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Tour News for July 23

Excerpts from Lance Armstrong's press conference

Lance Armstrong
Photo: © Sirotti

Current Tour leader, Lance Armstrong, gave a long awaited press conference in Pau today on the second rest day of the Tour. Questions ranged from the infamous 'look' on l'Alpe d'Huez, to doping and his relationship with Dr Michele Ferrari, as well as his position in the Tour, and his form.

"I like Jan Ullrich a lot. He is the only rider who really scares me. On a good day, he is unbeatable. Ullrich is better than last year, stronger. Our rivalry is not shaped by hatred."

"Five minutes lead, it's comfortable. If the difference were only a minute, we would have to be careful.

On 'the look' he gave Jan Ullrich and the rest on l'Alpe d'Huez before launching his attack in stage 10. "It was not an arrogant thing. It was simply a check of not only his face but the riders behind him. Who's on Ullrich's wheel? Was Beloki on his wheel? Was Kivilev on his wheel? I had to examine the situation. But when I saw it on TV that evening, I understood why people asked me about it."

Photo: © Sirotti

On his relationship with Italian doctor Michele Ferrari, with whom he is preparing a possible attempt on the World Hour Record. "I believe that he is an honest man. As long as he is not declared guilty, for me he is presumed innocent. Let there be a trial. Let him prove himself innocent. I do not have reason to doubt him, and will continue to co-operate with him."

On the subject of doping, Armstrong refuted strongly that he had used any prohibited substances. He also thought that it was a topic that would pursue him until the end of his career.

"Yes I use an altitude tent, it's part of my preparation. Christophe Bassons (anti-doping proponent) said that it is about one of the most natural means of preparation [note: many cyclists use this]. All cyclists have a dubious reputation, therefore me as well."

"People are smart. They say has Lance Armstrong ever tested positive? No. Has Lance Armstrong been tested? Often."

"Was Lance Armstrong's team put under investigation and their urine from the 2000 Tour de France, where there was no EPO control, was it tested for EPO? Yes it was."

"Was it clean? Absolutely."

"Did he declare cortisone in any of his drug controls in the Tour de France? No, he did not."

"Now, that brings us to 2001. Is there an EPO test? Absolutely. Will he pass every test because he does not take EPO? Yes, he will."

On the definition of doping: "Rehydration by injection (drip), is this doping? It is

Photo: © Sirotti

necessary that the rules are made clear."

"Show me another sport that's done what cycling's done. There will always be people that don't want to believe that, but you've got to look at the facts. I support the UCI, Hein Verbruggen I think this is a clean Tour."

Armstrong added that the scientists must work harder to develop tests to detect growth hormone, "With my medical history, would it be smart to take growth hormone?"

On whether he will ride in the Vuelta a España in September: "It is 50/50 whether I will ride. That will depend on my recovery from the Tour de France. But I would like to help Roberto Heras to win his second Vuelta."

On riding the Giro d'Italia before next year's Tour: "We will look at how that could fit into my preparation."

Full transcript

Ullrich concedes the Tour

By Jeff Jones

Jan Ullrich
Photo: © Sirotti

"The Tour seems to be decided," said Jan Ullrich in a press conference in the team's hotel in Pau today.

After a week battling Lance Armstrong in the mountains of this year's Tour de France, Jan Ullrich will come away with a likely second place on the podium, when the race finishes on the Champs Elysees next Sunday. This is his fourth such placing in five Tours de France, and the only other time he rode it, he won (1997).

Does he fell like "the eternal second", Raymond Poulidor? "Not at all. The main difference is that I've already won the Tour."

He has a chance at winning the time trial stage 18, but other than that, he will have to be content with taking second place overall, and very likely second place in the mountains competition behind Laurent Jalabert, through his sheer consistency in that area.

"There remains the time trial in Montluçon," he said. "I will try to win it, and defend my second place."

Armstrong and Ullrich
Photo: © AFP

The Ullrich and Armstrong battle was one of the many highlights of this Tour (and its not over yet). Both riders gave it their utmost in the mountains - Ullrich was always willing to attack, even though he knew Armstrong would produce the inevitable counter. No other riders could follow them once they decided it was time.

"I am very satisfied with how I raced. I didn't miss one chance. Without Lance, I would be clearly out in front. I simply have to accept: There was a better person."

Ullrich's 'worst day' was on the first day in the mountains on l'Alpe d'Huez, when he conceded 2 minutes to Armstrong, but he still finished second in the stage. Armstrong has been remarkable as well, and looks stronger than he did last year. It is rare to see two top riders perform so consistently in a race like this. Joseba Beloki is riding well, and should finish third overall, but is not quite on the Ullrich level.

Combined with this is the sportsmanship that the two rivals have shown. While 'the look' that Armstrong gave Ullrich at the base of l'Alpe d'Huez will probably be debated for the next 10 years by everyone bar the protagonists (see Armstrong's explanation above), it was insignificant in the scheme of things. Armstrong slowed his pace for Ullrich after he fell on the descent of the Peyresourde, as he didn't need to take that sort of advantage in order to win. He also didn't attack Ullrich on the final Pyrenean stage to Luz Ardiden, allowing Ullrich to take third place and 8 seconds bonus, which moved him ahead of Andrei Kivilev on GC.

Armstrong and Ullrich
Photo: © Sirotti

After the finish, Ullrich briefly held out his right hand for Armstrong to grasp, "In a gesture of respect on my behalf" said Ullrich later. "I fought for five days for the first place on the classification, and he waited for me after my fall on the descent of the Col du Peyresourde. I would have done exactly the same thing."

Looking to the future, can Ullrich beat Armstrong, who surely has the desire to win one more? "Next year, the overall victory is again my primary target," said Ullrich. "I prepared optimally this year, I have never been so good before. In my Tour win of 1997, I had both good and bad moments."

A lot has been said about Armstrong's pedaling style, where he uses much lower gears and seems to 'spin' up steep mountains. Ullrich on the other hand pushes a larger gear which enables him to hold a fast, steady tempo, but he can only attack or respond to attacks in short bursts.

"In the winter, I will have a good think about how I can beat Armstrong. I will not copy his high pedaling cadence. Last winter I trained like this, but it did not turn out how I wanted. I can not change myself."

Finally, although Armstrong appears to be the champion in this Tour, "For me [Ullrich] and the spectators it was a super sporting fight."

Here's hoping for another good battle in the stage 18 time trial from St Amand-Montrond to Montluçon.

Battle for the minor places

Andrei Kivilev
Photo: © Sirotti

With first and second places on GC fairly secure (without mishap to Armstrong or Ullrich), the young rider's jersey on the shoulders of Oscar Sevilla (Kelme), and the mountains jersey and most combative rider likely to stay with Laurent Jalabert (CSC), there remain only a few more classifications to be decided in this Tour.

Third place on GC is currently held down by the tenacious Kazakh, Andrei Kivilev (Cofidis), and he leads ONCE's Joseba Beloki by 1'20. The final 61 km time trial in Montlucon will decide this, with Beloki certainly favoured to take time out of Kivilev. How much damage he can do in 61 kilometres remains to be seen, but he should be able to move into third place overall.

Stuart O'Grady
Photo: © Sirotti

Then there is the battle for the Maillot Vert between Stuart O'Grady (Credit Agricole) and Erik Zabel (Telekom). O'Grady currently leads Zabel by 13 points, but this could vanish in one stage. Both the intermediate sprints and the stage finishes will be hotly contested by these two. Telekom may make use of its train to help Zabel back into green, as they certainly won't have to defend the yellow jersey.

Finally, the teams classification is currently being led by Kelme-Costa Blanca, who lead fellow Spaniards ONCE-Eroski by 9'17. Both teams will therefore be very vigilant at getting in the breaks, lest one steal another 10 minutes in the final week. ONCE has the edge in the time trial, but Kelme may be able to limit their losses with Toni Tauler, Santiago Botero and José Enrique Gutiérrez all very good against the clock. The teams classification is important, because it ensures selection in all next year's grand tours.

Best French rider

Francois Simon
Photo: © Sirotti

With a week to go to Paris, it seems as though Bonjour will come away with the two best French riders in the Tour de France. Francois Simon is currently in 5th position overall, 10'54 behind Armstrong, and will probably lose that position to Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (ONCE), who is only 1'10 behind him and a formidable time trialist. Of course, Simon's elevation on GC was helped by a 36 minute bonus on the stage 8 to Pontarlier, but there was certainly nothing easy about that day.

On the other hand, his team captain Didier Rous is lying 12th on GC at 21'57, and may well improve in the time trial, with a top 10 not out of the question. Rous has been very consistent, and his role as leader was justified.

Unfortunately for the French, prologue winner Christophe Moreau pulled in the mountains after getting sick, and therefore couldn't remain in contention to contest the final podium spot. He did wear the yellow jersey for a few days, but was clearly disappointed when he stepped off the bike on the Col de Jau.

Laurent Jalabert
Photo: © Sirotti

But the French have been pleasantly surprised with the performance of Laurent Jalabert (CSC), winner of two stages, leader in the most combative classification, and holder of the best climber's jersey. His two stage wins in Verdun and Colmar combined with his long escape on stage 13 have again confirmed his class in the professional peloton. And his self-effacing and open, friendly attitude has done a lot to endear himself with his fans, even if he does ride for a Danish team!

It will be fitting for Jalabert to don the polka dot jersey for the final time in Paris, to go with his two green jerseys that he won in 1992 and 1995. He is certainly a well balanced rider.

Pevenage clarifies

The directeur sportif of Deutsche Telekom, Rudy Pevenage, has denied that his remarks yesterday (not reported on Cyclingnews) about the difference between Armstrong and Ullrich, were intended to cast suspicion on Armstrong.

"I simply indicated that there was a difference between the cadence of Jan Ullrich and Lance Armstrong, and that sometimes Jan had more problems on the climbs, that he opened his mouth to breathe," said Pevenage in Pau today.

There were articles published yesterday quoting Pevenage as saying "I am astonished by Armstrong. When other riders are searching for air, he keeps his mouth closed."

Telekom team manager Walter Godefroot also commented today, "Opposite to what you think, I am a happy man. I am not discouraged. We tried to knock him over, but he was too strong. There was nothing we could do."

"From now on, we will aim at stage wins and will try to take the Maillot Vert. It will be difficult because Zabel has 13 points less than O'Grady."

Eddy Merckx: Ullrich not done yet

5'05 might be a big advantage for Jan Ullrich to make up on Lance Armstrong before Paris, but five time Tour winner (and everything else) Eddy Merckx believes that Ullrich should not give up hope.

"Of course Lance Armstrong has impressed me, he is the number one, but he certainly does not have his victory yet," said Merckx in Pau today. "Jan Ullrich is better than last year, and his team seems to me be strong than Armstrong's. The German must keep attacking."

Merckx pointed to the 1971 Tour, when he was trailing Spaniard Luis Ocana by 10 minutes after the Alps, but started to pull them back on the flats by attacking. Ocana then crashed out in the Pyrenees, and Merckx went on to win the Tour.

"Also in the Massif Centrale there are some tough stages, it can still happen...Don't give up and continue to keep in mind that even a Lance Armstrong can have a bad day."

Montgomery snares Souvenir Goddet

Swiss rider Sven Montgomery (Francaise des Jeux) may be out of the running for Best Young Rider in the Tour, but he had some consolation in winning the Souvenir Jacques Goddet prime, awarded to the first rider across the Col du Tourmalet in yesterday's stage to Luz Ardiden. Montgomery picked up FF20,000 (US$2,600) for his efforts, with Wladimir Belli (Fassa Bortolo) taking second place, and FF10,000 (US$1,300).

Telekom top prize money stakes so far

After 14 stages, team Deutsche Telekom are the new leaders in the prize money stakes, amassing a total of FF330,000 (US$42,500) so far. In second place is the Credit Agricole team, with FF280,000.

Prize money gains by team (FF)

1 Telekom: 330,000
2 Credit Agricole: 280,000
3 US Postal Service: 270,000
4 Rabobank: 200,000
5 Lampre-Daikin: 142,000
6 Domo-Farm Frites: 102,000
7 Mapei-Quick Step: 95,000
8 Lotto-Adecco: 66,000
9 Cofidis: 59,000
10 iBanesto.com: 50,000

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