Armstrong is the WINNER !!!

[Velcro]

Armstrong wins 13th stage, remains in second

Updated: Saturday July 17, 2004 11:47AM

PLATEAU DE BEILLE, France (AP) -- Clearing the path to a record sixth consecutive Tour de France crown, Lance Armstrong overpowered his rivals in the 13th stage Saturday to cement his place as one of cycling's greatest riders.

Armstrong captured the stage and is now just 22 seconds behind leader Thomas Voeckler. But the French rider most likely will be easy prey for Armstrong.

"The team was great. ... It was a dream," Armstrong said.

Only Italian rider Ivan Basso managed to stay with the five-time champion on the last of seven climbs in the Pyrenees. Others scattered down the mountain, their hopes of winning seemingly all but over.

With just the Alps and two time trials left to negotiate next week, only a meltdown by Armstrong or an unforeseen accident appeared to stand in the way of victory in Paris on July 25.

Armstrong won the stage ahead of Basso, overtaking him with a final burst of speed. He also won on this route in 2002.

Germany's Jan Ullrich -- abandoned again, as he was Friday -- was 2 minutes, 42 seconds behind.

In just two stages in the Pyrenees, Voeckler's lead has shrunk from more than nine minutes. Two punishing stages await in the Alps, Armstrong's playground in previous Tours, as well as the two time trials -- more than enough for the Texan to seal a record sixth win.

Basso, 1:39 behind Armstrong in the overall standings, has emerged as the last main rival to eliminate. But he is not an excellent time trial rider while Armstrong is.

Ullrich, the 1997 Tour winner, is 6:39 behind the Texan overall. Last year, he lost the Tour to Armstrong by just 61 seconds.

[E.T.]

Lance Armstrong won the 13th stage.

The following are the top 10 cyclists:

1. Thomas Voeckler (France), 58 hours, 27 seconds

2. Lance Armstrong (USA)               22 seconds behind

3. Ivan Basso (Italy)                1:39

4. Andreas Kloden (Germany)          3:18

5. Francisco Mancebo (Spain)         3:28

6. Georg Totshnig (Austria)          6:08

7. Jose Acevedo (Portugal)           6:43

8. Jan Ullrich (Germany)             7:01

9. Pietro Caucchioli (Italy)         7:59

10. Sandy Casar (France)              8:29

[E.T.]

Aitor Gonzalez won the 14th stage.

The following are the top 10 cyclists:

1. Thomas Voeckler (France), 62 hours, 33 minutes, 11 seconds

2. Lance Armstrong (USA)               22 seconds behind

3. Ivan Basso (Italy)                1:39

4. Andreas Kloden (Germany)          3:18

5. Francisco Mancebo (Spain)         3:28

6. Georg Totshnig (Austria)          6:08

7. Jose Acevedo (Portugal)           6:43

8. Jan Ullrich (Germany)             7:01

9. Pietro Caucchioli (Italy)         7:59

10. Sandy Casar (France)              8:29

[E.T.]

Awesome Armstrong takes over Tour lead

VILLARD DE LANS, France, July 20 (Reuters) - Five-times winner Lance Armstrong took the Tour de France yellow jersey from Thomas Voeckler when he won the first stage in the Alps this year at Villard-de-Lans on Tuesday.

The American, who beat his main rival Ivan Basso in a dramatic sprint finish at the end of the 180.5-km 15th stage, now looks odds for a record sixth victory.

With a decisive 15.5-km individual time trial at l'Alpe d'Huez to come on Wednesday, Italian Basso appears to be the only man capable of stopping the U.S. Postal rider.

Armstrong, however, said he was not taking anything for granted.

"Basso is riding so good that there is a chance I can lose time tomorrow," the Texan told Eurosport after winning the 18th stage of his career in the world's most famous cycle race.

It was also his 61st yellow jersey, and Armstrong said: "I still remember when I put on the first one and I was the happiest man in the world, that would have been enough for me to take to the grave.

"Hopefully I'll have it for another five days."

The seven climbs scattered on the day's route proved too tough for young Frenchman Voeckler whose 11-day hold on the yellow jersey came to an end.

The French champion, who had a slim 22-second lead at the start, finished more than nine minutes behind. Basso, who again pushed Armstrong all the way to the line as he did in the Pyrenees, is 1:25 behind in second place.

Third overall is German Andreas Kloeden, 3:22 behind, after he was helped by his more famous T-Mobile team mate Jan Ullrich.

Ullrich, the 1997 champion, did manage to attack Armstrong on the first category Echarasson climb, briefly opening up a gap of 1:09, but he eventually had to settle for third after Basso's CSC team mates worked hand in hand with Armstrong's U.S. Postal team to reel him in.

As Kloeden tried to launch an attack with 500 metres to go, Armstrong reacted in merciless style, surging past the German and Basso to show that he is still the undisputed boss.

[E.T.]

1.  Lance Armstrong 67h 13m 43s  

2.  Ivan Basso 1:25 behind  

3.  Andreas Kloden 3:22  

4.  Francisco Mancebo 5:39  

5.  Jan Ullrich 6:54  

6.  Jose Azevedo 7:34  

7.  Georg Totschnig 8:19  

8.  Thomas Voeckler 9:28  

9.  Pietro Caucchioli 10:10  

10.  Levi Leipheimer 10:58  

 

[Velcro]

Bad day for voekler... went from 22 second lead, to 9:28 behind.. Lance was 9:35 behind Voekler just 4 stages ago.  19 minute shift!

Basso actually gained 14 seconds on Armstrong that stage.

[TripleB]

Even if he DID use steroids, this is pretty amazing stuff ...........

[KnightsRule]

Even if he DID use steroids, this is pretty amazing stuff ...........

Id be walking him in the late innings....

[Velcro]

does that mean you'd steal his bicycle?

[KnightsRule]

does that mean you'd steal his bicycle?

I may fill my pockets with thumbtacks and take a little lead right in front of Mr Armstrong and then dump my pockets....