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Tour de France title favorites
Posted: Saturday July 01, 2000 09:36 AM
FUTUROSCOPE, France (AP) -- A look at the favorites at the 2000 Tour de France. The race begins Saturday and ends July 23 in Paris and will cover 3,630 kilometers (2,250 miles).
Lance Armstrong
Age: 28
Country: United States
Team: U.S. Postal
Best Tour result: winner (1999)
Synopsis: The American, although a marked man this time, is without a doubt the one to beat. Strong in time trials and in the mountains, the Texan, diagnosed with cancer in 1996, has proved a formidable all-rounder. Performed well at the pre-Tour Dauphine Libere. Out to prove last year's incredible victory was no fluke.
Alex Zulle
Age: 31
Country: Switzerland
Team: Banesto
Best Tour result: second (1995, 1999)
Synopsis: Hardly figured in pre-Tour races this year, saying he didn't want to peak too early. Was unlucky to lose more than six minutes at last year's Tour with an early fall which put him out of contention. Nevertheless battled back to finish second. Says this is probably his last realistic chance of winning the Tour.
Jan Ullrich
Age: 26
Country: Germany
Team: Telekom
Best Tour result: winner (1997)
Synopsis: Yet again, Ullrich is plagued by weight problems and injury. He dropped out of the Classique des Alpes in June with acute back pains and has been on a crash diet to get in shape in time. Has done limited racing this year, but is nevertheless feared by much of the peloton. But what effect will his dieting have on his stamina?
Marco Pantani
Age: 30
Country: Italy
Team: Mercatone Uno
Best Tour result: winner (1998)
Synopsis: The charismatic shaven-headed Italian, nicknamed "The Pirate," was thought to be on the verge of retirement after being kicked out of the 1998 Giro d'Italia for failing an anti-doping blood test. Made a shock return during this year's Giro, but lacks competition. Has the potential to dominate in the mountains, but may suffer in time trials.
Richard Virenque
Age: 30
Country: France
Team: Polti
Best Tour result: second (1997)
Synosis: Won a last-minute reprieve in 1999 having been branded "unwelcome" by Tour officials who said his name epitomized doping in the sport. The charismatic Frenchman, lacking fitness, nevertheless took part and finished ninth overall, winning his fifth King of the Mountains jersey. Few would bet against a sixth this year.
Laurent Jalabert
Age: 31
Country: France
Team: ONCE
Best Tour result: fourth (1995)
Synopsis: Perhaps France's best hope of a podium finish. The world's No. 1-ranked cyclist refused to compete in last year's Tour and, the year before, pulled out as the doping crisis engulfed the race. He led the cyclists' rebellion to complain about police tactics. His consistency is best asset. Like Virenque, should enjoy fervent crowd support.
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