Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong showed that, even at age 38, he is still a force to be reckoned with in the grueling Pyrenees.
His chances for an eighth tour victory gone after a crash-filled Stage 8, Armstrong rededicated his efforts to grabbing a stage win. In preparation for the Pyrenees, he deliberately held back over the previous four stages to save energy.
“That’s definitely on purpose,” Team RadioShack manager Johan Bruyneel said on Sunday. “Now that he’s not in contention for the general classification anymore, you try to save strength.”
Armstrong’s first attempt came today in the 199.5 kilometer Stage 16 that ran from Bagneres-de-Luchon to Pau. The route is arguably the toughest of this year’s tour, featuring four major climbs, including the legendary Col du Tourmalet.
Jumping on the first break, Lance Armstrong pulled away from the peloton and never looked back. He and a group of riders ranging in number from 3 to 14, opened a gap that at one point exceeded 7 minutes, and finished the stage 6:45 seconds ahead of the peloton. Armstrong was a constant presence. Subjecting the lead group to several merciless attacks, he looked like the Lance Armstrong of a decade ago.
In the end, it was not to be. Armstrong narrowly missed his opportunity, finishing sixth in the final sprint behind teammate Chris Horner. France’s Pierrick Fedrigo took the stage, with a time of 5:31:43
Armstrong’s next opportunity for a stage win comes Thursday. After a rest day on Wednesday, the tour resumes with Stage 17, which features what is sure to be a dramatic finish at the top of the Col du Tourmalet.
Tour de France, stage 16 results
By Robert Myre, staff writer
I am impressed with the team today. Lance knew the would not let him fly from the peloton with any chance of winning the tour.
You can quote me on this one “Lance hasn’t had enough of the tour the tour has had enough of Lance” Hee Hee
Alphonzo! Take a note to self. Get me into a Geico commerical. Does a 7 time Tour de France winner make a good Mobility spokesman?
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Great day for Lance and Team RadioShack.
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As a big fan of Lance, it was great to see the “old Lance” come out today and ride hard. Doesn’t matter if he won the final sprint or not, Fedrigo got the stage, but Lance clearly won the day.
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As Lance himself said, “When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope? We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up, or fight like hell.”
As I’ve said before, to me his victories don’t mean as much as his spirit. He flatted at a key point on the cobbles, crashed half a dozen times this Tour, twice in the first critical stage, and is a few weeks away from birthday #39. So what. He fought like hell today and got outsprinted by guys 6-10 years his junior. Bravo Lance, Chris, and the rest of the team.
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As a sportsman GREAT what you did today. It’s a pity we have to do it without you in the future. I cannot imagine a Tour without Lance…
Nevertheless,good luck the next few days of this Tour of France!
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daer lance /honer
yastaday great colers in tdflance iam wery happy you super riding butefuley team to day good day
saliya weerakkody
fomer cyclist sri lanka
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GREAT DAY! Lance and Chris did a great ride. Thanks
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It was good to see that Chris Horner and Lance showed what they are able to. They realy shaked the tree.
Greetings,
Jaap ‘the green guy’
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Lance, you are a legend!
Well done, too, Chris.
Viva le Tour! Viva le Lance!
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I see you alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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