Churchill
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1089497418965&call_pageid=968867503640&col=970081593064
Jul. 11, 2004. 01:00 AM
Lance's safety prescription Armstrong: Spills can be
prevented Race `needs time trial in first week'
SAINT-BRIEUC, France-Lance Armstrong says Tour de
France organizers could do more to calm jumpy riders
and avoid spills that could mar his record hopes.
For a second straight day yesterday, the five-time
champion offered unsolicited pointers for Tour
managers. He suggested that a time trial be held in
the often-nervy first week, to thin the number of race
favourites.
Sending riders out one-by-one against the clock would
leave just the fastest with a realistic chance of
winning the three-week Tour. Laggards would fall by
the wayside, reducing the field of contenders. That,
in turn, could leave fewer racers jostling each day at
the front of the race - a recipe for crashes.
"The race needs a time trial in the first week because
it's too nervous without it," Armstrong said. "It's
safer for the event to establish some order in the
group and we're still another week away from figuring
out who the hell's going to be in the front."
A day earlier, Armstrong had said the finish of
Friday's stage was too narrow. A pile-up left some
riders badly hurt.
As the 32-year-old battles for a record sixth title,
young riders are stealing the show.
Outpacing two last challengers, Italian hope Filippo
Pozzato bolted to victory in yesterday's 204.5-
kilometre ride from Chateaubriant to Saint-Brieuc in
Brittany. At 22, Pozzato is the Tour's youngest rider.
French champion Thomas Voeckler, 25, holds the overall
leader's yellow jersey.
Armstrong, who aims to recover the lead by Tour's end
in Paris on July 25, was 55th yesterday, 10 seconds
behind Pozzato. Armstrong rival Jan Ullrich of
Germany, the 1997 Tour winner, placed 30th, in the
same time as the Texan.
Overall, Armstrong remained in sixth place, nine
minutes and 35 seconds behind Voeckler. Ullrich is
still 55 seconds behind Armstrong.
Pozzato's win was the first bright spot for Italians.
Two top Italian sprinters, Alessandro Petacchi and
Mario Cipollini, withdrew with injuries this week.
Gilberto Simoni nearly quit yesterday after an injury
in the mass crash Friday.
A dozen riders have withdrawn so far from the Tour,
mostly with injuries. Tyler Hamilton, an American with
Phonak, was embroiled in Friday's pileup and hurt his
back but is racing on.
"I wasn't feeling so hot," said Hamilton.
Armstrong was bruised but not badly hurt in a
tumble Friday.
"I thought you'd have more spice in the race, but I
think guys are tired and stressed from all the
crashes," he said.
Belgian Christophe Brandt became the first rider to
fail a doping test. His team said he was sent home
after testing positive for a heroin substitute. Brandt
suggested a lab error might be to blame and was
awaiting results of a follow-up test.
Associated Press
Jul. 11, 2004. 01:00 AM
Lance's safety prescription Armstrong: Spills can be
prevented Race `needs time trial in first week'
SAINT-BRIEUC, France-Lance Armstrong says Tour de
France organizers could do more to calm jumpy riders
and avoid spills that could mar his record hopes.
For a second straight day yesterday, the five-time
champion offered unsolicited pointers for Tour
managers. He suggested that a time trial be held in
the often-nervy first week, to thin the number of race
favourites.
Sending riders out one-by-one against the clock would
leave just the fastest with a realistic chance of
winning the three-week Tour. Laggards would fall by
the wayside, reducing the field of contenders. That,
in turn, could leave fewer racers jostling each day at
the front of the race - a recipe for crashes.
"The race needs a time trial in the first week because
it's too nervous without it," Armstrong said. "It's
safer for the event to establish some order in the
group and we're still another week away from figuring
out who the hell's going to be in the front."
A day earlier, Armstrong had said the finish of
Friday's stage was too narrow. A pile-up left some
riders badly hurt.
As the 32-year-old battles for a record sixth title,
young riders are stealing the show.
Outpacing two last challengers, Italian hope Filippo
Pozzato bolted to victory in yesterday's 204.5-
kilometre ride from Chateaubriant to Saint-Brieuc in
Brittany. At 22, Pozzato is the Tour's youngest rider.
French champion Thomas Voeckler, 25, holds the overall
leader's yellow jersey.
Armstrong, who aims to recover the lead by Tour's end
in Paris on July 25, was 55th yesterday, 10 seconds
behind Pozzato. Armstrong rival Jan Ullrich of
Germany, the 1997 Tour winner, placed 30th, in the
same time as the Texan.
Overall, Armstrong remained in sixth place, nine
minutes and 35 seconds behind Voeckler. Ullrich is
still 55 seconds behind Armstrong.
Pozzato's win was the first bright spot for Italians.
Two top Italian sprinters, Alessandro Petacchi and
Mario Cipollini, withdrew with injuries this week.
Gilberto Simoni nearly quit yesterday after an injury
in the mass crash Friday.
A dozen riders have withdrawn so far from the Tour,
mostly with injuries. Tyler Hamilton, an American with
Phonak, was embroiled in Friday's pileup and hurt his
back but is racing on.
"I wasn't feeling so hot," said Hamilton.
Armstrong was bruised but not badly hurt in a
tumble Friday.
"I thought you'd have more spice in the race, but I
think guys are tired and stressed from all the
crashes," he said.
Belgian Christophe Brandt became the first rider to
fail a doping test. His team said he was sent home
after testing positive for a heroin substitute. Brandt
suggested a lab error might be to blame and was
awaiting results of a follow-up test.
Associated Press
