PBH / colombia (travelguide, pictures) / post

Info on Lance Armstrong

PAU, France (Reuters) - Six-times champion Lance Armstrong has made it to the bell with a comfortable lead over his rivals and is hoping the last week of his final Tour de France will be more of a lap of honor than a sprint to the line.
"The big opportunities for Lance's rivals are gone," the American's Discovery Channel team manager Johan Bruyneel said on Monday's rest day in Pau.
"We are going to do what we have to do, that is to protect him.
"Now there are stages left for riders out to win a stage, stages for the green jersey contenders, factors coming into the game that we can use to our advantage," he added.
The riders bid farewell to the mountains on Tuesday's 16th stage between Mourenx and Pau with two last big climbs in the Pyrenees, Marie Blanque and Aubisque.
But Bruyneel was convinced they would not make a big difference to Armstrong's position. He heads Italy's Ivan Basso by two minutes and 46 seconds in the overall standings and Dane Michael Rasmussen by 3:09.
"We can even afford to lose a minute or two in tomorrow's climbs."
"A lead of 2:46 is enough to win. Every year it gets more and more difficult but Lance has a decent lead especially with a big time trial coming up," Bruyneel said, referring to the 55.5-km solo effort in St Etienne Saturday, where Armstrong is expected to dominate.
"And maybe he'll take a little more advantage," he added.
BAD LUCK
Although the Belgian, like Armstrong a perfectionist, warned that mishaps could still befall the Texan, who has been spared any bad luck in his previous six wins.
Crashes, mechanical problems, illness and the unexpected were still possible said Bruyneel, citing the incident during Sunday's stage to Pla d'Adet, when a television motorbike ran into a spectator standing in the middle of the road.
"We have seen a good example of the dangers to expect with the spectator and the television motorbike. It is difficult to barricade the whole way but fans can be out of control some times," he said.

By Peter Miami on Jul 18, 2005, 13:27 in Friendly Talkzone.

Peter Miami says on Jul 18, 2005, 13:32:

Platano Here is what the experts are saying. I only put one article but this is the opinion around the cycling world. There are many more articles but I am not going to bore members that do not care here with this info.

Peter Miami

0 funny, 0 helpful.

b bruce says on Jul 19, 2005, 11:46:

Viva Tour De France! It has been an exceptional tour this year. I think when this race is over everyone will appreciate what Lance Armstrong has done for the sport. He has made everyone in the tour a much better racer over the last few years, and has made some life long friends among the riders as well. There is enough new blood in the race to make the sport very enjoyable for many years to come!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Peter Miami says on Jul 19, 2005, 12:04:

B bruce You are correct.

Peter Miami

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Peter Miami says on Jul 19, 2005, 12:06:

Looking for Platano Where is Platano that is what I want to know? Platano where is Botero the man who came in second on one stage in front of Lance Armstrong?

I am waiting....

Peter Miami

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Peter Miami says on Jul 19, 2005, 17:28:

Platano where are you?

Here are what the other riders are say about this year Tour de France:

Basso is looking to improve on his third-place finish last year. Mickael Rasmussen of Denmark is third, 3:09 behind Armstrong, and 1997 winner Ullrich is fourth overall, trailing Armstrong by 5:58.

Already, some rivals are pinning their hopes on next year - when Armstrong will be retired.

"When Lance Armstrong, the sheriff, is no longer here, then we can think about doing something more," said Francisco Mancebo, a Spaniard who is fifth overall.

Peter Miami

0 funny, 0 helpful.

platano says on Jul 19, 2005, 17:39:

Platano is hiding... in a state of shame because he mistakenly rooted for the Colombian Botero when he should have known all along that the one who will win this race is LANCE ARMSTRONG!

Plátano, el banano verde
Oxigeno Verde ¡Libertad por Ingrid y los demás!

plátano

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Peter Miami says on Jul 19, 2005, 17:55:

Platano we are straight Come on Platano that is not what I am saying, what the Colombian (Botero) did is very impressive and you should be proud of him. And it is cool to root for him or any other rider but to put down Lance Armstrong is wrong. After everything he has done and been through.

Peter Miami

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ColombianoX says on Jul 19, 2005, 18:10:

"And it is cool to root for him or any other rider but to put down Lance Armstrong is wrong. After everything he has done and been through."

It's true , the man only had to win five Tours De France and beat cancer for his own compatriots to finally recognize him.

CX

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

0 funny, 0 helpful.

2retirensa says on Jul 20, 2005, 05:28:

I hate to say I am lumped into the last catagory- I never paid to much attention to the race until Lance came around. I appreciate the updates- hard for me to keep up on a daily basis.
Maureen

0 funny, 0 helpful.

quindioman says on Jul 20, 2005, 05:37:

credit wher credit is due....i'm giving it up to Lance not for the fact that he has won so many tours but for the fact that he beat cancer and went on to win.....you go Lance!!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

kernow62 says on Jul 20, 2005, 06:06:

Do people in Colombia still follow the race with a transistor radio glued to one ear? My wife tells me when the tour is on just about everyone in Bogotá it seems is tuned in.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gomezman5 says on Jul 24, 2005, 22:37:

Cx....it did not take that much..honestly I remember a long time ago...after he won his first couple of races, I saw a special program on CNN that highlighted his success and how difficult it was for him to make it to the race to begin with.

Consider another thing, cycling is amuch bigger thing in places like Colombia than it is here. Armstrong made it a sport, but for the most part, peoples interest in clyling centers around the weekend stroll that people take when they go to riding there bile to the park.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

kernow62 says on Jul 25, 2005, 04:30:

It seems like in the Central Florida area I am seeing more and more serious cyclists out on the roads, which is due to Clermont being home to many tri-athletes. Sometimes you do see the occasional 250 pounder stuffed into a US Postal jersey riding his $6000 bike. Riding in Clermont isn't too bad either, there are at leat a few hills to break up the monotony. (sp?)

A local Colombian bike shop has bikes priced all the way up to $7600 and according to the owner he has sold 3 of them locally.

I only ride seriously when the temperature drops, that is why I am so envious of Bogota's temps. The rest of the time I am stuck indoors in the AC on a roller.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Hunter says on Jul 25, 2005, 04:47:

kernow62 There is no way I would ride in Medellin, way to many dodgy drivers and big mountains.

But I am a bit bored here in London, I cycle 20 miles 3 times a week connected with my business, but to lose a few kilograms I am pushing out 40 miles a day on my friends excersise bike, even though I am drinking some water while on it, I am sweating off 1Kg over the ride.

So kernow62, turn off the aircon and sweat some of that fat off.

Hunter

0 funny, 0 helpful.