On the day when Rui Costa abandoned the race, Jose Serpa proved that Lampre-Merida is still able to play a key role in the Tour de France when he finished fourth in today's stage. Claiming to have been the best climber in the race, the Colombian didn't dare to attack from afar.

Lampre-Merida may have lost Rui Costa but just as the world champion has left the race, their Colombian climber Jose Serpa has hit his best form. Today he put his condition on show when he finished fourth in stage 16.

Serpa even felt that he was the best climber in the escape but with a long descent to the finish, he decided not to try to attack on the Port de Bales. In the end, that tactic proved to the wrong one as he was unaware when Michael Rogers launched his decisive attack.

"I was aware I was the strongest on the climbs, but it would have been a hazardous move to attack when there were stil more than 20 km to the finish," he explained. Everyone know Rogers was the favourite and I tried to pay attention to every movement he did, but it was not possible to follow him when he attacked. Once he has more than 10 meters of advantage, it's impossible to catch him.

"It's a pity I could not exploit this opportunity to give my team a satisfaction after Rui Costa quit the race".