Armstrong within second of yellow jersey at Tour

Published: Tuesday, July 7, 2009 11:38 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 

MONTPELLIER, France — Lance Armstrong surged within a second of the Tour de France lead after his Astana squad won Tuesday's team time trial in a dramatic finish.

Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara of the Saxo Bank team narrowly kept the yellow jersey lead following the fourth stage, a 24.2-mile ride in and around Montpellier.

Astana needed to beat Saxo Bank by more than 40 seconds for Armstrong to take the yellow jersey. The seven-time champion started the stage in third place, and Astana exactly matched that 40-second deficit. Cancellara's team finished third.

"That's Swiss timing," Cancellara said, laughing. "Time is on my side."

Armstrong credited his teammates but acknowledged he had hoped to move in front.

"This is a little bit of a disappointment," he said. "That's cycling."

The 37-year-old Texan said the many tight turns along the course made for "tricky" riding. Three crashes marred the start of the stage, including one involving Giro d'Italia winner Denis Menchov.

The U.S. team Garmin was second in the stage, 18 seconds after Astana, despite only five of the nine riders being able to keep up the pace.

Armstrong and Cancellara share an overall time of 10 hours, 38 minutes, 7 seconds, although the Swiss rider is technically considered a second ahead.

Story continues below

Three Astana riders follow in the overall standings. Alberto Contador of Spain, the 2007 Tour winner, is 19 seconds behind. Andreas Kloden of Germany is 23 seconds back, and Levi Leipheimer of the United States trails by 31 seconds.

Next up is Stage 5, a 122-mile ride along the Mediterranean from Le Cap d'Agde to Perpignan. The Tour ends July 26 in Paris.

Recent comments

Lance was the fifth guy across the line, so his soft pedaling DID...

re: AZ cyclist | July 8, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.

Lance "soft-pedaling" across the finish line made no difference as...

AZ cyclist | July 8, 2009 at 12:24 a.m.

Man, am I going to LAUGH for a loooooong time if Lance can win this...

Stick it to 'em AGAIN!!! | July 7, 2009 at 7:42 p.m.

Image
Laurent Rebours, Associated Press

Alberto Contador of Spain, right, and American seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, far left half hidden, ride with their Astana teammates during the fourth stage of the Tour de France cycling race Tuesday.

previousnext

Latest comments

What a horrible way to pass away. Prayers for the family!

Editorial: Who wants ethics reform?

Philip - I hate to tell you this, but many active registered Republicans...

Don't underestimate gratitude

I think Brother Coppin's articles are much better when he stays away from...

Rivalry Week is highly profane

are for trading insults. We all need to get a bit thicker skin while at the...

Nice. Could not get into the cool clubs so you start you own. I give them an...

I never thought Nutty Putty was dangerous. I went there 3 times as a...

Can't they jackhammer the walls of the cave to get him out? I'd want him...

BYU's old uniforms?

For the sake of us football fans that have historical perspective please be...

What a great story. I've had the opportunity to watch one of these young men...

Rivalry Week is highly profane

The increasing profane behavior, trash talk, and hate (by far too many on...

Advertisements