When Lance Armstrong claimed his first yellow jersey on 3 July 1999 he gave millions of people hope. At the age of 27 the all-American champion proved there was life after cancer. He had ridden the Tour de France before, won stages in fact, but victory in his first appearance since he was struck down by the illness was a triumph of spirit. But surely his time in the overall lead of the world’s biggest bike race wouldn’t last much longer than the first week. Aficionados of the event knew his name and they recognized his weaknesses.
Before cancer, the Texan couldn’t climb and his ability in the time trial was reasonable at best. Tactically he’d made more than one faux-pas. He was a star but not a rider capable of holding onto the ‘maillot jaune’.
Lance proved that the cynics were wrong. And he has continued to do so every year.
In the final race of his career there was nothing left to prove. At the age of 33 he had eclipsed the efforts of the greatest cyclists in history in the race which matters most. When Armstrong last raced on the famous Avenue des Champs Elysees he established a new benchmark. Winning six titles was an unobtainable quest. If Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain couldn’t achieve this mark, how could a brash Texan who almost lost his life to cancer reach the elusive tally?
Pure determination powered by a phenomenal physique, directed by a master tactician and support from teams of heroes all contributed to the re-writing of cycling history.
Sunday July 24 is Lance Armstrong Day. It marks the end of an era. His achievements can never be repeated. Even if a star emerges tomorrow, it will be a long wait to see if they can match Armstrong’s unprecedented tally of Tour victories. But there’s no chance for any future champions to be Lance’s equal.
He broke new ground in every aspect of cycling. He has shifted the goal posts by focusing on one race and one race alone. “The Tour de France is the biggest race in the world,” said the American on more than one occasion. “And I want to win.”
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Classificação Final - Tour de France
1. Lance Armstrong (USA) DSC - 3,608.0km in 86h15’02" (41.654km/h)
2. Ivan Basso (Italy) CSC - at 4’40"
3. Jan Ullrich (Germany) TMO - at 6’21"
4. Francisco Mancebo (Spain) IBA - at 9’59"
5. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kazakstahn) TMO at 11’01"
6. Levi Leipheimer (USA) GST - at 11’21"
7. Mickael Rasmussen (Denmark) RAB - at 11’33"
8. Cadel Evans (Australia) DVL - at 11’55"
9. Floyd Landis (USA) PHO - at 12’44"
10. Oscar Pereiro Sio (Spain) PHO - 16’14"
Link: Le Tour