Lance Armstrong gives it a go in the Pyrenees (spoiler alert)

Word Press ^ | July 20, 2010 | Todd Kinsey

[Todd Kinsey]

With a rest day looming and the contenders looking to preserve some energy for Thursday’s showdown atop the Col du Tormalet; it set up the perfect scenario for a breakaway to escape the peloton and take victory in Pau. Tuesday’s stage 16 was by no means a day off for the field, featuring two Category 1 climbs and two monstrous Hors Category climbs before a 60 kilometer run in to the finish.

Admitting that he dog-eared this page in the race book before the Tour started; Lance Armstrong and his teammate Chris Horner escaped with seven other riders early in today’s stage. Armstrong attacked several times on the slopes of the Col du Soulor and split the group in two, but in the end, the breakaway came back together on the descent and stayed together on the climb up the Aubisque.

[Puppage]

Quick Step’s Carlos Barredo attacked out of the breakaway group with 44 kilometers to go. Unfortunately for the Spaniard, he was swallowed up by Armstrong and his breakaway mates in the final two kilometers setting up a sprint for the win. Armstrong was in perfect position at the back of the group with wheels to follow on the run in to the finish but his younger opponents had a little more snap in their legs and Armstrong sat up to finish in sixth place.

GO LANCE, GO!!