Not content with destroying the field in the tough mountain stage to Alpe d’Huez, Lance Armstrong set about repeating the job 24 hours later in the individual time trial.
Armstrong used his unbeatable strength to crush any lingering doubts that he hasn’t got the form he had last year, by riding up the unmerciful 32km climb at a unassailable speed.
The Texan set the quickest times at each of the three time checks and beat his main challenger, Jan Ullrich (Telekom) by a minute. Their two riding styles were a complete contrast, as Armstrong carried himself with a high cadence, Ullrich smoothly ground a heavy gear up the mountain. Yellow jersey holder, Francois Simon, lost an astonishing seven minutes, while Andie Kivilev lost six.
Although the American now leads Ullrich by over three minutes, he’ll still have to carry his form for another ten gruelling stages that include the Pyrenees, and while he seems more than capable of handling attacks, his team doesn’t. Heras still hasn’t found the form we all know he can and Hamilton is sick. Ullrich and the rest won’t give up their fight and have little choice but to go on the attack. It all makes for a very exciting few days.
Stage 11, Grenoble-Chamrousse 32km | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1st | Lance Armstrong (USA, USPS) | 1h’7m’27sec | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2nd | Jan Ullrich (Ger, Telekom) | at 1m | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3rd | Joseba Beloki (Esp, ONCE) | at 1m’35sec | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4th | Roberto Laiseka (Esp, Eus) | at 2m’3sec | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5th | Oscar Sevilla (Esp, Kelme) | at 2m’24sec | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6th | Igor Galdeano (Esp, ONCE) | at 2m’31sec | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7th | Santiago Botero (Col, Kelme) | at 2m’43sec | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8th | Christophe Moreau (Fra, Festina) | at 3m’00sec | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9th | Sven Montgomery (Sui, FDJ) | at 3m’07sec | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10th | Stefano Garzelli (Ita, Mapei) | at 3m’08sec | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Overall Standings | ||
| 1st | Francois Simon (France, Bonjour) | 46h’48m’36sec |
| 2nd | Andei Kivilev (Kaz, Cofidis) | at 11m’01sec |
| 3rd | Lance Armstrong (US, USPS) | at 13m’07sec |
| 4th | Joseba Beloki (Esp, ONCE) | at 16m’17sec |
| 5th | Jan Ullrich (Ger, Telekom) | at 16m’44sec |
| 6th | Christophe Moreau (Fra, Festina) | at 18m’21sec |
| 7th | Igor Galdeano (Esp, ONCE) | at 19m’05sec |
| 8th | Oscar Sevilla (Esp, Kelme) | at 19m’31sec |
| 9th | Santiago Botero (Col, Kelme) | at 21m’35sec |
| 10th | Stuart O’Grady (Aus, C.A) | at 21m’48sec |
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