Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 26, 1995                   TAG: 9504260116
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: ANDREA KUHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

CYCLISTS SET TO PUT METTLE TO THE PEDAL

But the prologue, a time trial that kicks off the seventh edition of the premier cycling race in the United States, historically has played an important role in the event. The winner of the prologue has gone on to win the overall title three of the past five years.

The prologue in any stage race usually notifies the field who is in the best shape. It also determines which cyclist will wear the leader's yellow jersey for Stage 1 the next day.

``It is important for me to do well in the prologue and try to win,'' said Thierry Marie, one of the world's top time trialists. Marie is a member of Castorama, France's No.1-ranked team, which is competing in the Tour DuPont for the first time.

``Of course, it's important for Castorama,'' he said. ``It's the first time we've had the opportunity to race in the United States. ... We'll try and open up the race as we get to the hilly stages, but the first rendezvous will be [today] in the prologue.''

Mexican Raul Alcala, who has since retired from cycling, won the prologue last year but finished ninth overall, 6 minutes, 13 seconds behind winner Viatcheslav Ekimov of Russia.

Ekimov took over the yellow jersey by winning the Roanoke Valley time trial in Stage 5, which is slated this year for May 1. Ekimov predicted the 23-mile mountainous course again would play a big role in the Tour DuPont.

``If I win this stage [5], then I can make it probably to the final time,'' Ekimov said, referring to the May 7 time trial in Greensboro, N.C., the 11th and final stage of the race.

``Of course, there will be some difference because there is a lot of pressure on me and responsibility. I think I'm in good shape and expect good results from myself.''

Ekimov's toughest competition last year, second-place finisher Lance Armstrong, said he was highly motivated for the race, which he considers his national tour. The Texan was in Roanoke last weekend training for what he considers the most important stage.

``That particular stage [5] is very difficult and decisive so I spent some time there investigating,'' said Armstrong, who races for Motorola, the No.1-ranked team in the United States. ``I learned it's the same course, just as hard.''

``I also learned that the weather changes very quickly,'' Armstrong quipped, referring to the wide variance in temperatures over the weekend.

Cyclists race from Dover, Del., to Wilmington, Del., on Thursday in Stage 1, then head to Virginia for an 88-mile stage from Fredericksburg to Richmond on Friday. Stage 3 on Saturday starts in Richmond and is expected to finish near E.C. Glass High School in Lynchburg at approximately 3:30 p.m.

On Sunday, April 30, cyclists start at the Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza in Lynchburg at 9:30 a.m. and will race 141 miles over five mountains in Stage 4 to a finish at the Virginia Tech Mall in Blacksburg at approximately 3 p.m.

The May 1 time trial in the Roanoke Valley will begin at 11 a.m. at the Salem Civic Center. Cyclists, released in one-minute intervals, will ride across Twelve O'Clock Knob and Mount Chestnut before shooting north up Brambleton Avenue. Cyclists will begin crossing the finish line at the market in downtown Roanoke around noon and will continue coming across until approximately 2:30 p.m.

The Tour then heads into North Carolina, ventures briefly into South Carolina and returns to the Tar Heel state for the final four stages.