Roy attacks and loses, again

LOURDES, France (AP) — For Jeremy Roy, seizing the best climber's polka dot jersey was not enough to ease the pain of once again being denied a first stage win at the Tour de France.

The French rider from the FDJ team looked poised for a maiden triumph at cycling's biggest race when he reached the summit of the Col d'Aubisque two minutes ahead of Thor Hushovd on Friday.

But the Norwegian world champion made a tremendous descent and, with the help of Frenchman David Moncoutie, finally caught Roy about two kilometers from the finish.

Roy had to settle for third, and being named the most combative rider of the Pyrenean stage between Pau and Lourdes was little consolation.

"The disappointment is too big, it will be hard to take in," he said.

The 28-year-old Roy has been on the attack since the start of the three-week race. He missed a good opportunity in the first stage when he spent the day in a long breakaway before being reined in just kilometers from the line.

He also tried his luck in Stages 4 and 5 before livening up the first Pyrenean stage on Thursday in another breakaway with British rider Geraint Thomas.

"It's too hard for me. Only victory counts," Roy said, his eyes glistened with tears.

Having already spent 560 kilometers in breakaways over the previous 12 stages, Roy attacked again over the first climb of the day. He was joined by nine other riders, but broke out alone with another attack during the ascent up the Col du Soulor, earning enough points to take the King of Mountains jersey from Spaniard Samuel Sanchez's shoulders.

But Roy saw his lead shrinking in the descent and was caught by Hushovd with 2.2 kilometers to go before Moncoutie also overtook him.

"I just missed out on the stage win," Roy said. "Of course I would not have thought about taking the polka dot jersey, not even in my dreams. But I was so close to winning the stage. ... Maybe later, when I'll be looking back at it, I will tell myself I did a great stage, but for the moment I'm so disappointed."

Roy, who started his professional career in 2003 with the FDJ team, was considered the most talented French rider of his generation during his amateur years. But he failed to deliver after turning pro, mostly because he decided to continue studying while riding his bike part-time. He earned a degree as a mechanical engineer three years ago.

"Before he graduated, he was only racing at weekends and during his holidays," FDJ manager Marc Madiot said. "He is exceptional. He has got an impressive mental strength and hopefully we'll get a win in the coming days."