Tour De France Update: Lance in Third, For Now
Text by Christian Camerota
Maybe it's the flash of a yellow jersey only eight seconds ahead; maybe it was the endless doping allegations and the questions about his legacy; maybe it was dating Kate Hudson. Whatever the case, something has Lance Armstrong inspired. Again.
So much so, in fact, that after finishing this weekend's stages through Andorre-La Vieielle, Saint-Girons, Saint-Gaudens, and Tarbes, Lance Armstrong was willing to admit to a French reporter that this year's tour would "probably not" be his last. His legs must be feeling awfully spry on those pedal strokes.
Armstrong is in third place, eight seconds off leader Rinaldo Nocentini, and is expected to battle Astana teammate Alberto Contador, currently in second place at six seconds back, for the overall title. Contador made an unexpectedly bold move during Friday's stage, pulling away from his fellow contenders and using his strength on the Pyrenean hills to gain 20 seconds on them in the last 1.2 miles, vaulting him into second place overall.
Trying to counter with a move of his own, Armstrong pulled away from the peloton in Sunday's stage, trying to catch breakaway riders Pierrick Fedrigo of France and Italy's Franco Pellizotti, who ultimately went on to win the leg by 34 seconds. However, the peloton quickly caught up to him and perhaps fortuitously so as, despite leading the peloton by five minutes coming out of a steep climb in Tourmalet Pass, Fedrigo and Pellizotti only ended up winning by a slim margin and expending a lot of energy to do so.
Sunday marked the Tour's emergence from the Pyrenees and today is an off day. The riders will begin again tomorrow on the 194.5-kilometer tenth stage, from Limoges to Issoudun. Little is expected to change on the leaderboard until Stage 15 and the beginning of the grueling Alpine climbs that often determine the winner, with even Armstrong saying "I think that's where the race is going be decided…the hardest mountain in France is on the last day, basically. You can't forget that."
Related Topics
Go Further
Animals
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them?
- Animals
- Feature
Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them? - This biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the AndesThis biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the Andes
Environment
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?
History & Culture
- Beauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century SpainBeauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century Spain
- The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’
- Heard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followersHeard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followers
- Strange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political dramaStrange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political drama
- How technology is revealing secrets in these ancient scrollsHow technology is revealing secrets in these ancient scrolls
Science
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?
- The unexpected health benefits of Ozempic and MounjaroThe unexpected health benefits of Ozempic and Mounjaro
- Do you have an inner monologue? Here’s what it reveals about you.Do you have an inner monologue? Here’s what it reveals about you.
- Jupiter’s volcanic moon Io has been erupting for billions of yearsJupiter’s volcanic moon Io has been erupting for billions of years
Travel
- Follow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood ForestFollow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest
- This chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new directionThis chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new direction
- On the path of Latin America's greatest wildlife migrationOn the path of Latin America's greatest wildlife migration
- Everything you need to know about Everglades National ParkEverything you need to know about Everglades National Park