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Tour de France: Leading Contenders Posted: Tuesday July 02, 2002 7:47 AMLANCE ARMSTRONG (U.S.)U.S. Postal team, age 30 Could become the first American to win the Tour four times, going one better than Greg LeMond. Fourth win would allow him to join an elite international group of Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain. Won two big stage races this season -- Grand Prix du Midi Libre and Dauphine Libere -- but his domination in the mountains or in time trials was not as overwhelming as expected. The absence of Jan Ullrich, Marco Pantani, Stefano Garzelli and Gilberto Simoni should make his task easier. SANTIAGO BOTERO (Colombia)Kelme, 29 The Tour's best climber in 2000 has become one of the world's leading time trial specialists as well, beating Armstrong over 40 kms in the Dauphine Libere. In a strong Kelme team, Botero can, with lots of luck, become the first Colombian to win the Tour. But he has said that September's Tour of Spain is his main goal of the season. OSCAR SEVILLA (Spain)Kelme, 25 The young Spaniard finished seventh last year and won the youth classification before finishing second in the Spanish Vuelta. The Kelme team leader, dubbed El Nino, showed good form in the Dauphine Libere and finished second to teammate Botero in the Classic of the Alps. JOSEBA BELOKI (Spain)ONCE, 28 Third behind Armstrong and Ullrich in 2000, Beloki has placed all his hopes on the Tour this season. After a discreet start to the season, the ONCE team leader showed splendid form in the Euskal Bizikleta in June. IGOR GONZALEZ DE GALDEANO (Spain)ONCE, 28 Fifth last year, Gonzalez de Galdeano will be ONCE's second-best chance as the only rider to have challenged Armstrong in time trials last year. Veteran Abraham Olano is ONCE's other prospect but has too often failed to deliver in the past. ANDREI KIVILEV (Kazakhstan)Cofidis, 28 Kazakh Kivilev was a surprising fourth in last year's Tour and he has since fulfilled some of his promise by finishing fifth in the recent Dauphine Libere. The diminutive climber could be a threat to Armstrong in the mountains. CHRISTOPHE MOREAU (France)Credit Agricole, 31 Fourth in 2000, winner of last year's prologue, the Credit Agricole team leader is France's best chance this year. He was convincing in the Dauphine Libere mountains and remains one of the best time trial specialists in the bunch. RICHARD VIRENQUE (France)Domo Farm Frites, 32 Domo Farm Frites team leader Patrick Lefevere left Virenque free to prepare for the Tour as he wished. The five-time King of the mountains, second overall in 1997 before the 1998 doping scandal nearly ruined his career, might be a little too old now to challenge Armstrong. DENIS MENCHOV (Russia)Ibanesto.com, 24 Winner last year of the Tour de l'Avenir -- the junior Tour de France -- the 24-year-old Russian will lead a strong and experienced Banesto team. Winner of the tough Mount Ventoux stage in the Dauphine Libere, Menchov is one of the best climbers in the sport and will have the support of solid teammates such as Unai Osa and Francisco Mancebo. DAVID MILLAR (Britain)Cofidis, 25 Was the 2000 Tour sensation when he beat Armstrong in the prologue. But the Briton struggled a little to confirm his talent despite two stage wins in last year's Vuelta. Has said he has big ambitions this year.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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