VELOCIRAPTURE

Armstrong Nears Title as Ullrich Falls (SAMUEL ABT, July 27, 2003, NY Times)

Lance Armstrong did it.

Riding in heavy rain on a slick course with traffic circles and some tight curves, Armstrong played it safe and virtually sewed up his fifth successive victory in the Tour de France today.

"It was extremely dangerous," he said after finishing the 30-mile individual time trial in third place. "It wasn't necessary for me to take any risks."

That was because his closest rival, Jan Ullrich, skidded and crashed at a left turn on the treacherous road and lost a dozen seconds, more than twice his lead on Armstrong at that point in the time trial. Shaken, he turned prudent and lost even more time.

Officials of the United States Postal Service team, which Armstrong leads, relayed news of the fall by radio to the earpiece he wears. "When I heard that Ullrich fell," Armstrong said, "I said: `Take it easy. Ride safely.' "

He coasted the rest of the way...

Congratulations to both men, on a great race. Posted by Orrin Judd at July 27, 2003 8:06 AM