Ullrich vs. Armstrong

Triathlon Forum
1

Does anyone remember a time when Ullrich out climbed Armstrong in the TdF (or any other race). I remember him slightly pulling away during a stage in 2003 but only gained about 8 seconds; he will need a lot more than 8 seconds this time around.

Dave in VA

2

the day he lost the Tour 2003…that attack was the worst tactical mistake he ever made…

3

i think it was the 2000 tour–stage 16 maybe–when ullrich beat lance on a big climb. it was a day when lance wasn’t feeling so hot and i think he had tons of time on everyone by then. i think heras and ullrich both beat lance on that day, but i might need some help on this one.

4

Stage 16, 2000 TdF:

1 Richard Virenque (Fra) Team Polti 5.32.20 (35.47 km/h)
2 Jan Ullrich (Ger) Team Deutsche Telekom 0.24
3 Roberto Heras (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca 0.27
4 Fernando Escartin (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca 1.09
5 Joseba Beloki (Spa) Festina 1.11
6 Pascal Herve (Fra) Team Polti
7 Guido Trentin (Ita) Vini Caldirola-Sidermec 2.01
8 Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal Service

Armstrong bonked on the final climb, and Ullrich pulled away. Armstrong did a remarkable job of limiting his losses and didn’t blow up. Heras missed a turn on the descent to the finish. Pantani had attacked early in the stage and had a huge lead, and totally died in the end (I think he abandoned the next day) losing >13 minutes or something.

6

2003 (This was the day after Lance got thirsty on the TT, and possibly the only time Jan had Lance against the ropes. Of course, he proceeded to fall off his bike in the next TT and allow LA to cruise the rest of the TT course for the victory…)

Complete results from Saturday’s 13th stage of the Tour de France:

At Plateau de Bonascre
122.5-mile leg from Toulouse

  1. Carlos Sastre, Spain, Team CSC, 5 hours, 16 minutes, 8 seconds.
  2. Jan Ullrich, Germany, Bianchi, 1 minute, 1 second behind.
  3. Haimar Zubeldia, Spain, Euskaltel-Euskadi, 1:03 behind.
  4. Lance Armstrong, United States, U.S. Postal Service, 1:08.
  5. Alexandre Vinokourov, Kazakhstan, Team Telekom, 1:18.
  6. Ivan Basso, Italy, Fassa Bortolo, 1:20.
  7. Juan Miguel Mercado, Spain, ibanesto.com, 1:24.
  8. Iban Mayo, Spain, Euskaltel-Euskadi, 1:59.
  9. Christophe Moreau, France, Credit Agricole, 2:32.
  10. Tyler Hamilton, United States, Team CSC, 2:34.
  11. Laurent Dufaux, Switzerland, Alessio, 3:06.
  12. Francisco Mancebo, Spain, ibanesto.com, 3:09.
  13. Richard Virenque, France, Quick Step-Davitamon, 3:46.
  14. Georg Totschnig, Austria, Gerolsteiner, 3:55.
  15. Didier Rous, France, Brioches La Boulangere, same time.
7

Oh yeah, I remember this stage now. I think Jan had close to 30 seconds on Lance at one point but Lance closed the gap to only 7 seconds at the finish…what a fighter! I think if Jan is going to attack at all this year it will be on Saturday. I think the many descents on Sunday will highlight his weaknesses as a descender.

Dave in VA