Road Bike Racing - Overall victory without a stage win?

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castaway
07-15-03, 10:00 PM
Just wondering if a rider could win the GC in the Tour de France without having taken a stage victory. Has it ever happened?
Could it happen this year?
US Postal won the TTT. But if Armstrong is able to keep the yellow jersey till the end without actually crossing the finishline first on his own (assuming the possibility exists), what would the reaction be? How would cycling fans, racers, and forum members feel about that?
I know it can happen, but since I'm a newbie to this cycling stuff I don't know if it has.
Been done! 5 times, once in recent history by none other than Greg LeMond in his last victory in 1990.
Jaimie65
07-15-03, 10:54 PM
Absolutely fine by me. The "finish line" is always in Paris and is nearly always a mass sprint effectively after a 10 lap crit. Whether numero uno gets to kiss a podium girl or three doesn't phase me at all.
It is all about who gets t p{aris in the shortest amount of time. If you do that and do not iwn a stage then so what.
brent_dube
07-16-03, 08:22 AM
Remember in 2000 Armstrong didn't have a win until the last TT
SamDaBikinMan
07-16-03, 12:54 PM
Do try to keep in mind this is a team effort so if the team has to do a lot of work to keep Lance in the top time position its no big deal.
I'd like to see him win at least one stage himself but it certainly is not required.
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