Armstrong time-trial run challenged

PLOUAY, France (Reuters) -- Unbeaten in long-distance time trials for the past three Tours de France, Lance Armstrong has never looked so close to losing his crown in the specialist discipline.

The fastest ever winner in the lonely and demanding discipline two years ago in Mulhouse -- at 53.986 kph over 58.5-kms -- the American faces tough opposition on Monday in the 52 kms between Lanester and Lorient in Brittany.

Armstrong has looked unbeatable in the discipline in recent years, but he was twice beaten this season in the two time trials he entered before the start of the Tour -- and by the two riders who look like his most serious rivals in this race.

The U.S. Postal team leader lost to current Tour leader Igor Gonzalez Galdeano in the Midi Libre and will start Monday's ninth stage 34 seconds behind the Spaniard in the overall standings.

"I will just need to ride a little bit faster on Monday," Armstrong said.

In the Dauphine Libere, the three-times Tour champion was also defeated by Colombian Santiago Botero -- arguably the best time-trial specialist of the last season.

The Kelme rider -- who was king of the mountains two years ago -- won both time trials in last year's Vuelta and his victory over Armstrong confirmed his improvement as a specialist.

Wind factor

But U.S. Postal team director Johan Bruyneel claims Armstrong has worked more on his climbing skills than on time trials this year.

"Most of the crucial mountain stages and the last time trial take place in the last week of the Tour," Bruyneel said.

"As a result, our preparation was based on being strong in the last week, at the risk of sacrificing the first time trial," he added.

The 52-kms course in Brittany is bumpy and technical, but not too demanding. However, wind will be factor, especially in the 17-kms section on the sea front.

It will take a very strong rider to make a difference over a course where Ukrainian Serhiy Honchar was crowned world champion two years ago.

Honchar will feature among the possibles with Briton David Millar, Frenchman Christophe Moreau and Lithuanian Raimondas Rumsas.

But for Bruyneel, Gonzalez Galdeano and Botero will be Armstrong's main rivals.

"The winner should be among those three, but I don't think there will be big time differences between the best on this course," he said.

Other riders could also force their way into the limelight on Monday, especially Armstrong's former team mates Tyler Hamilton and Levy Leipheimer, who left the U.S. team to further their own personal ambitions.

Hamilton was second in the Giro this year while Leipheimer -- who has won three big time trials in his career -- was third in last year's Vuelta, twice finishing second behind Botero in time trials.

Galdeano aims to stay in yellow

Igor Gonzalez Galdeano is determined to keep the coveted yellow jersey in Monday's 52km individual time trial after spending his fourth day as Tour de France leader.

The 29 year-old Spaniard has led the race since his Once team won the team time trial stage on Wednesday, when Once beat defending champion Lance Armstrong's US Postal Service team by 16 seconds.

Gonzalez Galdeano now leads Armstrong by 34 seconds after the American lost 27 seconds on Saturday following a crash.

"It's important for me and the team to have the yellow jersey. It means I get on the podium every day," Gonzalez Galdeano said as he pulled on a new yellow jersey following Sunday's stage to Plouay in Brittany.

"It hasn't been too hard keeping it in the last few days. We've controlled the race a bit but we also let breaks go clear and let the sprinter's team do most of the work.

"The team is riding well, they're all strong. They help me stay near the front of the race to avoid crashes and protect me from the wind but it hasn't cost us a lot of energy."

As race leader Gonzalez Galdeano will wear the yellow jersey in Monday's time trial and start last of the 182 riders still in the race. This is an advantage because he can pace his ride against that of his rivals.

"It means I can have time checks on the other riders. It's a difficult and complicated course but I'm optimistic because it's my kind of course and I feel good," Gonzalez Galdeano said.

Armstrong has named Gonzalez Galdeano favorite for the time trial and with good reason.

The Basque born rider is very good against the clock. He won the time trial in the French Midi Libre race in May and took the Spanish time trial champion's title ten days before starting the Tour de France.

"No, Armstrong is the favorite, he's the big favorite," Gonzalez Galdeano said with a smile.

"I'm good and have a chance of keeping the jersey but I think Armstrong will win the stage."

 

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