Armstrong looks to add race to Tour de France preparations

MURCIA, Spain — Lance Armstrong is likely to add an extra race to his Tour de France preparations following an average performance in the Vuelta de Murcia.

Armstrong finished seventh overall, 1 minute, 23 seconds behind winner Frantisek Rabon of Team HTC-Columbia after Sunday’s final stage.

The seven-time Tour champion said he was not worried about the lukewarm result but that improvement was needed.

“Worried would be too strong of a word,” Armstrong said Sunday. “I’m aware of (my performance), but not too stressed.”

Team RadioShack boss Johan Bruyneel said Armstrong could use an added race. His next event is the Milan-San Remo on March 20, and the most likely addition after that would be the Sarthe-Pays de la Loire in France from April 6-9.

“In Lance’s case he needs more competition,” Bruyneel said. “His physical fitness overall is OK, but he just needs to get the speed and acceleration. Looking at Tour of Murcia in the past, he’s probably a bit ahead of what he was then.”

Armstrong focused on improving his time-trial performance this offseason, but several Tour front-runners beat him in that event here, including second-place Denis Menchov of Rabobank, Team Sky’s Bradley Wiggins in third and RadioShack teammate Andreas Kloden in fourth.

Theo Bos of Cervello won Sunday’s stage while Rabon finished the five-stage race with an overall time of 16:01:24.

“My position (on the bike) was good but the power was not,” said Armstrong, who travels to South Africa on Monday to take part in a race next weekend to promote his cancer charity.

Armstrong has also hired a new director of sports science and training, Allen Lim, to improve his overall performance.

Lim said the pair have worked hard to improve aspects ranging from his positioning on the bike to warmup protocols and nutrition. Lim said Armstrong was being weighed before and after each race to hammer home the idea of taking on more liquids and food during the race stage.

“I’d be a little more concerned if he was killing it right now,” said Lim, who is using Armstrong as his guinea pig for a team-wide plan. “I’ve spent the last two months with Lance, and now it’s about making that trickle down to the rest of the team.”

Lim said that Armstrong’s genuine enthusiasm and passion for cycling was the biggest benefit to the team’s performance.

“He is genuinely one of the happiest guys I know. He wakes up he’s happy, he wakes up and he’s motivated, ready to go and that’s infectious in the team,” Lim said. “Lance — he’s human coffee.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin puts three fingers in the air after making a three point shot during the game against Glacier Peak on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Saturday, Feb. 15

Leyton Martin’s triple-double leads Arlington to district win

Monroe's Halle Keller drives past Meadowdale's Payton Fleishman during a Feb. 14, 2025 3A District 1 playoff game at Meadowdale High School. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
Last-second layup powers Monroe past Mavs

The Bearcats staged a 50-49 road upset in a district playoff clash.

Shorecrest’s Cassie Chesnut leaps in the air to block a shot by Shorewood’s Bridget Cox during the 3A district playoff game on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Shorecrest girls win rubber match against Shorewood

Cassie Chesnut’s 28 points, 18 rebounds pushes the Scots to District 1 3A semifinals with 53-38 win.

Freshman leads Jackson to 4A district swim title

Syunta Lee sets two meet records as Timberwolves edge Lake Stevens.

Shorecrest wins 3A district swim title

Snohomish’s Torsten Hokanson sets two meet records and leads two winning relays.

Snohomish’s Kendall Hammer yells in celebration with teammate Snohomish’s Sienna Capelli after she makes a shot and is fouled during the game on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 14

Snohomish, Stanwood girls cruise into district semis.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Feb. 2-8

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Feb. 2-8. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Mountlake Terrace’s Svayjeet Singh leaps in the air after the basketball during the 3A district loser-out playoff game against Snohomish on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish upsets Mountlake Terrace for first playoff win in 11 years

Bryson Wheat scored 25 in Panthers’ 49-43 win to advance to the District 1 Boys 3A quarterfinals

Julio Rodríguez (left) and manager Dan Wilson (right) of the Seattle Mariners react after the game against the Oakland Athletics at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 27, 2024, in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Dan Wilson begins first spring training as M’s manager

An anxious eagerness to get through the first of… Continue reading

Marysville Getchell junior Bubba Palocol reverses directions while dribbling against Arlington during a playoff matchup at Arlington High School on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Thursday, Feb. 13

Marysville Getchell, Lakewood boys each earn district wins

Kenneth Walker III runs with against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 1, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks hire run game coach

Justin Outten added to staff as Mike Macdonald continues attempts to bolster rushing attack.

Balanced scoring attack leads Gonzaga

Zags take over second place in WCC with 88-77 win over USF.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.