From: Ford, Bob
Subject: Tour de Talkin'
All right, you knew this was coming eventually. The road goes up in the Tour de France today, and I'm sure both of you will be tuned into the coverage of the first mountain stage on Versus this morning. Lance Armstrong's Team Astana is controlling the overall race, with Armstrong holding a slight lead over teammate Alberto Contador, the race favorite. The route today has a Category 1 climb midway through the long stage, then finishes with a "beyond category" climb to the finish, atop a ski station at 7,200 feet. This stage could show whether Armstrong really intends to challenge his younger teammate. Still early in the race, but this will be fascinating.
BAS CZERWINSKI / Associated Press
Lance Armstrong (right) and Fabian Cancellara, the overall leader, race during Stage 6 of the Tour de France.
