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Armstrong loses some of his lead at Tour de France
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-07-08 09:28
Armstrong, who plans to retire at the end of the Tour on July 24, is
harboring his strength and not fighting for daily wins in this first week so
he's fresh for the Alps that come next week _ after the riders have enjoyed a
well-earned rest day on Monday.
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Discovery Channel team rider Lance Armstrong
of the U.S. waves on the podium after the 199km ( 123 miles) sixth stage
of the 92nd Tour de France cycling race between Troyes and Nancy, July 7,
2005. [Reuters]
| Already, fatigue is beginning to show. There were four hills to negotiate on
Thursday's 199-kilometer (123.7-mile) ride. Some racers _ not including
Armstrong or his main rivals _ struggled up the final climb, even though it was
a molehill compared to the high mountain passes that must be scaled in the Alps
and later in the Pyrenees.
"The riders are tired. We had a relatively insignificant climb near the end
of the stage but we heard on the race radio that quite a few guys were dropped.
That's not normal for this race," Armstrong said.
He blamed the rigorous conditions and the fast pace set by leading squads.
"When you add in the tail winds, the cross winds, the rain, the weather and
the high tempo the teams are riding on the front that adds up to some tired
guys," he said.
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