Following in LeMond's tradition

Julich takes 3rd place in second Tour de France

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Posted: Tuesday September 22, 1998 04:18 PM

PARIS (CNN/SI) -- American Bobby Julich has sampled the sweet taste of success at the Tour de France, and wants more of the same.

After placing third in the overall standings, Julich says he won't stop until he wears the winner's yellow jersey.

Julich is following the cycling tracks of Greg LeMond, who won the tour three times.

LeMond finished third overall in his first tour, in 1984.

Julich needed to get to his second year to match that. He placed 17th in his first Tour de France.

On Sunday, he finished four minutes, eight seconds behind winner Marco Pantani of Italy.

"It's a nice place to be with Marco and Jan [Ullrich]," Julich said. "I just hope to make it better next year."

The Glenwood Springs, Colorado, cyclist didn't let the doping scandal that plagued this year's tour divert his attention.

"No matter what happened here, it was my dream. Different things come about and try to mess with you. But it's the strong people that persevere and don't let it bother them," Julich said. "I'm very proud right now."

Julich conceded he must do more mountain work before next year's tour.

"This year I had little chance to win,' he said. "Pantani was on another planet. When he attacks the mountains, no one can match him."

Julich remembered the people who helped him back in Colorado.

"As a 13-year old in Glenwood Springs, a lot of people believed in me. That allowed me to pursue my dream and right now it's overwhelming ...," Julich said.

"Cycling up the Champs-Elysees is the dream for anyone who cycles. The tour can be good and then bad and then good but at the end it is good."

LeMond, came in second in his second year and won the title in his third year in 1986 before adding two more victories in 1989 and 1990.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.