Q. Why is the last stage of the Tour de France “ceremonial?”
A. Since its second year in 1904, the Tour has always finished in Paris. Since 1975, the race has ended on the Champs-Elysies. The terrain on that last day is quite flat and a breakaway by a rider–especially one who might make a difference in the overall standings–is pretty unlikely. Given that reality, riders tend to relax on the ride into Paris. The sprinters want to win this prestigious stage and the attacks start soon after the peloton begins the nine laps around the Champs-Elysies.
Q. I’ve heard riders slow down when the leader crashes. Why don’t other riders take advantage of these moments and just go for it?
A. Using someone else’s misfortune to your advantage can come back to haunt you. This goes back to the fact that riders from different teams sometimes become allies on the road. A breakaway group could include one rider who is trying to take overall lead, and a few who hope to take the stage.
Answers by Kenny Labbe, Mt. Prospect, U.S. Postal Service team rider
STAGE: 1, WHAT HAPPENED: TOUR CARNAGE
177 riders go down when a rider is bumped from behind.
ARMSTRONG’S TIME: 3:51:44
STAGE: 4, WHAT HAPPENED: TEAM VICTORY
USPS boys in blue take charge and win the team trial.
ARMSTRONG’S TIME: 1:18:27
STAGE: 8, WHAT HAPPENED: THE YELLOW JERSEY
With 9 kms left, Lance Armstrong accelerates in the decisive move of the day and reclaims the yellow jersey.
ARMSTRONG’S TIME: 35:12:50
STAGE: 9, WHAT HAPPENED: HIGH DRAMA
Team ONCE’s Joseba Beloki locks up his rear wheel on a slight right turn and goes down hard, breaking his femur, elbow and wrist as Armstrong retains the yellow jersey.
ARMSTRONG’S TIME: 40:15:26
STAGE: 10, WHAT HAPPENED: ROAD BLOCK
A bit of drama unfolds as French protesters sit down in the middle of the road with 59 km remaining in the stage.
ARMSTRONG’S TIME: 45:46:22
STAGE: 11, WHAT HAPPENED: QUIET PROTEST
In between Narbonne and Toulouse is a quiet demonstration by winemakers who waive trade union flags.
ARMSTRONG’S TIME: 49:16:37
STAGE: 11, WHAT HAPPENED: T3 IN TOULOUSE
In France to promote “T3,” Arnold Schwarzenegger joins Armstrong on the podium as the leader retains the yellow jersey.
ARMSTRONG’S TIME: 49:16:37
STAGE: 12, WHAT HAPPENED: JAN IS BACK
Prestage favorites Jan Ullrich and Armstrong battle head to head while Ullrich claims the stage victory and Armstrong retains the jersey.
ARMSTRONG’S TIME: 45:46:22
STAGE: 15, WHAT HAPPENED: DOWN, THEN UP
Armstrong crashes with about 6 miles left in the final climb when his handlebar catches on a spectator’s bag. He dusts himself off, remounts and wins the stage.
ARMSTRONG’S TIME: 4:29:26
FINAL 5 STAGES
STAGE: 16 Wednesday from Pau to Bayonne, 122.7 miles
STAGE: 17 Thursday from Dax to Bordeaux, 112.4
STAGE: 18 Friday from Bordeaux to Saint-Maixent-l’Ecole, 126.4
STAGE: 19 Saturday from Pornic to Nantes, individual time trial, 30.4
STAGE: 20 Sunday from Ville d’Avray to Paris, Champs-Elysees, 94.4
THE TOP 5
1. Armstrong: 65 hours 36 minutes 23 seconds.
2. Ullrich, Germany, 1:07 behind
3. Alexandre Vinokourov, Kazakhstan, 2:45.
4. Haimar Zubeldia, Spain, 5:16.
5. Iban Mayo, Spain, 5:25.
