Lance Armstrong hasn’t got the legs to win the Tour of Luxembourg, but the seven-time Tour de France champion doesn’t really care.
The 38-year-old Armstrong, who is competing in the Luxembourg event as part of his preparations for the Tour de France, held on to third place in the overall standings on Saturday after French rider Tony Gallopin won the third stage of the race in a sprint.
Gallopin edged Italian Giovanni Visconti and Alexandre Geniez of France, while Armstrong finished in the main pack in 22nd place.
PHOTO: AFP
The Texan is 30 seconds behind race leader Matteo Carrara, who leads second-placed and defending champion Frank Schleck by one second.
“Again like yesterday, they showed they are the two best guys in the race,” Armstrong said about Carrara and Schleck.
Armstrong couldn’t follow Schleck and Carrara when they attacked in Friday’s queen stage.
“When they went on the last climb, there was nothing I could do,” he said.
The two men again tried their luck in the finale of Saturday’s 191.5km ride from Eschweiler to Diekirch in the Luxembourg countryside, but Armstrong and his RadioShack teammate Andreas Kloden organized the chase and the two breakaway riders were quickly caught.
Carrara took the leader’s jersey on Friday despite losing a two-man sprint to defending champion Schleck.
“Those two guys were too strong,” said Armstrong, who won the Tour of Luxembourg in 1998 after coming back from cancer surgery.
Armstrong’s only goal this season is a record eighth win in the Tour, which starts on July 3 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The American now has less than one month to reach his top form. He crashed last month during the Tour of California and missed several race days earlier this season because of illness.
Armstrong will next race in the Tour of Switzerland, from Saturday to June 20, and said his decision to compete in Luxembourg may have been made at the last minute, but it was a good choice.
“I’m happy with it,” he said. “Johan [Bruyneel, RadioShack sports director] and I have discussed that every day, it actually worked out pretty good. I think [it will be helpful]. I hope so and I think so.”
Asked to assess his current form compared with last year at the same stage, Armstrong refused to say it was an impossible task.
“Because last year, 12 months ago, I was in Colorado recovering from the Giro, trying to prepare for the Tour, having a baby, so there’s really no comparison,” he said.
Armstrong said that he would scout out the “important” stages of the Tour after competing in Switzerland, but didn’t elaborate.
During Saturday’s stage, a group of five riders broke away shortly after the start.
Aitor Hernandez, Tom Van Den Haute, Hakan Nilson, Freddy Bichot and Angel Vicioso Arcos built up a lead that reached four minutes.
Bichot accelerated away from the lead group when they entered the first of three loops around Diekirch, about 30km from the finish. The French rider held on in the Broderbour climb, a short but steep ascent, while his four breakaway companions were reined in.
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