Posted: July 6, 2005

Cycling: TOUR DE FRANCE TIMES - Volume 3, No. 5 (July 6, 2005)

By James Raia
www.ByJamesRaia.com

Publisher's Greeting

As expected, Lance Armstrong retained the yellow jersey and the overall race standings remained nearly unchanged in the flat, sprinters' stage 5 won by Australian Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto). The stage win revenged McEwen's relegation in stage 3 when he was penalized for his aggressive ways and given last place in the stage.

The weather remained cool and overcast as the riders progressed 183 kilometers from Chambord to Montargis.

Stage 6: 7/7, Troyes to Nancy, 199 kilomter, primarily flat with four category four climbs.

For today's full results, visit the Tour's official web site: www.letour.fr.

News, Notes & Quotes

Lance Armstrong showed his sportsmanship as the six-time race titlist honored David Zabriskie's misfortune in the stage 4 team time trial. Armstrong didn't wear his Yellow Jerse during the beginning neutral zone of the stage. He then donned the race leader's yellow jersey for the rest of the stage. Zabriskie likely would have retained the jersey yesterday and until Sunday's first mountain had he not crashed.

Armstrong retained his 55-second lead over Discovery Channell teammate George Hincapie and his 1:04 margin over Jens Voight (CSC) of Germany. American Bobby Julich is fourth overall, trailing by 1:07 . . .

Speaking of Zabriskie, the banged up former race leader began stage 5 and finished in 176th position in the main peloton. He's still ninth overall, traling by 1:26.

The race, which began July 2 in Frometine with 189 riders, is down to 188 cyclists after the first abandonment of the race, Constantino Zaballa (Saunier-Duval Prodir) of Spain because of a sore left knee . . .

Levi Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner) of Santa Rosa, Calif., who has predicted a top-five overall finish, is currently 30th position @ 2:31. In an interview prior to stage 5, Leipheimer said he's still in good position, but was disappointed by his team's slow time trial start.

"There's still plenty of racing left but Lance will have to have a bad day," said Leipheimer, who was ninth last year. "But plenty can still happen." . . .

Tour de France Times publisher on the radio: In addition to print reports for several daily newspapers, I will be providing radio reports during the race for Capital Public Radio in Sacramento (KXJZ, 88.9FM), National Public Radio (KXJZ 88.9FM) and Sacramento station KTKZ (Newstalk 1380AM).

The network's respective web sites: www.capradio.org, www.npr.org and www.ktkz.com. Dates and times vary.

Postcard From The Tour

Convenience stores in France are called boutiques, but they deserve to be called convenience stores more than the convenience stores in the United States, which are often inconvenient.

The boutiques in France are conveniently located off of auto routes exits, and nearly whatever a weary driver might need is available.

Prices aren't cheap. Soft drinks range from about $1.250 to more than $2 and a ham and cheese sandwich on a bagette runs around $5.25.

But if you want to take a shower, buy a hot cup of tomato or potato soup out of vending change, change your infant's diaper, watch television, buy a map, purchase foix gras (duck liver), shop for souvenirs, and, of course by fuel and oil, the French boutiques are the place to be.

More from: Tour de France Times

© Copyright 2005, James Raia

Posted with the permission of James Raia.

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