Sports
Sports > Pedal of Honor
The race is on to find the next Lance Armstrong.
words by > DeMarco Williams
Get on your Bike
“Cycling is not a science,” says Johan Bruyneel, director of the Discovery Channel cycling team after April’s Tour de Georgia event. “It’s trying to be the strongest on the road.” Sounds simple enough. But if Bruyneel’s assessment was accurate, he wouldn’t be having such a difficult time replacing the team’s most valuable rider, Lance Armstrong, for the Tour de France on July 1. Still, some great cyclists are pedaling their way to the top—a few of which might be closer than you think.
Act Local
Armstrong is a gritty Texan with one of those fascinating stories that’ll live in sports lore even after kids are riding around on flying tricycles. Pennsylvania’s Floyd Landis may not have the compelling back story to rival Sheryl Crow’s ex-fiancé, but the Phonak team leader is quietly putting together an impressive résumé from his bike seat. Landis, 30, coasted to a 2006 Tour de Georgia victory, giving him his third triumph this year, after wins in the Tour of California and Paris-Nice. “He is definitely having a great start of the season,” says Bruyneel. “I think if you have to name five [riders capable of winning the Tour de France] right now, he is one of them.”
Think Global
Italy’s mountain-loving Ivan Basso and Germany’s five-time Tour runner-up Jan Ullrich have to be considered 2006’s two favorites. With second and third place finishes last year, the guys know what it takes to work around French countrysides and winding slopes; they just needed a certain fellow to move out of their way. Armstrong has said Ullrich will stand atop the Champs-Elysées podium at the July 23 finale. But 28-year-old Basso is also in top shape, with a strong showing in May’s Giro d’Italia.
Look Inward
Some insiders see Armstrong’s endorsement of Ullrich as a subtle ploy in favor of Team Discovery Channel and its post-Lance hopeful, Ukrainian Alexandre Vinokourov. By talking up Ullrich and Team T-Mobile, Discovery’s Vinokourov, 32, can potentially sneak up on the favorites.
Sporting Event Calendar
July 1-2
Baltimore vs Atlanta
Turner Field, Atlanta
If there’s anything better than watching the national pastime over the holiday weekend, it’s watching it with two enthralling teams. Hard-hitting Baltimore is led by 2005 American League Silver Slugger Miguel Tejada. The Braves are anchored by MVP runner-up Andruw Jones. Here’s hoping for as many fireworks at the plate as there will be in the sky.
July 12
WNBA All-Star Game
Madison Square Garden, NYC Everyone knows that New York Liberty star Becky Hammon can launch three-pointers like nobody’s business. But how will she and all her dribbling pals do when they play in the Big Apple for the league’s annual midseason showcase?
July 15
Shane Mosely vs Fernando Vargas
MGM Grand Casino, Las Vegas
Two marquee names. The world’s glitziest stage. Don King somewhere counting attendance. About the only thing missing from this junior middleweight bout is the intrigue. “Sugar” Shane convincingly beat
Vargas in 10 rounds back in February.
With a few less mental errors, the anticipated rematch might offer different results.
Hot Head
Giro
Pneumo’ Helmet
Worn by Lance Armstrong, the Pneumo’ helmet offers new safety technology (such as the Giro Roll Cage), a total of 19 vents to keep your head cool, and a featherlight weight of 10 ounces. $140 www.giro.com