High Drama in the French Alps

Word Press ^ | July 11, 2010 | Todd Kinsey

[Todd Kinsey]

Lance Armstrong saw his Tour de France hopes evaporate into thin air in the mountains of France. Armstrong was involved in three crashes on the day hitting the pavement on two. The first came shortly after the stage began and Armstrong was able to stay upright. The second happened at the worst possible time, just as the small group of favorites was to begin the climb up the Col de la Ramaz. Armstrong was just able to catch up to the group when a well-timed acceleration by Team Sky pushed him over the limit and spit him out the back. To add insult to injury, a third crash occurred on the climb up the Morzine. Although Lance didn’t hit the ground, his bike was tangled with those that did. A dejected Armstrong stood with his hands on his hips before shaking his head and getting back on his bike to finish eleven minutes behind stage winner Andy Schleck.

[Jim W N]

Well, at least it was smog-free fresh air. Probably not drug-free “air,” however.

[llevrok]

It's always sad to see and end to a brilliant career.

Hopefully he will go out a gentleman/sportsman, graciously pass on the baton, working to get Levi on the podium in Par-eee

[Frantzie]

High altitude and HGH. Bad combo.

[Tucker39]

I think it is a shame how some of these guys overstay their shelf life, and then go out as a joke and a byword instead of in a blaze of glory. Some of my heroes; John Unitas & Jim Palmer were guilty of that. Palmer with his fiasco of a comeback. And not only THAT; If Armstrong had quit while he was ahead, the recent accusations that he had used drugs in previous races would probably never have gained any traction and been considered sour grapes. NOW, with this pitiful performance, under such scrutiny that he COULDN’T risk drugs, the question will always remain: “Is this lousey performance due to old age or lack of drugs? And were his previous wins legit, or were they the result of doping??