| | By Andrew Hood
ABC Sports Online
PARIS - There's more to the Tour de France than the story of the overall winner.
Marco Pantani came back to the Tour and won two stages, including the controversial victory on Mont Ventoux when a stronger Armstrong eased back and let his rival take the stage. Pantani would later take revenge with a dramatic solo victory at Courchevel.
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Marco Pantani provided some intrigue at this year's Tour. |
Richard Virenque ended his Tour exile by winning a dramatic stage into Morzine, his first stage victory since 1997. Virenque failed to win his sixth best-climber's jersey, but he earned back the respect of his fans. Virenque, however, is not without his problems. He goes to trial in October for charges stemming from the Festina Affaire, when he was kicked out of the 1998 Tour.
With Virenque's victory and Christophe Agnolutto winning a stage early in the race, at least the French won a stage in their national Tour. A winless streak dated back to 1997. Still, it seems unlikely any French rider will be battling for the overall Tour title anytime soon. No French rider has won the Tour since Bernard Hinault in 1985.
This year's race had a distinct American flavor. In addition to Armstrong's dominance, eight other American riders started the race on three teams. Tyler Hamilton and Kevin Livingston shined in the mountains to help Armstrong.
American riders continue to improve and promise to be in the middle of the Tour action for the next several years.
The U.S. Postal Service team was the only full nine-man squad to roll into Paris. It's a distinction they celebrated mightily in their first Tour in 1997. Now the team is a two-time winner of the Tour.
Erik Zabel won his record sixth green points jersey. The German sprinter won his first stage since 1997.
A new generation of Spanish riders moved out of the shadow of Miguel Indurain. Watch for Roberto Heras and Joseba Beloki to challenge Armstrong in the future for Tour dominance.
Erik Dekker won three stages the old-fashioned way: in breakaways. Sprinters can often put together a string of victories, but the fiery Dutch rider put excitement into the Tour's flat stages and soared to new heights.
The Tour started with the shadow of doping hanging over the race as three riders were sent home on the morning of the first stage for failing blood tests. All later tests came in negative.
David Millar brought hope to Britain after winning the yellow jersey in the Tour's first stage. Millar beat Armstrong at his own game with a two second victory in the first individual time trial. The young rider has a lot of potential and could be cycling's next breakout star.
Several riders went home early, including Pantani, Franck Vandenbroucke, Michael Boogerd, Alex Zülle, Chann McRae, Jonathan Vaughters, Laurent Dufaux and Michele Bartoli. Ailments ranged from horrible crashes, stomach flu and spider bites.
Of the 177 that started, 128 riders finished the Tour.
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