The Tour de France is well underway, the sprinters have had their day and now comes “opportunity” for the GC contenders. Guys like Alexandre Vinokourov, Andreas Kloden, Ivan Basso, Iban Mayo, Roberto Heras and of course Yan Ullrich. With Armstrong entering into the first mountain stages with over a minute on closest rival Vinokourov their will be no time to waste “waiting” for the perfect time to attack.
Hats off to Vinokourov as he seams to understand this, Vino has already started prep on his “opportunity” attacking within 2k from the finish today on stage 6. Todays move by Vino moved him 12 seconds closer to Armstrong (not a lot but an aggressive move that let Lance know Vino is prepared for the fight). What is needed by any GC rider who wishes to make a bid for yellow is mental and physical strength and the guts to start making moves as the tour enters into stages more geared for the GC riders. Vino this is your style (attacking, pressing your rivals and making moves) and it is great to see you back in the race this year after last years last minute crash. Don’t let this years tour slip away … make your moves, let them (the other riders) hear you roar!
Last year I kept waiting for Ullrich to attack and it never seamed to happen, sure I remember one feeble attempt to shake the Texan’s strong hold grip on the yellow jersey around stage 18 or so however Lance and “Team Lance” never worried and brought the German back all in good time. Yan, their is only one time trial remaining in this years tour, if you plan on beating Lance this year you will need to attack constantly during the coming week. Sunday would possibly offer an opportunity if you can crest the last climb near with the leaders and attack on the decent.
Ivan Basso, hats off friend…. Personally I think you have an exciting career ahead of you! Last year you were the only rider NOT to be dropped by Armstrong on the major mountain passes as Lance did not so much “attack” but simply rode off the front of the race. You hung in with Armstrong and rode hard being awarded second in the tour. This years tour is filled with lots of climbs, surely stage 10 would offer plenty of “opportunity” to take some time out of Armstrong and move you closer to rivals like Vino (although he is also climbing quite well). The time is now Mr. Basso if you want the race ….
Ibay Mayo, two years ago Mayo was in excellent forum and took some time out of Armstrong in the mountain passes. Back in 2003 people began to wonder if the Spanish rider could possibly de-thrown Lance in the Tour in 2004. The answer was nobody was able to even come close to matching Armstrong’s all around strength just as previous years. Non the less Mayo has shown promise in some races and is a talented rider, maybe Mayo should think about the polk-a-dot jersey this year?
Roberto Heras, Mr. Heras your team looked incredibly strong in the team time trial and your within 3 minutes of target Armstrong. Like some of the other excellent riders on this page look for stage 10 to attack and possibly reduce your margin to Lance.
Finally we come to Yan Ullrich, Yan…. you need to attack and work with your crack German squad T-Mobile to break not only Lance Armstrong but the Discovery team. Their is no question in my mind that as long as Lance does not have a bad day your not going to take time away from Lance during a climb, possibly think about attacking Armstrong hard between the alps and the Pyrenees. With team Discovery this is going to be a mighty tall order, however if you want a shot (your last with Armstrong) you have got to give it a go. If things go very well for you in the last time trial you might be able to pull off a win by 30 to 45 seconds however I think that is about all your going to get out of Lance.
Also remember this will be Lance last “real” racing day as the last stage is not really a race day but more of a show. You need to head into the time trial with a slight lead or be very, very close to Lance if you want any real chance at a win come Paris.
Related:
