Little Green Footballs - Tour De France Starts in Monaco

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Tour De France Starts in Monaco

Sports | Sat, Jul 4, 2009 at 11:26:12 am PDT

The 2009 Tour de France opened today, with a time trial in Monaco. And yes, Lance Armstrong was there, riding with the Astana team — he came in tenth, 40 seconds behind winner Fabian Cancellara.

The BBC has a blow by blow account of today’s race here, and a story with some quotes from Lance here.

“I did not have big illusions”, said the 37-year-old Armstrong.

“I was a bit nervous but it is logical,” added Armstrong, who last rode in the Tour in 2005 when he claimed his seventh victory.

“I’m just happy to be here even if we don’t win because there are a lot of other things I could be doing right now. It is a difficult course for sure but I think it is difficult for everybody. It is very technical, it is hard to find a rhythm but that’s logical after years away.

“What a beautiful race. It was fun. I felt pretty good, overall, I feel good. I was a little bit all over the place.”

And by the way, here’s Lance Armstrong on Twitter.

Hit the tip jar!

refresh | ► spinoff links (1)

Tags: Cycling, France, Tour De France, Lance Armstrong

21 comments

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Pianobuff Sat, Jul 4, 2009 11:29:25am

Well... it looked like Contador established himself as top dog of Astana today, but what a team.... Contador, Leipheimer, Kloden, Armstrong all in the top 10 in today's time trial.

Lance is great and all, but I hope if need be he'll make sacrifices for the team.

Oh... and Cancellara down the stretch looked downright badass....

Macker Sat, Jul 4, 2009 11:29:53am

Go Lance! Kick France's Ass!

kynna Sat, Jul 4, 2009 11:33:55am

Best of luck to him and his team. I hope they show well in the end. No matter what happens, his perseverance is inspirational.

Danny Sat, Jul 4, 2009 11:33:56am

This is great! I swear I was just saying to myself, "I hope Charles blogs about Lance and the Tour." Musta read my mind.

Danny Sat, Jul 4, 2009 11:34:49am

Oh yeah...Happy Independence Day1

Sharmuta Sat, Jul 4, 2009 11:36:38am

Lance is The Man!

Fat Bastard Vegetarian Sat, Jul 4, 2009 11:37:48am

Am I crazy? Or do I remember that Lance broke his collarbone a couple of months ago?

MandyManners Sat, Jul 4, 2009 11:38:21am

TIGHT BUTTS DRIVE ME NUTS!

DEZes Sat, Jul 4, 2009 11:39:09am

re: #8 MandyManners

TIGHT BUTTS DRIVE ME NUTS!

Short trip......

MandyManners Sat, Jul 4, 2009 11:45:41am

re: #9 DEZes

Short trip......

*whack*

MandyManners Sat, Jul 4, 2009 11:45:58am

Gotta' go chop some things for dinner. bbiab

Syrah Sat, Jul 4, 2009 11:46:31am

Lance is a winner.

If Lance had listened to all of the nay-sayers in his life, he would most likely have ended up working night shift at some god-awful nothing of a job.

In order to win, you first have to get on the damn bike and ride! Maybe the nay-sayers are right, but to give in to them without even trying is what makes losers.

Pianobuff Sat, Jul 4, 2009 11:49:13am

re: #8 MandyManners

TIGHT BUTTS DRIVE ME NUTS!

Enjoy the other side.....

Youtube Video

DEZes Sat, Jul 4, 2009 11:49:57am

re: #10 MandyManners

*whack*

OUCH.....

The Shadow Do Sat, Jul 4, 2009 11:54:25am

I just clocked in and read the Open Letter from Lance linked above.

I think he is indeed riding for others in this Tour. Yes, it is hard to imagine him as a worker bee for Contador but I think this is what he is up to. The message is all about the cancer.

Lance Armstrong is an amazing athlete and an even better person I think.

Stuart Leviton Sat, Jul 4, 2009 12:09:23pm

My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty of thee I sing.
Happy birthday America.

Go Lance! Go!

poteen Sat, Jul 4, 2009 12:55:31pm

Decided recently to buy a bike, after 30 years, to get in shape.
Walked to my local bike shop, and walked back.
Holy shit they got expensive. Have to shop for a bike just like shopping for a car.
/ Won't get any sponsors the way I look in bike shorts.

Danny Sat, Jul 4, 2009 1:02:56pm

That's supposed to be an exclamation markre: #7 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Am I crazy? Or do I remember that Lance broke his collarbone a couple of months ago?

Cant vouch for your sanity but Lance did break his collar bone. Has lots of pins in it.

Pigtown Water Dog Sat, Jul 4, 2009 2:10:36pm

Saw something sweet early this morning--

5:30 am, this car pulls up to the "dog park", guy in his late 60's (?) gets out, but he has no dogs. Instead, he unfastens a bike from the ack of his car, and starts riding--he was so wobbly, but, he kept going round and round in the parking lot, practicing.

Next year--who knows!

jaxgtr Sun, Jul 5, 2009 6:27:14am

Holy cow is Cancellara fast.

eXcel Sun, Jul 5, 2009 7:18:43pm

Also can check out Lance Armstrong's website LiveStrong.com