As Paris nears, Armstrong is in command
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By MICHAEL McDONOUGH
Associated Press Writer
July 26, 2002
CLUSES, France (AP) -- Three easy stages are all that stand between Lance Armstrong and another victory lap in Paris.
With his rivals unable to challenge, Armstrong moved closer to a fourth straight title in the Tour de France on Thursday following the final mountain stage of the three-week race.
The Texan's overall lead is 5 minutes, 6 seconds, and this latest stage was the last chance for riders to make a serious move. Illness and injury now pose the biggest threats for Armstrong, not the cyclists.
``I sleep pretty good at night with the lead that we have,'' Armstrong said after the 17th stage in which he finished in 24th place, 4:36 behind winner Dario Frigo of Italy.
Friday's stage is a hilly stretch from Cluses to Bourg-en-Bresse, and Saturday's leg is an individual time trial, which Armstrong is expected to dominate.
Sunday's run from Melun outside Paris to the Champs-Elysees should be little more than a celebration for Armstrong.
Last year, Armstrong finished 6:44 ahead of Jan Ullrich of Germany. He could top that by winning the time trial, and round off what many consider his easiest victory.
``The team has made it easier for me,'' Armstrong said. ``To have guys always there in multiples, that makes life a lot easier.''
Armstrong won the first of his three Tour titles in 1999, less than three years after being diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and brain. He was given a 40 percent chance of survival and underwent brain surgery and chemotherapy.
``I think about it a lot,'' said Armstrong, who is completely recovered. ``Maybe not on a daily basis, but 90 percent of the time. It's still a big part of my life.''
He has been a source of inspiration in France, and elsewhere, for those afflicted with cancer.
``He has given us extraordinary courage,'' Antoinette Joubert said before Thursday's stage from Aime to Cluses. ``At hospital, when we're having chemotherapy and we see him on TV, we cry with happiness.''
Joubert suffers from bone cancer and has metal pins in her spine to keep her body upright. The 50-year-old woman has a job as a social worker with cancer patients.
Joubert waited outside the U.S. Postal Service team bus for Armstrong to sign a French edition of his autobiography. She wore a T-shirt with ``Lance'' written on the front and surrounded by a heart. ``Survivor'' was written across the back, although Joubert said she is not fully recovered.
``I should be dead today,'' she said. ``But when I see Armstrong, I go for it.''
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