Posted on 07/06/2009 11:40:53 AM PDT by Cincinna
Lance Armstrong jumped from 10th to third place at the Tour de France on Monday, positioning himself for a shot at the yellow jersey after evading trouble on a windy ride along the Mediterranean.
Britain's Mark Cavendish won his second straight stage. He and Armstrong and overall leader Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland kept up with a breakaway group that bolted from the pack with 18 miles left in the 122-mile third stage.
Armstrong, a seven-time champion coming out of retirement, is 40 seconds behind. He was able to make his big jump because riders in front of him at the start of the day got trapped in the main pack.
The race is set for a shakeout featuring Cancellara, Armstrong and Germany's Tony Martin in Tuesday's team time trial. Each team is strong in the 24-mile event, which starts and finishes in Montpellier. If Astana wins, Armstrong could take the yellow jersey. The race ends July 26 in Paris.
The Tour said Armstrong will be fined the equivalent of $92 for failing to sign in before the stage. His Astana team said the Texan was delayed because of autographs and interviews.
This was the sixth time Cavendish won a Tour stage. He finished in 5 hours, 1 minute, 24 seconds on the hot and breezy ride from Marseille to La Grande-Motte.
Armstrong, Cancellara and 22 other cyclists had the same time. Cancellara, who rides for Saxo Bank, extended his lead and is ahead of Martin by 33 seconds.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
Go Lance!!!
...allegations of doping from insanely jealous French to follow.
*** FRENCH POLITICS AND CULTURE PING LIST *** FREEPMAIL ME IF YOU WANT TO JOIN ***
Lance Armstrong, is the seven time Tour de France winner. The man from Texas who beat cancer, may be on his way to another record shattering victory.
Go USA! Go Lance!
He’s schooling all of those young ‘uns out there! It’s hilarious. Contador is probably in the fetal position, babbling to himself in a fit of Spanish turrets.
Cavendish is a stud.
Exciting races so far.
I want to see Bruneel order Contador to help Lance keep the yellow this week. lol
I recently watched a documentary on U.S. cemeteries throughout Europe. The French have lost all appreciation for America’s sacrifice during WWII.
Thus I take great pleasure in watching Lance kick their ass.
I was worried that Lance would come back to race and end up in a dismal finish and ride in the back of the pack for the entire race.
Even if he does finish back in the pack, if he can get that yellow for just one stage he will/should earn the admiration of everyone.
I would LOVE to see him take the whole thing. I know it is a dream but we can still dream, right?
Since you are keeping us updated on another thread.
The Texan can ride.
It’s sad that this is “Breaking News” and this http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2286662/posts is not.
With a good Team Time Trial tomorrow, Lance may be wearing the “Mellow Johnny” for Stage 5... We will know how strong Lance is when the mountain stages begin. That is where he always wins it.
Lance Armstrong is maniacal.
He is a true ironman. Yes, the Euto Twits and French will be attempting to test his blood and urine as he rides, they will be so jealous.
Who is designing Mellow Johnnie's costumes this year?
I never thought Lance would ride at the fron tthis year....thought he went to thewell one too many times.
Glad I am not a betting man;-)
If he does manage to do the impossible, I will love watching the French go apoplectic trying to digest such an occurrence. They would probably blow an aneurysm.
Yeah, I thought he was just running this one for charity - not expected to win. But it’s early in the race. The grueling days are yet to come.
Just damn!
‘Jumps’ from 10th to 3rd?
I thought he was riding a bike.
How about the TTT Live Strong disco costumes for tomorrow, that would be cool. :)
GO LANCE!
So?
Not a fan, am happy he fought cancer successful, but I don’t give a wink about his cycling, nor his personal views (which are liberal and anti-Christian).
I love it! You know that many of the French are really hating this.
Some. According to an article in Bicycle magazine, Lance is really adored and respected in France. He is a legend.
France is just like the US. Don't equate the average French citizen in flyover country with the gov't or their own liberal left.
I would love to see Lance win his 8th title. Of course I was rooting for Mark Spitz to win a spot on the Olympic team when he tried out back some years back.
I wish athletes could just "exit stage left" gracefully. They just keep hanging on and on and on...
Why is that? Just like the old bucks in the forest.......
We will have a good idea of who leads the team after the weekend’s mountains.
My ideal scenario is for the race to be very close until the penultimate stage!
Before it started the people doing the testing called him out and said he would be watched very closely. His response: No worries, it’s been this way for 10 years. I have nothing to hide.
I think today just shows he is smarter than everyone else in the race. Add to that his physical gifts and he will be very dangerous through this race. In the prologue they said he was lighter than he was 1999-2005. That should help him quite a bit when the mountains start.
I think as much as anything Lance wants to win Ventoux. I can’t see him conceding that stage to anyone. Between that and the time trial the day before the actual race seems set up pretty well for Lance.
Let’s hope the French have learned their lesson. Lance Armstrong has been cleared of all charges every single time.
Thank you, Lewisglad for the terrific pictures.
Thanks Cincinna.
He was very strong in the Giro. I expect there is more heart behind those oversized lungs than most would expect. He will be the target of all the young bloods including the talented and wily Schleck brothers.
Good stuff to come.
I’m beginning to wonder if Lance was just using the Giro for a tuneup... :)
The T de F route yesterday went by an American cemetery. The French news showed many shots of the cenetery and specifically explained the scene, and how many of our soldiers are buried there.
If you ever have the chance, visit the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer above Omaha Beach in Normandy. Marble crosses as far as the eye can see. It makes your heart skip a beat, and brings tears to your eyes.
We all mourn the loss of our brave soldiers killed in the WOT.
We also celebrate the triumph of a great American hero, Lance Armstrong. When he wins an important step in the TdeF, it is breaking news when it happens.
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