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News :: July 2005

10 July 2005

Super Armstrong, Was Not So Super

Ullrich Leads, photo: T-Mobile

Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) limited the losses and held his own in stage 8. Armstrong explained, "A long stage, many attacks since from the start, a fast pace. Something did not function on the last climb. It is necessary so to rethink our [Discovery Channel] position in race. There were 35 of us in the end and none of my squad."

Armstrong must have had at tough talk with his teammates after the stage. Immediately after the stage he indicated that there would be an inquiry, "When we are back at the hotel, I will ask what happened. I was not angry, I just want to understand. ... What was the cause? Physical or mental? At any rate, it will be necessary to find a remedy".

So what caused the Disco destruction? Armstrong and his team DS, Johann Bruyneel, will talk it over. Armstrong gave his thoughts, "We tackled the last climb fast, and is not the same type of ascent that we will see in the Alpes or Pyrenees. ... I could not respond to all. I paid close attention to Ullrich and Vinokourov. It is necessary to be honest, I suffered. I tried to do my best and limit damages. If the next two weeks are like today, then it will be hard. But I think that it will go better. An ugly day, I hope that is the first one and also the last".

For a more in-depth look read The Dust Devil's Daily Wrap: The Cowboy holds off the Posse.

T-Mobile Controls First Real Mountain

Ullrich Corners, photo: T-Mobile

Yesterday, stage 8, was something not seen in recent Tour de France history. Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) was put on the ropes by a united T-Mobile Squad. On the last climb, the Col de la Schlucht, it was Armstrong against Klöden, Ullrich and Vinokourov. Vino started warfare when he launched attack after attack on the 6X Tour de France champion. Armstrong was visibly weakened and forced to chase all of Vino's attacks alone. His Disco squad had disappeared.

Surprisingly, Ullrich never countered his teammate's attack. Instead it was Andreas Klöden who countered Vino's moves. Armstrong smartly let Klöden go free, the German was not an immediate GC threat to the Disco rider. When questioned post stage Ulle had this to say: "Andreas raced superbly today. We put our tactics into practice. My job was to stay with Lance and to guard him. Andreas tried and immediately broke away. I am glad for him." Ullrich, with a grin on his face, was excited that the race is now in the mountains and T-Mobile have the upper-hand. Ulle adding, "As a team on the whole we showed ourselves at the top of our game."

Alexandre Vinokourov Fires Missiles

Vino and Tex, photo: T-Mobile

Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile) was the man on form yesterday in stage 8. Vino was firing the missiles when Armstrong was isolated. Vino added, "We quickly realized that Lance had no team-mates with him. As such we found ourselves in the advantageous position to unleash our plan."

Vino, along with Klöden and Ulle, formed a strong T-Mobile threesome. There have been many critics of the magenta squad, but they answered the calls today. "Despite what so many people have said, we have been confident right from the start of this Tour. What happened today is the confirmation of our strength." Vino then fired off a verbal missile... "We'll start this all over again once the real mountains begin." Vino warned.

Joseba Beloki Is Back In Action

Joseba Beloki (Liberty Seguros - Würth) rode a solid ride, staying with the important GC men. He could be seen at the side of Roberto Heras all day. Heras is the designated team leaders and Beloki was giving his all for him. He explains, "I have done the whole climb behind Roberto Heras if he needed me to lend a hand, but I did not have the gas to go with Vinokourov and others. I preferred remaining with Roberto in case something happened to him."

Beloki was close by Armstrong and saw him suffer. "I believe that for the first time we have seen him [Armstrong] alone in the Tour, though he solved the situation perfectly. Look for Beloki and Heras to fire their missiles when the race hits the Pyrenees. (See our interview section for an interview with Joseba Beloki.)

92nd Tour de France:
Startlist, Classifications, Tour Challengers, Discovery Channel Profile
Key Stages, Key Stage Descriptions, Stages and Maps, Overall Map
Photos, Dust Devil's Daily Wrap

Tour Jerseys, Nonstop Polka Dot

Polka Dot (climber's jersey): From Gerolsteiner and back to Rabobank. This climber's jersey is switching hands daily and providing for pure action. Fabian Wegmann (Gerolsteiner) could not contain the Rabobank onslaught. On a stage that was ideal for gaining mountain points it was Michael Rasmussen who was first over the climbs for the majority of the day. Then when the break was brought back it was his teammate, Pieter Weening who went off solo on the last climb. Just at the top Klöden (T-Mobile) swooped past for max points, but Rabobank put forth a team effort today. Bravi Rabobank and Rasmussen.

White Jersey (young GC rider): Ciao a Popovych (Discovery Channel)! Move over for the long-haired Russian. It was the monster figure of Vladimir Karpets (Illes Balears) who stuck with the lead group on the last climb. Popo and the rest of Tex's posse where no were to be seen. Karpets with his strong riding now moves in to the number one slot, and he will be an overall threat for this classification.

Yellow Jersey: Mamma Mia! The GC leader, Super Armstrong, felt the T-Mobile 1-2-3 punch today. He looked left, and it was Vino, he looked right, and it was Klöden. Ullrich was consistently on Armstrong's wheel in the attack chaos. Armstrong is one tough Texan, and he weathered the storm to hold on to the coveted yellow jersey. Bravo.

Green Jersey (sprinter's jersey): No change, Tom Boonen (Quick-Step), is still in green and making the French ladies happy. What is great is that Boonen and his key rivals seem to be great friends. All day long you can see Hushovd, McEwen and Boonen chatting it up. But when the sprints happen, it is down to business.
If you need to know more about the classifications, then read here: Tour de France Classifications

9 July News ...