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News :: July 2005

24 July 2005

Armstrong Gives Race To Remember

Armstrong Looked Fast, photo: Discovery Channel

"I wanted my children here at the Tour to see me," said the stage 20 winner, Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel). All three of Armstrong's children (Luke, Isabella and Grace) were at the TT stage in Saint-Etienne to see their dad win. Barring any misfortune, their dad will also go on to win a 7th Tour de France today in Paris. "I don't know if they understand what they saw, or if they will remember, Luke maybe. This is not for the money, or for a story, it is so I could race in front of them with the yellow jersey. And also win in front of them with the yellow jersey."

Armstrong Rides To Victory, photo: CyclingTime.com

The Discovery Channel rider dominated the last TT, making for a nice farewell win. Armstrong has dominated the roads of France for the last 7 years and now it is time for him to relax. Armstrong explained, "My time is finished, at my age I have had enough. I have pedaled for 14 years, won seven Tours, and the money permits me to go on." There had been some speculation that Armstrong might come back for an 8th Tour win. But The King put that rumor to rest, "I will not turn back, there is no reason to continue, it is time for a new face and a new story. Maybe a teammate of mine or maybe Basso, or someone that no one knows yet." The soon to be 7X Tour de France champion will be back next year to work for Discovery Channel. "For 2006 I will be near the Tour. I will talk with the guys, come up with tactics, drive the car. I don't know. Probably the next Tour will be very interesting, I will watch on TV like you, remaining a fan of cycling."

Armstrong has been in the sport of cycling all of his adult life. Tomorrow he will start a new chapter as an ex-professional cyclist. "Monday morning I will open the window to Paris, there will be my children, Sheryl, my friends, then I will take a week at the beach, eat, drink wine, swim ... This will be the first part of my life without stress."

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

Basso Showed his Class

Team CSC's Ivan Basso rode a super TT yesterday in Saint-Etienne. He retained his overall second place with the fifth best time in the 55.5K test. The Italian was first at the first time check, 7" up on everyone. Then towards the finish he slid down, finishing 1'54" behind Lance Armstrong.

"Ivan did well in this time trial, and once again demonstrated that he has improved tremendously in this discipline. In hindsight you could say he came on too strong at the beginning, but he wanted to give it his all, too see how far it would take him," said Bjarne Riis post-stage.

Ivan Basso impressed the tifosi with his improvements from the years past. Basso explained the TT ride, "I started off really strong. In the first part, there was a difference, I was at the level of the favorites, then I went down from there and I had to manage myself a little."

It has been a season of two grand tours for Ivan Basso. He made his season goal of winning the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France. He rode solid in both events, and showed class. "I felt happy to have gone well this season. I give myself a 'Bravo' because I have ridden the Giro, won two stages after stomach problems, and then rode well at the Tour in the same method. I have tried every method to win, and when I give my maximum I have to be satisfied the same."

This year Basso showed more aggressiveness and will to attack The King, Armstrong. "If you want to win, you have to use all of the wickedness you have. I attacked all the time on the climbs at this Tour, minus Courchevel. And in the last TT I almost cut in half my time loss to Armstrong, with respect to last year. Next year, like this year, I will return to win the Tour."

Matteo Tosatto to Quick-Step

After working for Alessandro Petacchi, Matteo Tosatto will now ride for Tom Boonen. The always dependable lead-out man, Tosatto, will ride the next 2 seasons under the direction of Patrick Lefevre at Quick-Step. He started with Fassa Bortolo in 2000 and will leave at the end of the 2005 season when they stop their sponsorship.

Fabian Cancellara to Team CSC

Cancellara, photo: Tour de Suisse

The Swiss TT man of speed, Fabian Cancellara, will ride the next 3 years with Team CSC. Currently he is riding for Fassa Bortolo, who will stop their sponsorship at the end of 2005. Cancellara commented, via CSC, "I have been watching the team for some time now hoping that it would one day be possible for me to work with Bjarne Riis. Team CSC has an extremely well organized management, and I'm also impressed by the riders' ability and willingness to work for each other and the team."

Brixia Tour lead by Emanuele Sella

Emanuele Sella (Panaria-Navigare) won the mountain TT yesterday in the Brixia Tour. He was best on the 12.8K course, riding with a time of 30'47". The young Italian is the new leader on the overall classification, behind is Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) at 1'01" and Pedro Arreitunandia (Barloworld) at 1'19". Today the Brixia Tour finishes with a road stage of 180K to Buffalora-Manerbio.

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