Armstrong on Annecy TT: 'Damn that hurt...I suffered."

SHOOT: Not sure if I agree with Armstrong's use of the trispoke in front. It's a momentum wheel, and if you're tired and have to do a climb, you want a lighter rim that you can accelarate with quicker - like a deep section.
I see Contador rode with a similar combination, but the difference is, he was strong enough to handle a heavier combination.

"I suffered. I probably started too hard and maybe I was just empty from yesterday and those cramps I suffered at the end of the stage," Armstrong said about Wednesday's final alpine stage.

"I felt good at the beginning, I felt smooth, but there was a tail-wind, so maybe everyone felt good," the 37-year-old Texan added. "I just wasn't that strong on the climb."

SHOOT: Andy Schleck had the right combination.

SHOOT: A few people have commented that Lance's performance at Annecy shows he is getting old. How quickly they forget that 10-15 weeks ago he broke his collar bone. Anyone else would not even have entered the Tour de France. That Lance has achieved what he has, in spite of his age [he's 38 now] and despite breaking his collarbone, is incredible. Sad to see so many suffering from ADD.

Also, bad team tactics from Contador [riding off Kloden] and Kloden [not waiting for Armstrong] in the prior stage wasn't good for Armstrong's legs - something he mentions. It's tough to do a good time trial if you burn your legs the day before. Something Armstrong hasn't often done in the past, or had to do.

The final top three places are expected to be decided on Saturday's 20th stage from Montelimar to the summit of the 1912-metre Mont Ventoux - aka the Giant of Provence, one of the most feared climbs in cycling.

It was on the sun-baked scree slopes that British rider Tom Simpson collapsed and died in 1967. The 21.2km climb, which can be seen from kilometres away in many directions and works its way through a forest for the first half before opening into a barren final haul, is torturous. It has 7.6 per cent average gradient and lacks switchbacks which can offer relief.

Often there are also strong headwinds, and the suffocating humidity and heat of a Provencal summer.

clipped from www.google.com ANNECY — Lance Armstrong had never experienced such an ordeal in a time trial during his seven-year dominant spell on the Tour de France. He managed to save face by climbing to third place overall following an 18th stage marked by another astounding performance by his Astana teammate and overall leader Alberto Contador. Three days before the race ends on the Champs-Elysees, Armstrong is in good position to achieve his main goal — a podium-finish in Paris. "That hurt like hell. Ran outta fuel and paid for yesterday's effort I suppose. Happy to move to 3rd tho(ugh)," Armstrong said on his Twitter feed after finishing Thursday's 25.17-mile stage on the shores of Annecy Lake in 16th position — 1 minute, 30 seconds behind Contador. A time-trial master during his heyday, Armstrong was able to set a fast tempo for the first 10 miles but was then betrayed by his aging legs during a 2.3-mile climb.

Interview with Lance Armstrong

CN: We have heard that you previewed the Ligurian time trial. What did you think of it, and will you use a normal road bike like Damiano Cunego?
LA: It is very hard; I think that anyone who has gone and seen it is surprised by its difficulty. I don't think that is a bad thing – it's exciting.

I do think it's suited to a traditional road bike with some sort of aero setup. That is based primarily on the number of climbs, which are long, sustained and not easy. Over the course of 62km there is approximately 1500 metres of climbing, which means it is a real day's work in terms of climbing.

clipped from www.cyclingnews.com Cyclingnews: What are the big differences in the peloton since you retired in 2005? Lance Armstrong: I am honestly still trying to figure that out. It is tricky for me to figure out so far because Australia has been an anomaly and California is kind of an anomaly. I can tell you that from Australia and the Tour of California the racing has been fast. I think that's good for racing, good for the sport... You roll around in Australia and all of a sudden you are on the limit, and you say to some guy, 'I thought this was a fun race.' I thought it was one of these races where guys have a beer the night before and then show up and race the next day. The next thing you know, this year we are all in the gutter and suffering on the limit. There is a lot of added attention and pressure from their sponsors and teams. So the guys came fit and ready to race. That happens, and shit, the thing rolls down the road a lot quicker.