The Official le Tour de France - Go Lance Thread

[u2sarajevo]

Thank you Fidel. Let me just say on the behalf of all of us on this board who are somewhere in the a little interested to the very intune but still green (which would be me), THANK YOU for your insight.

Sincerely, Thank you.

[Fidel]

Hey thanks Doc and u2sarajevo, it´s my pleasure.

Well the team time trial just ended. US Postal won as expected. Second was team Once, 30 seconds behind. Another 13 seconds behind Once came Bianchi who finishid third. That´s surprisingly good, given the circumstances. Like I thought Saeco Simoni (Saeco) lost quite some time. He´s not the best time trial driver anyways so he´s out of contention for the overall win IMO. Same goes for Hamilton or Botero. So all in all it will be between Armstrong, Ullrich and Beloki. Right now it´s pretty close, but Armstrong looks good. I think he will be tough to beat once again. If anyone can beat him it´s Ullrich.

Oh and Victor Hugo Pena takes the jellow (ha, another good prediction).

[u2sarajevo]

Overall leaders after todays Team Time Trials:
1 008 PENA Victor Hugo COL USP in 13h 44' 44"
2 001 ARMSTRONG Lance USA USP at 00' 01"
3 004 EKIMOV Vjatceslav RUS USP at 00' 05"
4 005 HINCAPIE George USA USP at 00' 05"
5 009 RUBIERA José Luis ESP USP at 00' 23"
6 002 HERAS Roberto ESP USP at 00' 27"
7 007 PADRNOS Pavel CZE USP at 00' 27"
8 006 LANDIS Floyd USA USP at 00' 28"
9 011 BELOKI Joseba ESP ONE at 00' 33"
10 015 JAKSCHE Jorg GER ONE at 00' 38"

The top eight are all on the US Postal team, Lance's team. Pena takes the yellow jersey (he deserves it). Lance is now 1 second behind. What a coup the USPS team did today.

Go Lance!!!!!!! (And for those of you that are wondering, Ullrich is in 12th place now, 39 seconds behind the leader.)

[dallas_esq]

Thank you Fidel for your expertise. Impressive. Go Lance. I had no idea the "team" had so much to do with an individual's standings.

[u2sarajevo]

Yes, Cycling is very much a team sport. One could argue that in a drawn out race like the Tour, team play is essential. Outside of keeping opponents in check, team members do other things important for the primary rider on a team. For instance, when the crash occured on Stage 2 Lance had a bike problem, and used one of his teammates bikes to finish the Stage.

[Mandyahl]

wtg lance!

and wtg fidel for explaining all of this. it is so much better with your commentary so i can understand what is going on.

[u2sarajevo]

And what am I? mince meat?

Just Kidding.

Lance in France is leading with his pants.
Hope he doesn't get bitten by some ants.

[Mandyahl]

wtg u2 for posting all the leaders and updates and for being such a cool guy.

is that better?

[u2sarajevo]

It would only be better
If you put it in a letter.
Instead of this threader.
Then I could throw it in a pool and it would get wetter.


Okay I will quit. What possessed me?

[Mandyahl]

i don't know what posessed you, but please let's not start another rhyming thread!

[Fidel]

Tomorrows stage from Troyes to Nevers is another flat and fairly easy stage. US Postal won´t defend the yellow jersey of Pena (of course if breakaway attempts aren´t succesfull he´ll still keep it). They´ll rather save energy for the weekend with it´s mountain stages. So there´s a pretty good chance that a breakaway attempt might be succesfull. Alot of riders will be tired tomorrow and if there´s a breakaway attempt it will be interessting to see if enough of the teams with the good sprinters are willing to do some work to catch up.

I expect the french drivers from the french teams like FDJeux, Credit Agricol, AG2R, La Boulangere and Jean Delatour to attack tomorrow. I think a group might make it, but maybe there´s just another mass sprint.

[Drbio]

Victory fortifies Armstrong's position in Tour

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Associated Press


SAINT-DIZIER, France -- Lance Armstrong and his teammates found another reason to raise their glasses for a toast at dinner.

The U.S. Postal Service squad won a team time trial at the Tour de France for the first time Wednesday, leaving Armstrong in second place overall and in good position to win his fifth straight title as the punishing Alps loom.

"Last year, and in previous years, we didn't win the time trial, and it was a really unhappy feeling at the dinner table,'' Armstrong said.

"We were asking ourselves why we couldn't do it, so this time we just said, 'Come on, let's do it, we've got to do this.' It will be a happy dinner table tonight.''

Cycling's premier event began in earnest with the team time trial, and the machinelike performance by the Postal Service team in the 43-mile race lifted Armstrong from 12th place.

"I'd never won this discipline before,'' the Texan said. "It was quite a hard course, with the wind -- lots of wind. ... It's a very, very hard discipline.''

The results in the team time trial, in which cyclists race against the clock, left U.S. Postal -- nicknamed the "Blue Train'' -- with the top eight finishers overall.

Armstrong's teammate, Victor Hugo Pena, claimed the yellow jersey and became the first Colombian to hold the overall lead in the Tour's 100-year history.

"Sure, I'll be the one wearing the yellow jersey,'' Pena said. "But this is a victory for the team -- it's one of the best teams that's ever existed.''

Pena's total time is 13:44:44, with Armstrong one second behind. The next six spots belong to U.S. Postal: Viatcheslav Ekimov, George Hincapie, Jose Luis Rubiera, Roberto Heras, Pavel Padrnos and Floyd Landis.

"The plan stays the same,'' Hincapie said. "We work for Lance.''

Pena, a former national champion swimmer, leads Armstrong by a second because he was that much faster than the Texan in the Tour's first leg -- a sprint through Paris last Saturday.

"I have the jersey now, but we'll give it to him later,'' Pena said.

U.S. Postal won in 1 hour, 18 minutes, 27 seconds in a race that began in Joinville on a hot, sunny day.

The squad holds a lead of 30 seconds over the second-placed ONCE team and 43 seconds over Bianchi. Both squads have riders who could threaten Armstrong's quest for another title.

In 2002, U.S. Postal was second in the team time trial, 16 seconds behind ONCE.

"It took us four years to win,'' Hincapie said. "Today is a great day for us.''

Until now, Armstrong had largely saved his strength, trying to avoid accidents in the relatively flat and fast early stages. The time trial was a way to build a lead over his rivals before the three-week Tour heads into the Alps on Saturday.

Armstrong, who excels in the mountains, is aiming to match Spanish great Miguel Indurain's record of five straight wins.

"This is simply the proof that when he wants to be, Armstrong can also be the best teammate in the world,'' Pena said.

After the time trial, 1997 Tour winner and potential challenger Jan Ullrich of Bianchi was 12th overall, 38 seconds behind Armstrong.

Two other key rivals, ONCE's Joseba Beloki and Telekom's Santiago Botero, were ninth and 29th. Giro d'Italia winner Gilberto Simoni was a whopping 3:08 behind in 106th place.

In the time trial, individual racers get their team's time. That's a big disadvantage for cyclists on weak squads.

"It's either a gift or a curse, as I always say,'' Armstrong said. "I'll take the gift.''

[Drbio]

Lance was unbelievable today. Going into the Alps at second place has to scare the piss out of the other riders. he is so dominant there.

[Fidel]

Uhh Pettachi once again. Boring.
The french teams really attacked all stage long but no group could make it. It seems to be allmost impossible these days to successfully finish one of these breakaway attempts.

[u2sarajevo]

Top ten in todays stage:
1 088 PETACCHI Alessandro ITA FAS in 4h 09' 47"
2 156 KIRSIPUU Jaan EST A2R at 00' 00"
3 093 COOKE Baden AUS FDJ at 00' 00"
4 029 ZABEL Erik GER TEL at 00' 00"
5 141 MC EWEN Robbie AUS LOT at 00' 00"
6 116 PAOLINI Luca ITA QSD at 00' 00"
7 125 HUSHOVD Thor NOR C.A at 00' 00"
8 127 O'GRADY Stuart AUS C.A at 00' 00"
9 167 RODRIGUEZ Fred USA CAL at 00' 00"
10 219 NAZON Jean-Patrick FRA DEL at 00' 00"

Overall leaders after todays stage:
1 008 PENA Victor Hugo COL USP in 17h 54' 31"
2 001 ARMSTRONG Lance USA USP at 00' 01"
3 004 EKIMOV Vjatceslav RUS USP at 00' 05"
4 005 HINCAPIE George USA USP at 00' 05"
5 009 RUBIERA José Luis ESP USP at 00' 23"
6 002 HERAS Roberto ESP USP at 00' 27"
7 007 PADRNOS Pavel CZE USP at 00' 27"
8 006 LANDIS Floyd USA USP at 00' 28"
9 011 BELOKI Joseba ESP ONE at 00' 33"
10 015 JAKSCHE Jorg GER ONE at 00' 38"

Pena, Lance's teammate, retained the yellow jersey.

Up next is another sprinters stage, Nevers to Lyon. There is a Cat. 3 climb two thirds in but is not viewed as a stage-deciding factor. The power sprinters should do well on this stage, Zabel, McEwen, Cooke, Kirsipuu.

[dallas_esq]

Go LANCE! It's looking good. Having a lead going into the mountains could end this thing early.

[u2sarajevo]

Top ten from todays stage:
1 088 PETACCHI Alessandro ITA FAS in 5h 08' 35"
2 093 COOKE Baden AUS FDJ at 00' 00"
3 136 GUIDI Fabrizio ITA TBI at 00' 00"
4 125 HUSHOVD Thor NOR C.A at 00' 00"
5 168 VAINSTEINS Romans LAT CAL at 00' 00"
6 186 NAZON Damien FRA BLB at 00' 00"
7 124 HINAULT Sébastien FRA C.A at 00' 00"
8 056 GLOMSER Gerrit AUT SAE at 00' 00"
9 217 KRIVTSOV Yuriy UKR DEL at 00' 00"
10 116 PAOLINI Luca ITA QSD at 00' 00"

Top ten overall after todays stage:
1 008 PENA Victor Hugo COL USP in 23h 03' 06"
2 001 ARMSTRONG Lance USA USP at 00' 01"
3 004 EKIMOV Vjatceslav RUS USP at 00' 05"
4 005 HINCAPIE George USA USP at 00' 05"
5 009 RUBIERA José Luis ESP USP at 00' 23"
6 002 HERAS Roberto ESP USP at 00' 27"
7 007 PADRNOS Pavel CZE USP at 00' 27"
8 006 LANDIS Floyd USA USP at 00' 28"
9 011 BELOKI Joseba ESP ONE at 00' 33"
10 015 JAKSCHE Jorg GER ONE at 00' 38"

Up next, Stage 7 Lyon to Morzine-Avoriaz. The real race begins tomorrow. This will be the longest stage of the 2003 race, with 5 rated climbs, Armstrongs strength. However he is not expected to win this stage, but stand pat. Look for him to make a move in Stage 8 on Sunday.

[Drbio]

The Tour de France is Lance's bitch. Look for Ullrich and Beloki to do well over the next 2-3 days.

[u2sarajevo]

Top ten from todays stage:
1 119 VIRENQUE Richard FRA QSD in 6h 06' 03"
2 023 ALDAG Rolf GER TEL at 02' 29"
3 183 CHAVANEL Sylvain FRA BLB at 03' 45"
4 117 ROGERS Michael AUS QSD at 04' 03"
5 161 GARZELLI Stefano ITA CAL at 04' 06"
6 121 MOREAU Christophe FRA C.A at 04' 06"
7 201 DUFAUX Laurent SUI ALS at 04' 06"
8 061 MILLAR David GBR COF at 04' 06"
9 198 TOTSCHNIG Georg AUT GST at 04' 06"
10 028 VINOKOUROV Alexandre KAZ TEL at 04' 06"

Lance was 15th in todays stage.

Top ten overall leaders:
1 119 VIRENQUE Richard FRA QSD in 29h 10' 39"
2 001 ARMSTRONG Lance USA USP at 02' 37"
3 023 ALDAG Rolf GER TEL at 02' 48"
4 009 RUBIERA José Luis ESP USP at 02' 59"
5 002 HERAS Roberto ESP USP at 03' 03"
6 011 BELOKI Joseba ESP ONE at 03' 09"
7 015 JAKSCHE Jorg GER ONE at 03' 14"
8 003 BELTRAN Manuel ESP USP at 03' 15"
9 131 ULLRICH Jan GER TBI at 03' 15"
10 013 AZEVEDO José POR ONE at 03' 37"


Up next stage 8 from Sallanches to L'Alpe d'Huez. This stage will start out flat but the real fun begins half way in when the climb starts of the Col du Galibier. Then on the last climb of the day on the L'Alpe d'Huez. Lance won the stage in 2001 that ended on L'Alpe d'Huez. I predicted Lance would be wearing yellow today, but he is 2 minutes 37 seconds behind. I think that should be erased tomorrow and Lance will regain the yellow jersey, as Fidel predicted.

[OutletPass]

Just watched the Stage..."Junior" is still in great position in 2nd...but didn't really make a move in the first mountain stage...wish he would have done a little better, but knowing how Lance is and how he rides, he's still saving himself...no need to get the pressure of the Yelloe Jersey quite yet.

I have total confidence in the man from the "Richardson Bike Mart" Lance just loves l'alpe d'huez !

Give em hell, junior !!!!!!!!!

BTW...Petacchi and some of the other "sprinters" have abandoned the Tour and are out...I believe 10 in all said "No MAS" today. But props to Petacchi for taking so many of the early stages...that WAS his goal.

[Fidel]

What happened today was kinda expected. Like I said earlier the stage was too easy for any of the favorites to make a move. However Simoni and Botero are both out of contention allready losing around 10 mins each (Simoni doing that bad is kind of a surprise. If he´s not doing significantly better on tomorows stage to L´Alpe D`Huez I think he will abandon the tour).

Sprinters Petacchi, Kirsipuu and Pollack have allready abandoned the Tour.

Tomorrows stage will be very interesting obviously. It may allready decide the tour. I don´t think it´s a given that Armstrong wins the stage but he is the favourite. If he can get the yellow jersey depends on how well Virenque can absorb todays effort. Virenque is a pretty good climber and he looked good today. If he can keep up with the main group until the last mountain tomorrow he might not lose all of his advantage in the classement. It is also possible though that he loses alot of time tomorrow. It´s kinda hard to figure him out this year. The fact that he was allowed to gain so much time today probably says that US Postal or Bianchi do not really respect him.

I think it will be between Armstrong and Ullrich tomorrow. Armstrong has the advantage of the better team. He´s got alot of guys that can help him in the mountains, while Ullrich basicly only has two other guys who are good climbers. Maybe there´s another breakaway tomorrow and someone else wins the stage but the thing to watch will be Armstrong vs. Ullrich and maybe Beloki. Whoever reaches L`Alpe D`Huez first of these guys has a very good chance to win the tour (well Beloki will lose time in the time trial so even if he wins the battle tomorrow he would still be a longshot to win the tour).

I hope Ullrich is coming out on top...

[u2sarajevo]

This has been a very interesting stage to watch (although it is hard to do using the profiles and gaps applets on the website). Virenque is hanging tough with Armstrong in the lead peloton. Two racers, led by Mikel Astarloza and followed by Didier Rous are currently 1'30" in front of the lead peloton. The last climb, Alpe d'Huez is coming up still.

[u2sarajevo]

Lance takes the YELLOW jersey!!!!!!! (way to predict Fidel)

Top ten from todays stage:
1 171 MAYO Iban ESP EUS in 5h 57' 30"
2 028 VINOKOUROV Alexandre KAZ TEL at 01' 45"
3 001 ARMSTRONG Lance USA USP at 02' 12"
4 031 MANCEBO Francisco ESP BAN at 02' 12"
5 179 ZUBELDIA Haimar ESP EUS at 02' 12"
6 011 BELOKI Joseba ESP ONE at 02' 12"
7 071 HAMILTON Tyler USA CSC at 02' 12"
8 081 BASSO Ivan ITA FAS at 02' 12"
9 175 LAISEKA Roberto ESP EUS at 02' 12"
10 204 CAUCCHIOLI Pietro ITA ALS at 03' 36"

Overall after todays stage:
1 001 ARMSTRONG Lance USA USP in 35h 12' 50"
2 011 BELOKI Joseba ESP ONE at 00' 40"
3 171 MAYO Iban ESP EUS at 01' 10"
4 028 VINOKOUROV Alexandre KAZ TEL at 01' 17"
5 031 MANCEBO Francisco ESP BAN at 01' 37"
6 071 HAMILTON Tyler USA CSC at 01' 52"
7 002 HERAS Roberto ESP USP at 01' 58"
8 131 ULLRICH Jan GER TBI at 02' 10"
9 081 BASSO Ivan ITA FAS at 02' 25"
10 015 JAKSCHE Jorg GER ONE at 03' 19"


Lance Armstrong has retaken the yellow jersey after a strong showing on the mighty L'Alpe d'Huez. Ullrich is 2 minutes 10 seconds behind Armstrong. Up next, Bourg d'Oisans to Gap. The first half of this race has two main climbs, after that it is a relatively easy race. Look for the peloton to regroup during the last half of the race.

[MFFL]

GO LANCE!

[OutletPass]

Told ya that Junior loves d'huez !!!!! He's now made his move !!!!!

Ride for 5, Baby !!!!


FYI....Beloki finished 2nd to Lance last year.

[Fidel]

Yep Armstrong takes the yellow jersey. Congrats.

But, he doesn´t seem to be as dominant as the last few years. He actually lost time to Vinokurov who is one of the better time trial drivers and could become really dangerous. Armstrong didn´t attack himself, he couldn´t counterattack Mayo or Vinokurov and he was barely able to keep up with Beloki and Hamilton. All of that was unheard of in the last few years where Armstrong would destroy the comeptition on the first mountain stages. Mayo and Vinokurov are not like Virenque. You´ve got to respect both when it comes to the overall ranking. So if Armstrong could have he surely would have tried to keep up with them. But he couldn´t which really is a first in years.

I think US Postal and Armstrong made a mistake by concentrating on Ullrich so much. They successfully exploited Ullrichs biggest weakness which is rapid speedchanges in the mountains. But doing so cost Armstrong the support of Rubiera very early and it nearly killed Armstrong himself. Heras also lost time allready which puts US Postal in a weaker tactical postion. And finally the target of all the effort Ullrich did only lose 1.30 mins which isn´t too much. He usually gets better as the tour goes on. With 2 mins behind the leader he´s still in contention (like anyone else of the top 10 except Heras who´s not allowed to win and Jaksche who will lose more time for sure).

I think this is the most wide open tour in 5 years. Armstrong has the yellow and he´s still the favourite to win it all, but he certainly looked beatable yesterday (and he was beaten). Beloki and Mayo will both lose time to Armstrong in the time trials, so especially Mayo would have to gain a few more minutes on Armstrong on other mountain stages if he wants a chance to win the tour. The same probably goes for beloki (to a lesser degree). Vinokurov, Hamilton and Ullrich however can all beat Armstrong in the time trial if things are going their way (just like Armstrong can beat any of these three if things go his way). So these three guys could be really dangerous depending on what happens in the Pyrennais. Add Armstrong, Beloki and Mayo and you have 6 drivers still in contention. With Mancebo and Basso I´m not so sure. Of course any of the other guys might drop aswell, but those six guys are the ones who still have a shot to win it all IMO. This could be a very interesting tour.

I would be surprised to see any of the favourites to make a move tomorrow, cause after the Col D`Izoir there are about 90 km to go to the finish. The only chance I see that something happens tomorrow is if US Postal loses alot of drivers on the first mountain allready. If Armstrong´s got no more than 2 or maybe even only one helper left on the way to Col D`Izoir an attack might make sense since that would make it much more difficult to catch up on the rest of the stage. If US Postal is strong tomorrow I don´t think much will happen. But there will be numerous breakaway attempts of lesser drivers cause none of the sprinters should be able to stay in the lead group until after the Izoir. Which raises the chances of a successfull breakaway attempt.

[u2sarajevo]

Top ten from todays stage:

1 028 VINOKOUROV Alexandre KAZ TEL in 5h 02' 00"
2 111 BETTINI Paolo ITA QSD at 00' 36"
3 171 MAYO Iban ESP EUS at 00' 36"
4 001 ARMSTRONG Lance USA USP at 00' 36"
5 131 ULLRICH Jan GER TBI at 00' 36"
6 081 BASSO Ivan ITA FAS at 00' 36"
7 198 TOTSCHNIG Georg AUT GST at 00' 36"
8 031 MANCEBO Francisco ESP BAN at 00' 36"
9 179 ZUBELDIA Haimar ESP EUS at 00' 36"
10 071 HAMILTON Tyler USA CSC at 00' 36"


Top 10 overall leaders after todays stage:

1 001 ARMSTRONG Lance USA USP in 40h 15' 26"
2 028 VINOKOUROV Alexandre KAZ TEL at 00' 21"
3 171 MAYO Iban ESP EUS at 01' 02"
4 031 MANCEBO Francisco ESP BAN at 01' 37"
5 071 HAMILTON Tyler USA CSC at 01' 52"
6 131 ULLRICH Jan GER TBI at 02' 10"
7 081 BASSO Ivan ITA FAS at 02' 25"
8 002 HERAS Roberto ESP USP at 02' 28"
9 179 ZUBELDIA Haimar ESP EUS at 03' 25"
10 036 MENCHOV Denis RUS BAN at 03' 45"

Beloki goes down in a crash, which halted Lances sprint for the stage win (he had to swerve to avoid the crash and went into a field but recovered nicely). No word on Beloki's injuries, but the website says it does not look good. Vinokourov wins his first Tour stage and moves himself into second place overall behind Lance Armstrong, who will retain the yellow jersey.

Next up Stage 10, Gap to Marseilles. This is an almost entirely downhill stage. Sprinters should do well again. Wednesday is a rest day.

Edit: Update - According to lancearmstrong.com Beloki landed on his head and shoulder and badly damaged his elbow. He is likely out of the race.

[Drbio]

Congrats to Lance. I had Beloki giving him fits, but the crash took him out unfortunately. I was hoping for Beloki, Ullrich and Armstrong to wage an epic battle. I hope Beloki is ok but rumor is he is done. Go Lance!

[OutletPass]

Here's today's capsule from ESPN...looks like Beloki is a goner...last years #2 is gone. And personally, I don't think Ullrich can catch Lance. Go Junior GO !!! Ride for FIVE !!!

Today's stage will be shown at 1pm CST for anyone with satellite and/or access to OLN.

Thanks to Fidel...for his great, great posts and insight. From one Tour "freak" to another. Thanks , buddy !!!


Armstrong: I was scared like never before

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Associated Press


GAP, France -- Lance Armstrong kept his overall lead in the Tour de France on Monday after a harrowing ride in the Alps in which he narrowly avoided a crash involving a main rival.

Armstrong, bidding for a record-tying fifth consecutive title, made a strong recovery to finish fourth in the ninth stage.

Joseba Beloki suffered a severe right elbow injury after crashing Monday.

"I was scared like never before,'' said Armstrong, who took the leader's yellow jersey Sunday. "It was a real panic. In a moment like that, it's a survival instinct.''

Joseba Beloki hit the road hard when he slipped off his bike speeding around a bend on a rapid downhill section with less than 5 miles to go. Armstrong was right behind and just missed plowing into the Spaniard, who was taken away in an ambulance.

To avoid Beloki, Armstrong rode into a field next to the road. He bumped across the sun-burnt grass, cutting off a hairpin bend. At the end of the field, he got off his bike, carried it to the road, got back on and sped off.

The course has become slick because of the summer heat, and Armstrong said the road where Beloki fell was "not safe for a fast descent.''

Alexandre Vinokourov of Team Telekom took the 114.4-mile stage through the Alps from Bourg d'Oisans to Gap. It was the Kazak's first Tour de France win and moved him into second place overall behind Armstrong.

Beloki had been in second place overall before the stage started.

After nine stages, with 11 to go, Vinokourov is 21 seconds behind Armstrong, who is trying to match the record of five straight Tour wins set by Spain's Miguel Indurain (1991-95).

Iban Mayo of Spain, winner of Sunday's climb to the ski resort of L'Alpe d'Huez, is third, 62 seconds behind the Texan.

Jan Ullrich, the 1997 champion from Team Bianchi, finished the stage in fifth place and was sixth overall.

American Tyler Hamilton of Team CSC, battling through the mountains with a broken collarbone, was 10th in the stage and fifth overall.

The race took the riders past some of the most spectacular scenery so far, with glistening glaciers hugging mountain peaks, bubbling mountain streams and roads abutting cliffs in plunging gorges.

The riders scaled two peaks of more than 6,600 feet, including the 7,788-foot Col d'Izoard, a desolate moonscape of rocks, scrappy grass and ski slopes above the tree line.

On Sunday, Armstrong donned the yellow jersey for the first time with a third-place finish.

"I'm perhaps not as strong as in previous years,'' he said after that stage.

Four punishing mountain ascents remain in the Pyrenees. Armstrong remains the favorite, but not necessarily an overwhelming one.

Armstrong will have a relatively flat stage Tuesday, ending in the seaport of Marseille, and a rest day Wednesday.

An individual time trial of 29 miles Friday leads into four days of Pyrenees climbs -- considered as difficult as their Alpine counterparts.

Armstrong is fast enough to make up any deficit -- should he be overtaken before Friday -- in a time trial. Yet he may need to be especially quick to bank some time-in-hand for the grueling Pyrenees.


Here's a LINK with the best picture I've seen

[Fidel]

WOW, what a wild stage.

Don´t have much time today but that was really exciting. Too bad Beloki is out. He´s got a femoral neck fracture a broken ellbow and a broken wrist. Armstrong nearly went down himself. He had to leave the street to avoid a crash. Great reflex. He said something like "it was a survival move" afterwards.

Hats up to Vinokurov who looks really good. Also to Jaksche who could have finished with the group of Armstrong and Ullrich and defend his top 10 place but instead stopped and stayed with Beloki when Beloki went down. He lost over five minutes, but what a classy move.

And lastly Hamilton is really amazing. Being able to keep up with a broken collarbone and still being in contention is a great great feat. I´m actually rooting for him a bit.

Tomorrows stage will be a sprinters stage most likely, but I can´t wait for the time trial. I think both time trial stages will be very important this year as none of the favourites seems to be truly dominating the mountain stages (like Armstrong did in previous years).

Glad you enjoy this thread as much as I do OP, thank you.

[Chiwas]

Your pic, OP.



I saw the stage; it's the first that I have seen of the tour. It was cool, exciting. Beloki attacked strongly some miles before the top of the mountain. He got a good lead just in the pick, but Armstrong caught him very soon downhill at a great speed; however, Beloki's back wheel slipped in a very hard curve when they had already slowed down. Armstrong avoided the collission for a bit. It's the moment of the picture.

Armstrong made the cut through the rough soil and skipped the next curve getting momentarily the lead; when he was trying to stick on his pedals, the leading group passed him and a couple of cyclists showed their fists to Armstrong.

And yes, all the once's team stopped by Beloki while the medical assistance got him; it was classy, very classy.

[OutletPass]

Early report:

This was a "day off" for the leaders...Lance and the postal toasties rode very easily...relatively far back (about 21 minutes)...but Lance stills maintains the yellow jersey...stage won by Jakob Pill. none of the top finishers in today's stage are ANY threat in the tour. The peloton just let them go and took it very easy. Today's stage was considered a "racing rest" day.

Tomorrow the Tour takes the day off for travel...no racing.

GO Junior !! Ride for Five !!

[u2sarajevo]

Top ten from todays stage:

1 077 PIIL Jakob DEN CSC in 5h 09' 33"
2 058 SACCHI Fabio ITA SAE at 00' 00"
3 043 DE GROOT Bram NED RAB at 00' 49"
4 186 NAZON Damien FRA BLB at 02' 07"
5 193 HASELBACHER Rene AUT GST at 02' 07"
6 064 GAUMONT Philippe FRA COF at 02' 07"
7 142 BAGUET Serge BEL LOT at 02' 07"
8 033 GARCIA ACOSTA Vicente ESP BAN at 02' 07"
9 102 GUTIERREZ José Enrique ESP KEL at 05' 06"
10 093 COOKE Baden AUS FDJ at 21' 23"

Top ten overall after todays stage:

1 001 ARMSTRONG Lance USA USP in 45h 46' 22"
2 028 VINOKOUROV Alexandre KAZ TEL at 00' 21"
3 171 MAYO Iban ESP EUS at 01' 02"
4 031 MANCEBO Francisco ESP BAN at 01' 37"
5 071 HAMILTON Tyler USA CSC at 01' 52"
6 131 ULLRICH Jan GER TBI at 02' 10"
7 081 BASSO Ivan ITA FAS at 02' 25"
8 002 HERAS Roberto ESP USP at 02' 28"
9 179 ZUBELDIA Haimar ESP EUS at 03' 25"
10 036 MENCHOV Denis RUS BAN at 03' 45"

As OP said, the race leaders took it easy this stage. Tomorrow is a day off, Lance is still in Yellow. Very uneventful stage for Americans. Tyler Hamilton has moved into 5th place. Very impressive despite the broken collarbone.

Up next a rest day then returning to action on Wednesday for Stage 11, Narbonne to Toulouse. This stage has one Cat. 3 climb in the middle of it. Time Trials are Friday before heading into the Pyrenees stages over the weekend.

Go Lance!!!!!!!!

[OutletPass]

there was a little "fun" injected into today's stage...I'll post the earliest report on it....


Crowd of protesters slows down Lance's pace
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Associated Press


MARSEILLE, France -- A protest by supporters of a jailed French radical farmer stopped several cyclists competing in Tuesday's 10th stage of the Tour de France. Lance Armstrong appeared to be among them, which would cause the Tour leader to fall behind by two precious minutes.

The main pack of riders was stopped in its tracks after supporters of radical farmer Jose Bove ran into the road and blocked cyclists near Pourrieres, about 91 miles into the race.

Jakob Piil sprinted to the finish to win Stage 10.

Tuesday's stage is a 136.1-mile, relatively flat route, starting from the Alpine town of Gap and ending in the southern seaport city of Marseille.

Armstrong is the current Tour leader and heavily favored to capture his fifth consecutive Tour title, but his performance so far has been fraught with struggle and nerve-racking close calls.


Radical French FARMERS !!

What's next....the Jerry Lewis Fan Club ?

Have to agree with Fidel and U2...what Tyler Hamilton is doing is just unreal...I've had to race with a broken collarbone/separated shoulder....and the pain is horrific...I had to quit. What he's doing is really heroic. Without the injury, he might be right there with Lance.

IMO, Vinokourov is just a little too close for comfort.

[OutletPass]

Lance and the Postal Toasties doing well so far in today's stage...tomorrow is a BIG day...the individual time trial...Lance will be starting last, knowing everyone's times...this will be a important stage.

Go Junior !!!!!!!

[u2sarajevo]

Top ten from todays stage:

1 032 FLECHA Juan Antonio ESP BAN in 3h 29' 33"
2 043 DE GROOT Bram NED RAB at 00' 04"
3 016 NOZAL Isidro ESP ONE at 00' 04"
4 063 CUESTA Inigo ESP COF at 00' 15"
5 094 DA CRUZ Carlos FRA FDJ at 00' 23"
6 127 O'GRADY Stuart AUS C.A at 00' 23"
7 158 PORTAL Nicolas FRA A2R at 00' 23"
8 117 ROGERS Michael AUS QSD at 00' 23"
9 141 MC EWEN Robbie AUS LOT at 00' 42"
10 093 COOKE Baden AUS FDJ at 00' 42"


Top 10 overall after todays stage:

1 001 ARMSTRONG Lance USA USP in 49h 16' 37"
2 028 VINOKOUROV Alexandre KAZ TEL at 00' 21"
3 171 MAYO Iban ESP EUS at 01' 02"
4 031 MANCEBO Francisco ESP BAN at 01' 37"
5 071 HAMILTON Tyler USA CSC at 01' 52"
6 131 ULLRICH Jan GER TBI at 02' 10"
7 081 BASSO Ivan ITA FAS at 02' 25"
8 002 HERAS Roberto ESP USP at 02' 28"
9 179 ZUBELDIA Haimar ESP EUS at 03' 25"
10 036 MENCHOV Denis RUS BAN at 03' 45"

Armstrong remains in yellow for Stage 12 which is an Individual Time Trial. Good news for Lance fans, Lance will be riding last in tomorrows stage which means he will know ahead of time what pace he needs to set to retain and increase his overall lead. The stage begins in Gaillac and ends 47 kilometers later in Cap' Découverte. This is an important stage for Lance, especially heading into the Pyrenees beginning Saturday. This weekend could put a cap on the final outcome of the tour, or increase the wide openess of the race we have seen thus far. Should be fun!

Go Lance!!!!

[Drbio]

Lance is da' man, but you absolutely MUST give mad props to Tyler Hamilton. Wow.

[u2sarajevo]

Originally posted by: Drbio
Lance is da' man, but you absolutely MUST give mad props to Tyler Hamilton. Wow.

He is a super human. Found this on his website:

The pain in my collar bone is now being matched by pain in my spine. I started feeling a jabbing pain in my back and rib cage a couple of days ago. We just figured it was a bruise making it's way to the surface and that it would get better each day. But the problem is it's been getting worse. Yesterday, the pain woke me up about an hour ahead of our scheduled wake up call. No one gets up earlier than they have to at the Tour. So this was serious. I couldn't take a deep breath. It was like I got an instant cramp every time I tried to suck in a lot of air. And the pain would dart around my side into my chest. The feeling made me a little more than nervous

Unbelievable what he is accomplishing.

[Fidel]

The time trial is underway.

Out of the tour favourites it will be between Armstrong and Ullrich today. Mayo will lose the most time out of the top 6 (2.30 - 4.00 mins I think). Vinokurov will probably also lose time (1.30 - 2.00 mins). Mancebo and Hamilton might be able to keep it at 1.00 - 1.30 (hmm maybe Vinokurov can keep up with them too, but I don´t think he can reach Ullrich or Armstrong). With Armstrong and Ullrich it depends on who´s got the better form. I hope Ullrich can gain some time, but it won´t too much if any at all.

Plus there will be some specialists like Millar and Ekimov fighting with Armstrong and Ullrich for the stage win.

[Fidel]

I forgot about Zubeldia who just started. I think he will make a jump in the rankings today.

Nice job by Peschel who´s still in the lead but Millar is about to catch him.

Ullrich and Armstrong are about to start pretty soon.