Posted on 07/22/2005 10:14:20 PM PDT by nutmeg
Stage 20 - Saturday, July 23: Saint-Etienne - Saint-Etienne ITT, 55 km
The showdown! All things being equal (and even with a few inequalitites) the individual time trial should provide a great spectacle at the end of a gruelling three weeks - Armstrong thrives in this race against the clock, and his dominance is well documented. But if we have a situation like 2003, this could be the clincher for the leader going into the stage, or it could provide the challenger with a whisker of hope. Here's hoping the weather stays fine and we get Ullrich out firing and witness Basso's improvement in time trialling, which has also been well-documented. The distance suits Armstrong, but the undulating terrain suits Ullrich's ability to push the big gears and power along. A surprise may be in the works, but chances are it'll come down to these two, regardless of where they are on GC - but it's also likely they'll both be at the pointy end of the field.
Why do I suddenly have a sinking feeling about #7?
Pretty sad state of affairs when Kerry bumps Robin Williams out of the team car.
meanwhile, back at the race...........
Not true -- the Green Jersey is up for grabs and usually it's decided by the sprint at the end.
Ullrich just set the pace at 17 km - 25:57. Top 3 are still to come.
Oh please.. oh please... oh please...
OK, I admit it... I'll be very happy if Lance runs for anything as a Republican. We'll find out eventually I guess...
Don't even think that!
!!! Sherwen just asked: "Doesn't he look like a beast?"
Very, very funny.
THERE IT IS! Paul Sherwen just said about Ullrich: "Doesn't he look like a beast?!" ;-D
I was feeling very relaxed watching the TDF when K appeared. Worse yet were the British announcers who must believe that Americans watching the TDF like Kerry. When they kept up their comments about his presence, at least I could come to FreeRepublic for refuge.
Well, Yahoo UK consigned him to be a "little" man (seems in their profile, they used cm instead of m; I know I placed that thread somewhere)
I'm talking about the edits in the team car.
Has Phil Ligget said yet that Ullrich's 'turning over the big gears' will give him the advantage today? (and then watch Lance pass him on the road)
My husband and I are both ROTFL... ;-D
Wow! Julich just roared across the finish in first! Way to go, Bobby!
KERRY PUKE ALERT!! I saw it also when OLN just showed john kerry in the armstrong chase car on stage 18 today right now on OLN.
I use to cheer for lance even though him and Cheryl had different political views....but this crossed the line....
JOHN KERRY has destoryed my thoughts of LANCE!!!!!!!
Hope he crashes today but doesn't get hurt. matter of fact crashes 3 or 4 times. there are other americans i can cheer for! anyone else agree?
You're on the wrong thread, buddy, better get to the Lance bashing thread.....
1. Ullrich (GER) 25:58, 2. Vino (KAZ) -0.12, 3. Evans (AUS)-0.23, 4. Julich (USA)-0.24, 5. Landis (USA) -0.29
Official after 17 km -
Basso 25:40
Armstrong 25:47
Ullrich 25:58
Rasmussen with a flat.
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