Thursday, July 22, 2004
The Texan extended his overall lead and moved closer to cycling history.
L'ALPE D'HUEZ, France (AP) -- Lance Armstrong doesn't care about the negative reaction he receives. He's more worried about winning a record sixth straight Tour de France title.
Armstrong was booed, spat at and insulted, but the five-time Tour champion shrugged off hostile sections of the crowd packing the road up to L'Alpe d'Huez to win Wednesday's time trial -- moving another step closer to cycling history.
With four stages remaining in cycling's showcase event, Armstrong knows some would rather he didn't wear the yellow jersey in Paris on July 25.
"That motivates me more than anything," the 32-year-old Armstrong said. "It certainly doesn't work against me. I'm not concerned about them."
Extended lead
Armstrong extended his overall lead in winning the 9.6-mile clock race in under 40 minutes, a leg marked by hundreds of thousands of fans snaking up the mountainside, standing perilously close to the competitors.
The tense atmosphere, heightened by approximately 4.9 miles of unfenced roads, reached its peak when some spectators spit at and verbally abused Armstrong.
"It's ugly. But this is big-time sport," he said. "People are emotional and excited. It doesn't take away from my desire to win. I think it puts a little fuel on the fire."
It likely will take more than unruly fan behavior to stop Armstrong.
Today's 17th stage, a 126.8-mile trail from Le Bourg-d'Oisans to Le Grand-Bornard, was the last ascent in the Alps. It featured five climbs, one to Col de la Madeleine at an altitude of 6,600 feet.
Only a drastic lapse in form by Armstrong would offer those chasing the champion a glimmer of hope.
Tough in mountains
So far, Armstrong has been peerless in climbs, winning three of the four mountain stages and finishing runner-up once. Only Italy's Ivan Basso has been able to keep up, but Armstrong powered past him Wednesday.
Armstrong's chief rival, Jan Ullrich, the last to beat the Texan in a time trial, was easily beaten, settling for second place, 61 seconds back. His best chance now looks to be a spot on the podium. The German has finished runner-up five times in the Tour, including three times behind Armstrong.
In the overall standings, Armstrong has a commanding lead of 3:48 over Basso. Ullrich, the 1997 Tour winner, improved to fourth, but trails by 7:55.
Riding powerfully, Armstrong negotiated 21 hairpin turns to the L'Alpe d'Huez ski station in 39 minutes, 41 seconds. He overtook Basso en route to victory, despite starting two minutes behind the Team CSC leader.
"Lance was superior," said Basso, who crossed eighth, 2:23 behind. "I hoped to lose less time. I have nothing to reproach myself. I gave my maximum."
It was Armstrong's second consecutive stage victory and the 19th of his career. He also won team time trials with his U.S. Postal Service squad this year and last.