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Armstrong has ‘mixed emotions’ after TT

by VeloNews.com

• July 23, 2009
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Lance Armstrong admitted suffering during Thursday’s time trial in the Tour de France, but says his aim now is to defend his third place in the overall standings in Saturday’s climb up Mount Ventoux and even mount a challenge for second against Andy Schleck.

Armstrong finished the time trial around Lake Annecy in 16th at 1:30 behind stage winner Alberto Contador, his Astana teammate and the yellow jersey-holder.

The American said his goal is to ride well on Ventoux, protect on his spot on GC or even move up on his rival for second place, Saxo Bank’s Andy Schleck.

Armstrong, who has won the Tour seven times, is 5:25 behind the Spaniard overall, while Andy Schleck is at 4:11.

And Armstrong says the battle for second could well be decided on Saturday’s 21.1km climb up Mont Ventoux.

“I want to protect my position with Andy climbing so well, I just have to watch for the moves and don’t let him get away,” said Armstrong.

Having started Thursday’s time trial well, Armstrong tired on the 2.5km climb, which began near the 26km mark, while Contador blitzed the course to take complete control of the race and is set to be in the yellow jersey on the Champs Elysees on Sunday.

Armstrong said the exertion of Wednesday’s five challenging climbs from Bourg Saint Maurice to Le Grand Bornand on the 17th stage had taken its toll.

“I suffered. I probably started too hard and maybe I was just empty from yesterday and those cramps I suffered at the end of the stage,” he said. “I felt good at the beginning, I felt smooth, but there was a tail-wind, so maybe everyone felt good. I just wasn’t that strong on the climb, maybe the end result was good in terms of the general classification.

“I have mixed emotions, 16th in a time trial is not a good result, but my ambition is to get on the podium, so I have to be happy with that.”

It was a busy day for Armstrong on Thursday after it was announced he will race for Team Radioshack in next year’s Tour with a new American ProTour cycling team being formed.

Armstrong will race for his new outfit as a cyclist, runner and triathlete. Armstrong, who successfully battled cancer between 1996 and ’98 to return to cycling and win the first of seven consecutive yellow jerseys in ‘99, said the fight against the disease through his Livestrong Foundation would remain a priority.