Schleck rides to Swiss success
Source: Agencies |
June 22, 2010, Tuesday
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LANCE Armstrong wrapped up his Tour de France preparations on Sunday by finishing second in the Tour of Switzerland, 12 seconds behind Frank Schleck of Luxembourg.
Seven-time Tour de France champion Armstrong finished 11th in the 26.9-kilometer time trial around Liestal, in 33 minutes and 30 seconds, trailing stage winner Tony Martin of Germany by 1:09.
Olympic time trial champion Fabian Cancellara finished second in the stage, 17 seconds back, while American David Zabriskie clocked the third best time, 29 seconds behind.
Following bouts of illness and a crash earlier this season, the 38-year-old Armstrong showed in Switzerland that he could compete in the high mountain stages before posting a solid performance in the time trial. Though he escaped serious injury when he crashed at the Tour of California in May, it was a big setback to his preparations for the Tour de France.
However, the Texan made up for the race days he lost by competing in the Tour of Luxembourg, where he finished third, and then racing in Switzerland.
Armstrong, who will scout out four mountain stages of this year's Tour de France next week before heading to Rotterdam, Netherlands, where the sport's showcase race starts on July 3, said his result was a good omen.
"I think if we look at the field here, on all levels, the climbers, the sprinters, the 'rouleurs', and the speed ... this is what you'll see on the Tour," said Armstrong, who was seventh overall before the time trial. "For whatever reason, this race attracted all sorts of favorites. This is a good indication of what's coming up. I just have to stay healthy and try and find an extra one percent."
Following a 3?-year retirement, Armstrong struggled in time trials last year, a discipline in which he excelled during his heyday.
Seven-time Tour de France champion Armstrong finished 11th in the 26.9-kilometer time trial around Liestal, in 33 minutes and 30 seconds, trailing stage winner Tony Martin of Germany by 1:09.
Olympic time trial champion Fabian Cancellara finished second in the stage, 17 seconds back, while American David Zabriskie clocked the third best time, 29 seconds behind.
Following bouts of illness and a crash earlier this season, the 38-year-old Armstrong showed in Switzerland that he could compete in the high mountain stages before posting a solid performance in the time trial. Though he escaped serious injury when he crashed at the Tour of California in May, it was a big setback to his preparations for the Tour de France.
However, the Texan made up for the race days he lost by competing in the Tour of Luxembourg, where he finished third, and then racing in Switzerland.
Armstrong, who will scout out four mountain stages of this year's Tour de France next week before heading to Rotterdam, Netherlands, where the sport's showcase race starts on July 3, said his result was a good omen.
"I think if we look at the field here, on all levels, the climbers, the sprinters, the 'rouleurs', and the speed ... this is what you'll see on the Tour," said Armstrong, who was seventh overall before the time trial. "For whatever reason, this race attracted all sorts of favorites. This is a good indication of what's coming up. I just have to stay healthy and try and find an extra one percent."
Following a 3?-year retirement, Armstrong struggled in time trials last year, a discipline in which he excelled during his heyday.
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