Lance Armstrong won the 16th stage of the Tour de France, an individual time trial on the Alpe d'Huez, to extend his overall lead four days from the end of cycling's biggest race.
The 32-year-old American, homing in on a record sixth success in the 101-year-old event, completed the 15.5-kilometer (9.6-mile) race against the clock up one of the Tour's most famous mountains in 39 minutes, 41 seconds. Jan Ullrich was 61 seconds slower in second, with Andreas Kloden third.
Armstrong now leads second-place Ivan Basso, eighth today, by 3:48 minutes and Kloden by more than five minutes. With Armstrong the favorite for Saturday's time trial, tomorrow's 204.5-kilometer trek over five mountains may be the last chance for his rivals before Sunday's finish in Paris.
``It's a tough stage with plenty of opportunities for anyone with the legs and the guts to attack,'' said Cyril Guimard, a former rider who as team manager guided Bernard Hinault and Greg LeMond to Tour wins. ``If Armstrong is still in front tomorrow night, he should be safe.''
Today, the riders set out one-by-one in reverse order to the ski station of the Alpe d'Huez, which lifts riders 1,850 meters above sea level after a gradient averaging 7.9 percent. The toughest slopes have a 14 percent gradient.
`Quite Scary'
The Alpe d'Huez and its 21 hairpin bends made a debut appearance on the Tour in 1952, when Fausto Coppi was first to the top. While the mountain was never used previously for a time trial, Armstrong won at the summit in 2001. Today's victory was his third in five days and 20th career Tour de France stage win.
``It was a very special win for me in difficult conditions with huge crowds that became quite scary at times,'' Armstrong told Francetelevision. ``Frankly, I don't think it was a good decision to have a time trial on the Alpe d'Huez.''
Armstrong, cheered on among others by girlfriend Sheryl Crow from the team car that followed him, and actor Robin Williams, had to almost fight his way through the crowds on the first half of the time trial.
Organizers, expecting up to 1 million people roadside, erected barriers along the route for the last seven kilometers to keep fans from spilling onto the road. For the first stretches, riders at times could see no more than a few yards ahead as flag- waving fans formed a human tunnel.
`Disgusting Behavior'
Several riders had to swerve or slow to avoid spectators. Armstrong, in the post-race TV interview, complained of ``disgusting behavior'' by some Germans in the crowd.
Although German riders Ullrich and T-Mobile teammate Kloden failed to beat Armstrong, they were faster than everybody else. Ullrich, the 1997 champion and five times runner-up, improved one place to fourth.
The 30-year-old Ullrich is now 7:55 minutes behind Armstrong, and 4:07 adrift of Basso. Kloden is now only 75 seconds behind Basso after gaining 41 seconds on the Italian today.
``Ullrich and Kloden will probably unite to attack Basso tomorrow,'' said two-time Tour winner Bernard Thevenet. ``It's a grueling day and they will be looking to put him under pressure.''
The riders set out from Le Bourg d'Oisans and go up and down five mountains, including the Col de la Madeleine, before finishing in the ski resort of Le Grand Bornand.
``It's a scary stage for all those with tired legs after three weeks in the saddle,'' Thomas Voeckler, who led the race for 10 days until Armstrong reclaimed the yellow jersey yesterday, told Francetelevision.
Williams, the American actor who starred in films including Good Morning Vietnam, was celebrating his 53rd birthday. ``Lance's victory was a great gift,'' Williams told Francetelevision after yelling ``Good Afternoon Alpe d'Huez.''
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The 32-year-old American, homing in on a record sixth success in the 101-year-old event, completed the 15.5-kilometer (9.6-mile) race against the clock up one of the Tour's most famous mountains in 39 minutes, 41 seconds. Jan Ullrich was 61 seconds slower in second, with Andreas Kloden third.
Armstrong now leads second-place Ivan Basso, eighth today, by 3:48 minutes and Kloden by more than five minutes. With Armstrong the favorite for Saturday's time trial, tomorrow's 204.5-kilometer trek over five mountains may be the last chance for his rivals before Sunday's finish in Paris.
``It's a tough stage with plenty of opportunities for anyone with the legs and the guts to attack,'' said Cyril Guimard, a former rider who as team manager guided Bernard Hinault and Greg LeMond to Tour wins. ``If Armstrong is still in front tomorrow night, he should be safe.''
Today, the riders set out one-by-one in reverse order to the ski station of the Alpe d'Huez, which lifts riders 1,850 meters above sea level after a gradient averaging 7.9 percent. The toughest slopes have a 14 percent gradient.
`Quite Scary'
The Alpe d'Huez and its 21 hairpin bends made a debut appearance on the Tour in 1952, when Fausto Coppi was first to the top. While the mountain was never used previously for a time trial, Armstrong won at the summit in 2001. Today's victory was his third in five days and 20th career Tour de France stage win.
``It was a very special win for me in difficult conditions with huge crowds that became quite scary at times,'' Armstrong told Francetelevision. ``Frankly, I don't think it was a good decision to have a time trial on the Alpe d'Huez.''
Armstrong, cheered on among others by girlfriend Sheryl Crow from the team car that followed him, and actor Robin Williams, had to almost fight his way through the crowds on the first half of the time trial.
Organizers, expecting up to 1 million people roadside, erected barriers along the route for the last seven kilometers to keep fans from spilling onto the road. For the first stretches, riders at times could see no more than a few yards ahead as flag- waving fans formed a human tunnel.
`Disgusting Behavior'
Several riders had to swerve or slow to avoid spectators. Armstrong, in the post-race TV interview, complained of ``disgusting behavior'' by some Germans in the crowd.
Although German riders Ullrich and T-Mobile teammate Kloden failed to beat Armstrong, they were faster than everybody else. Ullrich, the 1997 champion and five times runner-up, improved one place to fourth.
The 30-year-old Ullrich is now 7:55 minutes behind Armstrong, and 4:07 adrift of Basso. Kloden is now only 75 seconds behind Basso after gaining 41 seconds on the Italian today.
``Ullrich and Kloden will probably unite to attack Basso tomorrow,'' said two-time Tour winner Bernard Thevenet. ``It's a grueling day and they will be looking to put him under pressure.''
The riders set out from Le Bourg d'Oisans and go up and down five mountains, including the Col de la Madeleine, before finishing in the ski resort of Le Grand Bornand.
``It's a scary stage for all those with tired legs after three weeks in the saddle,'' Thomas Voeckler, who led the race for 10 days until Armstrong reclaimed the yellow jersey yesterday, told Francetelevision.
Williams, the American actor who starred in films including Good Morning Vietnam, was celebrating his 53rd birthday. ``Lance's victory was a great gift,'' Williams told Francetelevision after yelling ``Good Afternoon Alpe d'Huez.''
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