Tough climb ahead
BARCELONA, Spain — The stakes are high in today's first mountain stage of the Tour de France, which could determine who is the real boss in Lance Armstrong's Astana team and offer a chance to the Texan's rivals to make up for the time they lost this week.
Armstrong couldn't be in a better situation before heading on a 139.2-mile ride from Barcelona to the Andorran ski resort of Arcalis, which culminates at 7,350 feet. The seven-time Tour de France champion is second overall, just a fraction of a second behind Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland, and nearly all his rivals are lagging far behind.
With Andy Schleck 1 minute, 41 seconds behind, defending champion Carlos Sastre 2:44 back, two-time runner-up Cadel Evans lagging 2:59 behind and Denis Menchov 3:52 back, the road to an eighth Tour victory would appear wide open for the cancer survivor.
But Armstrong isn't really in command of his team like in the good old days and his biggest threat is within his own squad this year — Spaniard Alberto Contador, regarded as the best climber in the world.
After conceding 22 seconds to Contador in the opening time trial last week in Monaco, Armstrong was able to leapfrog the Spaniard following an astute move during Monday's third stage. Before the mountains, where third-placed Contador is expected to be the strongest, Armstrong leads the Spaniard by only 19 seconds.
"(Today) is an important day. I don't know if it's the most important day, but it's definitely a big appointment on this Tour," Armstrong said after Thursday's sixth stage won in a massive sprint by Thor Hushovd of Norway.
On their way to Arcalis, Armstrong and Contador will first have to deal with the Category 1 Col del Serra-Seca before the climb to Arcalis, which is classified "beyond category." The final ascent is 6.5 miles long and has an average gradient of 7.1 percent.
"I know Alberto wants to assert himself in the race," Armstrong said. "I don't need a team meeting to know that. I know he is ready to go. If he goes and nobody can hang with him, I'll just stay with the other leaders. But I'll ... try to do my best, get to the top as quick as I can and we'll see."
During his dominant seven years on the Tour, Armstrong, who came back to competition this season after nearly four years in retirement, always took advantage of the first hilltop finish to hand a blow to his rival. But his last win in France was in 2005 — and it remains to be seen of the 37-year old American's legs will respond if his younger rival attacks.
"(Today) is a very long stage and it could suit him well," the 26-year old Contador said. "If I see a situation that is favorable to me and if my legs respond, then I'm going to try and go for it."
