Tour de France, or rather Tour De Lance

[alfredo]

After two days in the mountains Lance has a 38 second lead. Unless someone gets lucky, or Lance blows up, the race is his. The best climbers who can come close RASMUSSEN is in second down by 00' 38". MOREAU is in third down 02' 34" All Lance has to do is keep these guys close, then the next time trial he can rip their hearts out.

The first stage was a 19 Km time trial. Here is how Rasmussen and Moreau performed.

Moreau was 1' 58" down on Lance.

Rassmussen was 3' 12"

Lance came in second, 2" down on the leader. That rider has dropped out due to an accident.

There is one more time trial, a 55 km test. If the numbers and performances hold up, Lance will blow away all competition. He is a terrific time trial rider. He has superb technique, very fit, and knows how to suffer. Remember, he was only 2 seconds behind the first rider in the fastest time trial in tour history. Even then, he had pulled his foot out of his clip, probably costing him enough time to lose the race.

Still, a lot can happen between now and then. Still, if all riders ride their race, each riding within their strengths and weaknesses, I say that lance will win. Ullrich is over a minute down, so is Julich, Leipheimer, Voigt, and others with enough mojo to win. One thing they don't have is Lance's incredibly disciplined team.

[DS1]

1. Pulled his foot out of his clip?

Holy shit that's got to take some energy - on the up-crank too! :wow:

[alfredo]

3. Yeah. I just read that Voigt is out of the race.

He bonked on the last climb and was eliminated.

[Shell Beau]

2. Go Lance!

:woohoo: