The 2005 Tour: It’s Armstrong’s to win, if he wants it
- By John Wilcockson
- Published Oct. 28, 2004
There’s no Mont Ventoux on the route of next year’s Tour de France so Lance Armstrong — who has often said that he wants to win on the Ventoux before he retires — perhaps will not defend his title in 2005 and wait for 2006. Then again, Armstrong’s spokesman at the official race presentation in Paris on Thursday, Discovery Channel team director Johan Bruyneel, said, “If he does a three-week race, it will be the Tour.” And one can’t see Armstrong being motivated by a season that comprises just one-day classics mixed in with a few one-week stage races.
If the Texan does start the Tour next year, he will find a course that suits his talents perfectly. On the opening day, July 2, there’s a near-20km time trial across the island of Noirmoutier to gain a good chunk of time; a 66km team time trial three days later to gain even more time (even though the new bonus rule stays in effect); and the first challenging climbs come as early as stage 8.
As for the high mountains, they open in the Alps with a difficult mountaintop finish at Courchevel, where Marco Pantani obtained the last big win of his life in 2000. The very next day, the race crosses the Tour’s highest mountains, the Madeleine and Galibier, on stage 11 to Briançon. By that point, only halfway through the 3600km event, the race could be all but over. At least, by then we will know if Armstrong is going to be truly challenged by the likes of Ivan Basso, Iban Mayo, Jan Ullrich, Alex Vinokourov, Tyler Hamilton, Santi Perez or even Damiano Cunego.
The first two stages in the Pyrénées are also very challenging, with mountaintop finishes at Ax-3 Domaines and Pla d’Adet — where Armstrong wrapped up the third of six Tour wins in 2001. If anything is in doubt in the final week, two stages will add the exclamation point: the hilltop finish at Mende on stage 18 and the hilly 55km time trial at St. Etienne, the day before the Paris finish.
Opinions of the 2005 Tour route were mixed at Thursday’s presentation, but most observers felt, like five-time winner Eddy Merckx, that it should be “a more open Tour.”
Former French star Laurent Jalabert, now a commentator for French TV, said, “This is a Tour for all-around riders that could suit a man like Vinokourov.” Two-time winner Laurent Fignon commented, “This will be a Tour again dominated by Armstrong if his opponents ride like they usually do. To change things, they will have to show more imagination and take a few risks.”
The only top rider from the 2004 Tour to attend the presentation was the CSC team’s Basso, who told AFP: “It’s a difficult Tour, as always. But, first of all, my goal in 2005 is to win the Giro d’Italia. Then we’ll see how things go for the Tour. It’s important for me to ride two grand tours next season. I’m now entering the important years of my career.”
But should Armstrong still have the motivation, his seventh Tour win in succession is there for the taking.
92ND TOUR DE FRANCE
Saturday, July 2: Stage 1, Fromentine-Noirmoutier (19km TT)
If Armstrong rides the Tour, this flat, probably windy, point-to-point time trial of almost 20km will give the Texan the distance he needs to gain a minute or two on contenders like Basso; but not on the stronger time trialists like Ullrich, Hamilton, etc.
Sunday, July 3: Stage 2, Challans-Les Essarts (182km)
Flat and windswept, a bunch finish will give an initial lowdown on the relative form of sprinters Petacchi, Boonen, McEwen and company.
Monday, July 4: Stage 3, La Châtaigneraie-Tours (208km)
Again flat and fast with a field sprint on the broad boulevard that hosts the finish of Paris-Tours every year.
Tuesday, July 5: Stage 4, Tours-Blois (66km TTT)
A flatter, straighter than usual team time trial alongside the Loire River could produce a record speed.
Wednesday, July 6: Stage 5, Chambord-Montargis (179km)
A start outside of one of the most beautiful châteaux in the Loire Valley, some rolling hills, and a fast finish for the sprinters.
Thursday, July 7: Stage 6, Troyes-Nancy (187km)
History indicates that a small group will get clear on the hilly run-in to Nancy.
Friday, July 8: Stage 7, Lunéville-Karlsruhe, Germany (225km)
This stage crosses the Vosges mountains in the middle of the day, but everyone should regroup for a field sprint. A win for Erik Zabel would be popular with the German fans.
Saturday, July 9: Stage 8, Pforzheim, Germany-Gérardmer (235km)
A few late climbs in the Vosges should burn off the sprinters like Petacchi, but a group finish is still likely.
Sunday, July 10: Stage 9, Gérardmer-Mulhouse (170km)
Five stiff climbs, including the Grand Ballon and Ballon d’Alsace will produce a significant breakaway group, especially with a rest day ahead.
Monday, July 11: Transfer and rest day at Grenoble
An hour’s flight for the riders, but some 500km on autoroutes will be a four- to five-hour drive for race followers.
Tuesday, July 12: Stage 10, Grenoble-Courchevel (192km)The first alpine stage is a tough one, with a mountaintop finish much tougher than this year’s opener at La Mongie.
Wednesday, July 13: Stage 11, Courchevel-Briançon (173km)
The two longest, highest climbs of the Tour, the Madeleine and Galibier, will decide who will be the true podium contenders.
Thursday, July 14: Stage 12, Briançon-Digne les Bains (187km)
After two severe stages in the high Alps, this hilly day will give the lesser lights a chance to shine.
Friday, July 15: Stage 13, Miramas-Montpellier (162km)
Flat and fast, with a bunch finish.
Saturday, July 16: Stage 14, Agde-Ax 3 Domaines (220km)
A stage similar to one in 2003, including the 15km, 8-percent Port de Pailhères, before a familiar mountaintop finish at Ax.
Sunday, July 17: Stage 15, Lézat sur Lèze-Pla d’Adet (205km)
An almost identical stage to the one in 2003 when Armstrong won this six-climb challenge through the Pyrénées to clinch the Tour.
Monday, July 18: Rest day at Pau
Time to kick back.
Tuesday, July 19: Stage 16, Mourenx-Pau (177km)
Classic combination of the Marie-Blanque and Aubisque might produce surprises on this final day in the high mountains.
Wednesday, July 20: Stage 17, Pau-Revel (239km)
With the GC pretty much set, look for a marathon breakaway on this longest stage of the Tour.
Thursday, July 21: Stage 18, Albi-Mende (189km)
Some short climbs in the Massif Central with a steep hilltop finish will favor aggressive racing.
Friday, July 22: Stage 19, Issoire-Le Puy (154km)
More climbs and a likely breakaway group on this shortest road stage.
Saturday, July 23: Stage 20, St. Etienne (55km TT)
A hilly time trial to decide the final podium.
Sunday, July 25: Stage 20, Corbeil Essonnes-Paris (160km)
Let the partying begin.
FILED UNDER: Road