Armstrong Clears Path to Sixth Tour Title

[hightime]

Armstrong Clears Path to Sixth Tour Title
35 minutes ago
PLATEAU DE BEILLE, France - Start icing the champagne. Lance Armstrong cleared his path to a record sixth straight Tour de France crown, overpowering rivals to win the 13th stage Saturday. His two-day display of dominant mountain riding has all but decided cycling's showcase event even before it veers into the Alps next week.

Only Italian Ivan Basso managed to stay with the five-time champion on the devastating ascent to the Plateau de Beille, the last of seven climbs on a sun-baked, 127.7-mile trek through the Pyrenees.


As Armstrong and Basso rode through cheering crowds along the steep, snaking road, other riders scattered down the mountain, their hopes of dethroning the 32-year-old Texan evaporating with the sweat off their brows.


Jan Ullrich, considered Armstrong's toughest rival, conceded defeat after the steep 9.9-mile climb mined with hairpin turns.


http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=547&u=/ap/20040717/ap_on_sp_ot/cyc_tour_de_france_142&printer=1

[Bertha Venation]

1. Why did think Armstrong was at least 40 yoa?

Christ. I didn't know cancer could age a body so badly. He is an amazing human being. More power to you, Lance -- good luck.

[VolcanoJen]

2. Go Lance!

:toast:

[wildeyed]

3. I was nervous

about this year after he just barely squeaked out the victory last year, but everything seems smooth so far. Armstrong is very gracious to the other competitors, which I appreciate.

[rocktivity]

4. They're only halfway through--how can he have it in the bag

all of a sudden? I wish I understood the scoring system.

:headbang:
rocknation

[hightime]

5. Because nobody comes close to him in the mountains.

[TomNickell]

6. It's just accumulated time.

The race is almost always decided on the big climbs through the Alps and Pyrenees. On the flat rides, it is very hard for anyone to get much ahead--wind resistance sets the pace. On the big climbs, though, the strongest man can gain many minutes. There can be several climbs of 3000 feet; 10 miles at 8% grade. Today, Armstrong picked up 7 or so minutes on Jan Ulrich, who was supposed to be his major competitor. Another major competitor quit the race. There is no reason to think the situation will change in the next couple of days.

Only one guy kept up with Armstrong today--an Italian, Ivan Basso. He is about 1 minute behind Armstrong, overall. -If- he can repeat today's performance 5 or so more times the race will stay interesting. Experts doubt Basso can do that; he's not been that good before. Armstrong has been able to beat him in other races this year.

But.....

[VolcanoJen]

11. Great recap, TomNickell!

Thanks for that! :hi:

[rocktivity]

12. Thanks for the perspective, TomNickell

I guess I owe Lance an apology--after being in sixth place for so long, I thought he was screwing up!

:headbang:
rocknation

[salonghorn70]

7. He Just Keeps Goin'

HOOK 'EM, Lance

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[truthisfreedom]

8. Tour de Lance!

go!

[CRK7376]

9. Go Lance Go....

We in Korea follow the tour the best we can, been waiting for Lance to explode in the Pyrennes...Whopeeeee!

[TahitiNut]

10. Sheesh!! He made up almost NINE MINUTES on that stage!

That's freaking incredible! It's awesome against such a strong field of riders! I love the French -- they've 'adopted' Lance wholeheartedly. Such excellence transcends boundaries.

[Gregorian]

13. If Basso can do a good time trial, he could win.

But with the Postal team, and Armstrong's calculated corporate backing, I don't think it's possible. Remember, Lance said he couldn't shake him today. It's the time trial that will make the difference, among many other things, like time bonuses, and mishaps.

Edit- By the way, the more I watch these European races, the more I hate living in america. They are so appreciative of cycling. And the towns are incredibly beautiful, and so absent of the ugliness that is commonplace here. I want to move, but it's just too big a chance, and change. America's so ignorant. Damnit. Sorry about that. No, not sorry.