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Armstrong blows away rivals in first Alpine stage
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-07-13 08:24
CSC team rider Jens
Voigt of Germany waves on the podium before the start of the 192km (119
miles) 10th stage of the 92nd Tour de France cycling race between Grenoble
and Courchevel, July 12, 2005. [Reuters] | They covered the 177.5-kilometer (110.3-mile) 10th stage in 4 hours, 50
minutes, 35 seconds. Because of a protest at the start by farmers angry over
wolf attacks on their sheep and cows, organizers shortened the race by 15
kilometers (9.3 miles), beginning it after the town of Froges, near the city of
Grenoble.
Mickael Rasmussen crossed the finish line third and Spain's Francisco Mancebo
was fourth, both 9 seconds back. Along with Valverde, they were the only riders
who managed to stay with Armstrong on the final ascent.
The ride silenced doubts that Armstrong is too old at 33, or too jaded after
his record six victories, to win again. If he follows the pattern of previous
Tours, he might not relinquish the leader's yellow jersey that he already wore
for five days last week.
"Today, I had good legs," Armstrong said. "We are in a good position with
regard to some of the main rivals, so we'll have to protect that and that might
mean protecting the jersey and hopefully retiring in it. But we'll see, there's
still a lot of racing to go."
Overall, Armstrong leads Rasmussen by 38 seconds. While he does not regard
himself as a challenger to Armstrong, the Dane has shown himself enough of a
threat on climbs - he won the ninth stage with a gutsy solo ride over six
ascents - to warrant the American's attention.
"He's a damn good climber and we have to watch him now," Armstrong said.
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