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Posted: July 18, 2004

Cycling: James Raia Reports from the Tour de France - Stage XIII

Publisher's Greeting

After the race's only two stages in the Pyrenees, the group leaves the mountains for the southeast coast for a flat stage from Carcassonne to Nimes. The 14th stage Sunday will have no categorized climbs and will bring the race's sprinters to the forefront. Monday will be the race's final rest day or repos in Nimes.

Racing resumes Tuesday with the 180.5 km Valreas to Villard-de-Lans 15th stage. It will include seven categorized climbs, the steepest a 12km ascent with an average 7.4-percent grade beginning after 127 kilometers.

New Profile Feature - Armstrong Claims First '04 Stage Win

PLATEAU DE-BEILLE, France -- Riding strongly in the mountains for the second straight day, Lance Armstrong claimed his first individual stage of the 91st Tour de France and catapulted himself toward a record sixth Tour de France title Saturday.

With Italian Ivan Basso again as his only rival in the waning miles, Armstrong bolted ahead in the final meters and claimed the 127.5-mile 13th stage from Lannemazan to the Pyrenees resort in 6 hours, 4 minutes and 38 seconds.

With his 17th career Tour de France stage win, Armstrong remained in second place, but moved to within 22 seconds of race leader Thomas Voeckler of France.

Riding through raucous fans who swarmed the narrow mountain road in the final beyond category climb to the finish, Armstrong thrust his arms into the air as he crossed the line.

"It was amazing; it was aggressive," said Armstrong of the crowd, dominated by Spanish racing fans wearing the orange-colored T-shirts of its country's primary Tour de France team. "It was unbelievable that we made it through without getting killed. Wow, we were lucky."

As he did in the 12th stage, Armstrong, 32, of Austin, Texas, rode strategically with the help of his teammates for most of the stage. The route featured seven categorized climbs, including the final 10-mile ascent to that averaged a 7.8 percent grade.

"I felt better today than I did yesterday," said Armstrong. "I tried to ride in the middle of the road, but it was dangerous."

Although he suffered a flat tire after about 103 miles, Armstrong rejoined the lead group. He was assisted by teammate Jose Azevedo in the stage's two climbs until Armstrong and Basso found their way to the front.

With 20 bonus seconds available for the stage win, Armstrong moved ahead of Basso at the last moment and won the same stage he claimed two years ago.

"He (Basso) is very super strong," said Armstrong of the winner of the 12th stage who exchanged positions with five-time race winner in the 13th stage. "We tried to get him on the team last year. He's a threat and he will ride well in the Alps."

Basso, the leader of the CSC squad moved into third place overall. He trails Voeckler by 1 minute and 39 seconds and has a 1:17 deficit to Armstrong.

Voeckler, who has led the race for nine days, finished 13th, trailing Armstrong by 4:42.

Although he faltered again, Voeckler was pleased with his effort and gave a slight clenched-fist acknowledgment to the crowd.

"When I saw it (the deficit) was less five minutes, I knew I still had the jersey - at least for one more day," said Voeckler.

For the second straight day and the final race's final Pyrenees stage, Armstrong's expected race contenders failed.

Jan Ullrich of Germany, a five-time race runner-up including last year, lost 2:42 to Armstrong, placed sixth in the stage and is eighth overall.

Tyler Hamilton of Marblehead, Mass., who placed fourth overall last year, exited the race after about 50 miles. Hamilton won a stage and rode for the final 18 days last year with a fractured clavicle.

This year, Hamilton crashed with about 50 other riders in the final half-mile of the sixth stage and injured lower back muscles. Urs Freuler, Hamilton's team manager, said the cyclist could no longer transfer power from his back to his legs.

Levi Leipheimer, 30, of Santa Rosa, Calif., placed 19th in stage and is second among the remaining sixth Americans in 14th place, 10:47 behind.

Tour News, Notes And Quotes

Tyler Hamilton (Phonak) has suffered from back pain since his crash in the final kilometer of the sixth stage. On Saturday, the pain proved too severe and Hamilton abandoned the race at the first "feed zone" about 50 miles into the stage.

Hamilton, 33, of Marblehead, Mass., placed fourth last year, and was predicted as an overall favorite this year.

Urs Freuler, the Phonak manager, said Hamilton's injury was muscular and not conducive to repair like his collarbone fracture like last year.

"He can't transfer the power from his back to his legs," said Freuler, who also said he would suggest to Hamilton to consider the Tour of Spain, the final grand tour of the season . . .

It was less than a week ago that six American riders were among the top 20 in the general classification. With the depature of Hamilton and Bobby Julich (CSC) and Levi Leipheimer (Rabobank) having off days, Armstrong is now the sole U.S. rider in contention for the podium . . .

Leipheimer appeared to be in good position for his best performance of the Tour. He was riding with Jan Ullrich (T-Mobile) in the second group, but be began to have difficulty with about 10km remaining in the stage and eventually finished 19th @ 6:39. He's now 14th overall @ 10:47 . . .

"I ran out of sugar," said Leipheimer, who was seeking a top-five Tour overall finish. "I am very disappointed. It's possible now for a top-10, but the top-5 will be very difficult."

Postcard From Le Tour

Tour de France mountain stages not only provide the riders' greatest difficulty, but the steep climbs into the Pyrenees and the Alps are the most difficult days for anyone else seeking to watch the stage first-hand.

The mountains are packed with cars and campers, cyclists and gendarmerie (police), fans and race vehicles. And, of course, what goes up must come down.

It short, the post-stage scenario following mountains is nothing less than chaos. The French police are out in force. But they can make the situation worse as much as they can make it better.

To the race organization's credit, "evacuation" roads are available about 30 minutes following the stage. The media is escorted in the oncoming lane down mountains, much the dismay of the public.

After other mountain stages a secondary route off the hill is suggested. Such was case after the mountaintop finish to La Mongie for stage 12. The Col Du Tourmalet was the determined route and it took those willing on an extended climb past the finish at La Mongie, elevation, 5,700 feet.

It was 10 p.m., dark and lightning was crackling on the horizon when I crested the mountain and slowly made my way down on the winding, narrow road. I hugged the mountain side of the road, leaving as much distance possible to the sheer cliffs on the other side of the route.

No more than a mile down the road, I made a sharp right turn and came into the direct path of perhaps 100 mountain goats. The animals were spread across the road, but I slowly weaved my way through the herd.

The route continued for miles. It finally passed through several small villages tucked into the side of the mountain and I at my destination, Lourdes.

For several years at the Tour de France, I've stayed in the same boutique hotel in Lourdes. The two women owners and I have become friends through the years. I called them to let them know of my pending late arrival. They left my room key in the reception area with a handwritten welcome. And there was bottle of cold beer on the desk in my room.

All was well again at the Tour de France.

Americans In The Tour De France

 
Individual Stage Results
Stage 13
Lannemezan to Plateau de Beille, 205 kilometers
1. Lance Armstrong, Austin, Texas (USPS), 6 hours, 4 minutes, 38 seconds
19. Levi Leipheimer, Santa Rosa, Calif., (Rabobank) @ 6:39
38. Floyd Landis, San Diego, Calif., (USPS) @ 18:46
39. George Hincapie, Greenville, S.C., (USPS) @ 18:46
65. Chistian Vande Velde, Lemont, Ill., (Liberty Seguros) @26:58
155. Bobby Julich, Reno, Nev., (CSC) @ 42:20
Abandon - Tyler Hamillton, Marblehead, Mass., (Phonak)
General Classification
2. Armstrong @ 22 seconds
14. Leipheimer @ 10:47
35. Hincapie @ 30:39
37. Landis @ 31:25
52. Julich @ 46:49
71. Vande Velde @ 1:05:16

For complete results, visit the web sites:

CyclingNews.com
LeTour.fr
ProCycling.com
VeloNewws.com
More TDF Links