE | + 2' 38" |
| 5 | Luc Leblanc (FRA) | Polti | + 3' 03" |
| 6 | Abraham Olano (ESP) | Banesto | + 3' 11" |
| 7 | Michael Boogerd (NED) | Rabobank | + 3' 36" |
| 8 | Evgeni Berzin (RUS) | FDJ | + 3' 39" |
| 9 | Stéphane Heulot (FRA) | FDJ | + 3' 40" |
| 10 | Bjarne Riis (DEN) | Team Telekom | + 3' 51" |

## Stage 11

22 July 1998 — Luchon to Plateau de Beille, 170 km (105.6 mi)
This stage was extremely mountainous, with the finish on the summit of Plateau de Beille. In sunny weather, Marco Pantani attacked late on the last climb, taking the stage and 1' 39" from Jan Ullrich. Team Cofidis put in an impressive performance, with four riders reaching the top ten of the stage.
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Marco Pantani (ITA) | Mercatone Uno | 5h 15' 27" |
| 2 | Roland Meier (SWI) | Cofidis | + 1' 26" |
| 3 | Bobby Julich (USA) | Cofidis | + 1' 33" |
| 4 | Michael Boogerd (NED) | Rabobank | s.t. |
| 5 | Leonardo Piepoli (ITA) | Saeco | s.t. |
| 6 | Fernando Escartín (ESP) | Kelme | s.t. |
| 7 | Christophe Rinero (FRA) | Cofidis | s.t. |
| 8 | Jan Ullrich (GER) | Team Telekom | + 1' 40" |
| 9 | Kevin Livingston (USA) | Cofidis | + 2' 01" |
| 10 | Ángel Casero (ESP) | Vitalicio Seguros | + 2' 03" |
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Jan Ullrich (GER) | Team Telekom | 52h 42' 25" |
| 2 | Bobby Julich (USA) | Cofidis | + 1' 11" |
| 3 | Laurent Jalabert (FRA) | ONCE | + 3' 01" |
| 4 | Marco Pantani (ITA) | Mercatone Uno | + 3' 01" |
| 5 | Michael Boogerd (NED) | Rabobank | + 3' 29" |
| 6 | Luc Leblanc (FRA) | Polti | + 4' 16" |
| 7 | Bo Hamburger (DEN) | Casino | + 4' 44" |
| 8 | Fernando Escartín (ESP) | Kelme | + 5' 16" |
| 9 | Roland Meier (SWI) | Cofidis | + 5' 28" |
| 10 | Ángel Casero (ESP) | Vitalicio Seguros | + 5' 53" |