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91st Tour de France - July 3-25, 2004
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Hangin’ In There: The Floyd Landis Tour Journal
During the Tour de France in 2002, Cyclingnews welcomed Floyd Landis as a reporter. The talented, gutsy, 28 year old former mountain biker had ridden his way to a start in the Tour as a key part of Lance Armstrong’s USPS squad, and Landis went on to distinguish himself as an important member of the now legendary “Blue Train” at Le Tour.
Floyd also endeared himself to Cyclingnews readers for his unique take on an American rookie’s life in the Tour De France peloton. 2004 has Floyd return with his exclusive journal “Hangin’ In There.”
Stage 13 - July 17: Lannemezan - Plateau de Beille, 205.5 km
Stage 14 - July 18: Carcassonne - Nimes, 192.5 km
Rest day - July 19
R&R Time
We finished the Pyrenees and we're now back in Provence at the really nice hotel in Saint-Paul-Les Trois-Chateaux where we stay when around here. We already spent some time here during the Dauphiné last month.
The whole team was really good in the Pyrenees stages. Everybody was really strong but we know the race isn't over yet; there's still a week of hard days in the Alps with two time trials including l'Alpe d'Huez to come before we get to Paris. Our team strength in the Pyrenees did a lot for our confidence. Sure, we won the TTT, but until the mountains started Friday, we didn't know who the main contenders were going to be. There were a lot of riders who were well positioned to be a threat but after two tough days, we have a much better idea of who we have to beat.
Hopefully that makes the plan for the rest of the Tour a bit easier. I expected Jan Ullrich to be better. Once in a while he has a bad day but normally he can climb with the best. Ullrich is not special now, like he's been in the past, but you can never rule him out. He's such a strong rider and has so much experience. With the hard days left in this Tour, Ullrich can still be a factor. I saw Iban Mayo on TV on Saturday night after the stage; I don't know what was up with that. I think he had probably lost his motivation since he knew he couldn't win the Tour. It was a surprise to everybody.
On Saturday on the stage to Plateau de Beille, we were riding hard and following the plan and it went great. Lance wanted to win the stage and so it worked. Perfectly. I'm really happy with my climbing legs at the Tour. It's the way I'm supposed to ride.
My folks are here on their first trip outside the US. It's been nice to see them here. They have been coming to see me in the morning at the bus before the stage and came for a visit on rest day. This morning, I just hung out in bed after sleeping in. Then we had a little breakfast and went for a two and a half hour ride at about 10:30. After lunch I had a nice long nap, like three hours.
My parents are here at the Tour with three of my sisters. They came to Plateau de Beille and to the start in Carcassone, then they went to the finish in Nimes and watched the race on the giant screen. After that they came to our hotel in St.Paul-Tros Chateaux, the Hotel d'Esplan to eat dinner. I explained how to get there but it's confusing. So luckily the team bus passed them on the way so they just followed us.
It's been great to see them; they are excited to see all the energy around such a big event like the Tour. Jerry and Darlene Umble, friends of mine from Pennsylvania who came to the Tour two years ago are helping them get around. It's good, because otherwise it would be a lot of stress for them. Even if you live here, you get lost.
It's my family's second time on a plane and the first time ever in Europe. They are interested in what I'm doing, which is great. When I started riding my mountain bike fifteen years ago, my Dad didn't really like it at first. He thought it was a waste of time and that I should be working; doing something worthwhile. For the most part he would have been right but as it so happens, it worked out for me. He was only looking out for my best interest and wasn't trying to be a dictator or anything. But it's great to have my family here at the Tour.
Our host at the Hotel d'Esplan is a guy named Claud; he's really nice and today he rode with us for almost an hour when we went out for a ride. This place is great; they really take care of us here. Chef Willi is in the kitchen cooking up some tasty stuff; last night after the stage, we had some great veal steaks. Claud told me I was a racer who has "du character... lache pas." I guess that means that I have a personality (I hope so) and I never give up, which is true. Plus I'm "super-sympa" which is good, too.
Well now it's time to go down to dinner. Rest day had been good so far and tomorrow we race again. Only six days to Paris, and so far, so good. But the Tour de France isn't won yet. Thanks for reading.
Until Next Time
Floyd