Armstrong settles for third place
Source: Agencies |
June 7, 2010, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
ITALIAN Matteo Carrara won the Tour of Luxembourg with Lance Armstrong ending third in the overall standings yesterday.
The fourth and last stage of the race was won by Spaniard Gorka Izaguirre in a sprint shortened by torrential rain.
Carrara claimed his first major win ahead of 2009 winner Frank Schleck of Luxembourg.
"I'm so happy, it's a beautiful victory, my best victory," the 31-year-old Carrara said.
Armstrong was competing as part of his preparations for the Tour de France.
The 38-year-old Texan, who crashed last month at the Tour of California, next races at the Tour of Switzerland from June 12-20.
The race was neutralized in the last of the local loops in Luxembourg, about 10 kilometers from the finish, allowing riders who were not aiming for the stage victory to join the back of the peloton.
Seven-time Tour de France champion Armstrong didn't take any risk. "I just wanted to avoid issues, or problems, or crashes, or accidents. I think we have to make a good progression from here, to Switzerland and the Tour."
He was less happy with one fan who heckled him after he crossed the line behind the main pack.
"Liar, cheat," the fan yelled as Armstrong was talking to reporters. The American looked over to the crowd and barked at the fan three times: "Come and do that to my face!"
Armstrong, who has never tested positive in his career, was accused last month of doping by former teammate Floyd Landis.
The race started under bright skies and six riders broke away after just three kilometers, but the peloton never let the gap increase too much, lagging just 1 minute, 27 seconds behind Carrara.
The fourth and last stage of the race was won by Spaniard Gorka Izaguirre in a sprint shortened by torrential rain.
Carrara claimed his first major win ahead of 2009 winner Frank Schleck of Luxembourg.
"I'm so happy, it's a beautiful victory, my best victory," the 31-year-old Carrara said.
Armstrong was competing as part of his preparations for the Tour de France.
The 38-year-old Texan, who crashed last month at the Tour of California, next races at the Tour of Switzerland from June 12-20.
The race was neutralized in the last of the local loops in Luxembourg, about 10 kilometers from the finish, allowing riders who were not aiming for the stage victory to join the back of the peloton.
Seven-time Tour de France champion Armstrong didn't take any risk. "I just wanted to avoid issues, or problems, or crashes, or accidents. I think we have to make a good progression from here, to Switzerland and the Tour."
He was less happy with one fan who heckled him after he crossed the line behind the main pack.
"Liar, cheat," the fan yelled as Armstrong was talking to reporters. The American looked over to the crowd and barked at the fan three times: "Come and do that to my face!"
Armstrong, who has never tested positive in his career, was accused last month of doping by former teammate Floyd Landis.
The race started under bright skies and six riders broke away after just three kilometers, but the peloton never let the gap increase too much, lagging just 1 minute, 27 seconds behind Carrara.
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