Stronghold

Armstrong wins ninth stage, takes commanding lead

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Posted: Tuesday July 13, 1999 11:58 AM

Lance Armstrong, not known as a strong climber, surprised the field with a dominating victory. AP

SESTRIERES, Italy (AP) -- Lance Armstrong took a huge step toward overall victory in the Tour de France Tuesday by surging ahead of his rivals on the tough first mountain stage, keeping a firm hold on first place.

The American's victory in the race's ninth stage, a 213.5-kilometer (133.4-mile) climb in the Alp, was his third stage victory, after the prologue and Sunday's time trial. He now leads the field by a commanding 6 minutes, 3 seconds.

With about 10 kilometers left, the American left the leading pack of seven riders with a decisive sprint. No one was able to catch him.

Crossing the finish line, he held his arms aloft and looked to the sky.

In second place was Switzerland's Alex Zulle, 31 seconds behind, followed by Spain's Fernando Escartin, one minute, 26 seconds behind.

Second in the overall standings is Spain's Abraham Olano. France's Christophe Moreau is third, seven minutes and 44 seconds behind.

For much of the race, riders had to battle driving rain and wind, making the intimidating hairpin slopes of the Alps an even greater test of physical and mental endurance.

"At the departure today I was not thinking of winning the stage, just defending the yellow jersey," Armstrong said on French television after his win.

But, he said, "My legs are working well."

French cyclist Richard Virenque came in sixth, but took the dotted King of the Mountains jersey.

Midway in the course, Armstrong was aided by teammates Tyler Hamilton and Kevin Livingston, who nursed him uphill as rain lashed the competitors on the Col du Telegraphe.

Content at that point with sitting back, he was 12th to arrive at the summit.

Then came the tortuous climb to the jagged, snow-capped peaks of the Col du Galibier, where Armstrong edged ahead of the pack and arrived fifth at the summit.

The rain then stopped, and after a rapid, dry descent, the Texan got stronger and stronger, and nobody could match his efforts.

The mountain stages were seen as a big test for Armstrong, not known as a top climber. But he has shown exemplary form since the Tour began.

The American is enjoying an incredible comeback from testicular cancer that spread to his lungs and brain before it was diagnosed in October 1996.

The 27-year-old Texan has been training hard for the mountain stages.

"The phony war is over," he said after Sunday's victory in the time trial. "Now the real one begins."

Tuesday's route began in the French resort of Le Grand Bornand, and ended across the Italian border in the ski town of Sestrieres.

The race began downhill, but from then on it was a daunting, relentless climb, climaxing with the 2,645-meter (8,729-foot) Col du Galibier.

After a descent to Briancon, the riders faced two further climbs before Sestrieres.

It gets even tougher Wednesday when racers have to scale the longest climb on the Tour en route to Alpe d'Huez. After that, it's a descent Thursday to the city of Saint-Etienne.

 

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