Lance Armstrong came so close on Tuesday to a Tour de France stage win that hes been yearning for in his final appearance,and one could still come with four racing days remaining. The seven-time Tour champion ruled himself out of contention for the overall title 10 days ago after struggling in the first Alpine challenge,and hes looking forward to retirement when the race ends in Paris on Sunday. But Armstrongs coach says he could yet have one more podium climb. Its not yet finished, said Johan Bruyneel,manager of the RadioShack team and the man who coached Armstrong to all his victories from 1999 to 2005. Theres a single (mountain) stage left on Thursday . were going try again, said Bruyneel,who also has coached the winner of nine of the past 11 Tours including Alberto Contador in 2007 and 2009. Heading into the final rest day on Wednesday,Armstrong finished a respectable sixth in Stage 16 on Tuesday by keeping up with and at times leading a breakaway bunch that got out early in the 199.5-kilometer (124-mile) trek up four nasty Pyreneen peaks. The stage,which had a 64-kilometer (40-mile) ride down from the Aspin pass,wasnt suited for a possible Armstrong win as long as he was surrounded by other and mostly younger riders. After a plodding day of climbs,his 38-year-old legs werent able to battle the final bunch sprint won by Frances Pierrick Fedrigo. It was full gas all day, said Armstrong. Its been a while since I sprinted . Just not quick enough. Im not the best guy in the race but I still have the spirit of a fighter. The main race contenders,Contador of Spain and Andy Schleck of Luxembourg,trailed deep in the main pack that crossed nearly 7 minutes after Armstrongs breakaway band. Armstrong moved from 31st place overall to 25th,33:46 behind.
