Zabriskie Takes Stage; Lance Makes Big Time

Lance Armstrong was expected to win the 19-km (11.8-mi) first stage today, and he certainly came close to it. Dave Zabriskie, winner of a time trial stage at the Giro d'Italia in May, was the surprise of the day with the win at 20:51:840, and Lance was just two seconds back. Alexandre Vinokourov was third at a massive 53 seconds behind Zabriskie.

Ullrich, the five-time runner-up in the Tour, was passed by Lance today, which was probably the first time Ullrich was ever passed in a time trial, as time trialing is his forté. That must be quite embarrasing to the German.

Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwin were speculating that since Lance was first three seconds behind Zabriskie at the first time check (because right when he started his right foot came out of the pedal), then three seconds ahead at the second time check, then two seconds behind at the finish, Lance could have just let up at the end to let another American win and take the responsibilty of the maillot jaune.


David Zabriskie (CSC) USA, won the opening individual time trial.


Lance passed Ullrich, who was 60 seconds ahead to start.

Photos from VeloNews.com, by AFP.

1 David Zabriskie (Team CSC) 20.51
2 Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) 0.02
3 Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile Team) 0.53
4 George Hincapie (Discovery Channel) 0.57
5 Laszlo Bodrogi (Credit Agricole) 0.59
6 Floyd Landis (Phonak Hearing Systems) 1.02
7 Jens Voigt (Team CSC) 1.04
8 Vladimir Karpets (Illes Balears-Caisse d'Epargne) 1.05
9 Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (Liberty Seguros-Würth) 1.06
10 Bobby Julich (Team CSC) 1.07
11 Jose Enrique Gutierrez (Phonak Hearing Systems) 1.12
12 Jan Ullrich (T-Mobile)