Tour de France, Grand Tour

Main Page     Stage 8 Results Stage 8, Metz - Metz ITT, 56 kms: The weather conditions in in the morning were cloudy with a forecast for bright intervals, sultry, weak northeast wind, and no rain. The race of truth - it is designed to sort out the real contenders from the team players. Today, it was Lance Armstrong who came through and showed that he is now a strong contender in the chase for overall GC honours at the end of the 3 weeks of racing. He won the stage easily and now wear's the yellow jersey again (having won it in the prologue 8 days earlier). But it was a mixed day for the Americans in the Tour. While Lance was riding to victory, another American contender Bobby Julich crashed out of the Tour. 3rd overall last year, Julich was considered to be a real chance this year given that the big hitters like Pantani and Ullrich did not start. He fell heavily at km 30 while descending the Cote de Gravellote at around 90 km/h. He went to hospital and a late report indicates that he has sustained bad bruising to his ribs but fortunately they were not broken. He also has hurt his back. Julich was motionless as the attendants came to him. He clearly was forced to abandon the Tour. Lance Armstrong, however, was the star of the day. He was first through each of the checkpoints. He was 15 seconds in front of Tyler Hamilton (US Postal), who himself showed out in the stage. At the next time check (km 26.5), it was clear that Armstrong was going to take the yellow jersey - he was already 3.38 in front of overnight leader Jaan Kirsipuu. A few minutes later, another fancied rider, Spaniard Abraham Olano did not negotiate a corner properly and he also crashed. He was not injured and even though he got back on his bike quickly, he never really recovered from that. Armstrong passed him easily soon after. Some controversy has arisen over the use of the "camel bag" bidon system. Armstrong used the "camel-bag"' and said it allowed him to keep his hands on the bars at all times. The experts claim that the regulations do not allow it but up until now the jury has not reacted.