Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, May 1, 1995 TAG: 9505010079
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The Motorola cycling team ganged up on poor Viatcheslav Ekimov on Sunday.
Ekimov, last year's overall champion of the Tour DuPont, all but handed his crown to Lance Armstrong, who took the overall lead with a dominating performance in Stage 4.
The Russian finished a distant third, 2 minutes, 37 seconds behind Armstrong in the 141-mile ride from the flatlands of Lynchburg to the mountainous terrain of Blacksburg.
``It seems kind of odd when a Russian wins America's race,'' said Armstrong, a Texan.
As good as Armstrong was Sunday - he finished 2:10 ahead of Motorola teammate Andrea Peron, who was second - he couldn't have put away Ekimov without the help of his Motorola teammates, who kept Ekimov in check as Armstrong sped away.
Today, the pressure is on Ekimov to make up precious minutes during Stage 5, the Roanoke Valley time trial. He won the time trial last year on the way to taking the overall lead for good. He may not have enough energy to make up ground this time.
After the race, a dejected and exhausted Ekimov pondered the prospects of retaining his title.
``I don't see any chance,'' Ekimov said. ``Armstrong has strong support.''
That became evident when the lead group began its ascent of Salt Pond Mountain toward Mountain Lake in Giles County. Armstrong bolted ahead, leaving Ekimov to battle Peron, the race's overall leader before Stage 4.
``We thought if we had an opportunity to take Ekimov out of the race, today was the day,'' Armstrong said.
As Armstrong rocketed up the mountain, Peron stayed on Ekimov's back wheel in an attempt to slow the pace. A pack of riders, including Motorola's Sean Yates, caught up with Ekimov and Peron. Each time Ekimov tried to break free of the pack, the Motorola riders were able to contain him. Ekimov spent valuable energy trying to loosen himself from the pack. Overall, Ekimov trails Armstrong by 2:45 and Peron by 35 seconds.
``There were always three or four Motorola guys there,'' Ekimov said. ``You can't fight through three or four Motorola guys.''
Unlike Armstrong, Ekimov had little help from his Novell teammates. The nearest Novell rider was Michael Blaudzun, who was three minutes behind the chase pack that contained Ekimov.
In short, there was no one to draw the Motorola riders away from Ekimov. Had a Novell rider been able to catch the chase pack, it might have allowed Ekimov to pursue Armstrong.
``I don't think our team has the support like the Motorola guys,'' Ekimov said.
Still, with seven stages remaining, Armstrong wasn't ready to accept Ekimov's concession speech.
``I don't think that it's over,'' Armstrong said. ``Ekimov is still in the bike race. He may think that [it's over], but I don't believe it.''
by CNB