July 20, 2004
Yellow is the Color to be!
Stage 15 of Le Tour de France was a nail biter. With two early break aways, one of which included Armstrong's main rival, Jan Ullrich, it was amazing to see that US Postal barely batted an eye. Cool and collected, they pounded forward, waiting for the speedy rivals to expend themselves...Ullrich included. Personally, I panicked when Ullrich made his break and pulled away, thinking for sure the machine like cyclist would be nearly impossible for Armstrong and his team to catch. Even more astounding, nearly everyone thought Ullrich had given up the race, considering his performance in the previous stages. Today he proved just how dangerous he can be and that he shouldn't be written off so quickly.
Still, as I watched him on the decents, I could see his desperation to make up time as he recklessly took corners (nearly crashing once as he took one too fast and too wide). Astoundingly, US Postal never gave chase and that led me to believe that Armstrong indeed had a plan, and wasn't concered too much about his main rival's surprising break. A plan it was...to ride a senseable race and pace himself to the very end.
And pace himself to the very end is exactly what he did. Right down to the last mile...Armstrong faded to the back of the small field, getting a better veiw of what everyone was going to do....waiting to see who would break first and if he would have to chase them. Ivan Basso, quite possibly more of a danger than Ullrich this year, was the first to go. As he made his break, I will never forget how Lance Armstrong looked as he gave chase, passing Ullrich and the others, coming up behind Basso like a deisel truck bearing down on a Miada, and then passing him like he was standing still....
It was incredible....
I shouted as he crossed the line, several bike lengths infront of Basso, and I couldn't stop smiling as Armstrong launched his arms into the air, grinning from ear to ear. I've watched the race three times, and I still don't tire of seeing it...
Simply amazing.
Today's win puts Armstrong in the Yellow. He's the race leader...his 61st yellow...his 18th stage win in a Tour de France. The man is just awesome.
As tomorrow draws near, I've set my clock to wake up at 5am to watch the time trial at L'Alpe d'Huez. Stage 16 will play a major role in determining who will be in the leading positions at the end of the race, and could possibly make or break Armstrong's chances at a 6th tour victory. I really would like to see him suceed....He is an inspiration to people all over the world and I can't think of anyone who deserves this more than him. Not because of his defeat of cancer, but because of the blood, sweat, and tears he's put into making his comeback mean something.
Go Lance! We're rooting for you!
