I dunno, iguana, I remember the massive escape in 2001, and how Lance got back into it, but I've just got it in my brain that the event I was speaking of was in the Pyrenees... it may have been in 2000 (counter-clockwise year), I do seem to recall that Lance's chances were still considered 'iffy' at that point, and the stage showed that he was there to take it all. Think I'll do a little research on 2000 now!
Oh, iguana - many thanks for the details of Tour 2000, Stage 8. What article in Wiki was that from?
Lance has also said that stage on l'Alpe D'Huez in 2001 was his best ever day on a bike.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_Tour_de_France
Go to the Prologue to Stage 10 link for the stage 8 write-up.
2001 has lots of info, 2000 doesn't seem to. You can link to any other year at the bottom of the page.
What I remember from the Pyrenees in 2000 was the first mountain top finish - I think it was day 1 in the Pyrenees. People weren't sure if 1999 was a fluke or if Lance was for real. It was a nasty cold, rainy day and someone inconsequential (to the GC) had built up a big lead heading into the final climb. Lance took off and rocketed past everyone. Didn't catch the man out front, but put many minutes into everyone else.
That's what I remember anyway - reality may vary. Guess I'll have to look it up too...
Stage 10 to Hautacam finish. First day in the Pyrenees.
http://espn.go.com/moresports/tdf00/s/stagetenrecap.html
Lance put 3 minutes on Ullrich and more than 5 on Pantani when they were all together at the base of the climb.