Tour de France
The Seattle cycling community likes Lance's chances

LAURENT REBOURS / AP Lance Armstrong strains to the finish line in the final time trial last year, when he took advantage of Jan Ullrich's fall on slippery pavement to secure his fifth Tour de France title.

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Seattle cycling experts say Lance Armstrong should be favored to win his sixth Tour de France, but that it won't be easy. Some viewpoints:

David Douglas , Cascade Bicycle Club events director, and manager of First Rate Mortgage Cycling Team:

"Lance is the guy to beat. He has the team and the focus and unless something goes wrong (crash or illness), he will win."

Challengers: Jan Ullrich, Tyler Hamilton.

Joe Zauner , editor-in-chief of Northwest Race Report, Category 2 cyclist and master's rider:

"Lance is very scientific in his approach to training. I think Armstrong's gonna win, but it's going to be very close. Iban Mayo is very good. Ullrich is showing that his climbing form is a little off after the Tour of Switzerland, which he won, but his time-trialing form is on. His climbing form can come back. Even Lance has said Ullrich is the most talented rider out there."

Challengers: Ullrich, Mayo.

Russell Stevenson , former pro cyclist, and manager and member of Benaroya Research Institute Cycling Team:

"It's wide open. Lance is probably the favorite, but I've just got the feeling things aren't gonna go his way. I don't think his team is as strong as in the past, and there are a lot of other good riders. I guess I want to see Tyler Hamilton win, but I'd be happy to see Jan Ullrich win, too."

Challengers: Ullrich, Hamilton, and possibly Iban Mayo or Roberto Heras.

Dave Mann , president of Marymoor Velodrome Association:

"Jan Ullrich. It's his turn. He's been second too many times. He's got the talent to do it. When he first won in 1997, I thought he'd be the one to win five in a row. His timing just wasn't very good."

Challengers: Armstrong, Hamilton, Mayo.

Stan Gregg , owner of Gregg's Cycles and sponsor of four Seattle racing teams:

"I think Lance is going to win. He's very motivated to make it six. He's as fit as he's ever been. He's worked real hard, notwithstanding the claims that he's being distracted by Sheryl Crow ... He's been there, he's done it, he's tough and I think he's going to do it again."

Challengers: Ullrich, Hamilton.

Greg McKenzie , Ti Cycle and roaming bike mechanic:

"Lance. The guy's got so much will, coming back from cancer and winning five times. You look in his eyes and can just see that all he wants to do is win."

Challengers: Ullrich, Hamilton.

Laura Moen , member of Gregg's Trek/VW Racing Team:

"Lance. No. 1, he's American. No. 2, it's history. And he rides a Trek, an American bike."

Challengers: Ullrich, Mayo, Hamilton.

Compiled by Mark Akins, Seattle Times staff

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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