41.   But Abraham Olano remained the overall leader as the race hit the mid-way point.

42.   But Kjus refused to dwell on the speculation surrounding his tests, focusing instead on his new position as overall leader.

43.   But no overall leader has emerged.

44.   Christophe Auguin of France is the overall leader.

45.   Davide Rebellin, who placed fourth in the stage, held the pink jersey of overall leader as Italian cyclists continued their domination of the race.

46.   Defending champion Pavel Tonkov retained the pink jersey symbol of the overall leader, holding a narrow one-second lead over fellow-Russian Eugeni Berzin.

47.   Despite the absence of overall World Cup leader Hermann Maier, a speed discipline specialist, the Austrians continued to show their dominance with the next six fastest times.

48.   Dario Frigo, who finished in the main group in the same time as the winner, retained the pink jersey as overall leader.

49.   Emery, who finished eighth in Tokyo, was the overall leader after two races with nine points, one point ahead of Bezille.

50.   Fabio Baldato, who finished fourth, remained the overall leader for the third straight day.