Chasing Lance
The 2005 Tour de France and Lance Armstrong's Ride of a Lifetime
Chapter One
STAGE ONE
July 2, 2005
Fromentine-Noirmoutier-en-l'Īle
11.8 Miles
THE TOUR DE FRANCE travels around France in a clockwise direction in
odd-numbered years and counterclockwise in even. As the race
unfolds, the three-week duration entwines the Tour with the
three-part structure vital to all great dramas. Week One is the
setup, contested in the flat (and usually rainy) northern regions
and known for sprint finishes and hard crashes. Week Two sees the
agony of the long mountain climbs and descents. This is when a true
leader emerges. Week Three is the final dash to Paris, where the
winner is crowned. By then the riders are exhausted and have lost
almost all their body fat. The third week is one of attrition. The
rider who most desires victory must find it within himself to rise
above his pain and fatigue.
As Charles de Gaulle once noted, "France is not France witho ... read full excerpt from Chasing Lance: The 2005 Tour de France and Lance Armstrong's Ride of a Lifetime ebook
