Date:17/07/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/07/17/stories/2003071703982000.htm

Sport - Cycling

The hardest part yet to come for Armstrong

MARSEILLE JULY 16. Lance Armstrong is looking ahead as much as he is over his shoulder.

With rivals pressuring him more than last year, the four-time Tour de France champion held the overall lead by a handful of seconds following Tuesday's 10th stage.

The Texan is by no means clear of the chasing pack, and feels Friday's upcoming individual time trial could make or break his bid for a record-equaling fifth straight Tour.

``It maybe the most important time trial I've ever done,'' said Armstrong, who finished 45th on Tuesday.

``I've been focusing a lot on the time trial this year in terms of training,'' he added. ``I know the course pretty well.''

Showing signs of vulnerability in this year's centennial Tour — Armstrong was seriously challenged in the recent Alpine stages — he needs a good time trial more than usual.

Following Friday's time trial, Armstrong faces four gruelling stages in the Pyrenees.

His moderate showing in the Alps, where he struggled to maintain his dominance over Spain's Iban Mayo and Kazhakstan's Alexandre Vinokourov, could encourage rivals to attack him even more in the Pyrenees.

Hence the importance of Friday's 47-kilometer (29-mile) race against the clock.

A good performance there would give him a crucial time advantage to take into the mountains.