June 04, 2005

One more and he's done: Lance Armstrong is competing in only one more race after tomorrow's start of the Dauphiné Libéré: the 2005 Tour de France. The Dauphiné is a one week race through the French Alps that includes several difficult climbing stages, including the infamous Mont Ventoux.

posted by dusted to other at 01:31 PM - 9 comments

Just a practice ride for Lance.

posted by dbt302 at 04:39 PM on June 04, 2005

Well he's won it twice before, so it'll be a good indication of what his form is like. He's raced very little this year (even by his standards) and has looked patchy, especially in time trials. Wednesday's stage (the 46km TT) should be quite revealing. Jan Ullrich, by the way, had a good race today, finishing 5th in tough single-day race in Germany. He seems to have his shit together this year for a change, which is nice to see.

posted by afx237vi at 05:03 PM on June 04, 2005

Furthermore, why is this in the Olympics category?

posted by afx237vi at 05:07 PM on June 04, 2005

Well, it's an Olympic sport... it seemed better than other.

posted by dusted at 06:27 PM on June 04, 2005

Fair enough. Armstrong did okay in today's prologue, with Hincapie being the surprise winner. 4 Americans in the top 5 though... very impressive. Ullrich was 2nd in another single-day race -- this time in Switzerland, in preparation for the Tour de Suisse. Can't wait for this year's Tour!

posted by afx237vi at 11:39 AM on June 05, 2005

I think Lance uses the Dauphine as an exercise in psychological warfare. When he finished 2+ minutes back in last year's ITT up Ventoux, the press questioned his strength, determination, etc and then, of course, he blew everyone away during the Tour. I expect the same this year.

posted by JohnSFO at 11:29 AM on June 06, 2005

lance uses almost everything leading up to the last mtn. stage as an opportunity for psych warfare. he's positioning himself in the press as the underdog(!) to ulrich again. what are the odds jan won't crumble under pressure this year? 'bout zilch, my guess. leipheimer & kloden are better way bets for the podium. sure hope oln brings trautwig back!

posted by spinner at 04:24 PM on June 08, 2005

No way Kloden. That guy is a one hit wonder if I ever saw one. Has he raced at all this year? Leipheimer is going well in the Dauphine as we speak, but I don't think he can do it in the Tour, he always seems to crack at the most inopportune moments whenever the pressure is on. My podium picks, for what it's worth: 1. Ullrich 2. Armstrong 3. Mancebo

posted by afx237vi at 05:01 PM on June 08, 2005

>>>sure hope oln brings trautwig back! I think he's back. He was on last week's OLN LanceFest and coverage of the Dauphine. >>>Leipheimer is going well in the Dauphine I like Leipheimer a lot. But I gotta agree that we prolly won't see him on the podium in Paris. My money's on Lance on top with Basso taking a spot and not sure who else...

posted by JohnSFO at 06:34 PM on June 09, 2005

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