July 11th, 2006, 06:24 PM
DAX, France - Now for the hard part. Having made it through fast and dangerous racing during the opening flat stages of the Tour de France, riders veer Wednesday into the Pyrenees for their first encounter with the high mountains.
The steep, long, hard climbs should help separate true contenders to succeed seven-time winner Lance Armstrong from those who can't make the gradient, offering a little clarity to a race devoid so far of any standout favorite.
The spotlight will move away from sprint specialists like Oscar Freire, winner of Tuesday's pancake-flat stage nine. Lithe climbers and riders eyeing the overall title, who need to get over the humps well if they are to win in Paris on July 23, will move to the fore.
Read the rest here.
But my question is, without Lance Armstrong, do most Americans even care now?
The steep, long, hard climbs should help separate true contenders to succeed seven-time winner Lance Armstrong from those who can't make the gradient, offering a little clarity to a race devoid so far of any standout favorite.
The spotlight will move away from sprint specialists like Oscar Freire, winner of Tuesday's pancake-flat stage nine. Lithe climbers and riders eyeing the overall title, who need to get over the humps well if they are to win in Paris on July 23, will move to the fore.
Read the rest here.
But my question is, without Lance Armstrong, do most Americans even care now?
All your base are belong to us.
It could be that the purpose of my life is only to serve as a warning to others.
It could be that the purpose of my life is only to serve as a warning to others.
