After three weeks and thousands of kilometers of riding, it all comes down to this — a soaring bald mountain in Provence where the Tour de France can be won or lost.
The fabled and dreaded Mont Ventoux provides a dramatic climax to Lance Armstrong’s comeback Tour and teammate Alberto Contador is expected to keep the yellow jersey.
The main question in the 167km Stage 20 from Montelimar to the ascent, that Armstrong calls the toughest in France, is whether he’ll be on the podium with the Spaniard when the race finishes today on the Champs-Elysees in Paris.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Friday’s relatively flat stage from Bourgoin-Jallieu to Aubenas did little to change the race standings, though an ever-opportunistic Armstrong shaved four seconds off his deficit to Andy Schleck in second — making up for what he lacks in physical strength with guile.
Britain’s Mark Cavendish won the stage in a sprint, collecting his fifth stage victory at the race — the most by a rider in a single Tour since Armstrong in 2004.
Contador, like the Armstrong of yesteryear, has been positively dominant at the Tour this year, winning a mountain stage and a time trial — phases of the race that count so much toward overall victory.
Armstrong, returning to cycling’s main event at age 37 and as one of the oldest men in the peloton, has far more than held his own this year. He trails the Spaniard by 5 minutes, 21 seconds. Schleck, of Luxembourg, is 4 minutes, 11 seconds off the leader’s pace.
While he has an outside — if unlikely — shot at overtaking Schleck, Armstrong’s big concerns are those behind him. Bradley Wiggins of Britain is only 15 seconds back and Schleck’s older brother Frank is 38 seconds behind the American.
Contador, whom Armstrong and other Astana riders have at times criticized for an apparent lack of teamwork, says his first job is to win the race — but he’ll lend a hand to Armstrong if he can.
With only one big climb left in the race, the 26-year-old Spaniard is all but a certainty for a second Tour victory. He also won in 2007.
“My priority is to protect the jersey up to Paris, but if it’s compatible that I help someone from the team — for example, Lance — I’ll do it without question,” Contador said.
For all his prowess over the years, the seven-time champion has never won at Mont Ventoux. If his performances in the Pyrenees and the Alps are any indicator, he’s unlikely to do it this time either. While solid in the mountains, Armstrong has not been among the very best.
Armstrong has a streak on the line. He won at least one stage in each of his run of seven victories from 1999 to 2005 — though he has repeatedly admitted he’s not the same cycling force as he was then.
The weather could be a factor. The forecast is for winds of 60kph to 80kph on the zigzagging roads to the moonscape-like peak, race organizers said.
Tour planners saddled competitors with Mont Ventoux to maintain race suspense until the next to last race day, featuring four extra-steep patches along a 21km ascent.
Armstrong is not alone in dreading it.
“L’Alpe d’Huez is a piece of cake against Ventoux,” Andy Schleck said of another fabled climb also known as “hors categorie” — or so tough that it defies classification in cycling’s ranking system.
The final stage today is usually a ceremonial ride on the Champs-Elysees for the rider in the yellow jersey — at times with the champagne flowing even before the finish.
Despite four straight tough stages, the pack got off to a quick start in Friday’s ride — notably chasing after 20 breakaway riders — and the pace accelerated in the second and third hours of racing.
Huge crowds lined bumpy roads in the early going along vast sunflower fields, some waving American flags or signs of goodwill toward Armstrong, who has endeared himself to many French fans this year with his unlikely comeback.
Two remaining breakaway riders were caught with just 1.2km to go and the main pack split, with Cavendish, Armstrong and other sprinters in a 12-man front bunch.
The American thus trimmed four seconds off his deficit to Contador, but more importantly gave himself that much more breathing room in front of his immediate pursuers.
“Tomorrow is the big day, but that’s what made the ride today hard, because already we’re a bit into the stage [mentally],” Andy Schleck said. “Tomorrow, it’s the legs that will do the talking.”
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely