Armstrong crashes as Schleck captures 8th stage
Source: Agencies |
July 12, 2010, Monday
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LANCE Armstrong was caught up in three crashes yesterday in the eighth stage of the Tour de France as the seven-time champion struggled up the steepest climb.
Luxembourg's Andy Schleck won the stage, a 189-kilometer trek from Les Rousses.
Spain's Samuel Sanchez was second and Dutch Robert Gesink finished third.
World champion Cadel Evans of Australia claimed the overall leader's yellow jersey.
The three incidents dealt a major blow to Armstrong's hopes of an eighth Tour title, with his main rivals picking up valuable time over him on the La Ramaz ascent, the tougher of the two climbs on the course from Station des Rousses to Morzine-Avoriaz.
With about 19km left, shortly after La Ramaz, Armstrong was held up by a rider who crashed in front of him. Though the Texan rider did not fall, he slowly got back on his bike, in seeming exasperation at his third tie-up.
Earlier, with less than 51km to go, Armstrong tumbled to the asphalt while trying to negotiate a roundabout along with the pack.
His team quickly got him another bike and he returned to the race with the back of his jersey and his bib numbers torn.
Armstrong then struggled up the steepest portion of La Ramaz, losing crucial seconds to the main overall contenders, such as defending champion Alberto Contador of Spain.
An earlier incident involving Armstrong and Evans occurred at about the 6km mark.
Armstrong narrowly averted a spill but world champion Evans fell, ripping his shorts and scraping up his elbow and knees. The American had to swerve onto the grass at the side of the road to avoid falling and he was able to return to the pack.
That incident came as several breakaway riders pushed the pace, clocking an average speed of 50.8km per hour for the first hour - the fastest start this year.
Sylvain Chavanel was defending the yellow jersey as riders set off into the Alpine mountains for a punishing stage which could shake up the standings.
Both Contador, who is sixth, and Armstrong, now in 14th spot, nudged up a few places in the standings on Saturday - but bigger time gains were on offer this stage.
Luxembourg's Andy Schleck won the stage, a 189-kilometer trek from Les Rousses.
Spain's Samuel Sanchez was second and Dutch Robert Gesink finished third.
World champion Cadel Evans of Australia claimed the overall leader's yellow jersey.
The three incidents dealt a major blow to Armstrong's hopes of an eighth Tour title, with his main rivals picking up valuable time over him on the La Ramaz ascent, the tougher of the two climbs on the course from Station des Rousses to Morzine-Avoriaz.
With about 19km left, shortly after La Ramaz, Armstrong was held up by a rider who crashed in front of him. Though the Texan rider did not fall, he slowly got back on his bike, in seeming exasperation at his third tie-up.
Earlier, with less than 51km to go, Armstrong tumbled to the asphalt while trying to negotiate a roundabout along with the pack.
His team quickly got him another bike and he returned to the race with the back of his jersey and his bib numbers torn.
Armstrong then struggled up the steepest portion of La Ramaz, losing crucial seconds to the main overall contenders, such as defending champion Alberto Contador of Spain.
An earlier incident involving Armstrong and Evans occurred at about the 6km mark.
Armstrong narrowly averted a spill but world champion Evans fell, ripping his shorts and scraping up his elbow and knees. The American had to swerve onto the grass at the side of the road to avoid falling and he was able to return to the pack.
That incident came as several breakaway riders pushed the pace, clocking an average speed of 50.8km per hour for the first hour - the fastest start this year.
Sylvain Chavanel was defending the yellow jersey as riders set off into the Alpine mountains for a punishing stage which could shake up the standings.
Both Contador, who is sixth, and Armstrong, now in 14th spot, nudged up a few places in the standings on Saturday - but bigger time gains were on offer this stage.
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