Armstrong Demolishes Rivals in 15th Stage

Riding like a man possessed, Lance Armstrong demolished his rivals in a dramatic climb in the 15th stage of the Tour de France on Monday, recovering from a fall to stamp his authority on the race after two weeks of difficulties.

Armstrong’s win at Luz-Ardiden, high the misty mountains of the Pyrenees, greatly increased the four-time champion’s chances of equaling Miguel Indurain’s record of five successive Tour wins.

Armstrong, slumped over his bike after his incredible effort, crossed the line 40 seconds ahead of his archrival Jan Ullrich, whom he left far behind on the punishing ascent. The stage win was Armstrong’s first of this Tour and meant he retained the overall lead with just five stages left to go.

Alexandre Vinokourov, who had been just 18 seconds behind Armstrong, was left flailing, 2 minutes and 7 seconds back.

Armstrong won after recovering from a fall just 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) into the climb up to Luz-Ardiden. He grazed his left elbow and stained his overall leader’s yellow jersey. But then got back on his bike and got back in the race.

“After the fall, I had a big, big rush of adrenaline,” Armstrong said after the race. He then told himself, “Lance if you want to win the Tour de France, do it today.”

Where just days ago Armstrong had appeared haggard and drained, on Monday he looked like the four-time champion of old. His win left Ullrich, the 1997 Tour winner, 1 minute and 7 seconds back overall. Ullrich, grimacing as he neared the finish line, had started the day just 15 seconds behind.

Vinokourov, his mouth gaping open in exhaustion, dropped to 2 minutes and 45 seconds behind overall, effectively leaving the Tour as a two-way battle between Armstrong and Ullrich before the finish in Paris on July 27.