Tour de France Stage 16: Lance Armstrong attacks, just misses win
| Pau, France
Lance Armstrong made the most of what may be a final attempt at glory in today's Stage 16 of the Tour de France.
With all eyes fixated on Monday鈥檚 incident between Alberto Contador and rival Andy Schleck, Armstrong powered a breakaway during the mountainous Stage 16 from Bagn猫res-de-Luchon to Pau.
But he couldn鈥檛 create a storybook ending; Frenchman Pierrick Fedrigo won a sprint finish among the breakaway riders. It was France鈥檚 sixth Tour win this year 鈥� its most since 1997.
IN PICTURES: Scenes from the 2010 Tour de France
鈥淸The sprint] was harder than I expected,鈥� Armstrong admitted to reporters, says he was 鈥渏ust not quick enough.鈥�
Saving his legs
According to RadioShack manager Johan Bruyneel, the Texan had tried to conserve energy for today鈥檚 attack by riding more slowly over the weekend.
Over the first two Pyr茅n茅an mountain stages, he lost almost 15 minutes of time.
鈥淭hat was definitely on purpose,鈥� Bruyneel told the Associated Press. RadioShack is now tied for the lead in team standings, with Armstrong's teammate Christopher Horner 鈥� who stuck with him to the finish today 鈥� climbing to 14th overall.
The tactic worked
On four mountain climbs today, including the devastating Col du Tourmalet, Armstrong was able to pace himself and even respond to attacks, unlike last Sunday鈥檚 Stage 8 in Morzine, where he famously said, "My Tour's finished."
Today, as the eight-man breakaway powered toward the stage鈥檚 last summit, the Col d鈥橝ubisque, Armstrong looked rejuvenated as fans waving Texas flags ran alongside him.
But the 38-year-old made sure to remind fans after the race that this will be his last Tour de France.
鈥淟ance Armstrong is over in about four days,鈥� he said, referring to the final stage in Paris on Sunday. But the Lance brand, which has broadened far beyond the Tour, is likely to live on even once he finishes his 13th Tour this weekend.
Schleck and Contador d茅tente
The rivalry between Contador and Schleck, who lost the yellow jersey after a mechanical issue on yesterday鈥檚 final climb, was supposed to heat up on Tuesday 鈥� with Schleck vowing 'revenge.'
Instead, it was reduced to a simmer after Contador released a YouTube apology overnight.
鈥淭he race was in full gear and maybe I made a mistake,鈥� he said to the viewing public. 鈥淚鈥檓 sorry."
Before today鈥檚 race, Contador continued his mea culpa 鈥� meeting with Schleck in Bagn猫res-de-Luchon to talk things through.
鈥淗e came this morning to talk and explained everything to me 鈥� it鈥檚 over for me now,鈥� Schleck told French radio. 鈥淵ou have to forget quickly in a business like this.鈥�
Fans weren鈥檛 as kind 鈥� after the race they once again whistled in displeasure at Contador before Schleck, nearby, asked them to stop.
Fireworks on Thursday
Today鈥檚 terrain also prevented much action among the leaders 鈥� a 37-mile descent to the finish reduced chances for a solo attack by Schleck. Riders ride faster in bunches, especially on flat and downhill courses, so he would have had to put in the effort of a lifetime to stay out in front.
鈥淚f I had gone in the last 70 kilometers, I would have died,鈥� he said.
After tomorrow鈥檚 rest day, the second of two in this three-week race, the final mountain stage is on the docket for Thursday, a 108-mile venture that ends atop the brutal Col du Tourmalet.
Schleck has already promised fireworks.
鈥淭hursday we will see a big attack,鈥� he said.
IN PICTURES: Scenes from the 2010 Tour de France
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