Lance said it was the Germans that were being obnoxious to him......but the race is in France.
He has it about wrapped up.
By Francois Thomazeau
LE GRAND BORNAND, France (Reuters) - For Lance Armstrong, the time for giving on the Tour de France is over.
The American, who is likely to become the first rider to win cycling's biggest race six times, sprinted to his fourth individual stage victory on the Tour on Thursday, and the 20th of his career.
"Am I the new Cannibal? The answer is no," Armstrong said in reference to the nickname given to five times Tour winner Eddy Merckx, who is regarded as the greatest cyclist in history.
The Belgian is about to be beaten by Armstrong in terms of Tours won, but he still leads comfortably in stage wins, with 34 victories.
Armstrong said another five times Tour champion, Bernard Hinault, had congratulated him for the lack of generosity shown to his rivals on the 127-mile 17th stage.
"When I went to the podium, Hinault met me at the top of the steps and said: 'Perfect. No gifts," Armstrong said.
Frenchman Hinault, another merciless boss of the bunch, won 28 stages on the Tour.
"I've given gifts in the Tour before and I've never been paid back. The Tour is too special to me. It means more than any other race," Armstrong said.
In 2000, Armstrong let Italian Marco Pantani win a stage at Mont Ventoux and later regretted it as he has yet to triumph on the most infamous climb in cycling.
Only one rider could have made the 32-year-old change his mind about winning the stage, his team mate and friend Floyd Landis.
Landis led the top four riders in this Tour up the last mountain and was hoping to be allowed to win the stage.
"He was the man of the day. I hoped he could ride a fast descent and win the stage. But it did not happen," Armstrong said.
"He seems to be getting better and better everyday. Today was his best day ever, that's why I really wanted him to win the stage. I shall dedicate the win to him. I think he deserved it," Armstrong said. |
