lance armstrong 2004 tour

8/8/2019 Lance Armstrong 2004 Tour

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2/8

Youre awesome!President George Bush to fellow Texan Lance

Armstrong via telephone at thefinish line.

At the conclusion of the Tour,Armstrong managed to gain more

than six minutes lead time overrunner up, Andreas Kloden.


3/8

oggy and combative, the prologue starting in Liege,Belgium gave preview of the hazardous weatherconditions to come for the 2004 Tour de France. Alreadyriders experienced injury thanks to slick roads and

treacherous winds. Tracked via little yellow timers attached totheir bike chainstays, each rider did his best to strugglethrough rough conditions. Despite the challenges, FassaBortolos Fabian Cancellara earned the top time and acceptedthe yellow jersey to start the race in. A confident LanceArmstrong, who had declined the offer of wearing the yellowjersey to start the prologue, flies in two seconds behindCancellara and will start in the green. With the Tour now

underway, each team has its own strat-egy in mind. This is a game not unlikea giant moving chessboard, but here itis speed, skill and strategy that win.

Rain jackets flapping, each team sendsdomestiques up ahead to grab points,while keeping their big guns shelteredfrom the wind. Armstrong remained atthe front of the peloton, surrounded byhis teammates and patiently pacinghimself. His US Postal team made astrong showing to take the Team Trialevent in stage four where Armstrongearned the right to wear the yellowjersey, but then they went right back tokeeping pace at the front of the group, shunning opportunitiesto pursue random attacks by lower-ranked riders. Theyappeared content to allow the Brioches la Boulangre team topolice the peloton for the first half of the race, thwartingbreaks and bringing back riders who would grab points. Theirstrategy was clear, and it has remained the same for the pastfive years: Conserve explosive energy at all costs for when thetime is right. Now was not the time to defend the yellowjersey. They allowed the other cyclists to wear themselvesthin, while Armstrong slowly gathered steam. By stage ten hewas ready to rip the legs off his competition. US Postal tookover at the front of the peloton, dominating it like thedestructive force it is known to be.

The Suffering GameTowing the peloton behind them, the Posties set a brutal paceduring the second half of the Tour. Many riders foundthemselves worn to a nub and falling off the back while thePostal train trucked on mercilessly in what truly appeared tobe a test of just how much everyone could suffer to keep up.Some still managed to find the energy to attack for a sprint,but any long-term goal of winning the Tour was quicklyextinguished as they failed to sustain that energy over the

days to come.

And then there were the usual hazards that swiftly thin anyherd. The dangerous cobbled roads and wet conditions foundin many of the stages caused havoc for the riders as manywere injured and forced to pull out. The decision to take sucha large peloton across the narrow cobblestones found in Stagethree was a controversial one as many felt it would be adisaster. It was. Among the casualties, Brad McGee sufferedsevere back pain and eventually packed up his things and leftto prepare for the Olympics. Likewise, several of Armstrongsexpected rivals found themselves crushed. Iban Mayo lost somuch time to Armstrong on the Plateau de Beille it squelchedpart his spirit. Then a crash injury chipped away the

remainder. By the middle of thePyrenease Mayo was ready to concededefeat. Only the demands of his teamdirector kept him moving until the end ofthe stage. But after that he pulled out.Similarly, former teammate Roberto Herasand challenger Tyler Hamilton both foundthemselves destroyed. Heras lasted only afew days more than Mayo before leavingthe Tour. And poor Hamilton not onlysuffered a back injury, but alsoemotional distress at the loss of his dog,Tugboat, to cancer.

Bones were snapped, bodies bruised andspirits broken as they hit long stretches of

steep climbs and narrow roads. Wandering livestock, rabidfans running naked in the street and other unusual eventsappeared to pop out of nowhere. Before long the pelotonlooked like a parade of blood and bandages.

However, US Postal plowed through all of this, carefullyveering Armstrong away from trouble. He spilled once duringthe stage in Angers, but came out with only a bruised hip andarm. And by stage 12 when the Posties were ready to stepthings up even more, he did not even acknowledge the injury.Armstrong came in second, only just barely beaten by CSCstalented Ivan Basso. Yet he seemed undisturbed by the nearmiss, and even congratulated the Italian on his win. By thecompletion of Stage 15 Armstrong once again claimed theyellow jersey, this time from a wornout Thomas Voeckler,who had been struggling with many of the climbs. It becameevident at this point that the Tour would be a fight betweenArmstrong, Basso, Ullrich and Kloden.

Enter The Alpe: Roadside SpectacleAlways his strength, stage 16s individual time trial revealedArmstrong victorious yet again. The Texan ate up the road foran ultimate victory over the second place time of Jan Ullrich

who finished one minute and one second behind him.

S

Not rain, nor heat, nor foe could keep the captain of the U.S. PostalTeam from victory at the 2004 Tour de France.

by Stephanie Starr.photos by Phil OConner

ARMSTRONG WINS HIS 6TH TOUR DE FRANCE

23

Sometimes in Francethey prefer the guywho gets second. Butif thats the choice, tobe loved or to win, Illtaking winning.

Lance Armstrong

ARMSTRONG WINS HIS 6TH TOUR DE FRANCE


4/8

24 w w w . m a x s p o r t s m a g . c o m

FINAL RESULTSFinal Overall Standings1. Lance Armstrong, United States, US Postal-BerryFloor, 83 hours, 36 minutes, 2 seconds.2. Andreas Kloden, Germany, T-Mobile Team, 6 min-utes, 19 seconds behind.3. Ivan Basso, Italy, Team CSC, 6:40.4.Jan Ullrich, Germany, T-Mobile Team, 8:50.5.Jose Azevedo, Portugal, US Postal-Berry Floor,14:30.6. Francisco Mancebo, Spain, Illes Balears-B.Santander, 18:01.7. Georg Totschnig, Austria, Gerolsteiner, 18:27.8. Carlos Sastre, Spain, Team CSC, 19:51.9. Levi Leipheimer, United States, Rabobank, 20:12.10. Oscar Pereiro Sio, Spain, Phonak HearingSystems, 22:54

Climber, Overall1. Richard Virenque (F), Quick Step-Davitamon,226 Pts.2. Lance Armstrong (USA), U.S. Postal Service,172 Pts.3. Mickael Rasmussen (Dk), Rabobank, 119 Pts.4. Ivan Basso (I), CSC, 119 Pts.5. Christophe Moreau (F), Crdit Agricole, 115 Pts.6.Jan Ullrich (G), T-Mobile, 115 Pts.7. Andras Klden (G), T-Mobile, 112 Pts.8. Francisco Mancebo (Sp), Illes Balears-Banesto,77 Pts.9.Jens Voigt (G), CSC, 71 Pts.10. Axel Merckx (B), Lotto-Domo, 65 Pts.

Sprinter, Overall1. Robbie Mc Ewen (Aus), Lotto-Domo, 272 Pts.2. Thor Hushovd (Nor), Crdit Agricole, 247 Pts.3. Erik Zabel (G), T-Mobile, 245 Pts.4. Stuart O'Grady (Aus), Cofidis, 234 Pts.5. Danilo Hondo (G), Gerolsteiner, 227 Pts.6. Tom Boonen (B), Quick Step-Davitamon, 163 Pts.7. Nazon Jean-Patrick (F), Ag2R Prevoyance, 146 Pts.8. Lance Armstrong (USA), U.S. Postal Service,143 Pts.9. Laurent Brochard (F), Ag2R Prevoyance, 139 Pts.10. Andras Klden (G), T-Mobile, 131 Pts.

Young Rider, Overall1. Vladimir Karpets (Rus), Illes Balears-Banesto,84:01:132. Sandy Casar (F), FDJeux.com, 03:423. Thomas Voeckler (F), Brioches La Boulangere, 06:014. Michael Rogers (Aus), Quick Step-Davitamon, 16:285. Iker Camano (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 22:036. Pineau Jrme (F), Brioches La Boulangere, 22:327. Sylvain Chavanel (F), Brioches La Boulangere,29:328. Michele Scarponi (I), Domina Vacanze, 37:509. Mikel Astarloza (Sp), Ag2R Prevoyance, 1:29:5310. Benjamin Noval Gonzalez (Sp), U.S. Postal Service,1:32:30

Team, Overall1. T-Mobile, 248:58:432. U.S. Postal Service, 02:423. CSC, 10:334. Illes Balears-Banesto, 52:265. Quick Step-Davitamon, 57:336. Phonak, 57:427. Rabobank, 1:26:248. Crdit Agricole, 1:30:359. Brioches La Boulangere, 1:32:12

10. Euskaltel-Euskadi, 1:47:46

Armstrong had prepared wellfor this event, having riddenthe Alpe 10 times forpractice. However, riding tothe finish line was not madeeasy, as hundreds ofthousands of cycling fanspacked the route, offeringadditional challenges as theyran along side the riders andeven made the mistake ofpushing them. Ullrich nearlylost balance when awell-meaning fan gave him apush. The lack of barricadesor security measures up untilthe final stretch was

daunting. Armstrongs girlfriend, singer Sheryl Crow, lookedappropriately nervous as she watched from the team car. It took quite alot of effort for the riders to get through the fans who were tapping,spitting at and sometimes out-right hitting the riders. Armstrong was amain target.

I dont think it was a good idea to have a time trial on the Alpe,Armstrong told one French television reporter. It was scary. Therewere too many people who weren't being too nice."

With graffiti scribbled along the stretch of the road and colorful charac-ters dressed in costume, comedian and Armstrong friend, RobbinWilliams, jokingly called the convergence of fans upon the Alpebikestock. But there was nothing funny about some of the behaviorsthey displayed as the riders struggled through their masses.

Armstrong was visibly harassed. He had even received death threatsthe night before and needed to have his team car follow him closely.However, their reaction did not seem to phase the champion as he justshrugged his shoulders and smiled.

"It's comforting for me to know that some of the greatest championswere booed, Armstrong says. So I'm in good company. Sometimes inFrance they prefer the guy who gets second. But if that's the choice, tobe loved or to win, I'll take winning."

Thankfully Armstrong survived the stage unscathed and went on todominate stage 17, the last major mountain test of the Tour. A dynamic

performance squelched rumors that hed past his prime. The 32-year-

Ivan Basso managedto snatch a stage 12win, with Armstrongtaking second.

I dont think it was a good idea tohave a time trial on the Alpe. It wasscary. There were too many people

who werent being too nice.Lance Armstrong


5/8

26 w w w . m a x s p o r t s m a g . c o m

STAGES 1 - 7PROLOGUE: Liege (6km)1. Fabian Cancellara (SUI) Fassa Bortolo 00:06:50.02. Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal 00:06:52.03.Jose Ivan Gutierrez (ESP) Illes Baleares 00:06:58.04. Bradley McGee (AUS) Fdjeux.com 00:06:59.05. Thor Hushovd (NOR) Crdit Agricole 00:07:00.0

STAGE 1: Liege Charleroi (195 km)1.Jaan Kirsipuu (EST) AG2R Prevoyance 04:40:29.02. Robbie McEwen (AUS) Lotto-Domo 04:40:29.03. Thor Hushovd (NOR) Credit Agricole 04:40:29.04. Danilo Hondo (GER) Team Gerolsteiner 04:40:29.05.Jean-Patrick Nazon (FRA) AG2R Prevoyance04:40:29.0

STAGE 2: Charleroi- Namur (195km)1. Robbie McEwen (AUS) Lotto-Domo 04:18:39.02. Thor Hushovd (NOR) Credit Agricole 04:18:39.03.Jean-Patrick Nazon (FRA) AG2R Prevoyance04:18:39.04. Danilo Hondo (GER) Team Gerolsteiner 04:18:39.05. Stuart O'Grady (AUS) Cofidis 04:18:39.0

STAGE 3: Waterloo - Wasquehal (195km)1.Jean-Patrick Nazon (FRA) AG2R Prevoyance04:36:45.02. Erik Zabel (GER) Team T-Mobile 04:36:45.03. Robbie McEwen (AUS) LottoDomo 04:36:45.04. Tom Boonen (BEL) Quick Step 04:36:45.05. Kim Kirchen (LUX) Fassa Bortolo 04:36:45.06. Danilo Hondo (GER)Team Gerolsteiner 04:36:45.07.Jaan Kirsipuu (EST) AG2R Prevoyance 04:36:45.08. Alessandro Bertolini (ITA) Alessio-Bianchi 04:36:45.09. Fabio Baldato (ITA) Alessio-Bianchi 04:36:45.010.Jose Enrique Gutierrez (ESP)Phonak 04:36:45.0

STAGE 4: Cambrai - Arras TTT (65Km)1. Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal 01:12:03.02. George Hincapie (USA) US Postal 01:12:03.03. Vjatceslav Ekimov (RUS) US Postal 01:12:03.04. Pavel Padrnos (CZE) US Postal 01:12:03.05. Manuel Beltran Martinez (ESP) US Postal 01:12:03.0

STAGE 5: Amiens - Chartres (200 Km)1. Stuart O'Grady (AUS) Cofidis 05:05:58.02.Jakob Piil (DEN) CSC 05:05:58.03. Sandy Casar (FRA) Fdjeux.com 05:05:58.04. Thomas Voeckler (FRA) Brioches La Boulangre05:05:58.05. Magnus Backstedt (SWE)Alessio-Bianchi 05:06:01.0

STAGE 6: Bonneval - Angers (190 Km)1. Tom Boonen (BEL) Quick Step 04:33:41.02. Stuart O'Grady (AUS) Cofidis 04:33:41.03. Erik Zabel (GER) Team T-Mobile 04:33:41.04. Danilo Hondo (GER) Team Gerolsteiner 04:33:41.05. Baden Cooke (AUS) Fdjeux.com 04:33:41.0

STAGE 7: Chateaubriant - Saint-Brieuc(190 Km)1. Filippo Pozzato (ITA) Fassa Bortolo 04:31:34.02. Iker Flores (ESP) Euskaltel-Euskadi 04:31:34.03. Francisco Mancebo (ESP)Illes Baleares 04:31:34.04. Laurent Brochard (FRA) AG2R Prevoyance04:31:44.0

5. Sebastien Hinault (FRA) Credit Agricole 04:31:44.0

old gave teammate FloydLandis a strategic shove at thesummit of the Col de la Croix-

Frey that sent him speedingdown towards the finish.Ullrich and Kloden took thebait and went barreling afterhim. However, by the time theyhad caught up, so hadArmstrong. The clever captainof the US Postal teamproceeded to stun AndreasKloden by flying past himduring the last 500 meters totake the win. Ullrich wasforced to settle with third place.

Beverly Hills 9021-BikeBy the time the riders suffered through the brutality of stage 18, withits five categorized climbs, two sprints and rainy weather, thebattlefield turned into something that could have been an episode ofBeverly Hills 90210.

Filippo Simeoni gave chase after the multiple-man break led by JuanMiguel Mercado (Quick Step) and Armstrong counter attacked with avengeance. The action was clearly personal. Armstrong had securedthe last three stages and enough of a point lead that he did not need tochase down any of the lower-level riders in the break. None of themwere a threat on the G.C. However, it was Simeonis attempt to get

ahead that spurned the Texan to pursue, stalking him with preditorialintent. Upon closing the gap to the nervous leaders, one of the leadgroup actually askedSimeoni to leave. The riders in the break knewthat they would never shake a determined Armstrong. The only prayerthey had would be if Simeoni departed. Thankfully for the riders inthe break, Simeoni agreed. As predicted, Armstrong laid off the gasand allowed the peloton to catch both he and Simeoni, satisfied hedsuccessfully thwarted the Italian.

Rumor has it that at the conception of Simeonis attack, Armstronginformed other members at the front of the Peloton that should theyride with Simeoni, he would place the US Postal team on the front lineto chase them down. No one wanted the wrath of the Posties, and all

obviously stayed in place while Armstrong tended to business.

By why? It was obvious to many that this feud was the upshot ofoff-the-bike issues; a legal battle going on between the two men.Simeoni is suing Armstrong for defamation of character. Both menwere previously linked to Dr. Ferrari, who, according to Simeoni,prescribed him performance enhancing drugs such as EPO,testosterone and similar banned substances. Armstrong took offenseto Simeonis fingering of Ferrari and subsequently called him a liarduring one 2003 interview in the French newspaper,Le Monde.Simeoni responded by slapping Armstrong with a suit for $100,000,which he has referred to as a symbolic sum.

Once back in the peloton, word has it that Simeoni received flack from

T-Mobiels Andreas Kloden isfavored to win the Tour in thenear future.


6/8

STAGES 8 - 15STAGE 8: Lamballe - Quimper (172Km)1. Thor Hushovd (NOR) Credit Agricole 03:54:22.02. Kim Kirchen (LUX) Fassa Bortolo 03:54:22.03. Erik Zabel (GER) Team T-Mobile 03:54:22.04. Robbie McEwen (AUS) Lotto-Domo 03:54:22.05. Andreas Klden (GER) Team T-Mobile 03:54:22.0

STAGE 9: St Leonard de Noblat-Gueret(160 Km)1. Robbie McEwen (AUS) LottoDomo 03:32:55.02. Thor Hushovd (NOR) Credit Agricole 03:32:55.03. Stuart O'Grady (AUS) Cofidis 03:32:55.04.Jerome Pineau (FRA) Brioches La Boulangre03:32:55.05. Erik Zabel (GER) Team T-Mobile 03:32:55.0

STAGE 10: Limoges Saint Flour (237 Km)1. Richard Virenque (FRA) Quick Step 06:00:24.02. Andreas Klden (GER) Team T-Mobile 06:05:43.03. Erik Zabel (GER) Team T-Mobile 06:05:43.04. Francisco Mancebo (ESP) Illes Baleares 06:05:43.05. Thomas Voeckler (FRA) Brioches La Boulangre06:05:43.06. Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal 06:05:43.0

STAGE 11: Saint Flour Figeac (164 Km)1. David Moncoutie (FRA) Cofidis 03:54:58.02.Juan Antonio Flecha (ESP) Fassa Bortolo03:57:13.03. Egoi Martinez (ESP) Euskaltel-Euskadi 03:57:15.04. Thor Hushovd (NOR) Credit Agricole 04:00:56.05. Erik Zabel (GER) Team T-Mobile 04:00:56.0

STAGE 12: Castelsarrasin - La Mongie(199 Km)

1. Ivan Basso (ITA) CSC 05:03:58.02. Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal 05:03:58.03. Andreas Klden (GER) Team T-Mobile 05:04:18.04. Francisco Mancebo (ESP) Illes Baleares 05:04:22.05. Carlos Sastre (ESP) CSC 05:04:31.0

STAGE 13: Lannemezan - Plateau de Beille(217 Km)1. Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal 06:04:38.02. Ivan Basso (ITA) CSC 06:04:38.03. Georg Totschnig (AUT) Team Gerolsteiner06:05:43.04. Andreas Klden (GER) Team T-Mobile 06:06:05.05. Francisco Mancebo (ESP) Illes Baleares 06:06:05.0

STAGE 14: Carcassonne - Nimes (200 Km)1. Aitor Gonzalez (ESP) Fassa Bortolo 04:18:32.02. Nicolas Jalabert (FRA) Phonak 04:18:57.03. Christophe Mengin (FRA) Fdjeux.com 04:18:57.04. Pierrick Fedrigo (FRA) Credit Agricole 04:19:01.05. Peter Wrolich (AUT) Team Gerolsteiner 04:19:03.0

STAGE 15: Valreas - Villard de Lans (179Km)1. Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal 04:40:30.02. Ivan Basso (ITA) CSC 04:40:30.03.Jan Ullrich (GER) Team T-Mobile 04:40:33.04. Andreas Klden (GER) Team T-Mobile 04:40:36.0

5. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Rabobank 04:40:43.0


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other riders. Armstrong remained at the front ofthe line, chatting it up with his team members.

Each man appeared to be conversing with others around him to express positions on thematter during the race. We even see Armstrong converse with lead-opponents Jan Ullrichand Andreas Kloden shortly after the event. Not long after that Armstrong is seenconversing with a tense Team Director Bruyneel and appearing to have a difficult timekeeping a straight face.

Juan Miguel Mercado of Spain took top honors in the stage, however it failed to put adent in any of the big guys on the GC.

Stage 19 reveals a once-again-dominant Armstrong as he tackles the last and most difficulttime trial; one that stretches over undulating terrain, only 5km of which is flat. While

conditions were once again uncomfortable, this time it was both damp and humid assporadic rain falls upon the riders.

The event was clearly between Armstrong, Ullrich and Kloden, all of whom performed attheir peak. Italian Ivan Basso also performed well, but slipped down to 3rd on the GC.But in the end Armstrong took the stage and with it the insurance of his 6th Tour deFrance win. He only needed to arrive upright now in Paris during the last stage to takehome the $400,000 prize and the elusive title of 6-time winner, something no one has everaccomplished before. The four riders before him, Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault,Belgian Eddy Merckx and Spain's Miguel Indurain all won five Tours.

Stirring Up And Goofing Off

While stage 20 is usually a formality and doesnt heat up until the racers enter Paris andstart their eight laps around the Champs-Elysees, this year was different. Simeoniremained riled up and determined to take a few final digs at Armstrong.

He attacked from the get-go, and then proceeded to do so three more times after that. Itwas obvious he wasnt going to get far with US Postal hauling him back each time, but forSimeoni this was about pushing a point not a victory. US Postal member ViatcheslavEkimov expressed the teams reaction to Simeonis drama best when he looked at theman and knocked his own forehead.

Personal issues aside, the big struggle of the day was not for the yellow jersey, as that wasalready firmly within Armstrongs clutches, but rather the green, which McEwen (Lotto-Domo) and Hushovd (Credit Agricole) were in embattled pursuit of. The men were sepa-rated by a scant 11 points and it could have easily gone either way. Also nipping at theirheals were Erik Zabel of T-Mobile and Stuart OGrady of Cofidis. Ultimately McEwen

STAGES16 - 20

STAGE 16: BourgdOisans - LAlpe dHuez(15Km)1. Lance Armstrong (USA) USPostal 00:39:41.02.Jan Ullrich (GER) Team T-Mobile 00:40:42.03. Andreas Klden (GER) Team T-Mobile 00:41:22.04.Jose Azevedo (POR) US Postal00:41:26.05. Santos Gonzalez (ESP) Phonak00:41:52.0

STAGE 17: Bourg dOisans- Le Grand Bornand (212Km)1. Lance Armstrong (USA) US

Postal 06:11:52.02. Andreas Klden (GER) Team T-Mobile 06:11:52.03.Jan Ullrich (GER)Team T-Mobile 06:11:53.04. Ivan Basso (ITA) CSC06:11:53.05. Floyd Landis (USA) US Postal06:12:05.0

STAGE 18: Annemasse -Lons le Saunier (166 Km)1.Juan Miguel Mercado(ESP)Quick Step 04:04:03.02.Jose-Vicente Garcia Acosta(ESP) Illes Baleares 04:04:03.03. Dmitriy Fofonov (KAZ) Cofidis04:04:14.04. Sebastien Joly (FRA) CreditAgricole 04:04:14.05. Marc Lotz (NED)Rabobank04:04:14.0

STAGE 19: Besancon -Besancon ITT (60 Km)1. Lance Armstrong (USA) USPostal 01:06:49.02.Jan Ullrich (GER) Team T-Mobile 01:07:50.03. Andreas Klden (GER) Team T-Mobile 01:08:16.0

4. Floyd Landis (USA) US Postal01:09:14.05. Bobby Julich (USA) CSC01:09:37.0

STAGE 20: Montereau -Paris (165 Km)1. Tom Boonen (BEL) Quick Step04:08:26.02.Jean-Patrick Nazon (FRA) AG2RPrevoyance 04:08:26.03. Danilo Hondo (GER) TeamGerolsteiner 04:08:26.04. Robbie McEwen (AUS) Lotto-Domo 04:08:26.05. Erik Zabel (GER) Team T-

Mobile 04:08:26.0

They want to createpressure that cracks you.So internally I say, OK, Iwill never crack becauseof that. This will notcrack me.

Lance Armstrong

28


8/8

took the green, but the others definitely gavehim a run for it. As far as the other jerseys go:Richard Virenque took the polka dottedmountains jersey and Vladimir Karpets earnedthe white young rider. Ironically, Filippo Simeoniwas awarded most aggressive rider in the stage,while Richard Virenque claimed the mostcombative prize for the Tour overall.

While the stage was ultimately won bymaster-sprinter Tom Boonen (Quick Step),US Postal did not appear the least bit upset.They were all ready to celebrate theirassured yellow jersey victory. Each teammember wore a commemorative blue jerseywith a yellow stripe, not to mention a yellowwrist band in support of the LanceArmstrong foundation, which raises fundsfor cancer research. (To order your own, andmake a $1 donation, log onto www.laf.org).

Armstrong donned a gold Giro helmet while

riding his decked-out Livestrong bike. Eventhe spokes were tinted yellow as he cruised hisway over the finishline, the 114th rider to getthere that day. In the distance the French flythe Texas flag in his honor. And althoughtheyve managed to string it upside down, theirhearts were in the right place. The crowds are10-deep and roaring as the riders cross thefinishline.

Many of the riders didnt even wait to cross the finish linebefore celebrating. In fact, Armstrong had a glass ofchampagne from Jean Marie Leblanc's personal stash while

in motion. Ullrich, T-Mobiels heavy artillery, didnt hesitateto take a glass of champagne from US Postal Team DirectorBruyneel to celebrate. While Ullrich placed 4th in the Tour,decidedly lower than he has in past years, and was rumoredto be fighting illness throughout, he was still happy forteammate Kloden who earned runner-up.

Aside from the early tension with Simeoni, there appearedto be a good amount of horsing around in the peloton as thebig guns of the group felt secure in their positioning. Theymug for the press, laugh among themselves and expressrelief that the long three weeks are finally over. US Postalmember Floyd Landis could be seen flashing a prize gifted tohim by comedian Robbin Williams. Upon finishingmountain stages, and especially for his efforts in stage 17,Williams presented Landis with a gold ring and the title ofbaddest mofo of the mountains.

Jimmy Casper whips out a camera while in motion to snap afew pictures of everyone on the front line of the group. Whilemany might be disappointed in their placing, we have seenimpressive performances from the likes of Andreas Klodenand Ivan Basso, both of whom could easily be future Tourwinners, and Ullrich who is the 1997 Tour winner.

But more than anything, we have seen a resilientperformance from Armstrong whos spirit obviously thriveswhen faced with opposition. His win over runner-up

Andreas Kloden was an impressive 6 minutes and 19seconds. The man who had thumbed his nose at testicularcancer eight years ago, which had spread throughout hisbody and was given only a 50 percent chance of living, hadyet again done the impossible. And no one was going to beable to hold him back. Not disease. Not divorce. Not the

reporters who allegedly broke into his hotel room ransackingit for dirt on the rider. Not the LA Confidential book byDavid Walsh and Pierre Ballester published in Franceright before the tour which claimed circumstantialevidence of drug use. Armstrong took each blow andallowed it to fuel him.

"They want to create pressure that cracks you," Armstrongtold one reporter. "So, internally I say, 'OK, I will never crackbecause of that. This will not crack me.'"

Born to a single, teenage mother, Armstrong has faced eachchallenge life had to give with an indomitable spirit which

can not be denied. Love him or hate him, you have to respecthis accomplishments.

The man who works the hardest is the man who deservesto win. A much quoted philosophy that he applies to allareas of his life, Armstrong remains loyal to the Tour deFrance even though he is unsure if he will do it again in2005. With a new 10-million dollar sponsorship from theDiscovery Channel, he may find himself obligated,however he has stated his desire to focus on other eventssuch as the Giro d'Italia or the Vuelta de Espana.

"I'll do it again before I stop. It's a special race. It's

everything. You can't have this intensity in any other event."

Over 1,900 miles* 11 flat stages* 6 mountain stages* 2 individual time-trial stages* 1 team time-trial stage

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lance armstrong 2004 tour

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