7/7, Tour de France (stage 4)

James Raia <[email protected]> Wed, 07 Jul 2004 09:47:15 -0700
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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/maacqoCaa8dyp=
bnbypJcaeQzoH/">WWW.BYJAMESRAIA.COM</a><br />
<br />
To read this edition (Tour de France, Stage 4<a href=3D"http://tourdefrance=
times.c.topica.com/maacqoCaa8dyq=
bnbypJcaeQzoH/"> CLICK HERE</a><br />
<br />
To read additional Tour de France editions, click on the following:<br />
<br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacqoCaa8dyr=
bnbypJcaeQzoH/"> STAGE 3</a><br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacqoCaa8dys=
bnbypJcaeQzoH/"> STAGE 2</a><br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacqoCaa8dyt=
bnbypJcaeQzoH/"> STAGE 1</a><br />
<br />
--------------------------------------<br />
<b>PUBLISHER'S GREETING</b><br />
-------------------------------------<br />
<br />
The sunny weather at the Tour de France lasted one day. The rain fell hard =
and caused many crashes during the team time trial Wednesday . But that was=
 hours after I arrived safe, dry and satisfied in Arras.<br />
<br />
The reason: With only an hour's travel from Roubaix to the finish of stage =
4, there was plenty of extra time today to post new feature content.<br />
<br />
Take a look at the Q&A interview I did with Levi Leipheimer, the Santa Rosa=
, Calif., rider and leader of the Rabobank squad.<br />
<br />
I've also posted a humorous essay provided by Kiril Kundurazieff. He's comm=
only known as the The Cycling Dude and is the Costa, Mesa, Calif., publishe=
r of the unique web site, <a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/=
maacqoCaa8dyu=
bnbypJcaeQzoH/">The Cycling Dude</a><br />
<br />
And I've also posted a column I was asked to write prior to the Tour for th=
e Austin-American Statesman, the hometown newspaper of Lance Armstrong. The=
 idea was a point-counterpoint perspective and I was assigned to write: "Wh=
y Lance Armstrong Won't Win The Tour de France."<br />
<br />
Here are the links to today's new posts:<br />
<br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacqoCaa8dyv=
bnbypJcaeQzoH/">WHY LANCE WON'T WIN THE TOUR DE FRANCE</a><br />
<br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacqoCaa8dyw=
bnbypJcaeQzoH/">LANCE DECIDES TOUR NO LONGER A PRIORITY</a><br />
<br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacqoCaa8dyx=
bnbypJcaeQzoH/">A CONVERSTION WITH LEVI LEIPHEIMER</a><br />
<br />
Lastly, a subscriber asked, so here are some simple conversion guidelines:<=
br />
<br />
1 kilometer =3D .6204 miles, 50 kilometers =3D 31.2 miles, 100 kilometers =
=3D 62.4 miles. If a stage is 210 kilometers in length, multiple 210 by .62=
04. It's 130.2 miles.<br />
<br />
To convert temperatures from celsius to fahrenheit, multiple the celsius nu=
mber by 9, divide that amount by 5 and add 32. An example: 21 degrees celsi=
us multiplied by 9 =3D 189, divided by 5 =3D 37.8. Add 32 and the temperatu=
re in fahrenheit is approximately 70 degrees.<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------<br />
<b>TOUR NEWS, NOTES AND QUOTES</b><br />
-----------------------------------<br />
<br />
It took only five days this year, but Lance Armstrong moved into the race l=
ead following the U.S. Postal Service victory in rainy and slick 64.5-kilom=
eter fourth stage team time trial.<br />
<br />
Following a steady, if unspectacular start, the Posties surged into the lea=
d after the second time check and increased their lead despite teammate Ben=
jamin Noval falling off pace.<br />
<br />
Armstrong, who became the race's fourth wearer of the yellow jersey, posses=
sed the jersey for the final 13 days last year en route his fifth title. Th=
e U.S.P.S. squad also won the TTT last year.<br />
<br />
The U.S.P.S contingent defeated Tyler Hamilton's Phonak squad by one minute=
 and seven seconds. But under the new team time trial guidelines instituted=
 this year, only a 20-second gap was allowed between the first and second-p=
lace teams. The last-place squad among the 21 teams could lose a maxium of =
2 1/2 minutes . . . <br />
<br />
As the defending titlists, the Posties were the last group to ride and the =
heavy rains subsided as their journey progressed. Several teams suffered in=
 poor and Levi Leipheimer crashed for the second time in the Tour, but was =
unhurt.<br />
<br />
Quotes from Armstrong:<br />
<br />
"Our objective is not to defend the jersey for the next week or until the m=
ountains but for Paris." . . . <br />
<br />
"I would like keep the jersey, but it's not in the best interests of the te=
am. It's difficult to defend, and we will conserve the strength of the team=
. We will not sacrifice the team to defend the jersey in the north of Franc=
e. The time to defend is in the Pyrenees." . . .<br />
<br />
"We got 20 seconds and 20 seconds it is. The only consolation (of losing an=
 additonal 47 seconds) is knowing your team is strong and that you have the=
 best team in the race." . . .<br />
<br />
Twenty-seven countries are represented at the Tour de France, with the host=
 country's 37 riders the most by any nation. And just in anyone forget, Ber=
nard Hinault in 1985 was the last Frenchman to claim the overall title . . =
.<br />
<br />
For nearly a decade, Rob Arnold, an Australian journalist and cycling magaz=
ine editor, has provided closed-caption text of each stage to the press roo=
m and to outside entitities interested in purchasing the service. It's esti=
mated he writes about 10,000 words per day while constantly updating the st=
age in brief reportorial style and with flashes of lively commentary. Consi=
der one of Arnold's entrants as the weather worsened during Wednesday's fou=
rth stage: "Conditions are expected to turn feral before Lance's mob finish=
es." . . . <br />
<br />
The fifth stage Thursday will take the riders 200.5 kilometers from Amiens =
to Chartres in another flat stage again to conducive to sprinters' strength=
s. It will also provide an ideal opportunity to watch U.S.P.S. defend Armst=
rong's jersey.<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------<br />
<b>POSTCARD FROM LE TOUR</b><br />
--------------------------------------<br />
<br />
Will return on 7/8.<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------<br />
<b>AMERICANS IN THE TOUR DE FRANCE</b><br />
--------------------------------------<br />
<br />
Individual Stage Results<br />
Stage 4, Cambrai-Arras, 64.5 kilometers<br />
Stage Results<br />
1. U.S. Postal Service, 1 hour, 12 minutes and 3 seconds at 53.71 kph (33.3=
2 mph)<br />
General Classification<br />
1. Lance Armstrong, Austin, Texas, U.S.P.S.<br />
2. George Hincapie, Greenville, S.C., U.S.P.S. @ 10 seconds<br />
3. Floyd Landis, San Diego, Calif., @ 16 seconds<br />
8. Tyler Hamilton, Marblehead, Mass., Phonak @ 36 seconds<br />
18. Bobby Julich, Reno, Nev., CSC, @ 1:00<br />
21. Levi Leipheimer, Santa Rosa, Calif., @ 1:08<br />
93. Christian Vande Velde, Lemont, Ill., @ 5:28<br />
<br />
For complete results, visit the web sites:<br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacqoCaa8dyy=
bnbypJcaeQzoH/">cyclingnews.com</a><br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacqoCaa8dyz=
bnbypJcaeQzoH/">letour.fr</a><br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacqoCaa8dyA=
bnbypJcaeQzoH/">procycling.com</a><br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacqoCaa8dyB=
bnbypJcaeQzoH/">velonews.com</a><br />
<br />
--------------------------------------<br />
<b>TFT'S QUICK PEDAL STROKES</b><br />
--------------------------------------<br />
<br />
<A HREF=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacqoCaa8dyC=
bnbypJcaeQzoH/">AMAZON.COM</A><br />
Everything offered by the internet's largest online retailer. <br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacqoCaa8dyD=
bnbypJcaeQzoH/">ENDURANCE SPORTS NEWS</a><br />
Endurance news from around the globe. Timely, pertinent, free. <br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacqoCaa8dyE=
bnbypJcaeQzoH/">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/maacqoCaa8dyF=
bnbypJcaeQzoH/">ROCK & ROLL BOB ROLL</a><br />
Cycling's rebel announcer on Le Tour de France. <br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacqoCaa8dyG=
bnbypJcaeQzoH/">STRETCHING IS FOR CYCLISTS, TOO</a><br />
Brad Walker is a long-time stretching expert.<br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacqoCaa8dyH=
bnbypJcaeQzoH/">THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE</a><br />
The best cycling movie ever made?<br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacqoCaa8dyI=
bnbypJcaeQzoH/">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/maacqoCaa8dyJ=
bnbypJcaeQzoH/">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/maacqoCaa8dyK=
bnbypJcaeQzoH/">BIKECAFE.NET</a><br />
The worldwide cycling resource.<br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacqoCaa8dyL=
bnbypJcaeQzoH/">CALIFORNIAWINEANDFOOD.COM</a><br />
California wine and food and global ambiance.<br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacqoCaa8dyM=
bnbypJcaeQzoH/">DIRTRAGMAG.COM</a><br />
The mountain bike forum.<br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacqoCaa8dyN=
bnbypJcaeQzoH/">LUFTHANSA.COM</a><br />
There's no better way to fly.<br />
<a href=3D"http://tourdefrancetimes.c.topica.com/maacqoCaa8dyO=
bnbypJcaeQzoH/">SPOKERADIO.COM</a><br />
Get out there and ride.<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------<br />
<b>2004 TOUR DE FRANCE SCHEDULE/RESULTS</b><br />
--------------------------------------<br />
<br />
Prologue - July 3: Prologue Liege ITT, 6 km<br />
Stage winner: Fabian Cancellara, Fassa 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, 197 km<br />
Stage winner: Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Domo), Australia, 4 hours, 18 minutes, 3=
9 seconds. General classification: Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole), Norway.<=
br />
Stage 3 - July 6: Waterloo - Wasquehal, 210 km<br />
Stage winner: Jean-Patrick Nazon (AG2R Provoyance), France, 4:36:45. Genera=
l classification: Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Domo), Australia.<br />
Stage 4 - July 7: Cambrai - Arras TTT, 64.5 km<br />
Stage winner: U.S. Postal Service, 1 hours, 12 minutes, 3 seconds. General =
classification: Lance Armstrong (U.S.P.S.), Austin,Texas.<br />
Stage 5 - July 8: Amiens - Chartres, 200.5 km<br />
Stage 6 - July 9: Bonneval - Angers, 196 km<br />
Stage 7 - July 10: Chateaubriant - Saint Brieuc, 204.5 km<br />
Stage 8 - July 11: Lamballe - Quimper, 168 km<br />
July 12: Rest Day: Transfer to Limoges<br />
Stage 9 - July 13: St Leonard de Noblat - Gu=E9ret, 160.5 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, 197.5 km<br />
Stage 13 - July 17: Lannemezan - Plateau de Beille, 205.5 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, 180.5 km<br />
Stage 16 - July 21: Bourg d'Oisans - Alpe d'Huez ITT, 15.5 km<br />
Stage 17 - July 22: Bourg d'Oisans - Le Grand Bornand, 204.5 km<br />
Stage 18 - July 23: Annemasse - Lons le Saulnier, 166.5 km<br />
Stage 19 - July 24: Besancon - Besancon ITT, 55 km<br />
Stage 20 - July 25: Montreau - Paris-Champs-Elysees, 163 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 />
<br />
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