Armstrong is done

It is not over for him - he still has the federal investigation to look forward to when he returns home.

Lances real mistake wrote:

Compare it to running then... If were running a marathon and trying to hit 5:30 each mile, but fell down and ran one mile at 5:45, would you then try to run a 5:15 to make up for it and then get back on pace?

...No, you get back on pace and try to make up the time slowly.

This isn't a marathon. It's a twenty-stage event completed over the course of three weeks. Don't compare apples to pinecones.

I don't understand this comment at all. Are you now saying that he was afraid of a drug test? Seriously? I mean even if you think he's the biggest doper in the world, you think he's going to be afraid of a drug test now? So instead of limitimg himself to 8 minutes back he let himself fall to 12 minutes back?

Perhaps a bit, but what would the point be? So he'd only be 10 minutes down instead of 12? The 1+ minutes he was already down on Contador at the start of the stage was already too much. He would be lucky to even make that up. But 5, 6, 8, 10 minutes? Not a chance. Contador can out-climb him and last year out TT-ed him.

I think people have watched the 2001 Alpe d'Huez stage (or 2000 Hautecam) one too many times. He's not that guy anymore. He's not going to blow away these guys. He never faced GC-contending climbers of the caliber of Contador or Schleck in those years anyway. Except maybe for Pantani

I don't remember him dismissing anyone. Was there some remark he made? I have to admit I felt bad for him today. He picked the wrong day to have an off day.

Maybe

That was my point as well.

Except I don't think Lance knew what kind of shape he was in (compared with Schleck/Contador) before the start of the stage. Or maybe he did know and could account for his pessimism after the prologue. Last year he was extremely fit, and with another full year of riding under him I was expecting to see him even stronger.

Yeah, he said something about Chavanel that jumped out at me. I felt bad for him in 2008 when he lost a fantastic duel to Carlos Sastre, but at this point his limitations are pretty clear. Whenever there are strong climbers in the field and the road goes up, Cadel Evans has an "off day". How many grand tours do we have to bemoan his bad luck and "bad days" before we decide he just isn't the best climber? I'm tired of hearing excuses. He's a great time trialist and a ballsy, gritty rider, but he's not one of the top climbers. Contador is an inch and a half taller than him but ten pounds lighter.

Anyhow, I'm hoping Andy takes a bit more time out of Contador in the mountains to set up a dramatic time trial on the last day :)

Guys,

"This Tour is finished for me. But I am staying in the race. I will work for my team now.”

- Lance

http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/07/news/lance-armstrong-this-tour-is-finished-for-me_128132

Albert Velasco will win the 2010 TdF.

This thread contains the worst and most uneducated analysis of cycling I have ever read. 99% of you people have no idea what you're talking about. Try analyzing cycling tactics once you've actually USED them in a race for teammates or for yourself. You're all clueless...stick to running

Let's face it. For interest level, the TdF is like soccer, but on bikes.

I'm looking forward to seeing Lance 'working for his team'.

I guess he means twittering snide comments about other riders as 'working for his team' but this team about riders of other teams.

Funny guy.

In fairness, he could 'work for his team' like he did last year on the final stage. Move up and down the peloton tapping up riders to join his team for next year, maybe if he can sign Contador, Schleck, Menchov, Gesink, Basso, Kreuziger and a few others he could make them work for him next year.

“I can’t speak to what they did themselves; I can’t control that,” he said. “It would be like me asking you, ‘Listen, do you think there’s any abuse of performance-enhancing drugs in the N.F.L. in the offensive line?’ Most people would say probably yes. Does that mean Peyton Manning is guilty? I mean, I can’t control what other riders do.”

Amazing that he would point the finger at NFL players. His lawyer needs to tell him to stop talking.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/15/sports/cycling/15armstrong.html?emc=eta1

His arrogance will do him in. Just watch.

He now claims that he will only cooperate with an investigation that is "legitimate and credible and fair" which it will suddenly cease to be once Lance sees his has stepped in it. Or his lawyers forcibly muzzle him.

Wisenheimer wrote:

Let's face it. For interest level, the TdF is like soccer, but on bikes.

Yeah, it's soooo boring. It's kind of like watching someone run 25 laps over and over. Why don't they just run harder and stop jogging?

What did he say?

We've already decided that long ago. Nobody ever said he was the best climber or even a great climber. He's just a tough rider who is usually very good at limiting his losses. Not yesterday but in 2007 and 2008 he was MUCH better at staying with the climbers. He didn't blow up then like he blew up today. And certainly not when in the yellow jersey.

He will need another minute at least. The Pyrenees will suit him better since they are generally steeper, twistier climbs. But unless Contador has a bad day it is not going to happen.