Tour de France

[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)

[Joe Ross]

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

[Alex Cormier]

Originally Posted by Joe Ross

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]

Originally Posted by Joe Ross

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]

Originally Posted by HHSJosh

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]

Originally Posted by Franchesca

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