7/4, Tour de France (stage 1)

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<b>TOUR DE FRANCE TIMES</b><br />
By James Raia<br />
E-Mail: <a href=3D"mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a> =
<br />
Web site: <a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacpQ3aa79BK=
bnbypJc/">WWW.BYJAMESRAIA.COM</a><br />
<br />
--------------------------------------<br />
<b>PUBLISHER'S GREETING</b><br />
-------------------------------------<br />
<br />
Welcome to the first issue of Tour de France Times from the 91st edition of=
 the Tour de France. The planned issue after the prologue was not published=
 because of transmssion diffficulties.<br />
<br />
Unlike last year, when a heat wave bombarded France with record temperature=
s, the first two days of this year's race have been less than ideal. The pr=
ologue was contested under blustery conditions and the first stage was held=
 primarily in rain and overcast skies. In other words, we've had two perfec=
t summer days in Belgium.<br />
<br />
Again, welcome to Tour de France Times. I hope you enjoy the journey to Par=
is.<br />
<br />
Note to subscribers: I will be providing Tour de France radio reports on Ca=
pital Public Radio (CPR) in Sacramento and its varied Northern California a=
nd Nevada affiliates as well as on National Public Radio (NPR). The first C=
PR reports can be heard on July 9, 16 and 23. Reports on NPR reports will b=
e heard periodically throughout the event on Morning Edition. <br />
<br />
--------------------------------------<br />
<b>TOUR NEWS, NOTES AND QUOTES</b><br />
--------------------------------------<br />
<br />
Jaan Kirispuu (AG2R Prevoyance) of Estonia claimed the expected massive spr=
int finish to stage 1. It was the Estonian rider's fourth career Tour de Fr=
ance stage win. It rained for most of the stage, but there were only a few =
minor crashes, including Tyler Hamilton. He ell with about 80 kilometers le=
ft, suffered some abrasions on his right thigh, and rejopined the group . .=
 . Lance Armstrong finished safely in 48th place with the majority of the f=
ield in the same time as the winner and slipped one position to third overa=
ll, 10 seconds behind Swiss prologue winner and race leader Fabian Cancella=
ra (Fasso Bortolo). Armstrong's slippage of time and placing was the result=
 of stage bonus times . . . Cancellera has a four-second marging over Thor =
Hushvold (Credit Agricole) of Norway . . . The winners of stages 1-20 will =
earn 7,620 Euros or about $9,150. The prize money extends through the 20-25=
th place finishers, who will earn 127 Euros, approximately $152. The overal=
l race titllist will earn 400,000 Euros or approximately $480,000. The 121s=
t through 150th finishers will earn 381 Euros or $457 . . . The 122-mile se=
cond stage will take the field from Charleroi to Namur as the Tour continue=
s its four-day stay in Begium . . . Seemingly only one snack bar was open i=
n Charleroi. Its menu included something called "Chix Fingers" and "Big Mar=
cus," a double cheeseburger the size of a small condominium.<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------<br />
<b>POSTCARD FROM LE TOUR</b><br />
--------------------------------------<br />
<br />
Via simple instruction, Ferme St. Martin is a 30-minute auto route drive fr=
om Liege, Belgium. But when it's late and the surroundings are unfamiliar, =
the simple country inn tucked along a side street in farming village of Mal=
empre is a little more difficult to find.<br />
<br />
So it was Saturday night, when an hour after my projected arrival, I gently=
 pushed open the front door of the country inn. It was 12:15 a.m., and the =
entrance to the small stone and wood building was dark and quiet.<br />
<br />
Within a minute, Monielle Sepult walked down the stairs and despite the hou=
r, greeted me with a smile. Sepult and her husband Vincent have owned Ferme=
 St. Martin for seven years and they live there with their three children a=
ges 1 1/2 to 10.<br />
<br />
I figured I was lucky to have a place to sleep, but even at such a late hou=
r, Monielle asked if I wanted a "petite" or "grande" room (chambre). The sm=
all room was fine and it included two bunkbeds, each with comforter and pil=
low.<br />
<br />
My room was on the second floor and after Monielle helped with my suitcase =
at the top of stairs. I asked if perhaps I could have something to eat and =
drink. Between my few words of French and Monielle's slightly better unders=
tanding of English, she agreed that a simple dinner was available.<br />
<br />
Monielle returned with a basket of fresh rolls and then a small cauldron of=
 hot green squash soup, served with croutons. A refrigerator case adjacent =
to the reception had many wine and beer offerings, and the two bottles of b=
eer I chose - one blonde, one dark - nice complemented the soup and bread.<=
br />
<br />
Sunday morning, after a simple breakfast of bread, thinly sliced ham, orang=
e juice and coffee, Monielle and I talked for a few more minutes. She worke=
d in Colorado for two years as a baker, but life brought her back to Belgiu=
m where she and her husband work hard in the small, old village.<br />
<br />
The population of Malempre is 200. Its air carries the fragrance of farming=
 and cattle and it's a slice of Belgian country living that suited a weary =
and hungry traveler well. It's also a bargain at 36 euros ($43) for one nig=
ht's stay, two meals, two beers and a bottle of mineral water.<br />
<br />
For more information, contact: Ferme St. Martin, Rue St. Martin, Malempre, =
Belgium. Tel./Fax 086 45 51 22<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------<br />
<b>AMERICANS IN THE TOUR DE FRANCE</b><br />
--------------------------------------<br />
<br />
Invididual Stage Results<br />
Stage 1, Liege to Charleroi, 202.5 kilometers<br />
28. Bobby Julich, Reno, Nev., (CSC) same time as stage winner.<br />
45. Christian Vande Velde, Lemont, Ill., (Liberty Seguros), s.t.<br />
47. George Hincapie, Greenville, S.C., (U.S.P.S.), s.t.<br />
48. Lance Armstrong (U.S.P.S.), Austin, Texas, s.t<br />
52. Tyler Hamilton (Phonak), Marblehead, Mass., s.t<br />
87. Levi Leiphemer (Rabobank), Santa Rosa, Calif., s.t.<br />
147. Floyd Landis (U.S.P.S.) San Diego, Calif., s.t<br />
General Classification<br />
3. Armstrong @ 10 seconds<br />
8. Julich @ 20 seconds<br />
9. Hincapie @ 20 seconds<br />
12. Leipheimer @ 23 seconds<br />
17. Landis @ 26 seconds<br />
18. Hamilton @ 26 seconds<br />
88. Vande Velde @ 40 seconds<br />
<br />
For complete results, visit the web sites:<br />
<br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacpQ3aa79BL=
bnbypJc/">CyclingNews.com</a><br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacpQ3aa79BM=
bnbypJc/">LeTour.fr</a><br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacpQ3aa79BN=
bnbypJc/">VeloNewws.com</a><br />
<br />
--------------------------------------<br />
<b>TFT'S QUICK PEDAL STROKES</b><br />
--------------------------------------<br />
<br />
<A HREF=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacpQ3aa79BO=
bnbypJc/">AMAZON.COM</A><br />
Everything offered by the internet's largest online retailer. <br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacpQ3aa79BP=
bnbypJc/">ENDURANCE SPORTS NEWS</a><br />
Endurance news from around the globe. Timely, pertinent, free. <br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacpQ3aa79BQ=
bnbypJc/">JAMES RAIA'S ONLINE STORE</a><br />
Amazon to Rudy Project, Land's End to R.E.I.<br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacpQ3aa79BR=
bnbypJc/">ROCK & ROLL BOB ROLL</a><br />
Cycling's rebel announcer on Le Tour de France. <br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacpQ3aa79BS=
bnbypJc/">STRETCHING IS FOR CYCLISTS, TOO</a><br />
Brad Walker is a long-time stretching expert.<br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacpQ3aa79BT=
bnbypJc/">THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE</a><br />
The best cycling movie ever made?<br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacpQ3aa79BU=
bnbypJc/">THE TOUR WITHIN THE TOUR</a><br />
Twenty-four essays about the cyclists, people & places of the Tour.<br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacpQ3aa79BV=
bnbypJc/">THE TOUR DE FRANCE AT A GLANCE</a><br />
The Tour de France in facts and figures.<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------<br />
<b>TFT'S BUSINES PARTNER SPOTLIGHT</b><br />
--------------------------------------<br />
<br />
Tour de France Times acknowledges and encourages the support of its busines=
s partners:<br />
<br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacpQ3aa79BW=
bnbypJc/">BIKECAFE.NET</a><br />
The worldwide cycling resource.<br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacpQ3aa79BX=
bnbypJc/">CALIFORNIAWINEANDFOOD.COM</a><br />
California wine and food and global ambiance.<br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacpQ3aa79BY=
bnbypJc/">DIRTRAGMAG.COM</a><br />
The mountain bike forum.<br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacpQ3aa79BZ=
bnbypJc/">LUFTHANSA.COM</a><br />
There's no better way to fly.<br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacpQ3aa79B0=
bnbypJc/">SPOKERADIO.COM</a><br />
Get out there and ride.<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------<br />
<b>2004 TOUR DE FRANCE SCHEDULE</b><br />
--------------------------------------<br />
<br />
Prologue - July 3: Prologue Liege ITT, 6 km<br />
Stage winner: Fabian Cancellara, Fasso Bortolo, 6 minutes, 30 seconds. Gene=
ral Classification: Cancellara<br />
Stage 1 - July 4: Li=E8ge-Charleroi, 195 km<br />
Stage winner: Jaan Kirsipuu (AG2R) 4 hours, 40 minutes and 29 seconds. Gene=
ral Classicifation: Cancellara.<br />
Stage 2 - July 5: Charleroi-Namur, 195 km<br />
Stage 3 - July 6: Waterloo - Wasquehal, 195 km<br />
Stage 4 - July 7: Cambrai - Arras TTT, 65 km<br />
Stage 5 - July 8: Amiens - Chartres, 195 km<br />
Stage 6 - July 9: Bonneval - Angers, 190 km<br />
Stage 7 - July 10: Chateaubriant - Saint Brieuc, 208 km<br />
Stage 8 - July 11: Lamballe - Quimper, 172 km<br />
July 12: Rest Day: Transfer to Limoges<br />
Stage 9 - July 13: St Leonard de Noblat - Gu=E9ret, 160 km<br />
Stage 10 - July 14: Limoges - St. Flour, 237 km<br />
Stage 11 - July 15: St Flour - Figeac, 164 km<br />
Stage 12 - July 16: Castelsarrasin - La Mongie, 199 km<br />
Stage 13 - July 17: Lannemezan - Plateau de Beille, 217 km<br />
Stage 14 - July 18: Carcassonne - Nimes, 200 km<br />
July 19 - Rest Day: Transfer to Nimes<br />
Stage 15 - July 20: Valreas - Villard-de-Lans, 179 km<br />
Stage 16 - July 21: Bourg d'Oisans - Alpe d'Huez ITT, 15 km<br />
Stage 17 - July 22: Bourg d'Oisans - Le Grand Bornand, 212 km<br />
Stage 18 - July 23: Annemasse - Lons le Saulnier, 166 km<br />
Stage 19 - July 24: Besancon - Besancon ITT, 60 km<br />
Stage 20 - July 25: Montreau - Paris-Champs-Elysees, 165 km<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------<br />
<b>PUBLISHER'S NOTICES</b><br />
--------------------------------------<br />
<br />
Tour de France Times (TFT), an electronic newsletter about cycling's pinnac=
le event and the cyclists who compete in it, is written, edited and publish=
ed by James Raia, a journalist in Sacramento, California. Tour de France Ti=
mes is published monthly, except daily during the three-week Tour de France=
.<br />
<br />
Story links, race information, suggestions and letters to the editor are en=
couraged via e-mail. Please include your name and city and state of residen=
ce. Names held upon request.<br />
<br />
Use of this newsletter is encouraged with the publisher's permission. <br /=
>
<br />
Send correspondence to: <a href=3D"mailto:[email protected]">JAMES@BYJA=
MESRAIA.COM</a> <br />
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