Armstrong 2nd; Pyrenees loom

The Associated Press

E-Mail

Comments (0)

Text Size:

tool goes here

PERPIGNAN, France — In less than 48 hours, Lance Armstrong will have answered the last unresolved question about his capacity to win an eighth Tour de France: Can he still climb? The 37-year-old Texan is second overall, but about to face his toughest test in this year's Tour as the grueling three-week race arrives in the Pyrenees mountains.

"That's my question mark, that's your question mark, that's everybody's question mark," Armstrong said. "But we don't have to wait long until we'll find out, that's the good thing."

Armstrong didn't take any risks during Wednesday's fifth stage with the mountains looming. Thomas Voeckler of France won the 122-mile ride along a windy Mediterranean Sea from Le Cap d'Agde to Perpignan after a long breakaway.

(Bas Czerwinski / The Associated Press) - American seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong peddles in the pack during the fifth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 196.5 kilometers (122 miles) with start in Le Cap d'Agde and finish in Perpignan, southern France, Wednesday July 8, 2009.

Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland retained the overall lead, with Armstrong a fraction of a second behind. Armstrong spent the day in front of the main peloton with his Astana teammates, trying to avoid any trouble.

Usually, Armstrong would dominate rivals on the race's first hilltop finish, but this time he is preaching caution, knowing Friday's stage will be crucial.

"I think I'll be good," he said.