[artplumber]

Originally posted by einreb


Uni-ball also gave the one mountain stage to Basso last year. He was breathing through his nose and didn't even look to pass as Basso approached the line. Lance then followed it up with a win over Basso as he sat up at the end of the climb, zipped up his jersey and accelerated away from Ivan with no hands on the bars.

I wasn't there, but on the coverage, it sure didn't look like Armstrong was "giving" the stage to Basso. Maybe he didn't look to pass because it wasn't there? That doesn't mean that later on mental toughness can be kicked up a notch for Armstrong. And after all, that's what most sport is about when rivals are closely matched. Otherwise Ullrich would have won many more Tours.