Tour de France history: All cycling fans will still remember July 21.07.2003, XNUMX. In retrospect, the most exciting duel between Jan Ullrich and Lance Armstrong was decided on that day.
In 2003, Armstrong showed weaknesses for the first time
Since 1999 dominated lance Armstrong (US Postal) the Tour de France. The fans of his opponents hoped year after year, but nobody really believed in a chance. In 2003, however, the Texan was not unbeatable for the first time. He lost five seconds directly in the prologue Jan Ulrich (Bianchi), but then got in shape. He gave the German 43 seconds in the team time trial, about a minute and a half up to Alpe d'Huez. With a lead of more than two minutes on his strongest opponent, the tour seemed to be over after half the stages. But then the American slipped into a crisis. In the 47,0 kilometer time trial from Gaillac to Cap Découverte, he lost 1:36 minutes to Jan Ullrich. Just one day later he even lost 3 seconds up the mountains to Ax-19 Domaines. To date, he has not known any time intervals to his disadvantage. From a comfortable lead of over two minutes 15 seconds become.
Yellow bag brings down yellow jersey
at that 21.07.2003 the last mountain stage of the 100-year Tour of France was up to Luz-Ardiden. The 15th stage started in Bagneres-De-Bigorre and ran 159,5 kilometers over the Col d'Aspin and the Col du Tourmalet. Since a time trial was to follow – and Ullrich seemed to be the stronger time trialist that year – Armstrong had to go on the offensive. But first the German tested his opponent. Already up to the Tourmalet he attacked and caused difficulties for almost all his companions. But it was too early. The showdown only came in Final climb up to Luz-Ardiden. Iban Mayo (Euskaltel – Euskadi) attacked, Armstrong and Ullrich called. As the Texan launched his counterattack, his handlebars caught a spectator's yellow bag on the right side. Mayo and Armstrong went down – Ullrich didn't.
Bianchi boss Rudy Pevenage:
"It was his decision that Jan waited."
Jan Ullrich:
“Lance was the strongest today. I fought and pulled out all the stops. But nothing has been decided yet.”
Armstrong gets up and drives away from everyone
Those who had fallen got back on their bikes and set off in pursuit. Ulrich drove on. To this day it is unclear whether the German is on his opponent waited or not. Based on the TV pictures, it is difficult to estimate whether he slowed down. This is supported by the fact that only a short time later the co-favorites who had already been left behind were able to catch up again. Tyler Hamilton (CSC) rode next to Ullrich, gesticulating wildly, and warned the entire group to wait for the fallen yellow jersey. Meanwhile, that would be it Armstrong nearly fell again when his right shoe slipped off the pedal. But this time he was lucky. Without another fall, he was able to catch up with a teammate and Mayo, who also fell. It didn't take long for more attacks to come. Eventually, Armstrong finally countered – and left everyone.
Lance Armstrong:
"I knew they were waiting. I did the same for Jan in 2001 when he fell on the Peyresourde descent. I behaved correctly then and he behaved correctly this time.”
Did Ullrich wait or not?
Armstrong won the stage and was able to extend his lead in the general classification by 52 seconds. 15 seconds became 67. It was the decision. In the time trial, Ullrich was not able to take time from Armstrong. On the contrary: The Texan was eleven seconds faster. In the end he should compete in the 2003 Tour de France 61 seconds ahead of Ullrich win. Months later, Armstrong revised his assessment. After studying the TV pictures, he came to the conclusion that Ullrich had not waited. Two years earlier – by the way, exactly two years earlier, i.e. on 21.07.2001 – Ullrich fell on the descent from Peyresourde. Armstrong demonstratively waited, stretching on the bike and glancing around. Ullrich was able to catch up again. The stage win nevertheless went to Armstrong.