Looks like Mr. America has done it again:
As if Lance Armstrong had anything left to prove, as if his crowning achievement really needed an emphatic stamp, cycling’s greatest champion gave his best performance Saturday — claiming the stage win he lacked and all but guaranteeing a seventh consecutive Tour de France victory.
Armstrong swept away any notion that this Tour would be somehow incomplete without winning a stage, pouring on speed at the end of Saturday’s time trial to round out his unparalleled career. Unlike his previous six winning Tours, the American had not won an individual stage — until Saturday’s 20th.
He beat stage runner-up Jan Ullrich by 23 seconds and extended his already comfortable overall race lead to 4:40 over Ivan Basso of Italy, setting him up for a victory ride on the last leg into Paris on Sunday, when the 33-year-old will retire.
Amazing.
Mike S
Whatever bonehead it was that dropped Lance’s sponsership after his cancer must be suicidal now. What a truely amazing man.
Sojourner
Armstrong’s the man.
Geek, Esq.
Greatest champion ever.
Mike
Huge props! And he’s only 33?! I had no idea he was that young.
frontinus
Cofidis.
vnjagvet
This is a red letter day. Sojourner, Geek, Esq. and I are agreeing wholeheartedly on something. That time trial today was unbelievable.
And I am going to enjoy the trip up the CE on live tv tomorrow morning. I hope you all are too!!!!
What a feat. History is being made. I’m pretty sure it is not going to happen again.
TIm F
Lance is an inspiration. It’s a joy to watch a professional among professionals. I have no doubt that he’ll do as much for his two causes, cancer research and cycling in America, as he did for the Tour.
To add, if the Tour gave an award for the most completely insane, Alexandre Vinokourov would win hands down.