KIRCHEN KEEPS YELLOW JERSEY ANOTHER DAY!

(July 11, 2008) In Stage 7 of the Tour de France, Team Columbia’s Kim Kirchen finished only :06 seconds behind stage winner Luis Leon Sanchez of the Caisse d'Epargne team. That keeps Kirchen in the Maillot Jaune for a second day as the overall race leader of the Tour de France.

Wearing the Yellow Jersey and riding a special yellow-accented Giant TCR Advanced SL bicycle, Kirchen powered across the finish line in 4th place. All around him were GC contenders from other teams, all of whom tried but failed to gain time on the overall leader.

Kirchen told cyclingnews.com that the 99-mile stage was a hard one, with a category 3 climb just before the finish line. But he credited his Columbia team mates with keeping him as the Tour leader for another day. "Today was tough, but we defended the lead well," he said. In addition to the Yellow Jersey, Kirchen also retains the Green Jersey as leader in the Points classification. But he will joyfully wear the Yellow Jersey in Stage 8. "I am quite happy having the jersey,” he told cyclingnews.com. “I have a lot of confidence. My legs have recuperated well from the day before."

Team Columbia’s Thomas Lovkvist sits in 10th place in the GC, and retains the White Jersey as leader in the Young Rider classification. In the Team Classification with 1/3rd of the Tour completed, Team Columbia sits in second place overall in the Team Classification.

Riding the Giant TCR Advanced SL bicycle, Team Columbia has more wins this season than any other squad in the pro peloton.

For more information about Team Columbia, please visit www.highroadsports.com.