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| Europe |
| Lance In 2nd at the TdF, Pisses Off Even More Frenchies |
| 2004-07-16 |
| Lance Armstrong took a big step toward a record sixth straight Tour de France crown on Friday by surging past key rivals on the first climb in the Pyrenees. The Texan moved from sixth to second in the overall standings following a ride in which he was runner-up to stage winner Ivan Basso of Italy. Jan Ullrich, Tyler Hamilton, Iban Mayo and Roberto Heras were among the pre-Tour contenders whose hopes of dethroning the five-time champion faded as Armstrong powered up the ascent ahead of them. Hamilton's the only one with a chance now; Phonak has 4 climbers; Ullrich and Heras, to an extent, are now solo acts; Mayo's too far behind to be a podium threat. Riders started the 12th stage under blazing sunshine, then got doused by rain before emerging into sunny weather again on the last of two major climbs on the 122.7-mile trek from Castelsarrasin to the La Mongie ski station. Anyone who remembers Lance going up Sestriere in 1999 (the single best example of hard core cycling I will ever see) and shredding the peloton knows he looooves bad weather; he even trains in rain to get the feel for it. "It was a great day, especially with the weather," Armstrong said. "First the heat, then the thunder, then the sun again. For the overall standings it is great." Unless your last name is Hamilton, Ullrich, Heras or Mayo, that is... |
| Posted by:Raj |
| #7 Props to Voeckler, though, who's no climber but really gutted it out to keep the yellow jersey another day. |
| Posted by: someone 2004-07-16 3:15:55 PM |
| #6 Frank - Basso's been mentioned as GC material but usually after Hamilton, Ullrich, Heras and Mayo. My comments on him & Sastre fighting to be top dog on the CSC team may be problematic unless Bjarne Riis (CSC's director and '96 TdF winner) orders Sastre to work for Basso. Riis should do so soon if he hasn't already. |
| Posted by: Raj 2004-07-16 2:57:11 PM |
| #5 Good point, Brett. Remember the yellow handbag incident last year with Lance, hooked around the right drop on his handlebar, who then took out Mayo (Ullrich was right behind them)? It's part of the OLN highlights when they do the Subaru (whatever the hell it is) Award. I wonder why we never found out who the lasy was |
| Posted by: Raj 2004-07-16 2:53:01 PM |
| #4 I am almost surprised that Lance hasn't had an "accident" yet. I doubted the Phrench would let him be the all-time KING of the TdF. we will see, no? |
| Posted by: Brett_the_Quarkian 2004-07-16 2:24:43 PM |
| #3 This has the political feel of Jesse Owens at the '36 Olympics. Go Lance. |
| Posted by: Matt 2004-07-16 2:21:14 PM |
| #2 Lord knows how much I love it when Lance pisses of the Frenchies -- go, Lance! |
| Posted by: Capt America 2004-07-16 2:19:54 PM |
| #1 I watched it this AM. Basso was strong today, but they say he's not a threat to Lance overall, correct? |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-07-16 2:17:23 PM |