VILLARD-DE-LANS, France -- Lance Armstrong retook the overall lead in the Tour de France on Tuesday, outsprinting his top two challengers to win the first stage in the Alps and close in on a record sixth straight title.
Armstrong moved past Ivan Basso and 1997 Tour champion Jan Ullrich in the curves before the closing stretch to claim his second stage victory in the 2004 Tour and the 18th of his illustrious career. He also has won two team time trials.
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[Thomas Vieckler] held on until Tuesday, having bravely and narrowly defended his advantage in the Pyrenees. Armstrong entered those mountains trailing by nine minutes and whittled that down to 22 seconds heading to the Alps.
I remember some sports types speculating that nine minutes might be too much to overcome, and I had doubts myself. That's what I get for thinking.
Ullrich is a non-factor at this point (off the lead by 6:54), and probably won't even have the dubious honor of coming in second for the 6th straight year. Around the third time it happened, you'd think the guy would've clued in to the benefits of year-round training. By the sound of it, that Basso kid has, but Armstrong isn't moving aside yet:
Five-time Tour runner-up Ullrich's bid to dethrone Armstrong was hurt in the Pyrenees, but Basso appeared to still have a shot after two weeks of punishing racing.
Neither Ullrich nor Basso, though, had the strength to stay with Armstrong at the end of Tuesday's 112-mile ride from Valreas to Villard-de-Lans, which included seven climbs, in heat topping 85 degrees.
He leads Basso by 1:25. Barring a crash or, I don't know...meteor collision or something, it looks like Armstrong's got it.
UPDATE: Thanks to Scott for pointing me at this great picture of an Armstrong supporter in France. In a Houston Texans jersey, no less.
Yes, he is having a much better year, and is in a much better place mentally, obviously. I hope he does it, but I'd wait on the confetti and tinsel - Basso is good, and Ullrich isn't a non-factor, yet. He's only at +8-ish, and that's not impossible. Highly unlikely, and he really needs a coach to kick his ass starting in oh, say, December.
Of course, we can talk when any of these guys can smoke us on any terrain we care to name. I'd take either Armstrong or Ullrich fencing, probably, but on two wheels, no way. ;-)
OK, as of today, I say it's time to break out the confetti. That was an impressive win, that's for damned sure.
Oh, and 32, that's not such an age. Of course, I was going to say that Indurain was older, but no, that's when he broke his streak, at 32. I don't feel old, and I'm over 32.
What's amazing is that, in so many ways, he's doing a better job on the Tour this year than he did last year. Fewer mistakes, less effort to maintain his position, etc. It looks almost like he's coasting to his sixth win, which at his age is downright amazing.
He is just simply a freak of nature. And a gorgeous one to watch. I can't WAIT until the time trial up L'Alpe D'Huez tomorrow. Wow! :)