Tour de France!

Steady · 04-26-2005

Armstrong struggles in time trial

By PAUL NEWBERRY

ROME, Ga. (AP) - Lance Armstrong has plenty of work to do if he wants to win a seventh straight Tour de France.

Armstrong finished a disappointing ninth in Thursday's time trial at the Tour de Georgia, nearly two minutes behind the winner in a go-all-out style of cycling he usually dominates. Another American, Floyd Landis, won the third stage in 39 minutes, 58.09 seconds. The other spots on the podium also were claimed by U.S. riders - David Zabriskie in second and Christopher Baldwin third.

Shockingly, Armstrong was not among them. Racing in a light rain, he failed to make up ground on the climb up Mount Alto and had no chance of closing the gap by the time he pedalled onto the slick streets of downtown Rome.

"Clearly, I'm disappointed," said Armstrong, who could only manage a time of 41:44.87. "I didn't feel great, but I thought I'd do a better ride than that. I'm disappointed and (it) clearly shows I have some work to do."

Armstrong plans to retire this summer after going for a seventh straight victory in the Tour de France. Already, he's the only cyclist to win the world's most famous race six times.

The Tour de Georgia is a tuneup along the way, a six-day chance for Armstrong to gauge his conditioning against the best field that will be assembled on Americans roads .

He won this race a year ago, taking control in the time trial held over the same 30-kilometre course in northwest Georgia. Armstrong's winning time was 39:51.78 - far better than he managed Thursday as leader of the Discovery Channel team.

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Cycling/20...007343-ap.html

*KK* · 04-26-2005

Personally I would be thinking about retiring without trying for a 7th if I couldn't get my times more in line with what I'd need to win. Very few professional athletes go out at the pinnacle of their career, and there's nothing worse than to see them struggling to perform when past their prime.

I'm sure he can live handily on his endorsements even if he doesnt ride again.

JoesHO · 04-26-2005

He always looks like he wont do it, then wham somehow he comes out on top, he knows that race and that course better than nayone, if he qualifies, he will win it .

Steady · 04-26-2005

Quote:

Originally posted by *KK*@Apr 26 2005, 08:44 AM
Personally I would be thinking about retiring without trying for a 7th if I couldn't get my times more in line with what I'd need to win. Very few professional athletes go out at the pinnacle of their career, and there's nothing worse than to see them struggling to perform when past their prime.

I'm sure he can live handily on his endorsements even if he doesnt ride again.

I agree...with all his endorsements he does not need to ride again. He is not getting any younger and the competition is tough! I do hope he pulls it of...He is our home boy hear in Austin, Texas. If anything, reason number 489 is good enough!

http://www.glacombe.com/images/gsherylcrow1.jpg

TheEnforcer · 04-26-2005

he'll be right up there but I'm not sure he'll win it this year.

DrGuile · 04-26-2005

Its all preparation...

Its a very intricate science built to make him peak at Le Tour. (science that involves more than legal things? Perhaps...)

But he shouldnt be winning anything until a couple weeks/a month to the Tour... he only really run one race all year... and Im guessing that's especially true now that he's older...

But I agree, he might not win... but he'll be contending

squirtingcarly · 04-26-2005

I thought he told Matt Lauer on the Today Show he wasn't going to race and retire just last week?

Or did I just dream that?

DrGuile · 04-26-2005

Quote:

Originally posted by squirtingcarly@Apr 26 2005, 04:41 PM
I thought he told Matt Lauer on the Today Show he wasn't going to race and retire just last week? Or did I just dream that?

he's retiring AFTER the race.

04-26-2005	#1
Steady Members Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 864	Armstrong struggles in time trial By PAUL NEWBERRY ROME, Ga. (AP) - Lance Armstrong has plenty of work to do if he wants to win a seventh straight Tour de France. Armstrong finished a disappointing ninth in Thursday's time trial at the Tour de Georgia, nearly two minutes behind the winner in a go-all-out style of cycling he usually dominates. Another American, Floyd Landis, won the third stage in 39 minutes, 58.09 seconds. The other spots on the podium also were claimed by U.S. riders - David Zabriskie in second and Christopher Baldwin third. Shockingly, Armstrong was not among them. Racing in a light rain, he failed to make up ground on the climb up Mount Alto and had no chance of closing the gap by the time he pedalled onto the slick streets of downtown Rome. "Clearly, I'm disappointed," said Armstrong, who could only manage a time of 41:44.87. "I didn't feel great, but I thought I'd do a better ride than that. I'm disappointed and (it) clearly shows I have some work to do." Armstrong plans to retire this summer after going for a seventh straight victory in the Tour de France. Already, he's the only cyclist to win the world's most famous race six times. The Tour de Georgia is a tuneup along the way, a six-day chance for Armstrong to gauge his conditioning against the best field that will be assembled on Americans roads . He won this race a year ago, taking control in the time trial held over the same 30-kilometre course in northwest Georgia. Armstrong's winning time was 39:51.78 - far better than he managed Thursday as leader of the Discovery Channel team. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Cycling/20...007343-ap.html __________________ ICQ 314168626 Check out our Shared Plans CLICK HERE!

04-26-2005	#3
JoesHO Members Want to see your own Advertising Here! Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 5,085	He always looks like he wont do it, then wham somehow he comes out on top, he knows that race and that course better than nayone, if he qualifies, he will win it . __________________ AEBN THE GLOBAL LEADER IN ADULT EVOLUTION something FIT this way comes!

04-26-2005	#6
DrGuile french with welsh tendancies Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 2,007	Its all preparation... Its a very intricate science built to make him peak at Le Tour. (science that involves more than legal things? Perhaps...) But he shouldnt be winning anything until a couple weeks/a month to the Tour... he only really run one race all year... and Im guessing that's especially true now that he's older... But I agree, he might not win... but he'll be contending __________________ LiveBucks / Privatefeeds - Giving you money since 1999 Up to 40% Commission! 25% Webmaster Referal

04-26-2005	#2
KK Members Respin bullshit press Your Comments Are Welcomed Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 2,581	Personally I would be thinking about retiring without trying for a 7th if I couldn't get my times more in line with what I'd need to win. Very few professional athletes go out at the pinnacle of their career, and there's nothing worse than to see them struggling to perform when past their prime. I'm sure he can live handily on his endorsements even if he doesnt ride again.

04-26-2005	#5
TheEnforcer Scored VIP to Anton's Piss Tank Want to see your own Advertising Here! Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 8,781	he'll be right up there but I'm not sure he'll win it this year.

04-26-2005	#7
squirtingcarly Members Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 130	I thought he told Matt Lauer on the Today Show he wasn't going to race and retire just last week? Or did I just dream that?