Tour de Lance....is it over

**ChiTown** · 07-05-2005, 11:36 AM

Dude took the lead after the fourth stage..................this puppy is over

Armstrong, Discovery Channel Team Win Time Trial
American Takes Yellow Jersey; Early Leader Zabriskie Takes a Tumble
By JAMEY KEATEN, AP SPORTS

BLOIS, France (July 5) - Lance Armstrong took the overall lead in the Tour de France on Tuesday when his Discovery Channel squad won the team time trial in the fourth stage in record time.

"So I can clearly see how it happened, but it's clearly a bad one for him," he said of Zabriskie.

With the win, Armstrong will wear the yellow jersey for the 66th time in his Tour career. Discovery teammate George Hincapie is second overall, 55 seconds behind Armstrong.

Now, Armstrong and Discovery will decide whether they want to maintain the race lead or give up the yellow jersey until later in the race, which finishes on July 24 finish in Paris.

"It's always nice to be in yellow," Armstrong said. "There are three or four flat stages coming, so it will not be easy to defend the jersey."

Armstrong heaped praise on his teammates, citing Hincapie in particular, and dedicated the victory to Russian veteran Vyacheslav Ekimov, who is out with an injury.

Under overcast skies, the nine-man teams set off one-by-one through the Loire River valley, known for its majestic medieval and Renaissance castles, and through the town of Amboise, where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last years of his life.

The Discovery teammates took turns leading the single-file pack of riders. Seven of the nine riders rode with Armstrong under U.S. Postal team colors last year, before the change of the lead sponsor.

"It was a very tight matchup as we expected. We kept a good rhythm," Discovery team director Johan Bruyneel said. "We stayed together ... It was a beautiful machine operating."

The riders will now embark on three relatively flat stages toward Germany, which the race enters on Friday, starting with a 183-kilometer (113.46-mile) the fifth stage Wednesday from the Chambord castle to the industrial town of Montargis.

"There's still a lot of racing to go, a lot of nervous days, anything can happen, crashes here, crashes there, especially the stages in the few days which are tricky," Armstrong said.

07/05/05 11:12 EDT

HC_Chief · 07-05-2005, 11:39 AM

The man is a machine.

A lot can happen between now and the end of the grueling race (24th), but I'm of the opinion that Armstrong & his team will win an unheard of 7th victory.

**Donger** · 07-05-2005, 11:44 AM

Sans a crash or illness, yes.

If Zabreski (sp?) hadn't have fallen, he and Armstrong would have had exactly the same GC time. That would have been weird. Two yellow jerseys?

BIG_DADDY · 07-05-2005, 11:46 AM

Armstrong rules, I really hope he wins this.

**cdcox** · 07-05-2005, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Sans a crash or illness, yes.

If Zabreski (sp?) hadn't have fallen, he and Armstrong would have had exactly the same GC time. That would have been weird. Two yellow jerseys?

They time to the nearest 1/100 of a second, so in all likelihood they would have been able to detrmine a true leader.

It is far from over yet. Armstrong won't really be tested until the mountain stages. In the 1996 Tour, Miguel Indurain had a string of 5 consecutive tour victories going that were every bit as convincing as Lance's. He looked for all the world like he was riding to his 6th victory until the first mountain stage where he was clearly unable to match the top riders. Tried as he might on subsequent stages, he just could not do it. Old age had finally caught up to him. He retired following the Tour at age 32.

But yes, everything so far is pointing to a victory for Lance.

Simplex3 · 07-05-2005, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdcox

They time to the nearest 1/100 of a second, so in all likelihood they would have been able to detrmine a true leader.

It is far from over yet. Armstrong won't really be tested until the mountain stages. In the 1996 Tour, Miguel Indurain had a string of 5 consecutive tour victories going that were every bit as convincing as Lance's. He looked for all the world like he was riding to his 6th victory until the first mountain stage where he was clearly unable to match the top riders. Tried as he might on subsequent stages, he just could not do it. Old age had finally caught up to him. He retired following the Tour at age 32.

But yes, everything so far is pointing to a victory for Lance.

Aren't the mountain stages where Lance really kicks ass though?

I'd say that today the most likely reason for him to not win may be crowd interference. His dominance is driving the Euro-weenies nuts. Didn't some Germans last year whack his bike with an umbrella?

**cdcox** · 07-05-2005, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simplex3

Aren't the mountain stages where Lance really kicks ass though?

I'd say that today the most likely reason for him to not win may be crowd interference. His dominance is driving the Euro-weenies nuts. Didn't some Germans last year whack his bike with an umbrella?

Yes he is very good in the mountains. The toughest terrain is where slight differences in rider's abilities can result in minutes of difference in finishing time. So even though he has enjoyed an advantage there in years past, it is also where any weakening of his ability due to age will most likely show.

It was two years ago, it was a lunch bag, and it was accidental. The fan was an idot, but not malicious.

**Donger** · 07-05-2005, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simplex3

Aren't the mountain stages where Lance really kicks ass though?

I'd say that today the most likely reason for him to not win may be crowd interference. His dominance is driving the Euro-weenies nuts. Didn't some Germans last year whack his bike with an umbrella?

The German fans got pretty nasty last year, especially on the individual time trial up.

dtebbe · 07-05-2005, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simplex3

Aren't the mountain stages where Lance really kicks ass though?

I'd say that today the most likely reason for him to not win may be crowd interference. His dominance is driving the Euro-weenies nuts. Didn't some Germans last year whack his bike with an umbrella?

My understanding is what makes Lance so great is that he is a "jammer" which means he always rides with a very high cadence. Maintaining a high cadence is supposed to be key in the mountains. The guy is awesome, my pick for the best athlete ever, period. Let's keep in mind that on a bike you also have to be a skilled rider too, which makes him all that much more amazing. Today's wipeout by a top contender shows just how on the edge those guys are.

DT

Slayer Diablo · 07-05-2005, 07:25 PM

Did he say something about retiring after lucky his lucky seventh?

**Donger** · 07-05-2005, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdcox

They time to the nearest 1/100 of a second, so in all likelihood they would have been able to detrmine a true leader.

It is far from over yet. Armstrong won't really be tested until the mountain stages. In the 1996 Tour, Miguel Indurain had a string of 5 consecutive tour victories going that were every bit as convincing as Lance's. He looked for all the world like he was riding to his 6th victory until the first mountain stage where he was clearly unable to match the top riders. Tried as he might on subsequent stages, he just could not do it. Old age had finally caught up to him. He retired following the Tour at age 32.

But yes, everything so far is pointing to a victory for Lance.

Yes, but Indurain was never as a good a climber as Lance is.

**Donger** · 07-05-2005, 12:28 PM

Dang. I just heard that Zabriskie broke some ribs when he crashed. Tour's over for him.

beavis · 07-05-2005, 12:30 PM

Awesome. Really early to call the race, but sure looks good for #7.

redfan · 07-05-2005, 12:40 PM

Very happy for LA and team Discovery. Very saddened for David Z. What a way to lose the maillot jaune.
Can anyone confirm Donger's post? Carp!

yeti · 07-05-2005, 12:43 PM

It is early still, I would get too excited until the mountains. Those are the best stages, in terms of entertainment, I think.

07-05-2005, 11:36 AM	Topic Starter
ChiTown Stroking to the SB Champs! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Flatlands of Kansas Casino cash: $-501038	Tour de Lance....is it over Dude took the lead after the fourth stage..................this puppy is over Armstrong, Discovery Channel Team Win Time Trial American Takes Yellow Jersey; Early Leader Zabriskie Takes a Tumble By JAMEY KEATEN, AP SPORTS BLOIS, France (July 5) - Lance Armstrong took the overall lead in the Tour de France on Tuesday when his Discovery Channel squad won the team time trial in the fourth stage in record time. "So I can clearly see how it happened, but it's clearly a bad one for him," he said of Zabriskie. With the win, Armstrong will wear the yellow jersey for the 66th time in his Tour career. Discovery teammate George Hincapie is second overall, 55 seconds behind Armstrong. Now, Armstrong and Discovery will decide whether they want to maintain the race lead or give up the yellow jersey until later in the race, which finishes on July 24 finish in Paris. "It's always nice to be in yellow," Armstrong said. "There are three or four flat stages coming, so it will not be easy to defend the jersey." Armstrong heaped praise on his teammates, citing Hincapie in particular, and dedicated the victory to Russian veteran Vyacheslav Ekimov, who is out with an injury. Under overcast skies, the nine-man teams set off one-by-one through the Loire River valley, known for its majestic medieval and Renaissance castles, and through the town of Amboise, where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last years of his life. The Discovery teammates took turns leading the single-file pack of riders. Seven of the nine riders rode with Armstrong under U.S. Postal team colors last year, before the change of the lead sponsor. "It was a very tight matchup as we expected. We kept a good rhythm," Discovery team director Johan Bruyneel said. "We stayed together ... It was a beautiful machine operating." The riders will now embark on three relatively flat stages toward Germany, which the race enters on Friday, starting with a 183-kilometer (113.46-mile) the fifth stage Wednesday from the Chambord castle to the industrial town of Montargis. "There's still a lot of racing to go, a lot of nervous days, anything can happen, crashes here, crashes there, especially the stages in the few days which are tricky," Armstrong said. 07/05/05 11:12 EDT
Posts: 40,922

07-05-2005, 11:39 AM	#2
HC_Chief That's just f***in' stupid Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: suburbia Casino cash: $3687107	The man is a machine. A lot can happen between now and the end of the grueling race (24th), but I'm of the opinion that Armstrong & his team will win an unheard of 7th victory. __________________ "Gentlemen, you can't fight in here, this is the war room!"
Posts: 12,355

07-05-2005, 11:44 AM	#3
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $6819900 VARSITY	Sans a crash or illness, yes. If Zabreski (sp?) hadn't have fallen, he and Armstrong would have had exactly the same GC time. That would have been weird. Two yellow jerseys? __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 191,135

07-05-2005, 11:46 AM	#4
BIG_DADDY THE RED MENACE Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Texas Casino cash: $2558410	Armstrong rules, I really hope he wins this. __________________ The diabolical genius of Marxism-Socialism is that it provides the emotional and intellectual road map for autocrats to persuade millions of people to support their own enslavement to government. ~Mark Levin April 15, 2019
Posts: 32,522

07-05-2005, 07:25 PM	#10
Slayer Diablo Cross with me Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $9994900	Did he say something about retiring after lucky his lucky seventh?
Posts: 11,673

07-05-2005, 12:28 PM	#12
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $6819900 VARSITY	Dang. I just heard that Zabriskie broke some ribs when he crashed. Tour's over for him. __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 191,135

07-05-2005, 12:30 PM	#13
beavis Free Born Man of the USA Join Date: May 2003 Casino cash: $9954900	Awesome. Really early to call the race, but sure looks good for #7.
Posts: 7,588

07-05-2005, 12:40 PM	#14
redfan I miss John, Willie & Eric Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Burgers & Steak Casino cash: $-1878148	Very happy for LA and team Discovery. Very saddened for David Z. What a way to lose the maillot jaune. Can anyone confirm Donger's post? Carp! __________________ IV LIV LVII LVIII Len Dawson: SB IV MVP Patrick Mahomes: 2X NFLMVP 3X SBMVP and 3rd member of the B2B SBMVP Club
Posts: 8,217

07-05-2005, 12:43 PM	#15
yeti Kansas City Chiefs Football Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Texas Casino cash: $6683278	It is early still, I would get too excited until the mountains. Those are the best stages, in terms of entertainment, I think.
Posts: 1,028