Lance Armstrong
What is next for Lance Armstrong’s lead up to the Tour de France? A variety of different races in both style and distance. His current schedule is a unique one for Armstrong. In his dominate years he would do a few small stage races then train until Amstel Gold and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, where he would test his legs. He would then go back into training until the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré and then the Tour de Fance. Last year’s race schedule included doing the Giro d’Italia and the Tour of California for the first time. This year’s plan includes more racing.
Next for Armstrong is Milan-San Remo, a race that he said he would not be returning to after competing in it last year. The high speed and long distance will be good for training but it is one of the more dangerous races. Next is the Critérium International which he has done numerous times before. The race itself has changed from the French Ardennes to the island of Corsica in the Mediterranean. The format has stayed the same however, with three stages in two days including a time trial. The TT will be used as a benchmark for his fitness just as the Murcia TT was.
Lance Armstrong will have a busy April competing in four classics and possibly another stage race. Tour de Flanders will be epic especially if he can muster up some magic and be relevant in the finale. Then based on his fitness and fatigue he, Johan Bruyneel and the staff at Team RadioShack will decide if he will start in Circuit de la Sarthe. Three important hilly classics will follow including Amstel Gold, a race that has traditionally been good to Lance. After many near misses, a good showing would prove he was on track for le Tour. The same could be said for his next races Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
May will be spent in California rather than Italy in 2010. The biggest race in America, the Tour of California, will have its biggest stars there including its biggest star Armstrong. He will train before and after the Tour of California in the states.
He will return to Europe for the Tour de Suisse, a race he has done before. He had favored the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré, but with Alberto Contador racing it, the Armstrong Camp has chosen to ride Suisse. This sets up what everyone wants to see, which is the first time that Armstrong and Contador line up against each other it will be at the Tour de France in July.
Milan-San Remo - March 20
Critérium Internationa - March 27-28
Tour of Flanders - April 4
Circuit de la Sarthe (Possible) - April 6-9
Amstel Gold - April 18
Flèche Wallonne - April 21
Liège-Bastogne-Liège - April 25
Tour of California - May 16-23
Tour de Suisse - June 12-20
Tour de France - July 3-25
By Thomas Mendonsa, staff writer
Photos: TeamRadioshack.com
I wonder with all the flying Lance will be doing, especially the return long-haul from Europe to the States, whether he can get over the jet lag and potential other issues (viruses, etc.) that will be challenging his body.
In past years he was living in Europe and training for the Tour, and easily able to maintain his fitess level.
However, I’d like to know this time around how Johan and Co. will keep his fitness level at peak (or, getting Lance to peak at the right time). Interesting!
Will TRS share share some of the training and fitness techniques with us fans, even if after the Tour?
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Cool Lance. I enjoy every lap that you’re competing. Good Lock!
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