Lance Armstrong summoned up one last bit of energy on the 16th Stage of the Tour de France's last day in the Pyrenees, July 20th, 2010. Armstrong was the man to beat in the mountains on this day but unfortunately Armstrong used most of his energy on the climb and had nothing left for the all out sprint to the finish line for the Stage 16 victory.
Pierrick Fredrigo Wins the Sixth Stage by a French Rider in 2010 Tour de France
Pierrick Fedrigo held on to the peloton through the grueling mountain section through the Pyrenees and had enough left in his tank to make the furious victory dash to claim the victor's spoils in Stage 16. Armstrong has never been known for winning stages in the Tour de France but he has nothing else to ride for but stage victories and helping his Radio Shack team.
The last Tour de France stage victory for Armstrong actually occurred on the 23rd of July in 2005. Armstrong and the pack of six riders caught breakaway leader Carlos Barredo with just one kilometer to the finish line and then the excitement picked up as the pack jostled for position. Armstrong was left to wonder what could have been, as he just didn't have enough wind to close the gap on eventual winner Fedrigo.
Alberto Contador Apologizes to Andy Schleck but it is Hollow
Yellow jersey wearing Tour de France leader, Alberto Contador of Spain, did apologize to Luxemborg's Andy Schleck for not allowing him to catch up after Schleck's chain slipped in Stage 15, costing Schleck the lead. Contador did not go as far as to relinquish his 8-second lead though.
Contador remains the overall leader of the Tour de France with an 8-second lead over the unfortunate Andy Schleck. The cycling community is split on how Contador of Team Espana is handling the situation but it appears Contador has already put the incident in the past and plans to carry the lead down the Champs Elysees in Paris on the final day, champagne in hand.
Stage 17 of Tour de France Will Come After 2nd Rest Day
Stage 17 will feature two climbs and could be the stage that settles the clash between Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck. If Schleck has anything left he will have to perform an all assault on Contador's lead early and carry enough momentum to defeat Contador on the last steady climb of 25 kilometers.
Schleck may have determination on his side for this tough stage but Contador will not lay down for him. This could be the most exciting stage of the Tour. Nothing can be better than two rivals battling it out for an 8-second lead this late in the Tour de France.
Todd Jacobs - Todd Jacobs is a freelance writer with publishing credits including USA Today, Orange County Register and Speed TV.
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