Cycling-Landis Tour victory a drama in five acts
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-07-24 08:37
PARIS, July 23 - American Floyd Landis is the new king of cycling after
winning a high-drama three-week long Tour de France on Sunday.
"When the play is of such quality, it can only delight media, supporters and
organisers," said Jean-Marie Leblanc, directing his last Tour after 18 years in
charge.
The 30-year-old Landis took over the lead role from retired seven-times
winner Lance Armstrong in a five-act epic.
The first one took place in Rennes on July 8 when he outpowered the other
favourites, finishing second to Ukrainian Serhiy Honchar in the first time
trial.
The second act came two days later in Bordeaux when the leader of the Phonak
team announced he would have hip surgery after the Tour to cure residual pain
from a crash in 2003.
In act three on July 13, Landis claimed the yellow jersey for the first time
in his career after a tough day in the Pyrenees.
The fourth act on July 19 was a nightmare. The American had reclaimed the top
spot in the showcase stage of L'Alpe d'Huez on July 18 only to crack, losing
over 10 minutes and slipping to 11th.
"It was the most humiliating thing that ever happened to me," said the
American.
After being written off, a sensational charge on the following day saw Landis
win stage 17 and rocket back into contention. A powerful show in Saturday's time
trial put him back in control for the end of act five of the drama in Paris.
LONG WAY
It is all a long way from the community of Mennonites, a branch of the
Christian Anabaptist church in Pennsylvania into which the American was born.
The Landis home had phones and electricity but no television and the young
Floyd was longing to escape to discover the world and fulfil his passion for
cycling.
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