Old Age and Treachery: Go Lance!
07-12-09, 12:33 PM
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Armstrong: This Tour ‘probably not’ his last
TARBES, France (AP)—Lance Armstrong says he could be back for one more Tour de France.
The 37-year-old Texan, who is competing in the Tour for the first time since 2005, was asked by a French TV interviewer if this will be his last one.
“Probably not. Probably not,” Armstrong said on France-2 after Sunday’s ninth stage. “Maybe one more Tour.”
The seven-time champion, who is riding for the Astana team without salary this year, has previously hinted he may launch his own team next season.
When Astana was hit by financial trouble earlier this year and faced the prospect of being ejected from the ProTour, Armstrong said he could take over the team with the backing of U.S. sponsors.
Armstrong is in third place at the Tour, eight seconds behind leader Rinaldo Nocentini of Italy, who is not seen as an overall threat. Astana teammate Alberto Contador, the 2007 winner and main pre-race favorite, is second.
Armstrong said he believes the overall standings will not change significantly until the race reaches the Alps in its third week.
“There’s not going to be a lot of change until Verbier,” Armstrong said, referring to the grueling 15th stage between Pontarlier, France, and Verbier, Switzerland. “We’ll have more moments there when we’ll see who’s truly the strongest.
“I think that’s where the race is going to be decided,” he added of the Alps. “The combination of those days from Colmar all the way to the top of Ventoux (on the penultimate stage) is a very difficult six days. We’ll wait. The hardest mountain in France is on the last day, basically. You can’t forget that.”
The race is shaping up as a two-man battle between the two Astana stars, primarily because other pre-race favorites struggled in the time trials—and are trailing badly.
Armstrong was surprised when Contador attacked in the Pyrenees on Friday, making his move in the Andorran ski resort of Arcalis. Asked if he could have easily followed the Spaniard, Armstrong said he preferred to be a team player.
“I wouldn’t say that I could have easily followed, because it was an impressive attack,” Armstrong said. “I probably could have gone, but I didn’t see it coming and it wouldn’t be correct for me to go across. So, I waited for the other guys. I expected them to be able to pull it back and they didn’t, but that’s life, that’s cycling, and I had to do the right thing.”
Armstrong attacked early during Sunday’s stage, a 99.7-mile trek from Saint-Gaudens to Tarbes taking riders up two climbs, including the Tourmalet pass—one of the toughest ascents in professional cycling. He finished in the main pack, 34 seconds behind stage winner Pierrick Fedrigo of France, along with other favorites.
Associated Press Writer Deborah Seward in Paris contributed to this report.
TARBES, France (AP)—Lance Armstrong says he could be back for one more Tour de France.
The 37-year-old Texan, who is competing in the Tour for the first time since 2005, was asked by a French TV interviewer if this will be his last one.
“Probably not. Probably not,” Armstrong said on France-2 after Sunday’s ninth stage. “Maybe one more Tour.”
The seven-time champion, who is riding for the Astana team without salary this year, has previously hinted he may launch his own team next season.
When Astana was hit by financial trouble earlier this year and faced the prospect of being ejected from the ProTour, Armstrong said he could take over the team with the backing of U.S. sponsors.
Armstrong is in third place at the Tour, eight seconds behind leader Rinaldo Nocentini of Italy, who is not seen as an overall threat. Astana teammate Alberto Contador, the 2007 winner and main pre-race favorite, is second.
Armstrong said he believes the overall standings will not change significantly until the race reaches the Alps in its third week.
“There’s not going to be a lot of change until Verbier,” Armstrong said, referring to the grueling 15th stage between Pontarlier, France, and Verbier, Switzerland. “We’ll have more moments there when we’ll see who’s truly the strongest.
“I think that’s where the race is going to be decided,” he added of the Alps. “The combination of those days from Colmar all the way to the top of Ventoux (on the penultimate stage) is a very difficult six days. We’ll wait. The hardest mountain in France is on the last day, basically. You can’t forget that.”
The race is shaping up as a two-man battle between the two Astana stars, primarily because other pre-race favorites struggled in the time trials—and are trailing badly.
Armstrong was surprised when Contador attacked in the Pyrenees on Friday, making his move in the Andorran ski resort of Arcalis. Asked if he could have easily followed the Spaniard, Armstrong said he preferred to be a team player.
“I wouldn’t say that I could have easily followed, because it was an impressive attack,” Armstrong said. “I probably could have gone, but I didn’t see it coming and it wouldn’t be correct for me to go across. So, I waited for the other guys. I expected them to be able to pull it back and they didn’t, but that’s life, that’s cycling, and I had to do the right thing.”
Armstrong attacked early during Sunday’s stage, a 99.7-mile trek from Saint-Gaudens to Tarbes taking riders up two climbs, including the Tourmalet pass—one of the toughest ascents in professional cycling. He finished in the main pack, 34 seconds behind stage winner Pierrick Fedrigo of France, along with other favorites.
Associated Press Writer Deborah Seward in Paris contributed to this report.
07-14-09, 10:14 AM
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Cavendish wins 10th stage; Lance still 3rd
ISSOUDUN, France (AP) - Mark Cavendish won the 10th stage of the Tour de France on Tuesday, narrowly beating Thor Hushovd in a sprint finish on a flat stage that had cyclists riding without earpieces.
The British sprinter earned his third stage win of the Tour by breaking ahead in the final yards and holding off a late charge from Hushovd. Tyler Farrar of the United States finished third.
Rinaldo Nocentini of Italy kept the race leader's yellow jersey on the 120.9-mile trek between Limoges and Issoudun that favored sprinters. Seven-time champion Lance Armstrong finished safely in the main pack and remains in third place, with Astana teammate Alberto Contador in second.
Four riders were caught late in the race following a long breakaway.
Thierry Hupond, Benoit Vaugrenard, Mikhail Ignatiev and Samuel Dumoulin were caught with about .87 miles to go. Cavendish then turned into the home straight and was pressured by Hushovd, but held on for his seventh career Tour stage win.
Armstrong is coming out of 3 1/2 years of retirement and chasing an eighth Tour title. Contador is aiming for a second title after winning in 2007. The Spanish mountain specialist was unable to defend his title last year because Astana was barred from the race because of doping scandals.
The Tour hoped to inject drama into this race by eliminating earpieces in the 10th and 13th stages. Many riders, including Armstrong and Contador, saw the measure as dangerous.
"I can't hear anything, I don't know anything. ... I feel naked," Armstrong joked as he got off his Astana team bus and mounted his bike to go to the start line. "I think it's a lot to do about nothing."
Astana team director Johan Bruyneel had campaigned for the ban to be overturned. But it was upheld and is also scheduled for Friday, a tricky stage featuring one big climb and possibly many attacks. Teams are still pressuring organizers to overturn the ban.
"My impression is that we'll have the radio on Friday," Armstrong said.
With the backing of the cycling's governing body, Tour organizers decided last month that rider radios and TV sets in cars would be banned for the 10th and 13th stages. Earlier in the race, Bruyneel said the Tour was "not the place to have an experiment" of this kind.
Earpieces allow riders to be linked to their directors in the team cars. Popularized by Armstrong when he won his first Tour in 1999, some riders and former champions have recently criticized them for making the sport too clinical.
Riders can be informed of developments and told when they need to attack or chase riders in a breakaway.
"There are arguments to both sides, to have them or not to have them. But on balance, I think it's better to have them," Armstrong said. "In cycling, we have other, more important, things to care about."
ISSOUDUN, France (AP) - Mark Cavendish won the 10th stage of the Tour de France on Tuesday, narrowly beating Thor Hushovd in a sprint finish on a flat stage that had cyclists riding without earpieces.
The British sprinter earned his third stage win of the Tour by breaking ahead in the final yards and holding off a late charge from Hushovd. Tyler Farrar of the United States finished third.
Rinaldo Nocentini of Italy kept the race leader's yellow jersey on the 120.9-mile trek between Limoges and Issoudun that favored sprinters. Seven-time champion Lance Armstrong finished safely in the main pack and remains in third place, with Astana teammate Alberto Contador in second.
Four riders were caught late in the race following a long breakaway.
Thierry Hupond, Benoit Vaugrenard, Mikhail Ignatiev and Samuel Dumoulin were caught with about .87 miles to go. Cavendish then turned into the home straight and was pressured by Hushovd, but held on for his seventh career Tour stage win.
Armstrong is coming out of 3 1/2 years of retirement and chasing an eighth Tour title. Contador is aiming for a second title after winning in 2007. The Spanish mountain specialist was unable to defend his title last year because Astana was barred from the race because of doping scandals.
The Tour hoped to inject drama into this race by eliminating earpieces in the 10th and 13th stages. Many riders, including Armstrong and Contador, saw the measure as dangerous.
"I can't hear anything, I don't know anything. ... I feel naked," Armstrong joked as he got off his Astana team bus and mounted his bike to go to the start line. "I think it's a lot to do about nothing."
Astana team director Johan Bruyneel had campaigned for the ban to be overturned. But it was upheld and is also scheduled for Friday, a tricky stage featuring one big climb and possibly many attacks. Teams are still pressuring organizers to overturn the ban.
"My impression is that we'll have the radio on Friday," Armstrong said.
With the backing of the cycling's governing body, Tour organizers decided last month that rider radios and TV sets in cars would be banned for the 10th and 13th stages. Earlier in the race, Bruyneel said the Tour was "not the place to have an experiment" of this kind.
Earpieces allow riders to be linked to their directors in the team cars. Popularized by Armstrong when he won his first Tour in 1999, some riders and former champions have recently criticized them for making the sport too clinical.
Riders can be informed of developments and told when they need to attack or chase riders in a breakaway.
"There are arguments to both sides, to have them or not to have them. But on balance, I think it's better to have them," Armstrong said. "In cycling, we have other, more important, things to care about."
07-15-09, 04:56 PM
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Combo of the day made on July 15, 2009 in the 192 km and eleventh stage of the 2009 Tour de France cycling race run between Vatan and Saint-Fargeau, shows From L, top, injured Spanish cycling team Caisse d'Epargne (GCE)'s Jose Joaquim Rojas of Spain comforted after he felt with teammate David Arroyo of Spain (2ndL) and Luis Leon Sanchez of Spain (C), US cycling Team Columbia-High Road (THR)'s leader Mark Cavendish of Great Britain jubilating on the finish line, seven-time Tour de France winner and Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s Lance Armstrong of the United States (R) ridding in the pack with teammate 2007 Tour de France winner Alberto Contador (L) and the pack ridding past sunflowers
General Classification after Stage 11:
Last edited by RichinPeoria; 07-15-09 at 05:01 PM.
07-15-09, 04:59 PM
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Seven-time Tour de France winner and Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s Lance Armstrong of the United States (R) rides with Danish cycling team Team Saxo Bank (SAX)'s leader Andy Schleck of Luxemburg on July 15, 2009 in the 192 km and eleventh stage of the 2009 Tour de France cycling race run between Vatan and Saint-Fargeau.
07-16-09, 02:29 PM
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Combo of the day made on July 16, during the 200 km and twelfth stage of the 2009 Tour de France cycling race run between Tonnerre and Vittel, showing From L, top, Danish cycling team Team Saxo Bank (SAX)'s Nicki Sorensen of Denmark jubilating on the finish line, German fan "El Diablo" jumping in the air as the leading men ride in a breakaway, Seven-time Tour de France winner and Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s Lance Armstrong of the United States ridding with teammate, 2007 Tour de France winner , and the men in the breakaway, from L, Danish cycling team Team Saxo Bank (SAX)'s, Nicki Sorensen of Denmark, Italian cycling team Liquigas (LIQ)'s leader Franco Pellizotti of Italy and French cycling team Agritubel's Sylvain Calzati of France
07-16-09, 02:34 PM
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Seven-time Tour de France winner, Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s Lance Armstrong of the United States (C) is giving a water can by teammate, Sergio Paulinho of Portugal (L) on July 16, 2009 during the 200 km and twelfth stage of the 2009 Tour de France cycling race run between Tonnerre and Vittel. Danish cycling team Team Saxo Bank (SAX)'s Nicki Sorensen of Denmark won the stage ahead of French cycling team BBOX Bouygues Telecom (BBO)'s Laurent Lefevre of France and Italian cycling team Liquigas (LIQ)'s leader Franco Pellizotti of Italy.
07-16-09, 02:39 PM
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Armstrong stays 3rd at Tour despite tire puncture
VITTEL, France (AP)—Lance Armstrong remained in third place at the Tour de France on Thursday, scrambling back to the main pack following a punctured tire with about 37 miles left.
Teammate and rival Alberto Contador of Spain stayed in second place and Rinaldo Nocentini of Italy kept the yellow jersey on a day Nicki Sorensen of Denmark won the 12th stage.
“Up and down all day long and was aggressive from the start,” Armstrong said on his Twitter feed.
Sorensen broke away and finished 48 seconds ahead of Laurent Lefevre of France. The 34-year-old Dane spent years as a support rider on Bjarne Riis’s team and this was the first time he won a Tour stage.
“It’s a big thing for me to perform at this level at this age,” he said. “I started bike racing when I was 19 and I always hoped that I could maybe go on for many years, and I think it shows today that it is possible.”
Armstrong, the seven-time champion, rejoined the main pack after his mishap during the 131-mile ride from Tonnerre to Vittel. He pulled over to the side of the road while his team repaired a punctured back wheel. After a few moments, four teammates helped him catch up.
Teammate Levi Leipheimer, who is fourth overall, fell off his bike nearly two miles from the finish in a crash involving two-time Tour runner-up Cadel Evans. Leipheimer had cuts and bruises on his right wrist, shoulder and back. He hopes to ride Friday.
“My wrist hurts, but surprisingly it’s OK. It could have been a lot worse,” Leipheimer said. “I was a bit surprised by a left corner. … My tire was sliding and I couldn’t quite save my bike from sliding out.”
Armstrong is taking a cautious approach until the three-week race reaches the Alps on Sunday. He said the flat stages were nerve-racking.
“It is stressful with the crashes, on a stage like this where you have nothing to gain and then you lose everything because of a crash or a split in the group,” the 37-year-old Texan said before the start. “You have to pay attention and try to avoid a crash.”
Wednesday’s stage was marred by several crashes and 19 riders were slightly injured.
“Yesterday, there was no way to avoid that crash, if you were just behind it, you were going down,” Armstrong said. “So that is something which keeps you up at night. You have to constantly pay attention. I try to give myself a bit of space from people in front of me so I have a bit of time to brake.”
Riders also learned that an earpiece ban scheduled for Friday’s stage was overturned, allowing them to communicate by radio with team cars as usual. The ban was in place Tuesday and another was set for the 13th stage before the International Cycling Union reversed itself.
Many riders and team directors called the ban dangerous. Organizers hoped the experiment would inject drama into the race by having riders fend for themselves.
Sorensen was part of a lead group arriving several minutes in front of the main pack. The group was unchallenged and the chasing pack—including Nocentini, Contador and Armstrong—was nearly six minutes back.
“We let the breakaway go after four minutes,” Nocentini said. “It’s a tough stage tomorrow, but I’m already really happy and I will do my best to keep the yellow jersey.”
Seven riders managed to get away after about 40 miles, including Egoi Martinez, Franco Pellizotti, Remi Pauriol, Sylvain Calzati and Markus Fothen.
The main pack let the breakaway go, with Mark Cavendish’s Team Columbia-Highroad teammates not chasing. Cavendish has been the best sprinter on the Tour with four stage wins, including Tuesday and Wednesday.
Calzati and Sorensen worked together to build a lead of 15 seconds with about six miles remaining, but Sorensen attacked with just more than a mile to go and the others could not follow.
VITTEL, France (AP)—Lance Armstrong remained in third place at the Tour de France on Thursday, scrambling back to the main pack following a punctured tire with about 37 miles left.
Teammate and rival Alberto Contador of Spain stayed in second place and Rinaldo Nocentini of Italy kept the yellow jersey on a day Nicki Sorensen of Denmark won the 12th stage.
“Up and down all day long and was aggressive from the start,” Armstrong said on his Twitter feed.
Sorensen broke away and finished 48 seconds ahead of Laurent Lefevre of France. The 34-year-old Dane spent years as a support rider on Bjarne Riis’s team and this was the first time he won a Tour stage.
“It’s a big thing for me to perform at this level at this age,” he said. “I started bike racing when I was 19 and I always hoped that I could maybe go on for many years, and I think it shows today that it is possible.”
Armstrong, the seven-time champion, rejoined the main pack after his mishap during the 131-mile ride from Tonnerre to Vittel. He pulled over to the side of the road while his team repaired a punctured back wheel. After a few moments, four teammates helped him catch up.
Teammate Levi Leipheimer, who is fourth overall, fell off his bike nearly two miles from the finish in a crash involving two-time Tour runner-up Cadel Evans. Leipheimer had cuts and bruises on his right wrist, shoulder and back. He hopes to ride Friday.
“My wrist hurts, but surprisingly it’s OK. It could have been a lot worse,” Leipheimer said. “I was a bit surprised by a left corner. … My tire was sliding and I couldn’t quite save my bike from sliding out.”
Armstrong is taking a cautious approach until the three-week race reaches the Alps on Sunday. He said the flat stages were nerve-racking.
“It is stressful with the crashes, on a stage like this where you have nothing to gain and then you lose everything because of a crash or a split in the group,” the 37-year-old Texan said before the start. “You have to pay attention and try to avoid a crash.”
Wednesday’s stage was marred by several crashes and 19 riders were slightly injured.
“Yesterday, there was no way to avoid that crash, if you were just behind it, you were going down,” Armstrong said. “So that is something which keeps you up at night. You have to constantly pay attention. I try to give myself a bit of space from people in front of me so I have a bit of time to brake.”
Riders also learned that an earpiece ban scheduled for Friday’s stage was overturned, allowing them to communicate by radio with team cars as usual. The ban was in place Tuesday and another was set for the 13th stage before the International Cycling Union reversed itself.
Many riders and team directors called the ban dangerous. Organizers hoped the experiment would inject drama into the race by having riders fend for themselves.
Sorensen was part of a lead group arriving several minutes in front of the main pack. The group was unchallenged and the chasing pack—including Nocentini, Contador and Armstrong—was nearly six minutes back.
“We let the breakaway go after four minutes,” Nocentini said. “It’s a tough stage tomorrow, but I’m already really happy and I will do my best to keep the yellow jersey.”
Seven riders managed to get away after about 40 miles, including Egoi Martinez, Franco Pellizotti, Remi Pauriol, Sylvain Calzati and Markus Fothen.
The main pack let the breakaway go, with Mark Cavendish’s Team Columbia-Highroad teammates not chasing. Cavendish has been the best sprinter on the Tour with four stage wins, including Tuesday and Wednesday.
Calzati and Sorensen worked together to build a lead of 15 seconds with about six miles remaining, but Sorensen attacked with just more than a mile to go and the others could not follow.
07-16-09, 06:36 PM
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Armstrong stays 3rd at Tour despite tire puncture
VITTEL, France (AP)—Lance Armstrong remained in third place at the Tour de France on Thursday, scrambling back to the main pack following a punctured tire with about 37 miles left.
Teammate and rival Alberto Contador of Spain stayed in second place and Rinaldo Nocentini of Italy kept the yellow jersey on a day Nicki Sorensen of Denmark won the 12th stage.
“Up and down all day long and was aggressive from the start,” Armstrong said on his Twitter feed.
Sorensen broke away and finished 48 seconds ahead of Laurent Lefevre of France. The 34-year-old Dane spent years as a support rider on Bjarne Riis’s team and this was the first time he won a Tour stage.
“It’s a big thing for me to perform at this level at this age,” he said. “I started bike racing when I was 19 and I always hoped that I could maybe go on for many years, and I think it shows today that it is possible.”
Armstrong, the seven-time champion, rejoined the main pack after his mishap during the 131-mile ride from Tonnerre to Vittel. He pulled over to the side of the road while his team repaired a punctured back wheel. After a few moments, four teammates helped him catch up.
Teammate Levi Leipheimer, who is fourth overall, fell off his bike nearly two miles from the finish in a crash involving two-time Tour runner-up Cadel Evans. Leipheimer had cuts and bruises on his right wrist, shoulder and back. He hopes to ride Friday.
“My wrist hurts, but surprisingly it’s OK. It could have been a lot worse,” Leipheimer said. “I was a bit surprised by a left corner. … My tire was sliding and I couldn’t quite save my bike from sliding out.”
Armstrong is taking a cautious approach until the three-week race reaches the Alps on Sunday. He said the flat stages were nerve-racking.
“It is stressful with the crashes, on a stage like this where you have nothing to gain and then you lose everything because of a crash or a split in the group,” the 37-year-old Texan said before the start. “You have to pay attention and try to avoid a crash.”
Wednesday’s stage was marred by several crashes and 19 riders were slightly injured.
“Yesterday, there was no way to avoid that crash, if you were just behind it, you were going down,” Armstrong said. “So that is something which keeps you up at night. You have to constantly pay attention. I try to give myself a bit of space from people in front of me so I have a bit of time to brake.”
Riders also learned that an earpiece ban scheduled for Friday’s stage was overturned, allowing them to communicate by radio with team cars as usual. The ban was in place Tuesday and another was set for the 13th stage before the International Cycling Union reversed itself.
Many riders and team directors called the ban dangerous. Organizers hoped the experiment would inject drama into the race by having riders fend for themselves.
Sorensen was part of a lead group arriving several minutes in front of the main pack. The group was unchallenged and the chasing pack—including Nocentini, Contador and Armstrong—was nearly six minutes back.
“We let the breakaway go after four minutes,” Nocentini said. “It’s a tough stage tomorrow, but I’m already really happy and I will do my best to keep the yellow jersey.”
Seven riders managed to get away after about 40 miles, including Egoi Martinez, Franco Pellizotti, Remi Pauriol, Sylvain Calzati and Markus Fothen.
The main pack let the breakaway go, with Mark Cavendish’s Team Columbia-Highroad teammates not chasing. Cavendish has been the best sprinter on the Tour with four stage wins, including Tuesday and Wednesday.
Calzati and Sorensen worked together to build a lead of 15 seconds with about six miles remaining, but Sorensen attacked with just more than a mile to go and the others could not follow.
VITTEL, France (AP)—Lance Armstrong remained in third place at the Tour de France on Thursday, scrambling back to the main pack following a punctured tire with about 37 miles left.
Teammate and rival Alberto Contador of Spain stayed in second place and Rinaldo Nocentini of Italy kept the yellow jersey on a day Nicki Sorensen of Denmark won the 12th stage.
“Up and down all day long and was aggressive from the start,” Armstrong said on his Twitter feed.
Sorensen broke away and finished 48 seconds ahead of Laurent Lefevre of France. The 34-year-old Dane spent years as a support rider on Bjarne Riis’s team and this was the first time he won a Tour stage.
“It’s a big thing for me to perform at this level at this age,” he said. “I started bike racing when I was 19 and I always hoped that I could maybe go on for many years, and I think it shows today that it is possible.”
Armstrong, the seven-time champion, rejoined the main pack after his mishap during the 131-mile ride from Tonnerre to Vittel. He pulled over to the side of the road while his team repaired a punctured back wheel. After a few moments, four teammates helped him catch up.
Teammate Levi Leipheimer, who is fourth overall, fell off his bike nearly two miles from the finish in a crash involving two-time Tour runner-up Cadel Evans. Leipheimer had cuts and bruises on his right wrist, shoulder and back. He hopes to ride Friday.
“My wrist hurts, but surprisingly it’s OK. It could have been a lot worse,” Leipheimer said. “I was a bit surprised by a left corner. … My tire was sliding and I couldn’t quite save my bike from sliding out.”
Armstrong is taking a cautious approach until the three-week race reaches the Alps on Sunday. He said the flat stages were nerve-racking.
“It is stressful with the crashes, on a stage like this where you have nothing to gain and then you lose everything because of a crash or a split in the group,” the 37-year-old Texan said before the start. “You have to pay attention and try to avoid a crash.”
Wednesday’s stage was marred by several crashes and 19 riders were slightly injured.
“Yesterday, there was no way to avoid that crash, if you were just behind it, you were going down,” Armstrong said. “So that is something which keeps you up at night. You have to constantly pay attention. I try to give myself a bit of space from people in front of me so I have a bit of time to brake.”
Riders also learned that an earpiece ban scheduled for Friday’s stage was overturned, allowing them to communicate by radio with team cars as usual. The ban was in place Tuesday and another was set for the 13th stage before the International Cycling Union reversed itself.
Many riders and team directors called the ban dangerous. Organizers hoped the experiment would inject drama into the race by having riders fend for themselves.
Sorensen was part of a lead group arriving several minutes in front of the main pack. The group was unchallenged and the chasing pack—including Nocentini, Contador and Armstrong—was nearly six minutes back.
“We let the breakaway go after four minutes,” Nocentini said. “It’s a tough stage tomorrow, but I’m already really happy and I will do my best to keep the yellow jersey.”
Seven riders managed to get away after about 40 miles, including Egoi Martinez, Franco Pellizotti, Remi Pauriol, Sylvain Calzati and Markus Fothen.
The main pack let the breakaway go, with Mark Cavendish’s Team Columbia-Highroad teammates not chasing. Cavendish has been the best sprinter on the Tour with four stage wins, including Tuesday and Wednesday.
Calzati and Sorensen worked together to build a lead of 15 seconds with about six miles remaining, but Sorensen attacked with just more than a mile to go and the others could not follow.
07-17-09, 06:33 PM
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Combo of the day made on July 17, 2009 the 200 km and thirteenth stage of the 2009 Tour de France cycling race run between Vittel and Colmar, shows From L, top, the pack ridding under heavy rains, seven-time Tour de France winner and Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s Lance Armstrong of the United States (R) ridding with teammate, 2007 Tour de France winner Alberto Contador of Spain, Swiss cycling team Cervelo (CTT)'s Heinrich Haussler of Germany ridding at the head of the stage with Belgian cycling team Quick Step (QST)'s Sylvain Chavanel of France and Haussler jubilating on the finish line as winning the stage.
General Classification after Stage 13
07-17-09, 06:40 PM
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Armstrong 3rd as rain, shooting part of Tour stage
COLMAR, France (AP)—Lance Armstrong stayed in third place after a wet and chilly ride Friday and lost a crucial ally for the rest of the Tour de France when teammate Levi Leipheimer withdrew because of a broken wrist.
The 13th stage from Vittel to Colmar, won by Germany’s Heinrich Haussler, was less secure for riders Julian Dean and Oscar Freire: they were lightly injured by shots from a suspected air rifle from the roadside.
The top standings didn’t change in the 124-mile stage through the rolling hills of northeast France that featured three big climbs, including the demanding Col du Platzerwasel.
Armstrong, who trails overall leader Rinaldo Nocentini of Italy by eight seconds and Astana teammate Alberto Contador by two, said a crucial showdown awaits in Sunday’s ride into Switzerland.
“That one is almost a guarantee because it’s uphill,” the seven-time champion said of the ride from Pontarlier, France, to the Swiss ski station of Verbier. “For sure, it’s a decisive stage and exciting for the fans.”
Armstrong and Contador expressed regret about the withdrawal of Leipheimer before the stage. Leipheimer, who had been fourth overall, 39 seconds behind Nocentini, fell off his bike and broke his wrist in the last two miles of Thursday’s stage.
He had surgery on the wrist Friday, and Astana said he would return to the United States as soon as possible to begin his recovery.
“My wrist hurts a lot but it doesn’t compare to the pain of watching the Tour leave me behind and not be able to ride the Tour with my teammates,” Leipheimer said in a statement. “We’ve had a big battle so far. We’re the favorites, and I wanted to be part of that.”
Leipheimer and Armstrong have a close relationship within Astana, which Armstrong says is riven by “tension” with Contador.
“He’s a good friend of mine so it makes it even more unfortunate, but that’s cycling,” said Armstrong, stressing that Leipheimer’s absence is a big loss.
“You saw even there, in some stages in the Pyrenees, when there was an attack, we had four guys there. And now, one’s gone,” Armstrong said. “Not only does it hurt us, I think it helps the others in terms of morale, and thinking perhaps that the team has been weakened.”
Pounding rain forced many in the pack to don windbreakers and made conditions unfavorable for potential contenders Cadel Evans of Australia, brothers Andy and Frank Schleck of Luxembourg or the 2008 Tour champion Carlos Sastre.
“It was really, really cold,” Armstrong, who is riding in his 12th Tour, told The Associated Press. “To be honest, I don’t remember a day in the Tour that has been colder than that one.”
Some riders were forced to contend with more than just slick conditions on rain-soaked roads. New Zealand’s Dean and Freire, a three-time world champion from Spain, were slightly injured by shots from what their teams suspect was an air rifle during the stage.
A projectile embedded in Freire’s thigh was removed by a Rabobank team doctor. Dean’s right index finger was injured, said Marya Pongrace, a spokeswoman for his Garmin-Slipstream team.
Police were investigating. Both cyclists were expected to start Saturday’s mostly flat 14th stage, a 124-mile trek through plains from Colmar to Besancon, the teams said.
The riders were hit in the descent from the Col du Platzerwasel, the hardest of Friday’s climbs about 22 miles from the finish, Rabobank said.
News of the shooting emerged hours after the stage finish, and it clearly didn’t distract riders from the competition. The biggest subplot in the stage came in the specialty jerseys in mountain and speed disciplines.
Norway’s Thor Hushovd retrieved the green jersey awarded to the Tour’s best sprinter from Mark Cavendish of Britain, and Franco Pellizotti from Italy took the polka-dot jersey of the best climber off Spain’s Egoi Martinez.
Contador, the 26-year-old winner of the 2007 Tour and a pre-race favorite, said Sunday’s ride isn’t likely to separate the main title contenders, insisting the 5.47-mile uphill finish up to Verbier is too short to give contenders enough space to chisel out large time gaps.
“This (Tour) layout isn’t favorable to attacks,” Contador said. “There should have been more uphill finishes … I would have liked a different type of course.”
Leipheimer’s injury was not the only thing to trouble Armstrong. He was angered by the criticism from French Sports Minister Roselyne Bachelot, who said Astana riders stayed out of sight too long during a random doping check last week.
“Enough is enough,” the 37-year-old Texan said. “This is ridiculous. We’ve been controlled more than anybody else on the race. We have had this team for a long time. We’ve never had a positive control. Yes, we are successful. Yes, we are the strongest team in the race. But enough of the (outcry) in the media.”
Friday’s stage brought the return of rider earpieces. The International Cycling Union buckled under pressure from many teams and lifted a planned ban of them in the 13th stage. That decision meant riders raced with their customary electronic radio gear, with coaches informing them of possible hazards.
The ban had been in effect for Tuesday’s 10th stage, an experiment aimed at forcing riders to manage the course on their own in hopes of adding drama to the race. Many riders and teams called the move dangerous.
COLMAR, France (AP)—Lance Armstrong stayed in third place after a wet and chilly ride Friday and lost a crucial ally for the rest of the Tour de France when teammate Levi Leipheimer withdrew because of a broken wrist.
The 13th stage from Vittel to Colmar, won by Germany’s Heinrich Haussler, was less secure for riders Julian Dean and Oscar Freire: they were lightly injured by shots from a suspected air rifle from the roadside.
The top standings didn’t change in the 124-mile stage through the rolling hills of northeast France that featured three big climbs, including the demanding Col du Platzerwasel.
Armstrong, who trails overall leader Rinaldo Nocentini of Italy by eight seconds and Astana teammate Alberto Contador by two, said a crucial showdown awaits in Sunday’s ride into Switzerland.
“That one is almost a guarantee because it’s uphill,” the seven-time champion said of the ride from Pontarlier, France, to the Swiss ski station of Verbier. “For sure, it’s a decisive stage and exciting for the fans.”
Armstrong and Contador expressed regret about the withdrawal of Leipheimer before the stage. Leipheimer, who had been fourth overall, 39 seconds behind Nocentini, fell off his bike and broke his wrist in the last two miles of Thursday’s stage.
He had surgery on the wrist Friday, and Astana said he would return to the United States as soon as possible to begin his recovery.
“My wrist hurts a lot but it doesn’t compare to the pain of watching the Tour leave me behind and not be able to ride the Tour with my teammates,” Leipheimer said in a statement. “We’ve had a big battle so far. We’re the favorites, and I wanted to be part of that.”
Leipheimer and Armstrong have a close relationship within Astana, which Armstrong says is riven by “tension” with Contador.
“He’s a good friend of mine so it makes it even more unfortunate, but that’s cycling,” said Armstrong, stressing that Leipheimer’s absence is a big loss.
“You saw even there, in some stages in the Pyrenees, when there was an attack, we had four guys there. And now, one’s gone,” Armstrong said. “Not only does it hurt us, I think it helps the others in terms of morale, and thinking perhaps that the team has been weakened.”
Pounding rain forced many in the pack to don windbreakers and made conditions unfavorable for potential contenders Cadel Evans of Australia, brothers Andy and Frank Schleck of Luxembourg or the 2008 Tour champion Carlos Sastre.
“It was really, really cold,” Armstrong, who is riding in his 12th Tour, told The Associated Press. “To be honest, I don’t remember a day in the Tour that has been colder than that one.”
Some riders were forced to contend with more than just slick conditions on rain-soaked roads. New Zealand’s Dean and Freire, a three-time world champion from Spain, were slightly injured by shots from what their teams suspect was an air rifle during the stage.
A projectile embedded in Freire’s thigh was removed by a Rabobank team doctor. Dean’s right index finger was injured, said Marya Pongrace, a spokeswoman for his Garmin-Slipstream team.
Police were investigating. Both cyclists were expected to start Saturday’s mostly flat 14th stage, a 124-mile trek through plains from Colmar to Besancon, the teams said.
The riders were hit in the descent from the Col du Platzerwasel, the hardest of Friday’s climbs about 22 miles from the finish, Rabobank said.
News of the shooting emerged hours after the stage finish, and it clearly didn’t distract riders from the competition. The biggest subplot in the stage came in the specialty jerseys in mountain and speed disciplines.
Norway’s Thor Hushovd retrieved the green jersey awarded to the Tour’s best sprinter from Mark Cavendish of Britain, and Franco Pellizotti from Italy took the polka-dot jersey of the best climber off Spain’s Egoi Martinez.
Contador, the 26-year-old winner of the 2007 Tour and a pre-race favorite, said Sunday’s ride isn’t likely to separate the main title contenders, insisting the 5.47-mile uphill finish up to Verbier is too short to give contenders enough space to chisel out large time gaps.
“This (Tour) layout isn’t favorable to attacks,” Contador said. “There should have been more uphill finishes … I would have liked a different type of course.”
Leipheimer’s injury was not the only thing to trouble Armstrong. He was angered by the criticism from French Sports Minister Roselyne Bachelot, who said Astana riders stayed out of sight too long during a random doping check last week.
“Enough is enough,” the 37-year-old Texan said. “This is ridiculous. We’ve been controlled more than anybody else on the race. We have had this team for a long time. We’ve never had a positive control. Yes, we are successful. Yes, we are the strongest team in the race. But enough of the (outcry) in the media.”
Friday’s stage brought the return of rider earpieces. The International Cycling Union buckled under pressure from many teams and lifted a planned ban of them in the 13th stage. That decision meant riders raced with their customary electronic radio gear, with coaches informing them of possible hazards.
The ban had been in effect for Tuesday’s 10th stage, an experiment aimed at forcing riders to manage the course on their own in hopes of adding drama to the race. Many riders and teams called the move dangerous.
07-17-09, 07:06 PM
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Jesus you make Pcad look like a casual poster...
