July 17, 2004

TdF: Tyler Drops Out, Lance Wins Stage

Tyler Hamilton, one of the few riders considered capable of beating Lance Armstrong in the Tour de France, has dropped out of the race midway through today's stage. Last year, Tyler rode the entire race with a fractured collarbone, winning a stage and finishing fourth overall.

UPDATE: Lance won the stage, and put serious time gaps between himself and all of his rivals save Ivan Basso, who - just like yesterday - kept pace with Lance on the final grueling climb to the finish line. Ivan Basso is now Lance's primary rival for the overall win, though Jan Ullrich, excellent at the individual time trial, retains an outside shot. But this year's individual time trial includes a final climb up l'Alpe du Huez, where Lance has the advantage.