Armstrong Wins Last Time Trial

Lance Armstrong capped his most dominant Tour de France with a crushing win in the final time trial Saturday, all but guaranteeing him a place in history as the first six-time winner of the 101-year-old race. Pedaling furiously for a victory he didn't even need, Armstrong again overpowered his rivals, building a gaping lead that he carried past cheering crowds to the finish in Besancon. The Texan, riding a high-tech aerodynamic bike and wearing his bright yellow leader's jersey, finished his ride in 1 hour 6 minutes 49 seconds -- 1:01 faster than second-place Jan Ullrich, the 1997 champion and five-time runner-up. Only a crash or other disaster on Sunday's last ride into Paris can keep Armstrong from becoming, in titles at least, the greatest of the Tour's 53 winners.

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Lance just destroyed his opposition this year. The mountain stages, the Alp d'Huez time trial, and today's time trial. Last year he won by 61 seconds. This year he has a 6 minute 38 second lead going into Paris. He just needs to keep from falling off his bike to win his 6th Tour. He did have a little help from his friends.

Posties pack a punch

The American has been simply awesome turning up the heat on his opponents seemingly at will. However, his success is anything but a one-man show. Without his eight long-suffering team-mates he would not be in the position to win a record-breaking sixth Tour, and it is they who will ensure he gets to Paris in one piece. Most pertinently, it is at their will that opponents are left trailing.

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It's not clear if he will race the Tour de France next year. It does appear that he will still be racing, though. I would wager that he will go for 7.