Tigermike 3,040 Posted July 22, 2004 Share Posted July 22, 2004 Armstrong wins third straight stage Jerome Pugmire / Associated Press Posted: 1 hour ago BOURG D'OISANS, France (AP) - With an amazing final dash of speed, Lance Armstrong won the 17th stage of the Tour de France on Thursday, extending his overall lead as he marches toward a record sixth crown. The stage win was Armstrong's third in three days and fourth at this Tour - matching his best in previous years, where he also dominated. The Texan could get a fifth stage win at a time trial on Saturday, capping a Tour where he has proved unbeatable. "No gifts this year," said the five-time champion. "I want to win." Armstrong, distinctive in his overall leader's yellow jersey, launched himself into top gear within sight of the line to sprint past German champion Andreas Kloden, beating him by just centimeters (inches). Even Armstrong seemed to find his victory hard to believe. A beaming smile on his face, he jubilantly thrust his fists into the air as he zoomed past Kloden, who had seemed destined to win until Armstrong found the extra burst of speed. The win, coming at the end of one of the hardest mountain stages this year, gave Armstrong bonus seconds that extended his overall lead on Italian Ivan Basso. German Jan Ullrich was third in the sprint, followed by Basso. Both in the mountains and, on Thursday, in a sprint, Armstrong has been in a different class from his rivals. His lead of four minutes and nine seconds over Basso should easily carry him through to the podium in Paris on Sunday. By the end of the final climb Thursday, just Basso, Kloden and Ullrich had managed to stay with Armstrong and his teammate Floyd Landis, who worked tirelessly to steer his leader up the ascent. At the summit, Armstrong reached an arm over to Landis and gave him the green light to try to win. The finish was 13 kilometers (8 miles) away, at the end of a long speedy descent from the climb. "I spoke to Floyd at the summit and asked him, 'How fast are you in the descent?' He said, 'Very, very quick,' and I said, 'Go! go!"' Landis zoomed away but was quickly caught by Ullrich, which prompted Armstrong to catch them up, followed by Basso and Kloden. The five riders jostled for position as they sped through the final corners leading to the finish at Le Grand-Bornand in the Alps. As the line neared, Kloden suddenly spurted ahead, the win seemed his. But for Armstrong, the chance for another victory at his favorite race was simply too hard to pass up. With one final glance over his shoulder, he rocketed off in pursuit and found just enough extra speed to edge Kloden at the line. "The Tour de France is so special," said Armstrong. "My form is super." Armstrong dedicated his win to Landis, who rode strongly for his leader Thursday but finished last in the sprint. "I really wanted him to win the stage," said the Texan. Armstrong now has 20 individual stage victories. He also has two collective wins, taking the team time trial with his U.S. Postal Service squad both this year and last. The other years when Armstrong won four stages in a single Tour were 1999, his first victory after a comeback from cancer, and in 2001 and 2002. http://msn.foxsports.com/story/2585414 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiger88 934 Posted July 22, 2004 Share Posted July 22, 2004 If cycling were as popular as football this guy would be an untouchable God in this country. Truly amazing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TitanTiger 20,499 Posted July 22, 2004 Share Posted July 22, 2004 The man is a beast. I'm amazed at his conditioning and strength. And I have to say, it gives me some degree of happiness that he continues to be a burr under the saddle of so many snotty European cycling fans. First, they can't stand that he's an American dominating "their" sport. Second, they've tested him every way imaginable and have proved all the accusations of doping to be nothing but desperation and sour grapes...which also annoys the hell out of them. Way to go Lance! Keep it up...only a few stages left! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny AU-92 0 Posted July 22, 2004 Share Posted July 22, 2004 The man is a beast. I'm amazed at his conditioning and strength. And I have to say, it gives me some degree of happiness that he continues to be a burr under the saddle of so many snotty European cycling fans. First, they can't stand that he's an American dominating "their" sport. Second, they've tested him every way imaginable and have proved all the accusations of doping to be nothing but desperation and sour grapes...which also annoys the hell out of them.Way to go Lance! Keep it up...only a few stages left! What Titan said... especially ESPECIALLY because it is the Tour de FRANCE!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUJarhead 70 Posted July 22, 2004 Share Posted July 22, 2004 ESPECIALLY because it is the Tour de FRANCE!!! Don't you mean "Tour de LANCE?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny AU-92 0 Posted July 22, 2004 Share Posted July 22, 2004 ESPECIALLY because it is the Tour de FRANCE!!! Don't you mean "Tour de LANCE?" I KNEW someone would post that - I just wnated to see how long it would take. You beat the spread, Jarhead! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrueTiger 0 Posted July 22, 2004 Share Posted July 22, 2004 ESPECIALLY because it is the Tour de FRANCE!!! Don't you mean "Tour de LANCE?" Thats more like it.. This guy is AUsome... I think he'll win it again.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger in Spain 0 Posted July 22, 2004 Share Posted July 22, 2004 .....it gives me some degree of happiness that he continues to be a burr under the saddle of so many snotty European cycling fans. First, they can't stand that he's an American dominating "their" sport. Second, they've tested him every way imaginable and have proved all the accusations of doping to be nothing but desperation and sour grapes...which also annoys the hell out of them.Way to go Lance! Keep it up...only a few stages left! AMEN!! I read a today that a few french spectators actually spat at him as he rode by. Stinking surrender monkeys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDM4AU 332 Posted July 22, 2004 Share Posted July 22, 2004 Viva le Lance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaydubb121 22 Posted July 22, 2004 Share Posted July 22, 2004 If you watch the races nightly, which I have, you can see the fans cursing him and spitting directly in his face every day. He smiles as he rides by them and their heroes. He is a unique specimen and he's definitely proud to be an American. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TitanTiger 20,499 Posted July 22, 2004 Share Posted July 22, 2004 .....it gives me some degree of happiness that he continues to be a burr under the saddle of so many snotty European cycling fans. First, they can't stand that he's an American dominating "their" sport. Second, they've tested him every way imaginable and have proved all the accusations of doping to be nothing but desperation and sour grapes...which also annoys the hell out of them.Way to go Lance! Keep it up...only a few stages left! AMEN!! I read a today that a few french spectators actually spat at him as he rode by. Stinking surrender monkeys The story I heard was that it was a bunch of Krauts doing all that, not the Surrender Monkeys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big dude 0 Posted July 22, 2004 Share Posted July 22, 2004 No doubt this guy is one of the most legendary athletes....in ANY sport!!! I saw a thing on ESPN the other day about how he developed into a hill climber while most people are either a sprinter or a hill climber. Since he was a tri-athlete, he made a natural sprinter for the first few years and the Spanish hill climbers would always catch up to him in the Alps. But during his cancer rehab, he made a conscious effort to make his muscles longer and leaner instead of bulky like a sprinter. It was a good little piece on him...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger in Spain 0 Posted July 22, 2004 Share Posted July 22, 2004 .....it gives me some degree of happiness that he continues to be a burr under the saddle of so many snotty European cycling fans. First, they can't stand that he's an American dominating "their" sport. Second, they've tested him every way imaginable and have proved all the accusations of doping to be nothing but desperation and sour grapes...which also annoys the hell out of them.Way to go Lance! Keep it up...only a few stages left! AMEN!! I read a today that a few french spectators actually spat at him as he rode by. Stinking surrender monkeys The story I heard was that it was a bunch of Krauts doing all that, not the Surrender Monkeys. Now that I looked farther, you are right...it was the Krauts. The report I read earlier had mentioned the surrender monkeys. Lance has too much class to do it, but I would laugh my butt off if he hocked a big loogie as he speeds down the Champs Elysse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUesquire 1 Posted July 22, 2004 Share Posted July 22, 2004 Krauts and Surrender Monkeys?? You guys are not being very sensitive or PC. Tone it down before you piss off the Japs, Spics and Camel Jockeys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TitanTiger 20,499 Posted July 22, 2004 Share Posted July 22, 2004 BZZZZZT! You apparently don't understand the rules. Since the French and Germans are white European people, they are free game. Make fun of them or call them names all you want with impunity. However, similar remarks against Asians, Hispanics or Arabs is a big fat no-no and renders you open to charges of racism and ethnic insensitivity. Just to recap: --Ridiculing, name-calling, or stereotyping white people: Good --Ridiculing, name-calling, or stereotyping non-white people: Bad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDM4AU 332 Posted July 22, 2004 Share Posted July 22, 2004 saublöd Deutschen! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUesquire 1 Posted July 22, 2004 Share Posted July 22, 2004 White people - Good Non-white people - Bad Got it. I had a feeling I'd get my hand slapped for that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrueTiger 0 Posted July 22, 2004 Share Posted July 22, 2004 Dang I didn't know about him getting spit at.. thats horrible.. Keep peddling lance.. WAR EAGLE FOREVER Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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