Armstrong takes early lead in Tour's first stage
MONACO — Seven-time champion Lance Armstrong has taken the early lead in the first-stage individual time trial of the Tour de France.
The 37-year-old Texan began his comeback in the Tour by clocking 20 minutes, 12.36 seconds in the 9.6-mile stage along winding and hilly roads in the Mediterranean principality on Saturday. He started 18th among the 180 riders who are rolling down the start ramp one-by-one for the race against the clock in hot and muggy weather.
Aside from Armstrong and Astana teammate Levi Leipheimer, most of the time trial specialists and prerace favorites are riding last — hours after the two Americans.
The stage is likely to offer an early shakeout of potential title contenders. Specialists in the discipline include Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland and British rider Bradley Wiggins.
Comments
American seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong drinks from his water bottle as he warms up prior to taking the start of the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race, an individual time trial of 15.5 kilometers (9.63 miles) with start and finish in Moncao, Saturday.
- Blog: Noteworthy eliminated from... 11:18 a.m.
- N Salt Lake gets stimulus funds 11:01 a.m.
- Josh Powell provides DNA sample 10:58 a.m.
- Blog: Designing Women (and Men) 10:41 a.m.
- Toddler has 50 needles in his body 10:23 a.m.
- Santa Flight delivers to Wendover 10:21 a.m.
- Renault will stay in Formula 1 9:43 a.m.
- Spain No. 1, US 14th in final rankings 9:43 a.m.
- Angels, Matsui agree to 1-year deal 9:41 a.m.
- Dubai sticking to Tiger golf course 9:37 a.m.
- Josh Powell meets with WVC police
- Cougar seniors see a new Bronco
- Will Chambers keep his promise?
- Cougs brace for coaching changes
- Boy shot in head during struggle dies
- BYU singers compete in 'Sing Off'
- Star on field, in community
- Tethering of pets could spur charges
- Man dies when car goes into river
- Fun games to enliven holiday parties
- Jazz stunned by Timberwolves
113 - BYU to wear royal blue uniforms
108 - Josh Powell meets with WVC police
104 - Stay the course with our president
104 - TV mom gives birth to 19th child
104 - Sources: Josh Powell hires attorney
100 - Letters: Explaining Palin
94 - Choir, guests unwrap musical magic
87 - Barkley says Boozer is big problem
81 - Letters: 'Liberal conceit'
79
If you grew up loving sports, you probably when through a phase where...
Michael Walker, a 5-foot-9, 170-pound senior at Brenham High School in...
Here are some quick observations from Tuesday night's slate of boys...
RE: CATS, PLEASE Get over yourself. People have feelings you know. I will...
Pagan | 4:31 p.m. You do a great job of playing the victim, and the poor...
HA! You're funny guy. Golfers athletes - pretty funny. Take a look at 95% of...
There is no requirement to talk to the press.
USU will finish higher in the WAC standings next year then BYU will in the...
I would be answering every question the police had: what she was wearing, our...
It's obvious that Clements is trying to keep up with Eaton. She forces a lot...
'Pagan and others accuse me of hate, and hate me, for saying that gays should...
Wow, I'm reading even more blogs and it is even more clear. There are really...
At first I found it ironic that Chavez would champion this cause since a...



You can be the first to comment on this story.