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Official Tour de France 2003 thread
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That�s gonna be really the most interesting TOUR de FRANCE since years. Jan Ulrich won the individual time trial today. Lance Armstrong finished 1 min 36 s after Ulrich. Two competitors are within one minute behind Lance. Will there be the fight for the maillot jaune when approaching the Pyreneeses?
Comments!?
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Last edited by euphras; Jul 21, 2003 at 02:33 PM.
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No one will hang with Lance in the mountains. They never do. I dont follow the Tour very closely, but it doesnt take much to remember that the mountains is where Lance leaves everyone behind. Go Lance!!
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Originally posted by euphras:
Comments!?
Ul lrich doesn't have the slightest chance.
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Armstrong says Ullrich is now Tour favourite
By Francois Thomazeau
CAP DECOUVERTE, France, July 18 (Reuters) - Race leader Lance Armstrong tipped Jan Ullrich as the most likely winner of this year's Tour de France after being dominated by the German rider in a 47 km time trial on Friday.
"He's the Tour favourite," said the American, who is bidding for a record-equalling fifth Tour victory on July 27 in Paris.
"I've said it many times before that Jan was my leading rival and I'm saying it again," he added after the 12th stage time trial from Gaillac to the Cap Decouverte theme park.
But Armstrong, who is suffering as never before in this Tour as he is faced by only average form and suffocating heat, made it clear he would not surrender without a fight.
Though Ullrich will now be the favourite for next week's 49 km time trial from Pornic to Nantes, Armstrong said: "Jan had a super day, but if you look at the past, he has very rarely beaten me in a time trial. I'm still as confident with the final time trial.
"From now on, it's not my responsibility to respond to attacks. If there are attacks, I'll try to follow. But if by the last time trial in Nantes, there is still 34 seconds between us, I will not lose sleep," he said.
Armstrong, who returned from near-fatal cancer in 1999 to win his first Tour, had the worst possible preparation for this race, suffering stomach problems a week before the prologue before crashing on day one.
The heat, which has been unrelenting on the Tour for almost two weeks, did not help.
TOO HOT
"Maybe it was too hot for me. I suffered," he said about his time trial, in which he finished 1:36 behind Ullrich.
"I did not feel too bad. Most of the time, I had an incredible presence. But I ran out of water before the final climb and I felt I was going backward rather than forward.
"It was the first time in a time trial that I was thirsty from the very beginning," he said.
Whereas Ullrich said he adored the furnace-like conditions, the Texan admitted the weather had been a factor.
"Heat makes it very difficult. Nobody really excels in the heat. But I grew up in temperatures hotter than this, so I would think that I could handle it," he said.
The U.S. Postal team leader rejoiced at news that weather forecasts for the gruelling stages ahead in the Pyrenees were bad. "That's good news," he said.
Much now depends on the strength of his team and their ability to drop Ullrich, who won the 1997 Tour, in the mountain passes over the next four stages.
Otherwise, the Tour could be decided by the man-to-man fight between Pornic and Nantes on July 26, the penultimate stage of the race.
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Yes it's going to be a great tour. I still think Lance is going to win this year. He is very dominant in the Mountains. He's also got a very very strong team behind him. It's going to be close and very exciting. gotta love OLN. I can listen to the tour everyday over the internet.
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For the first time I'm really getting into the tour. The competitiveness (and the oddball antics that have occurred) have really made it a fascinating series.
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And now, in an easy-to-read NON-ITALICIZED version:
Armstrong says Ullrich is now Tour favourite
By Francois Thomazeau
CAP DECOUVERTE, France, July 18 (Reuters) - Race leader Lance Armstrong tipped Jan Ullrich as the most likely winner of this year's Tour de France after being dominated by the German rider in a 47 km time trial on Friday.
"He's the Tour favourite," said the American, who is bidding for a record-equalling fifth Tour victory on July 27 in Paris.
"I've said it many times before that Jan was my leading rival and I'm saying it again," he added after the 12th stage time trial from Gaillac to the Cap Decouverte theme park.
But Armstrong, who is suffering as never before in this Tour as he is faced by only average form and suffocating heat, made it clear he would not surrender without a fight.
Though Ullrich will now be the favourite for next week's 49 km time trial from Pornic to Nantes, Armstrong said: "Jan had a super day, but if you look at the past, he has very rarely beaten me in a time trial. I'm still as confident with the final time trial.
"From now on, it's not my responsibility to respond to attacks. If there are attacks, I'll try to follow. But if by the last time trial in Nantes, there is still 34 seconds between us, I will not lose sleep," he said.
Armstrong, who returned from near-fatal cancer in 1999 to win his first Tour, had the worst possible preparation for this race, suffering stomach problems a week before the prologue before crashing on day one.
The heat, which has been unrelenting on the Tour for almost two weeks, did not help.
TOO HOT
"Maybe it was too hot for me. I suffered," he said about his time trial, in which he finished 1:36 behind Ullrich.
"I did not feel too bad. Most of the time, I had an incredible presence. But I ran out of water before the final climb and I felt I was going backward rather than forward.
"It was the first time in a time trial that I was thirsty from the very beginning," he said.
Whereas Ullrich said he adored the furnace-like conditions, the Texan admitted the weather had been a factor.
"Heat makes it very difficult. Nobody really excels in the heat. But I grew up in temperatures hotter than this, so I would think that I could handle it," he said.
The U.S. Postal team leader rejoiced at news that weather forecasts for the gruelling stages ahead in the Pyrenees were bad. "That's good news," he said.
Much now depends on the strength of his team and their ability to drop Ullrich, who won the 1997 Tour, in the mountain passes over the next four stages.
Otherwise, the Tour could be decided by the man-to-man fight between Pornic and Nantes on July 26, the penultimate stage of the race.
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Barring any major catastrophes, Lance is still going to win. He will dominate in the mountains.
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Lance is a freakin machine when it comes to the mountains.
I think playing soccer is a bad enough sport when it comes to endurance (and I play 45 minutes or so every other day), I can't imagine what it's like to ride a bike that many miles at the speeds he does!
Truly an amazing athelete that doesn't get as much recognition as he should.
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Originally posted by Developer:
Ullrich doesn't have the slightest chance.
Are you sure?
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i thought this was going to be a thread about Metallica. i want my money back. 
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me too, but i'll take blood instead of monies. thank you.
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I tried to sig-spam the forums.
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Originally posted by fat mac moron:
Lance is a freakin machine when it comes to the mountains.
I think playing soccer is a bad enough sport when it comes to endurance (and I play 45 minutes or so every other day), I can't imagine what it's like to ride a bike that many miles at the speeds he does!
Truly an amazing athelete that doesn't get as much recognition as he should.
Absolutely right. This sport is nothing if not the ability to handle pain. It's amazing what riders like Lance can do.
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Quote:"Ullrich doesn't have the slightest chance."
Still so sure, Developer??!?
It was Lance Armstrong, who showed slight signs of weakness today, not Jan Ullrich. He�s now only 15 sec behind Armstrong.
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Originally posted by Cleric:
Are you sure?
I changed my mind. Still think he won't win the tour.
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Nasrudin sat on a river bank when someone shouted to him from the opposite side: "Hey! how do I get across?" "You are across!" Nasrudin shouted back.
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Ulrich got closer today, only 15 seconds between Armstrong and him.
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I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it.
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"I'm for anything that gets you through the night, be it prayer, tranquilizers, or a bottle of Jack Daniel's."
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Originally posted by Developer:
I changed my mind. Still think he won't win the tour.
Don't you forget Vinokourov.... only 18 sec behind Lance now. Although Lance is still very strong, and is also very good at bluffing (cf mountain stage 2 years ago when he pretended to be tired, just to leave everybody including Ulrich in the dust), I don't think he is going to win this year. If anything, ulrich might again leave him 1.5 minute behind in the last time trial.
VERY interesting Tour de France. Tomorrow the climbing on the Tourmalet plus the end of stage at Luz-Ardiden might be the turning point (Vinokourov?). If not, Ulrich wins it in the last time trial around Nantes.
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Just my opinion...
Lance is playing smart right now, no doubt the high temperatures in France are killing his performance. He is not as good as he used to be when uphill, he is getting older and new people is coming, he knows. He is defending his leading position until he feels better and regain his power. Last time I saw a similar situation, it was Indurain decline and he was beaten because he was fiercely attacked by everybody including Riis, Ulrich ....
Still, Ulrich, Vinokourov and Mayo (and the other Spaniards) are not going for the final killing. Ulrich is counting on the final trial to finally beat lance. This may be a mistake.
Because Lance could recover. Just a nicer weather could detonate lance better performance. Time will tell.
Tomorrow will be huge, the Spaniards are going to attack big time. It is the Pirinens (Tourmalet, etc), it is like home up there for the Spaniards.
Mancebo, Mayo, etc Vinokourov may take advantage....
The funny part is that lance will follow (if he can) the German wherever he goes, the whole defense strategy of the american will depend on the German.
It will be fun to watch...
A final thought, we'll never know how good Ulrich could have been if he had a champion discipline. I always thought he was much better than Lance.
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Temperatures went down and Amstrong came back strong today.
He is by far the mentally strongest and he is winning again, and he'll wear yellow next sunday.
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Originally posted by nredman:
after stage 15 lance is now ahead of Ulrich by 67 seconds, even after falling...lance is the man.
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(
Last edited by daimoni; Aug 15, 2004 at 06:10 PM.
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Originally posted by daimoni:
I just want to say I think they are all freaking AMAZING bicyclists. They are all champions in my book. Best of luck to everyone.
Yeah, that really hit home after my 95 km ride yesterday. I was fairly useless after 60 km, and for that first 60 km I was probably going only a little over half of the tour pace (in the 69 km stage).
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(
Last edited by daimoni; Aug 15, 2004 at 06:10 PM.
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Originally posted by cenutrio:
Ulrich is counting on the final trial to finally beat lance. This may be a mistake.
After loosing six kilograms with severe dehydration, and still finishing second, only 1:34 behind Ulrich, I think Lance can beat the German in the final time trial, provided he's on form. And I'm sure he will be. The US Postal team will make sure of that.
Lance will not need to ride the time trial of his life with a 1:07 buffer. He simply needs to limit his losses, and he will have the advantage of knowing the time splits.
With nearly 80Km to the finish after the final climb tomorrow, there will be no change in the overall standings until the final time trial on Saturday. Lance should still be in yellow for the parade into Paris on Sunday.
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Last edited by jcarr; Jul 21, 2003 at 12:40 PM.
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This was an AMAZING stage today. It's been a pretty amazing tour so far. Very Exciting. He won the stage today. it sounds like he is really back in form now. Rest day then I think it's the time trial. It should be a good rest of the tour. I'm sure there will be more Excitement to come
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That's all I got.
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How did Armstrong collide with the spectator?
Was there someone on the road?
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Originally posted by Eug Wanker:
How did Armstrong collide with the spectator?
Was there someone on the road?
It was a spectator on the sidelines. They had a hat or something sticking out and it caught his break lever I believe and he went down. Nothing serious since he won the stage
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Armstrong said he was riding too close to the right side of the course. Apparently a spectator's bag got hooked in his brake lever.
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/mal
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On another note about that. Ulrich Waited for Lance much like Lance did a few years back when Ulrich got a flat.
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I will be the first to complain about how close spectators usually are , but this time I honestly think that Lance was way too close in a blind curve. He should have been more cautious.
It was just an accident.
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Originally posted by typoon:
On another note about that. Ulrich Waited for Lance much like Lance did a few years back when Ulrich got a flat.
Do they draft off each other, or only with their own teams?
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Originally posted by Eug Wanker:
Do they draft off each other, or only with their own teams?
The will draft each other if they are in a break away group. They become a team unto themselves in a way, but when the finish line is in sight it's every man/team for himself.
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Yes, Lance is really a great sportsman. I Saw the race today and....man.....after Lance went down, he virtually exploded!!
That was the Lance Armstrong who comes in mind when i think of the last years Tours. Really amazing. And i�m glad that Jan Ullrich had the strenghtness not to abuse the accident of Lance.
BTW: can the mod�s edit the thread title to "Official Tour de France 2003 thread" or something like?? Since the original thread title doesn�t fit anymore.
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Originally posted by Eug Wanker:
Yeah, that really hit home after my 95 km ride yesterday. I was fairly useless after 60 km, and for that first 60 km I was probably going only a little over half of the tour pace (in the 69 km stage).
my father is big into road cycling and is trying to get me into it, i road with him a few weeks ago about 35 miles which was rough since i didn't train for the ride...then i road with him the other day for about 20 miles...only being 24 my body was able to bounce back pretty well...but it makes you realize that professional cyclists are machines...i mean i only can keep a speed of about 18-20 miles per hour...its just nuts how fast they go.
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Originally posted by euphras:
Yes, Lance is really a great sportsman. I Saw the race today and....man.....after Lance went down, he virtually exploded!!
That was the Lance Armstrong who comes in mind when i think of the last years Tours. Really amazing. And i�m glad that Jan Ullrich had the strenghtness not to abuse the accident of Lance.
BTW: can the mod�s edit the thread title to "Official Tour de France 2003 thread" or something like?? Since the original thread title doesn�t fit anymore.
I know I heard Phil Ligget call the race, When he went down it seemed like Lance woke up the climbing animal that we expected earlier. It is definately an exciting tour this year. I think barring any unforeseen accident or something that causes him to not be in the race and if he can hold of Ullrich Armstrong will have been only the second Man to win the Tour 5 times in a row.
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Ullrich stopped and waited when Lance went down?!?! Are you serious? WOW. THat is impressive sportsmanship. I am in awe.
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Originally posted by boardsurfer:
Ullrich stopped and waited when Lance went down?!?! Are you serious? WOW. THat is impressive sportsmanship. I am in awe.
Lance did the same for Ulrich in the past. Its kind of an unwritten ethical standard the Tour de France. Its considered bad form to attack the yellow jersey when he's suffered bad luck (equipment failure, crash).
As Lance put it once, "You don't hit a man when he's down."
By the way, anyone else completely flabergasted that Tyler Hamilton has stayed in the race despite breaking his collar bone on Day 1?? Not only is he riding with a nasty fracture in his collar bone, he was in the top ten through the first week or so!!!
I can't even imagine how bad that hurts. That dude is unbelievable.
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Originally posted by thunderous_funker:
Lance did the same for Ulrich in the past. Its kind of an unwritten ethical standard the Tour de France. Its considered bad form to attack the yellow jersey when he's suffered bad luck (equipment failure, crash).
As Lance put it once, "You don't hit a man when he's down."
By the way, anyone else completely flabergasted that Tyler Hamilton has stayed in the race despite breaking his collar bone on Day 1?? Not only is he riding with a nasty fracture in his collar bone, he was in the top ten through the first week or so!!!
I can't even imagine how bad that hurts. That dude is unbelievable.
Here is a direct Quote from Ullrich
"when Armstrong crashed after hitting a spectator's bag, he respected a Tour tradition and let him return on his bike.
Ullrich avoided the crash, but refused to attack
"I have never in my life attacked someone who had crashed. That's not the way I race."
Yes it is amazing Tyler Hamilton is still in the race. Courageous or stupidity? Or a little of both? He's pretty amazing too, still in the Top 10 after the first 2 weeks.
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Don't forget that Lance waited for Ulrich when he crashed on the descent of the Peyresourd during the 2001 Tour.
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Lance Armstrong = class
Lance Armstrong = perhaps the best athlete today
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I'm not going to call an ambulance this time because then you won't learn anything.
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Nick
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I'm suprised this hasn't been reported more 
http://www.velonews.com/race/mtn/articles/4606.0.html
VeloNews managed to catch up with Kona freeride pro Dave Watson who was just back from an eventful excursion to France. After being approached by a French cycling magazine a month and a half ago, Watson pulled off a monumental stunt, actually jumping over the back half of the peloton during the Alp d'Huez stage of the Tour de France. Watson estimated that the jump, a road gap, was about 45 feet in distance.
"I had to come in from a funky angle because there were some police in the way," Watson explained. "And I had to time it just right because I didn't want to go in front of the riders and spook them. It was a group of about 15 and I went over right at the end of the group."
Watson added that he had to brake check ever so slightly right before take-off, and that caused him to come up about a foot short on the landing.
"I aired it nice," he said. "But I got bucked and crashed pretty hard. It's a jump I could do 10 times in a row no problem, but there was just so much going on."
Asked what was the point of the jump, Watson said he "wanted to celebrate the progression of cycling. We're in a rad sport and I wanted to do something to help get it to the masses. Whether people think I'm a hero or a zero, I don't care. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion, but the only person in jeopardy was me."
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Senior User
Join Date: Mar 2000
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Tyler Hamilton is unreal. Wins the stage today with a fractured collar bone. Just unreal.
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Addicted to MacNN
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Originally posted by palmberg:
Tyler Hamilton is unreal. Wins the stage today with a fractured collar bone. Just unreal.
Yep. It is very unreal. It was nice to see him win the stage.
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"Evil is Powerless If the Good are Unafraid." -Ronald Reagan
Apple and Intel, the dawning of a NEW era.
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Join Date: Dec 1999
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Ulrich & Armstrong go 2 & 3 in first intermediate sprint. Ulrich picks up 2 seconds bonus.
Lance should still be able to keep his yellow jersey with a 1:05 buffer, if not win the time trial outright.
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I'm cookoo for Cocoa Apps!
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Originally posted by jcarr:
Ulrich & Armstrong go 2 & 3 in first intermediate sprint. Ulrich picks up 2 seconds bonus.
Lance should still be able to keep his yellow jersey with a 1:05 buffer, if not win the time trial outright.
I'm hoping Lance will win the TT (Time Trial) tomorrow. It would be pretty historic if he does. If not it will still have been a very very exciting tour.
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"Evil is Powerless If the Good are Unafraid." -Ronald Reagan
Apple and Intel, the dawning of a NEW era.
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Mac Elite
Join Date: May 2002
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Ullrich has announced, that he will attack the maillot jaune on sunday if he can manage to minimize the time gap in the trial tommorow. Now there�s this unwritten law that the MJ shall not be attacked on the last day of the tour....
Fair? Unfair? Comments?!?
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Macintosh Quadra 950, Centris 610, Powermac 6100, iBook dual USB, Powerbook 667 DVI, Powerbook 867 DVI, MacBook Pro early 2011
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Addicted to MacNN
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Originally posted by euphras:
Ullrich has announced, that he will attack the maillot jaune on sunday if he can manage to minimize the time gap in the trial tommorow. Now there�s this unwritten law that the MJ shall not be attacked on the last day of the tour....
Fair? Unfair? Comments?!?
I don't think he should, Unless the time gap is lessened or stays the same, it would be an interesting ride into Paris. Then again if Lance kicks his ass in the TT tomorrow it won't matter.
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"Evil is Powerless If the Good are Unafraid." -Ronald Reagan
Apple and Intel, the dawning of a NEW era.
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This is a three week races and it is not over until they cross the final line in paris...
Tomorrow will be a beautiful race.
By the way, we spaniards have no Indurain anymore, but a four win today by iBanesto. I hope they get another good sponsor for future eyars.
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