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Phil C
07-22-2005, 08:06 AM
Believe it or not we are down to the last three stages starting today and the 2005 Tour de France is almost over. Today there have are four escapees leading the race but they are closely followed by a second group. None of them are serious contenders so Lance is satisfied to remain with the peloton and keep the status quo. But the peloton is still fairly close to the escapees unlike the past few days.
Phil C
07-22-2005, 08:21 AM
The four leaders are now Pereiro, Pellizotti, Casar and Guerini. Right behind them by 48sec is Comenso. One minute behind is Azevedo (Lance's teammate), Averso, Gabsch, Flecha, Chavanel, DA Cruz, Bertolini, weening and Portal. The peloton is within stricking distance at 2min45sec behind. There is still a long distance and plenty of time left in this race.
Phil C
07-22-2005, 08:26 AM
The peloton is now about 3min15sec behind the leaders but that is still within stricking distance. We will see.
Phil C
07-22-2005, 08:33 AM
The race continues but nothing major has changed so alas there is nothing new to report.
Phil C
07-22-2005, 08:35 AM
The Tour ends this Sunday after three weeks. Their perfect is timing because it helps us get through the month of July which helps us get through and closer to football season. It is great entertainment and interest and suspense isn't it? :)
Phil C
07-22-2005, 08:40 AM
There are now ten riders in the lead group but anything can happen. The peloton has now fallen back to 3min45sec behind the leaders. Since none of them are contenders the peloton may be satisfied to let them go. We will see.
pirate4state
07-22-2005, 08:43 AM
How long is today's ride and if Lance's closest compition doesn't improve on his time is it safe to say that Lance will have his 7th title? :thinking:
Phil C
07-22-2005, 09:12 AM
Originally posted by pirate4state
How long is today's ride and if Lance's closest compition doesn't improve on his time is it safe to say that Lance will have his 7th title? :thinking:

The race is about 100 miles and you are absolutely right about the competition having a last chance today because tomorrow is a time race which Lance is very good at and many feel he will win that stage so this is their last chance. It is slim though. The main competition will probably be between Ullrich and Rassumen for third place with the edge probably going to be to Ullrich.
Phil C
07-22-2005, 09:14 AM
The peloton has now fallen 8 minutes behind which shows they are unconcerned with the leaders.
Phil C
07-22-2005, 09:17 AM
The leaders have about 30 miles to go. Still a lot of time and distance to go but the peloton is not concerned.
Phil C
07-22-2005, 09:22 AM
Of the leaders Oscar peiero Sol is the best placed one. He is 17min10sec behind Lance and has 8min35sec on Lance and the peloton so he is not really a threat to Lance but he now has moved into the top ten and could gain on some of them in the peloton so I think the peloton is going to get organized and close the gap even though I don't think it will catch them.
Phil C
07-22-2005, 09:25 AM
It looks like I was right on again as the peloton has now closed the gap to 7min35sec.
Phil C
07-22-2005, 09:29 AM
Lance is just trying to stay safe with the peloton with his main competitors. Ullrich appears to about to make a move not to beat Lance but to try to secure third and maybe even second place. There is still a chase group not far behind the leaders.
Phil C
07-22-2005, 09:32 AM
About 22 more miles to go for the leaders to the finish line. I still don't think the peloton will catch them but I look for it to close the gap though.
Phil C
07-22-2005, 09:37 AM
The lead group is now 1min55sec ahead of the chase group but there is still enough time and distance for them to catch up. The peloton has closed the gap to 6min30sec!!
Phil C
07-22-2005, 09:38 AM
There is about 20 miles left to the finish line for the lead group.
Phil C
07-22-2005, 09:48 AM
About 12 miles left to go. It should get interesting.
pirate44
07-22-2005, 09:50 AM
GO PHIL C GO!!
Phil C
07-22-2005, 09:56 AM
Originally posted by pirate44
GO PHIL C GO!!

:)

The four leaders are Pereiro, Pellizotti, Casar and Guerini. They are just over 2minutes ahead of the second chase group. It looks like these four are going to fight it out at the end but there is still time and distance left for the chase group to catch them. Lance is satisfied to stay with the peloton with his competitors.
Phil C
07-22-2005, 09:58 AM
The peloton is now 6min25sec behind the leaders. I look for them to close the gap. They won't catch them of course but it is the gain in time that some of them are concerned with. Lance remains safe in the peloton.
Phil C
07-22-2005, 10:00 AM
The lead group now has 7 miles left to go. It looks like an exciting finish indeed! The second group is lead by Comesso who has made several attacks on the lead group. He should be trying again. He is 2min15sec behind but he and some of the others are capable but they better not wait too long. Time and distance are getting short indeed now.
Phil C
07-22-2005, 10:08 AM
The lead group is now about 3 miles to the finish! Excitement indeed. The peloton won't catch them of course but they will close the gap.
Phil C
07-22-2005, 10:10 AM
The peloton is at the 6 mile mark is 5min25sec behind and closing the gap.
Phil C
07-22-2005, 10:20 AM
Guerini won the stage! Casar came in second. The peloton came in 4min25sec behind them so they did close the gaps. Lance still leads! A successful day for Lance overall and a great win for Guerini!
Phil C
07-22-2005, 10:49 AM
Right now going into the last two stages the leaders are as follows:

1. Lance Armstrong

2. Ivan Basso 2min46sec behind

3. Michael Rasmussen 3min46sec behind

4. Jan Ullrich 5min58sec behind

5. Francisco Mancebo 7min8sec behind

Since Sunday is just a tradition day when all the riders ride into Paris together the competition ends tomorrow. Tomorrow is an individual time trial that Lance will probably win or be near the top easily so unless something unexpected happens he will win the Tour this year. The main competition will be for third place. Rasmussen is not good in time trials and Ullrich should gain on him. Rasmussen is 2min12sec ahead. Ullrich will most likely beat him by over two minutes but will it be enough? That will be the main suspense now.
pirate4state
07-22-2005, 10:51 AM
So how far is tomorrows trial race?? Guess Lance pretty much has it in the bag, huh? :D WTG LANCE!! :thumbsup:
Phil C
07-22-2005, 10:55 AM
Originally posted by pirate4state
So how far is tomorrows trial race?? Guess Lance pretty much has it in the bag, huh? :D WTG LANCE!! :thumbsup:

The race tomorrow is an individual time trial race of about 34 1/2 miles. Sunday's stage is where they all ride together to Paris and is about 90 miles.

You are right. Lance should have it in the bag as long as nothing bad happens.