Tour de France

[Bill Gold]

At the conclusion of today’s 6.1km Prologue, Lance Armstrong is 2 seconds behind leader Fabian Cancellara, and 14 seconds ahead of rival Jan Ullrich! Go Lance!

[Joshua May]

At the conclusion of today’s 6.1km Prologue, Lance Armstrong is 2 seconds behind leader Fabian Cancellara, and 14 seconds ahead of rival Jan Ullrich! Go Lance!

That guy is absolutely amazing, especially doing this coming back from cancer. I hope he wins this time two, I believe it would be the 6th race in a row!

[Scooter]

WooHoo. Go Lance. He is awesome, quite the hometown hero (he is from Austin). I've seen him training around here before.

Bill

[Ben Lauer]

That guy is absolutely amazing, especially doing this coming back from cancer. I hope he wins this time two, I believe it would be the 6th race in a row!
Yes, it would be his 6th in a row. The amazing part is that no one really took notice of this amazing feat until his 3rd or 4th tour win in a row. It has been said that he can only win if he gets angry, and if you look back on his past wins, this is very true!

[Lisa Perez]

Read his book, It's Not About the Bike. It's amazing.

[Billfred]

Two seconds off the lead?

That's ownage--the flat sections aren't his strong spot. He's always grabbed the lead in the mountain sections.

[Bill Gold]

After today’s 202.5km Stage 1 (Liège to Charleroi) Armstrong is 10 seconds behind leader Fabian Cancellara, and 6 seconds behind second place Thor Hushovd. Armstrong has also maintained his 14 second advantage over Jan Ullrich.

[D.J. Fluck]

I don't care what anybody says, but Lance Armstrong is the greatest male athlete to ever walk this planet. It's amazing what he has gone through and more amazing what he has done. I think its really sad and pathetic that these tabloids, newspapers and news agencies have nothing better to do then accuse him of using steroids... I hope he wins his 6th in a row!

Go Lance!

[Joshua May]

I don't care what anybody says, but Lance Armstrong is the greatest male athlete to ever walk this planet. It's amazing what he has gone through and more amazing what he has done. I think its really sad and pathetic that these tabloids, newspapers and news agencies have nothing better to do then accuse him of using steroids... I hope he wins his 6th in a row!

Go Lance!

I have to agree with you, not only is he an excellent athlete in what is most likely the most grueling athletic competition, but he has overcome other physical hardships on the way.

[Cory]

I agree with DJ 100%.

In a kind of disturbing way, the reporters are really complementing Armstrong. Basically they're saying that he's so $@#$@#$@#$@# good, he *has* to be on something.

I do think it's really, really low though. The man is a cancer survivor. After going through Chemo, I am 100% sure he has an adversion to using *any* kind of drugs.

His book really is fantastic, and one of the most inspirational I have ever read. I found it while cleaning my closet the other day and just sat down and read the entire thing again, and loved it even more.

Here's to Lance making history!

Cory

[Joshua May]

In a kind of disturbing way, the reporters are really complementing Armstrong. Basically they're saying that he's so $@#$@#$@#$@# good, he *has* to be on something.

I do think it's really, really low though. The man is a cancer survivor. After going through Chemo, I am 100% sure he has an adversion to using *any* kind of drugs.

Yeah, the man cheated death once already, I don't think he'd use anything that could kill him again.

[Mike Ciance]

That guy is absolutely amazing, especially doing this coming back from cancer. I hope he wins this time two, I believe it would be the 6th race in a row!

Lance was in Dodgeball and mentioned his cancer comeback.

[Bill Gold]

In today's relatively flat 197km Stage 2 (Charleroi to Namur) Lance finished in the main peleton losing no actual time to riders (but losing bonus time to some riders throughout the stage. Lance is in 4th place: 1 second behind 3rd place (Australian) Robbie McEwen, 10 seconds behind 2nd place (Swiss) Fabian Cancellara, and 18 seconds behind leader (Norwegian) Thor Hushovd. Lance has also maintained his lead over Ullrich, Hamilton, and Mayo.

[D.J. Fluck]

Yeah, the man cheated death once already, I don't think he'd use anything that could kill him again.


For the record, if he did use steroids anytime after chemo up to a few years, his chances of dying from using steroids would go up through the roof...

[Bill Gold]

In today's 210km Stage 3 (Waterloo to Wasquehal) Lance lost a few seconds to Robbie McEwen and Jean-Patrick Nazon, and is in fifth place. He is 16 seconds behind leader Robbie McEwen as of this moment. Armstrong avoided a nasty crash that held up rivals Iban Mayo, Christophe Moreau, and Stuart O'Grady. The crash left Marco Velo with a compound fracture of his collarbone, and forced him to retire from the race.

[Bill Gold]

The US Postal Service team won today's Stage 4 64.5km (Cambrai to Arras) team time trial giving Lance Armstrong the lead in the Tour de France for the first time this year. Lance has a 36 second advantage over American Tyler Hamilton, and a 55 second lead over Jan Ullrich.

[Joshua May]

The US Postal Service team won today's Stage 4 64.5km (Cambrai to Arras) team time trial giving Lance Armstrong the lead in the Tour de France for the first time this year. Lance has a 36 second advantage over American Tyler Hamilton, and a 55 second lead over Jan Ullrich.

Is that a 36 second lead over 2nd?

[Bill Gold]

Is that a 36 second lead over 2nd?
That's a 36 second lead over the highest ranking major threat to Armstrong (8th place Tyler Hamilton). 2nd Place George Hincapie is 10 seconds behind Armstrong, followed by 3rd place Floyd Landis 16 seconds behind Armstrong, 4th place José Azevedo is 22 seconds back, and 5th place José Luis Rubiera is 24 seconds back before a non-USPS rider is ranked overall. 6th place José Gutierrez of the Phonak Team is 27 seconds behind Armstrong.

[Bill Gold]

Here are the standings (down to Armstrong's position) after today's 200.5km Stage 5 from Amiens to Chartres.

1st - Thomas Voeckler
2nd - Stuart O'Grady (3:13 behind)
3rd - Sandy Casar (4:06 behind)
4th - Magnus Backstedt (6:06 behind)
5th - Jakob Piil (6:58 behind)
6th - Lance Armstrong (9:35 behind)

[Joe Ross]

Hey Bill, where's today's update? ;) What do you think of Armstrong's fall?

[Alex Cormier]

Hey Bill, where's today's update? ;) What do you think of Armstrong's fall?
hes down quite far... i checked on the FOX website they have a thing trackign all the players...

[Bill Gold]

Hey Bill, where's today's update? ;) What do you think of Armstrong's fall?
Sorry Joe. I've been rushing around all day at work. I'm about to leave and will edit this post to include today's update when I get back to the dorm.

<edit>
Joe,
Were you referring to his crash or to his fall in the overall standings? With regard to the crash today, it didn’t look that bad. He got up, and made it back into the pack and finished well. With regard to the standings I would say that the breakaway group from yesterday who leapfrogged him in the overall standings isn’t a threat to him (taking into account that their skill drops off in the mountain stages).

Here are the overall standings down to Armstrong’s position after today’s 196km Stage 6 (Bonneval to Angers):
1st - Thomas Voeckler (24h 37m 30s)
2nd - Stuart O'Grady (3:01 behind)
3rd - Sandy Casar (4:06 behind)
4th - Magnus Backstedt (6:06 behind)
5th - Jakob Piil (6:58 behind)
6th - Lance Armstrong (9:35 behind)
</edit>

[Bill Gold]

After today’s 204.5km Stage 7 (Châteaubriant to Saint-Brieuc) the top 6 in the overall classification haven’t changed with the exception of the leader’s (Thomas Voeckler) overall time, which is now 29h 9m 14s. Armstrong is still in 6th place just 9:35 behind the leader.

[Franchesca]

That guy is absolutely amazing, especially doing this coming back from cancer.

This is what I find to be most amaizing about him. Having been around cancer patients, I have experienced first hand the emotional, mental, and overall physical toll that it takes on them. I find it incredible that he has gone on to win 5 consecutive Tour de France races. He is truly a survivor and a source of inspiration to all people and especially those who go through such hard times such as being diagnosed with cancer.

Some people sink into depression, gain weight, loose hope or worse. It is very important for cancer patients to have a motivation in life -- something to live for!! It is very important for them to know that they are worth something even if they are sick, its important that they know they are valued! And it is just as important that they know that there is hope for them and that no matter what are the odds their life has not go on unnoticed, unloved, or unappreciated.

He is truly an example of not giving up even in your hardest times. I have faith that he will win and even if he doesn't he has still done what most of us only dream about -- conquering his fears, surviving the worst, and becomng a hero to himself!!

GOOD LUCK LANCE!!

[Corey Balint]

After two amazing stages in the mountains, 2nd in stage 12, first in stage 13, Armstrong is only 22 seconds behind Voeckler. And with a few more mountain stages to go, you can assume Armstrong is going to overtake him and get an unprecedented 6th title in a row. The only way he might lose, is if he has an accident.

And fellow american, Tyler Hamilton dropped out due to back problems. So Armstrong is the only real US contender left.

[Bill Gold]

After winning today’s 180.5km Stage 15 (Valréas to Villard-de-Lans) Lance Armstrong has taken the leader’s Yellow Jersey in the Tour de France. Lance sped ahead of second place Ivan Basso with less than half a kilometer to go in the stage. Spaniard Iban Mayo, a pre-race favorite, dropped out of the race today after having fallen over 38 minutes behind Armstrong through Stage 14.

Tomorrow is a time trial, 15.5km up a mountain (with an average gradient of 7.9%) to the Alpe D’Huez ski station. Here are the top 5 riders overall after Stage 15.

Lance Armstrong 67h 13m 43s
Ivan Basso 1m 25s behind
Andreas Kloden 3m 22s behind
Francisco Mancebo 5m 39s behind
Jan Ullrich 6m 54s behind

[Corey Balint]

That final pass was just amazing, you think they are spent already, and he floors it around him and takes the stage, simply amazing. He really showed how much the win meant to him too, as he crossed the finish line, normally most people just raise their hands and do like a small point to god or something like that. he kind of went crazy, throwing his arms up in joy and just like screaming, that was a first.

Btw-Former leader-Voeckler is now about 9 and a half minutes out of first and is in 8th place overall-placed 54th this stage.

[Franchesca]

I just heard on the news that he's ahead ... in 1st place i believe!!!

Yay!! Go Lance :) !

He's really close to achiving his goal and I believe he will!!! Slow start but the best finish -- that's what counts! ;)

[David Hoff]

Slow start but the best finish -- that's what counts! ;)
It wasn't really a slow start, more of a strategic start. If he went all out from the beginning and tried to keep pace with the leaders the entire time, he would have burned out. That's somewhat like what happened to Thomas Voeckler.

[Corey Balint]

Ya. Lance's main goal is to save energy for the Mountains, because he knows thats his strength. So all he really does for the first couple of stages is go at a good top pace, but keep his energy, and try not to break away from the peloton, where he can draft with everyone. Then when it gets to the Mountains, he goes all out, and many dont have the skills he does in the mountains, so he gains back his time fast. in 4 mountain stages he gained 11+ minutes

[Corey Balint]

He absolutely destroyed in the time trial today, he won it by over Jan Ulrich, by just over a minute. He now is 3.48 over 2nd place Basso, 5.03 over Kloden, and 7.55 over his biggest threat Ulrich.

With just 4 stages left, it looks like he will be able to coast his way to his sixth straight tour title.

[Franchesca]

It wasn't really a slow start, more of a strategic start. If he went all out from the beginning and tried to keep pace with the leaders the entire time, he would have burned out. That's somewhat like what happened to Thomas Voeckler.

Ok I will edit my comment! :rolleyes: What I should've said was "it was a strategic start" :p Slow -- so that he could save energy ... and anyway it shouldn't matter as much how he starts (or how other people 'put it') ... what should matter is that he WINS ... right???!!! :D

[Corey Balint]

After winning the 17th stage today, Armstrong is now 4.09 over Basso-whose in 2nd and 8.08 over Ulrich who is in 4th. So it is now pretty safe to say Lance Armstrong is the 2004 Tour de France Champion, the only way he can really lose now, is if he crashes, or some unforeseen event occurs.

[D.J. Fluck]

:ahh: Lance's Last Tour?! (http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/news/story?id=1844916) :ahh:

[D.J. Fluck]

Well, maybe not

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/news/story?id=1844916

He says he'll probably skip next year, but he wants to run it again

[Bill Gold]

Well, maybe not

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/news/story?id=1844916

He says he'll probably skip next year, but he wants to run it again
He has said that he has considered retiring or skipping the TdF many times in the past. We'll see what happens.

[Corey Balint]

Quick update-he finished with the peloton today, he didnt lose any time. At one point he was up with the leaders, but dropped back so he could let some of the other guys get a win.

[Ben Lauer]

To add to what Corey said...
A group of 7-8 took off in a break away, and the pelaton let them go because this is kind of a filler stage with no big climbs. Then, Filippo Simeoni, the 198 placed rider decided to go and chase the lead group. Apperently this guy made Lance really angry earlier in the day. It made Lance mad enough to go and chase this guy and catch up with the lead group. Lance NEVER goes in to break aways unless he is climbing. This makes everyone else in the lead group angry at Simeoni, because with them riding with the Race Leader, the pelaton is forcing themselves to catch the lead group. To sum up, the lead group yells at Simeoni to fall back to the pelaton, and lance goes back at the same time. Well like I said earlier, all Lance need is to get angry!!!

[Corey Balint]

To add to what Ben said...
Simeoni testified against Lance's friend, Michele Ferari-who is an athletic doctor-in court in a large case, with people he/she appearantly told to take performance enhancing drugs. So once Lance saw him pull away, he came with him-once the lead pack saw him-they told simeoni to leave, so they could try to win, so Simeoni eventually did.

[Corey Balint]

Todays stage-another time trial-was yet again won by Lance Armstrong, winning by just over a minute. Armstrong now leads 2nd place Kloden by 6.38, 3rd place Basso by 6.59, and 4th place Ulrich 9.09. Making the only major change of the day-Kloden overtaking the 1 minute deficeit to Basso for 2nd place. Tomorrow is the 20th and final stage, so i say again, the only way Lance loses, is if he gets seriously hurt in a crash and cannot finish.

[Aaron Knight]

According to CNN, he won: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/more/specials/tour_de_france/2004/

:D

[Cory]

He has won, pretty much regardless of anything that happens.

The last stage is entirely ceremonial. It's understood between all the riders that nobody attacks the leader during the stage, and lets the leader's entire team just cruise to the finish.

If Lance crashed, the peloton would stop and wait for him and let him get back in front.

Cory

[Corey Balint]

Most definitely, but as i said, only if he was seriously injured, this race was all but over after the 16th stage. I think we will probably see him drinking a glass of Champagne during the final stage, again.

[Corey Balint]

Well, its done-Lance has now won his 6th Tour in a row. Which is simply put, just amazing.

[Joshua May]

Well, its done-Lance has now won his 6th Tour in a row. Which is simply put, just amazing.

And he had the champagne, that man is just an amazing athlete

[David Kelly]

And he had the champagne, that man is just an amazing athlete

Oh yeah!!! Nothing like an American kicking rear-end in France!!!! :D

[Bill Gold]

Oh yeah!!! Nothing like an American kicking rear-end in France!!!! :D
An American Francophile. Believe it or not, most of the mainstream French media loves Armstrong, especially the fact that he takes the care to honor their customs and speak to French reporters in French. Foreigners more often respect you when you show them respect in return.