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07-12-2004, 03:55 PM

"Churchill" <yes@yes.com> writes:

> "brian roth" <brian_j_roth@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:ebf01652.0407120544.15754b08@posting.google.c om...
>> found at www.dallasnews.com
>>
>> Hinault doubts Armstrong can win
>>
>> Saturday's stage rolled past the birthplace of five-time Tour
>> champion Bernard Hinault, but the last Frenchman to win the Tour
>> doubts Armstrong will score the elusive sixth win.
>>
>> "He has not looked that good this year, and everyone saw how he
>> struggled in the mountains last year, so I'd say his chances of
>> winning are only 50-50 at best," Hinault said.

Never mind that Armstrong posted his fastest-ever ascent of Mont
Ventoux this year in the Dauphine-Libere. Or that Armstrong did "OK"
in the mountains in the 2003 Tour- taking the Maillot Jaune on
Alpe-D'Huez, winning on Luz Ardiden by :40 over Mayo and Ullrich after
crashing... I guess "vulnerable" = "didn't win every mountain stage."

>> Hinault presents prizes on the podium during the Tour. After
>> Armstrong's fifth victory last year, Hinault shook Armstrong's hand
>> and said, "Welcome to the club."
>
> So far, Lance has rode the perfect race. Barring a crash or illness
> he should win !!

Well, you have to take Hinault with a grain of salt. He doesn't like
to get beaten, even if he's not racing any more. But Hinault has a
point- the odds of getting through 6 Tours without a sick day, a
serious crash, or just "un jour sans" are tough. Armstrong is facing
a strong field of contenders this year, perhaps more so than in
previous years. The last week of the Tour is going to be *very*
intersting, I think.

07-12-2004, 03:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tim McNamara Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Hinault doubts Armstrong can win "Churchill" <yes@yes.com> writes: > "brian roth" <brian_j_roth@yahoo.com> wrote in message > news:ebf01652.0407120544.15754b08@posting.google.c om... >> found at www.dallasnews.com >> >> Hinault doubts Armstrong can win >> >> Saturday's stage rolled past the birthplace of five-time Tour >> champion Bernard Hinault, but the last Frenchman to win the Tour >> doubts Armstrong will score the elusive sixth win. >> >> "He has not looked that good this year, and everyone saw how he >> struggled in the mountains last year, so I'd say his chances of >> winning are only 50-50 at best," Hinault said. Never mind that Armstrong posted his fastest-ever ascent of Mont Ventoux this year in the Dauphine-Libere. Or that Armstrong did "OK" in the mountains in the 2003 Tour- taking the Maillot Jaune on Alpe-D'Huez, winning on Luz Ardiden by :40 over Mayo and Ullrich after crashing... I guess "vulnerable" = "didn't win every mountain stage." >> Hinault presents prizes on the podium during the Tour. After >> Armstrong's fifth victory last year, Hinault shook Armstrong's hand >> and said, "Welcome to the club." > > So far, Lance has rode the perfect race. Barring a crash or illness > he should win !! Well, you have to take Hinault with a grain of salt. He doesn't like to get beaten, even if he's not racing any more. But Hinault has a point- the odds of getting through 6 Tours without a sick day, a serious crash, or just "un jour sans" are tough. Armstrong is facing a strong field of contenders this year, perhaps more so than in previous years. The last week of the Tour is going to be very intersting, I think.