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Armstrong: Hunting rhythm in the heat

By Agence France Presse
Published: Jul. 5, 2009

Astana’s Lance Armstrong stayed out of trouble on Sunday’s sweltering Stage 2, finishing in 80th place in the same time as stage winner Mark Cavendish.

"Days like today are incredibly hot and hard for everyone," said Armstrong. "I just wanted to avoid trouble and get into the rhythm of the race, because yesterday's time trial wasn't really a normal stage.

"We had an important day here and then we are on our way to the Pyrenees."

After nearly four years away from the Tour, the 37-year-old Armstrong admitted he was struggling to feel at home back in the race he has won seven times in a row.

A shoulder injury suffered in March at the Castille y Leon stage race interrupted his preparation for this year's Tour, but he returned to claim a respectable 12th overall at this year's Giro d'Italia.

"It's hard to throw myself back into competition. Those who rode the Tour of Switzerland seem to be in better position," he said. "But I think competing in the Giro really helps, especially the last week."

Teammate Alberto Contador, winner of the 2007 Tour, finished 58th on Sunday and agreed that the heat — upwards of 104 degrees at times — was a factor.

"The temperature is becoming a real problem," said the Spaniard. "Ten minutes after the race finished, I was still very hot and sweating.

"Tuesday's team trial is important, but it is also important we get through Monday's stage without any problems or risks. I am pretty relaxed; my form is good and I feel fine."

Astana's doing pretty well, too. The team has four riders in the race's top 10 — Contador, Armstrong, Andreas Klöden and Levi Leipheimer — going into Monday’s stage.

That should be another morsel for the sprinters to devour. But Tuesday's team time trial could see Contador take the yellow jersey.