RALEIGH, North Carolina, July 23 - Americans celebrated Floyd Landis's
Tour de France triumph on Sunday as early-rising Californians offered lusty
cheers over breakfast and his former Pennsylvania neighbours ate cake in his
honour.
"This is history," highway patrol officer Ernie Sanchez said by telephone
from Landis's adopted hometown of Murrieta, California, where dozens of families
watched on television the final stage of his improbable ride to success.
"We have become so used to Lance Armstrong. He spoiled us (by winning) for
seven years and Floyd has continued that legacy," Sanchez, 36, a long-time rider
and manager for the i.e. Bikes racing team in the southern California town, told
Reuters.
"But I think after Floyd the next American (potential Tour winner) is several
places behind," said Sanchez, noting Landis faces hip replacement surgery later
this year.
"I think we are in a waiting game before we see this happen again," Sanchez
said.
Chants of "It's incredible!" and "17, 17!" echoed through a local dentist's
conference room each time the yellow-shirted party-goers caught sight of
30-year-old Landis on television.
The latter was a reference to Landis's remarkable ride on stage 17.
Humiliated after a disastrous 16th stage in which he dropped from first to
11th place, Landis rebounded the next day with a stunning stage that put him
back on course for victory.
GLORIOUS MOMENT
"That was one of the most glorious moments in sports," said Vicki Barringer,
whose family owns a Murrieta cycling store.
"If anybody ever had a doubt about themselves, all they had to do was look at
him and know the impossible can be done."
"His ride on Thursday was epic," Armstrong said in a statement. "He showed a
champion's resolve."
In eastern Pennsylvania where Landis grew up, yellow flowers dotted his
parents' yard in honour of the victory.
