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Ben Dover · 07-27-2003, 05:24 AM

Today, (Sunday 27th) is the 20th and last stage of this great race. And as usual it is a run into Paris, to The Champs-Elysees. Then 10 circuits around the Boulevard, culminating in a big sprint finish. Quiet a sight. The result of the Tour is now known, barring accidents Lance Armstrong has won it. He has to cross the line, of course, he has to make sure he stays with Jan Ullrich to make sure he does not sneak away and take away the 1 min 15 second advantage he has over Ullrich. That will never happen.

Yesterdays time trial was the crucial stage. This was Jan Ullrich's last chance to unseat Armstrong. Ullrich had to beat Armstrong by over 1 min 5 seconds to take the Yellow Jersey. As Ullrich beat Armstrong by over a minute and a half on the last TT this was possible.

The weather conditions were atrocious, constant rain turned the course into an ice rink. The final 15 kms were the worse as they were in the town of Nantes with a lot of bends and those awful European roundabouts. Be grateful you do not have these in America.

Ullrich was the second to last man off with Armstrong starting 3 minutes later. The TV concentrated on these 2 riders. The split times showed that there was very little time between them. Several riders had fallen on the slippery roads, both riders were aware of this and knew they had to be wary. However faint heart never won a time trial! Both riders were going for it.

At about 10 kms from the finish Ullrich lost it, his rear wheel slid out from under him on a right hander, down he went, sliding across the road into the barriers. He was straight up and quickly on his way. But his nerve was gone. He was constantly waving his team car back, as he felt it was following too close and were he to fall again it may hit him.

In this day and age the riders are in constant radio contact with their team and this information was relayed to Armstrong, at that point he knew he had to just take it easy, not fall off and he would win the tour. He has always won the final time trial in his past 4 tour wins. However the stage win was not so important as maintaining his overall position as race leader. This he did by coming in 3rd fastest behind David Miller (or Millar) and Tyler Hamilton, who did a great ride, Ullrich was 4th. Millers time gave him the 2nd fastest time trial in the tours 100 years. This is the centenary year. A good one for Lance to win. He is 1 min 16 seconds ahead of Ullrich.

07-27-2003, 05:24 AM	#31
Ben Dover Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 45	Today, (Sunday 27th) is the 20th and last stage of this great race. And as usual it is a run into Paris, to The Champs-Elysees. Then 10 circuits around the Boulevard, culminating in a big sprint finish. Quiet a sight. The result of the Tour is now known, barring accidents Lance Armstrong has won it. He has to cross the line, of course, he has to make sure he stays with Jan Ullrich to make sure he does not sneak away and take away the 1 min 15 second advantage he has over Ullrich. That will never happen. Yesterdays time trial was the crucial stage. This was Jan Ullrich's last chance to unseat Armstrong. Ullrich had to beat Armstrong by over 1 min 5 seconds to take the Yellow Jersey. As Ullrich beat Armstrong by over a minute and a half on the last TT this was possible. The weather conditions were atrocious, constant rain turned the course into an ice rink. The final 15 kms were the worse as they were in the town of Nantes with a lot of bends and those awful European roundabouts. Be grateful you do not have these in America. Ullrich was the second to last man off with Armstrong starting 3 minutes later. The TV concentrated on these 2 riders. The split times showed that there was very little time between them. Several riders had fallen on the slippery roads, both riders were aware of this and knew they had to be wary. However faint heart never won a time trial! Both riders were going for it. At about 10 kms from the finish Ullrich lost it, his rear wheel slid out from under him on a right hander, down he went, sliding across the road into the barriers. He was straight up and quickly on his way. But his nerve was gone. He was constantly waving his team car back, as he felt it was following too close and were he to fall again it may hit him. In this day and age the riders are in constant radio contact with their team and this information was relayed to Armstrong, at that point he knew he had to just take it easy, not fall off and he would win the tour. He has always won the final time trial in his past 4 tour wins. However the stage win was not so important as maintaining his overall position as race leader. This he did by coming in 3rd fastest behind David Miller (or Millar) and Tyler Hamilton, who did a great ride, Ullrich was 4th. Millers time gave him the 2nd fastest time trial in the tours 100 years. This is the centenary year. A good one for Lance to win. He is 1 min 16 seconds ahead of Ullrich.