Quoted from the SF Chronicle:
Armstrong, his rivals thoroughly beaten, was so relaxed he even had time
during the 103.2-mile stage to tend to a little personal animosity with an
Italian rider who has taken legal action against him.
Even though Filippo Simeoni represents no threat to Armstrong's imminent
Tour victory, the five-time champion appeared determined not to let the
Italian get ahead.
Armstrong, in a highly unusually move for a rider who is generally extremely
careful, at one point surged off with Simeoni in pursuit of Mercado's escape
group. They caught that group, stayed with them for a few minutes, and then
suddenly eased up and waited for the trailing pack to catch up.
"It was bizarre, really strange," Mercado said.
It was not immediately clear what prompted Armstrong to act as he did. But
an official from Armstrong's team suggested the champion's motives were
personal.
Simeoni, an Italian with the Domina Vacanze squad, has testified against
controversial sports doctor Michele Ferrari, with whom Armstrong has ties.
Ferrari faces accusations of providing performance-enhancing substances to
riders.
"It surely had something to do with what has happened," said Johan Bruyneel,
sports manager of Armstrong's team. "Nobody was expecting it, and it wasn't
planned, either."
Simeoni told an Italian court in 2002 that Ferrari advised him to take
performance enhancers.
Armstrong was cryptic is explaining his motives for chasing Simeoni.
"I was protecting the interests of the peloton," he said, referring to the
main pack. "Other riders were very, very thankful."
Sebastien Joly, a French rider who was in the escape group, said: "I think
it was a reaction of pride on Armstrong's part."
The escape riders knew that their chances of winning the stage were nil
while Armstrong was with them. So they asked Simeoni to leave, Joly
explained.
"When he let go, Lance had the kindness to do the same thing," he said.