Tour de France: Lance Armstrong's Quest for an Eighth Win
Lance Armstrong, a seven-time Tour de France winner, is currently in second place, 0.22 seconds behind leader Fabian Cancellara, as the riders approach the first mountaintop finish of the year at Andorra Arcalis. Armstrong has not scouted the route extensively, but believes it will be a challenging climb. Meanwhile, his teammate Alberto Contador, wearing the best climber's dotted jersey, has a shot at the lead and is only 19 seconds behind Cancellara in third place.
Key Takeaways:
- Lance Armstrong is 0.22 seconds behind leader Fabian Cancellara, who is likely to lose the yellow jersey today.
- Armstrong's teammate Alberto Contador is 19 seconds behind Cancellara in third place and has a shot at the lead.
- Armstrong has not extensively scouted the route to Andorra Arcalis, but believes the climb will be challenging.
- The stage features a 139-mile ride, culminating in a 7,340-foot climb and a final 6-mile ascent of 2,465 feet.
- Armstrong's dominance in the Tour de France is marked by his record-breaking seven straight titles.
- Armstrong's training consists of intense mountain climbing, including his participation in the Giro d'Italia in May.
- He has also trained at high altitude in Aspen, Colorado, and has ridden up Mont Ventoux several times.
- The current standings suggest that either Armstrong or Contador will be wearing the yellow jersey by the end of the stage.
Statistics:
- Distance of the stage: 139 miles
- Elevation gain in the final 6 miles: 2,465 feet
- Elevation of the summit: 7,340 feet
- Armstrong's time deficit: 0.22 seconds
- Contador's time deficit: 19 seconds to Cancellara
- Armstrong's participation in Giro d'Italia: May 2009
- Armstrong's training at high altitude: Aspen, Colorado, 8,500 feet
- Armstrong's best finishes on Mont Ventoux: Second place, 2000 and 2002
Sources:
- American-Statesman
- Associated Press
- Vuelta a Espa-a, 1998
- Giro d'Italia, May 2009