Tour de France Times #34
May 1, 2003
By James Raia
Web site: http://www.byjamesraia.com
E-mail: RaiaRuns@...
Subscribers to this issue: 1,054

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Beginning July , Tour de France Times will be published daily from the
Tour de France. Tell customers about your products via a text
advertisement and a hyperlink to your web site daily during the 100th
anniversary edition of the three-week spectacle. Contact publisher James
Raia (RaiaRuns@...) for advertising details.
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Welcome to Tour de France Times (TFT) #34, the free monthly e-zine that
reports on the sport's most prestigious event and its cyclists.

It's written, edited and published by James Raia, a journalist in
Sacramento, Calif., who also publishes Endurance Sports News.

In this issue: While the racing season continues and the 100th Tour de
France nears, Pam Whitehead of Sacramento, Calif., is steadily "racing"
her own season.

A cancer survivor, she hopes to ride with Lance Armstrong this fall. Her
inspirational story, "A Second Chance And A Chance To Ride With Lance"
is the E-Feature Showcase.

Plus, there are links to favorite archived cycling articles from my web
site, links to cycling articles from around the globe, notes, quotes and
anecdotes and the publisher's soapbox.

For more information about either newsletter, contact publisher James
Raia via e-mail at RaiaRuns@.... Comments are welcomed. Letters will
be printed with the publisher's right to edit for style and brevity.
Names held upon request.

This newsletter may be republished in part or in its entirety with the
publisher's permission and acknowledgment.

Lastly, beginning with this issue, all publisher's announcements and
advertisements will posted at the beginning of each issue.

********** PUBLISHER'S ANNOUNCEMENTS **********

THE TOUR DE FRANCE DAILY IN YOUR IN-BOX
The 100th anniversary edition of the Tour de France begins in less than
four months. Don't miss single day of the race when Lance Armstrong
rides for his record-tying fifth straight title.

Sign-up now for the monthly edition of Tour de France Times, and you'll
be at the front of the cyber peloton when the e-zine is published daily
during the Tour de France, beginning July 5 in Paris.

For more information or to subscribe, visit:
http://www.byjamesraia.com/subscribe.shtml

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THE TOUR WITHIN THE TOUR DE FRANCE
Twenty-four essays from the publisher's first six years of covering the
sport's grand spectacle. The cyclists, people and unique places.

For information or to purchase the e-book visit:
http://www.byjamesraia.com/ebook.shtml

HOW TO RUN AND ENJOY THE MARATHON
Fifteen essays, interviews and practical advice articles cultivated from
publisher's more than 20 years in the sport as a reporter and athlete
and interviews with many of the sport's most well-known athletes.

For additional information or to purchase the e-book, visit:
http://www.byjamesraia.com/ebook.shtml

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THE HISTORY OF THE HAWAIIAN IRONMAN
Twenty-five years after it all began, author/publisher/Ironman Bob
Babbitt and the sport's finest photographers have collaborated on a
comprehensive volume that showcases the sport at its best

For more information or to purchase the book, visit:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1841261009/byjamesraiaco-20

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WOMEN WHO RISK (IN EXTREME SPORTS)
Author Marilyn Olsen features 11 profiles in an fascinating study of
women endurance athletes. One is an Indy car racer, another is the
mother of two children who teaches skydiving and does exhibition
formation jumping for fun.

For more information or to purchase the book, visit:
http://www.byjamesraia.com/running/archives/000061.shtml

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CYCLING 101: THE HUSBAND/WIFE WAY
Kendra and Rene Wenzel know cycling as competitors, champions and
coaches. Now, they write about it with the same expertise.

For more information or to purchase the book, visit:

http://www.byjamesraia.com/cycling/archives/000063.shtml

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FIXING YOUR FEET
John Vonhof has been around the running scene for decades as an
ultramarathon runner, race director and footcare specialist. His book is
about preventative care and treatment.

For more information or to purchase the book, visit:

http://www.byjamesraia.com/running/archives/000061.shtml

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FREELANCE SPORTSWRITING SEMINARS
The publisher of Endurance Sports News and Tour de France Times has been
independently employed as a journalists since 1987. Here's how you can
learn to do the same.

For more information or to signup for a seminar, visit:
http://www.byjamesraia.com/rest/archives/000071.shtml

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E-FEATURE SHOWCASE
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(Editor's note: This article originally appeared as one of my Meet Your
Neighbors features in the April, 2003 edition of Inside The City, a
Sacramento community monthly.)

A SECOND CHANCE AND A CHANCE TO RIDE WITH LANCE

Pam Whitehead is a wife, architect, cancer survivor and recreational
athlete who can envision wearing a polka dot cycling jersey.

Whitehead does not have a secret quest to be the best climber in the
Tour de France.

But now approaching three years since her diagnosis of uterian cancer,
Whitehead wants to "earn" a facsimile of the red-and-white jersey
awarded to the race's finest climber. Whitehead, in fact, she has
reached the peak of her own personal mountaintop.

As one of its few Sacramento, Calif., members, Whitehead belongs to The
Peloton Project, an affiliate organization of the Lance Armstrong
Foundation. Its founder is the four-time Tour de France winner.

"When I put my life back in order, I decided that I wanted to devote
part of my time to raising money for cancer-related programs," said
Whitehead, 38. "I chose the Lance Armstrong Foundation because I am a
huge Lance Armstrong fan. His book was an absolute inspiration to me
during my recovery."

Armstrong's book, "It's Not About The Bike," which idetails his athletic
career and cancer recovery, is a national best-seller. Whitehead
received the book as a gift from her brother.

"It gave me courage to change things in my life, like opening my own
architectural firm with my husband," said Whitehead. "People sometimes
think we're odd, but it works well in our profession."

With her husband, Paul Almond, the couple own Sage Architecture in
midtown Sacramento. They began the firm as part of Whitehead's life
changes following her hysterectomy.

The Peloton Project is an international group that raises money for
Armstrong's foundation. Nearly 900 individuals raised more than $2.2
million last year. Whitehead was the only Sacramento foundation member
last year and raised nearly $3,000.

This year, she has a goal of raising $10,000 -- the polka dot jersey
level.

If Whitehead attains the level, she will be invited to meet and ride
with Armstrong in a private 70-mile event in Austin, Texas, during the
Ride for the Roses. The event is the cyclist's yearly charity weekend in
October near his U.S. residence.

For Whitehead, surviving cancer not only been intimately personal, but
the disease has stricken several additionally family members.

As a casual cyclist who recently purchased her first road bike to
complement her mountain bike, Whitehead's cancer charity activism began
in Sacramento.

Following her cancer operation, she participated a five-mile walk in
October called "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk." It was to
honor of her cancer-stricken mother.

This October, Whitehead and her husband have decided they will travel to
Texas for the Ride For The Roses on their own or as guests of the Lance
Armstrong Foundation -- if she reaches the Polka Dot donation level.

"I could not attend last year's events in Austin due to other
commitments," said Whitehead. "But I am determined to reach my goal and
we will make the trip this year."

For more information about the Lance Armstrong Foundation, visit the web
site: http://www.laf.org.

For more personal sponsorship information, contact Whitehead via
telephone (456-3553) or e-mail (pam@...).

(Editor's update: Whitehead recently e-mailed. She's reached the
polka-dot jersey goal and now is aspiring to the next fundraising
level.)

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LINKS TO WEB SITE FAVORITES
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TANDEM CYCLING: SYNERGY FOR TWO
http://www.byjamesraia.com/cycling/archives/000068.shtml

THE TOUR, THE FRENCH, THE PELOTON
http://www.byjamesraia.com/cycling/archives/000009.shtml

TOUR DE FRANCE '02: THE LANCE ARMSTRONG INTERVIEW
http://www.byjamesraia.com/cycling/archives/000047.shtml

HOT OFF THE PRESSES: LANCE, COACHING TIPS, TOURING - MORE!
http://www.byjamesraia.com/cycling/archives/000063.shtml

SUNGLASSES: NOT JUST A FASHION STATEMENT
http://www.byjamesraia.com/cycling/archives/000046.shtml

OLN: THE LITTLE NETWORK LEADING THE PACK
http://www.byjamesraia.com/cycling/archives/000008.shtml

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WHAT'S NEXT AT THE TOUR DE FRANCE?
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The 100th anniversary edition of the Tour de France, scheduled July
5-27, will include all of the cities present in the first event held in
1903. The route will be 3,402.5 kilometers (including the prologue) and
will comprise 10 flat stages, 7 mountain stages, 3 individual time
trials, 1 team time trial, 3 mountaintop finishes, 2 rest days and 9 new
cities.

THE SCHEDULE

Prologue - July 5: Paris, Eiffel Tower - La Maison de la Radio) ITT, 6.5
km
Stage 1 - July 6: Saint-Denis/Montgeron - Meaux, 168 km
Stage 2 - July 7: La Ferté sous Jouarre - Sedan, 204 km
Stage 3 - July 8: Charleville Mézières - Saint Dizier, 167 km
Stage 4 - July 9: Joinville - Saint-Dizier TTT, 68 km
Stage 5 - July 10: Troyes - Nevers, 196 km
Stage 6 - July 11: Nevers - Lyon, 225 km
Stage 7 - July 12: Lyon - Morzine, 226.5 km
Stage 8 - July 13: Sallanches - L'Alpe d'Huez, 211 km
Stage 9 - July 14: Bourg d'Oisans - Gap, 184.5 km
Stage 10 - July 15: Gap - Marseille, 210 km
Rest Day - July 16
Stage 11 - July 17: Narbonne - Toulouse, 160 km
Stage 12 - July 18: Gaillac - Cap Découverte ITT, 48.5 km
Stage 13 - July 19: Toulouse - Plateau de Bonascre, 197.5 km
Stage 14 - July 20: Saint-Girons - Loudenvielle, 191.5 km
Stage 15 - July 21: Bagnères de Bigorre - Luz Ardiden, 159.5 km
Rest Day - July 22
Stage 16 - July 23: Pau - Bayonne, 197.5 km
Stage 17 - July 24: Dax-Bordeaux, 178 km
Stage 18 - July 25: Bordeaux - Saint Maixent l'Ecole, 200 km
Stage 19 - July 26: Pornic-Nantes ITT, 49 km
Stage 20 - July 27: Ville d'Avray - Paris-Champs Elysées, 160 km

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NOTES, QUOTES AND ANECDOTES
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EKIMOV'S STRONG SPRING CONTINUES

For the second straight year, the U.S. Postal Service team finished on
the podium at Paris-Roubaix. This time, it was the team's oldest rider
in the midst of yet another solid spring campaign.

Viatcheslav Ekimov, 37, placed third April 13 in 261-kilometer event, in
the same time as winner Peter Van Petegem in the Classic known as the
"Hell of the North."

"Ekimov is Ekimov," said Johan Bruyneel, the team's director sportif.
"He is stronger than last year because he trained the whole winter. His
objectives were the Classics, so following these races he will take a
break and begin his preparation for the Tour de France."

Earlier this month, Ekimov displayed his form at the Three Days of the
Panne stage race, finishing fifth overall, and at the Tour of Flanders,
placing eighth. Ekimov's third place today matched the team's highest
finish at a World Cup event last season, accomplished at the
Championship of Zurich (Lance Armstrong) and Paris-Roubaix (Tom Boonen).


With 25 kms remaining, Ekimov attacked from the main chase group in
pursuit of the race's two leaders - Telekom's Rolf Aldag and Dario Pieri
of Saeco. After catching the two leaders, Ekimov, hammered at the
front, and Pieri dropped Aldag.

However, in the final 15 kms, Lotto-Domo's Van Petegem, the winner of
last week's Tour of Flanders, bridged from the chasers to the lead two
riders to make it a trio up front. The three worked together and entered
the famed Roubaix velodrome together, where Van Petegem won the victory
sprint.

ULLRICH FINDS WINNING FORM AGAIN

Jan Ullrich, the 1997 Tour de France winner and four times event
runner-up, won his first race in 18 months on April 21 when he claimed
the 88th edition of the Tour of Cologne.

Ullrich, 29, of the Coast team, attacked with 55 kilometers to defeat
compatriot Danilo Hondo by nearly two minutes.

As the only German to win the Tour de France, Ullrich, the reigning
Olympian road race champion, recently returned from a long lay-off due
to a drugs ban and several knee operations.

"I've never won a race so early in the season," Ullrich said

ANDREU GETS A NEW (CAR) RIDE

Frankie Andreu, former US directeur sportif for U.S. Postal Service, has
joined the Schroeder Iron team as its race director for major races in
the 2003 season.

Andreu, who retired in 2000 after a career that included nine Tours de
France, three Vueltas and a Giro, started his tenure in Schroeder's team
with the recently completed car Tour de Georgia.

CYCLING ON THE BIG SCREEN

The Outdoor LIfe Network's live coverage of cycling from the European
circuit isn't as extensive this year as it was in 2002, but here's the
link to the OLN schedule:

http://www.olntv.com/viewhtmlcode.asp?htmlid=24

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LINK EXCHANGE
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Endurance Sports News has personal and business associations with many
web site publishers.

One friend owns an internet endurance sports radio station called
AdventureSports Radio.com, another has a site for the niche sport of
bicycle polo called BikePolo.com. Then there's site of my web site
designer. Her unique site is called TheLittleSister.com. And, of course,
there are the large, commercial sites like Run The Planet.com and
EventRate.com in England.

Please support these internet businesses. Visit:
http://www.byjamesraia.com/links.shtml

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SUPPORT TFT AFFILIATES
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Please visit ESN's online store where banner advertisements will link to
varied retailers, Amazon.com to ebaySports.com and Shoes.com to
LandsEnd.com. Visit: http://www.byjamesraia.com/store/

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GLOBAL LINKS OF NOTE
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HAMILTON SHINES IN HISTORIC LIEGE-BASTOGNE-LIEGE
http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,5073,4061,00.html?category_id=367

SARS DILEMMA MAY DAMPEN TRACK WORLDS'
http://www.ananova.com/sport/story/sm_775252.html

GALDEANO, '02 YELLOW JERSEY WEARER, BANNED
http://foxsports.lycos.com/content/view?contentId=1250386

ARMSTRONG TALKS POST CAREER, BUT DON'T HOLD YOUR BREATH
http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000085&sid=aJlYb8KthywQ&refer=eur
ope


BAUER'S QUEST: GET ARMSTRONG TO CANADA IN OCTOBER
http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20030408.wxsbiha/BNStory/Spo
rts/


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PUBLISHER'S SOAPBOX
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And so Tyler Hamilton, the quiet man from Marblehead, Mass., has won
Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

Remember Hamilton's first breakthrough, a win (with Armstrong's support)
at Le Dauphine a few years ago?

Remember last year, when he placed second in GC at the Giro with a
broken shoulder?

And now, a couple of seasons removed from his place beside Armstrong as
a U.S. Postal domestique, Hamilton has reached a new plateau.

He's injury free, fit and preparing for Le Tour. And perhaps he'll reach
another new plateau again in July. Let's call it a podium.


End of Tour de France Times #34