Tour de France

[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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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!

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]

Originally Posted by Cory

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.

Originally Posted by HHSJosh

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

Is that a 36 second lead over 2nd?

[Bill Gold]

Originally Posted by HHSJosh

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)