Posted on 07/26/2003 2:17:21 PM PDT by bicycle thug
Hamilton finishes second; now 4th on GC
The anticipated Tour de France clash between Lance Armstrong and Jan Ullrich came to a soggy conclusion in Saturday's 49-kilometer 19th stage from Pornic to Nantes.
Armstrong all but sewed up his fifth overall title while Ullrich will settle for second a fifth time.
Armstrong widened his margin to Ullrich to 1 minute, 16 seconds in the Tour's penultimate stage and only has to avoid disaster Sunday before becoming the fifth man to win the Tour five times.
Armstrong admitted this was the hardest Tour victory since his courageous cancer comeback in 1999. The 31-year-old Texan had to endure crashes, illnesses, near-misses, dehydration and determined rivals to join the other four members of the elite five-win club: the late Jacque Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain.
"This was absolutely the most difficult year for many reasons. Physically I was not super, tactically we made some mistakes made," said Armstrong, who finished third behind stage winner David Millar (Cofidis).
"This close one feels different and feels better than all the other ones," Armstrong said who pumped his right fist as he crossed the line. "I definitely feel like I have missed or dodged a lot of bullets."
Now he's on verge of joining cycling's elite five-win club after he relied on cagey tactics and sheer luck to make up for less than dominant strength.
"I think I had to rely more on strategy than I did on physical gift. Given that I was off a few points, I had to look at other ways," said Armstrong, a winner at stage 15. "I had a lot of luck. I'd always rather be lucky than good."
First Armstrong had to hold off Ullrich in Saturday's rainy and windy time trial. The German took 1:36 out on the Texan in the Tour's first time trial, but Armstrong was confident knowing that all he had to do was keep Ullrich close.
"With more than 1 minute advantage, it's not my position to take a risk. He's the one that has to take a risks," Armstrong said. "I can tell you I was much happier when I woke up this morning when I saw 19 degrees and rain than when I saw 40 degrees and sun (in the first time trial). ... When I heard that Jan crashed, for me the race was finished. I took it easy and really took no risks."
Ullrich's return Ullrich had his own problems. He couldn't find his race glasses until the last moment and looked uncomfortable on the bike as he struggled to find a comfortable position.
He quickly opened up a six-second gap on Armstrong in the opening 1.5km, before the Texan began to match his pace. Ullrich and Armstrong stayed even through the second time check when disaster struck.
With 12km to go, Ullrich sped into one of the many traffic roundabouts that dotted the course. The big German leaned heavily into the first righthand portion of turn, causing his rear wheel to slip and he went sprawling to the ground, slipping all the way across the wet asphalt on his right side into the protective hay bales.
And Tyler Hamilton's performance with a broken collar bone. Incredible. What character to do that grueling a race in such pain.
U.S.A. is number one today in a major international Sport. Thank you Lance, Tyler, I am proud enough to burst a gut.
That's Liberty sport events, sport.
Lance will probably retire ...maybe not ...after this...but it's an amazing feat. God bless him. A REAL American hero.
Sadly I really like bike racing ...
prisoner6
That said about Lance, I still think he doesn't compare to Eddy Merckx. Not only did the Cannibal win five tours, he was also a major factor in the one day classics, even did six-day races.
I'm glad to hear that. His wife was on hand today and she looked very enthused, so hopefully their marital problems have been worked out, and she is on board for next year. I would imagine her leaving him this year had a lot to do with his "struggles" (I should struggle like he does).
I felt it was almost a sure thing that one or both of them would fall. I thought it extremely unlikely that either would slow until there was a crash. It was a shame for the Tour to be decided in this fashion.
Big time Ditto! I haven't kept up with the event except for occasional updates here on FR, but I am pleased as punch that a cancer survivor returned to world-class athlete through good old-fashioned American determination and grit and has all but won the title again! Serves the nose-in-the-air Euroweenies right!
It's also excellent that he had such a talented and formidable opponent right up until yesterday. Makes his victory even more solid IMO. As far as the opponent falling down, well, serendipity enters into sports just like any other aspect of life. Armstrong has captured a legitimate win. Hope the Froggies are positively choking on it! I danced with glee!!
Prairie
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