BillHobbs.com is a frequently updated blog of original reporting and commentary by Bill Hobbs, a longtime Nashville journalist and media relations adviser. I am currently serving as communications director for the Tennessee Republican Party, a job I began on Oct. 29, 2007.
"It was never going to be enough against Lance Armstrong."
Germany cyclist Jan Ullrich rode a great time trial today in the 20th stage of the Tour de France, but Lance Armstrong bested him by 23 seconds in the 55-kilometer individual race against the clock, winning the stage and securing his seventh win in the world's toughest sporting event. Ivan Basso's excellent showing maintained his position in second place in the overall race, which concludes tomorrow in Paris. Good coverage here from an LA Times writer who also is blogging from the TdF.
Finishing in a time of 1 hour, 11 minutes, 46 seconds, Armstrong won the 34.5-mile race against the clock and all but clinched his seventh straight victory. He avoided becoming only the sixth man in Tour history — and the first since fellow American Greg LeMond in 1990 — to win the race without winning an individual stage.
The 2,254-mile, 21-stage race ends Sunday with a ride into Paris and eight laps around the Champs Elysees. For Armstrong and his Discovery Channel teammates, it will be an emotional celebration of his unprecedented accomplishments and a bit of melancholy farewell.
"It's a dream for me," Armstrong said.
His 5-year-old son Luke stood next to his dad on the podium afterward and said, "It's good."
Armstrong increased his overall lead over second-place Italian Ivan Basso from 2:46 to 4:40. Germany's Jan Ullrich moved into third place, 6:21 behind.
Armstrong led the 20th stage at all but one of the five time checks, trailing Basso by seven seconds at the 17-kilometer mark. Basso had begun the day hoping to hold off five-time runner-up Ullrich and he did. Ullrich finished second in the stage, 23 seconds behind Armstrong. Ullrich passed hard-luck Dane Mickael Rasmussen for third place overall.
Next year, I suspect we'll see Basso and Ullrich battling for victory.
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Finishing in a time of 1 hour, 11 minutes, 46 seconds, Armstrong won the 34.5-mile race against the clock and all but clinched his seventh straight victory. He avoided becoming only the sixth man in Tour history — and the first since fellow American Greg LeMond in 1990 — to win the race without winning an individual stage.