20 years since Joseba Beloki's fall and Lance Armstrong's 'walk' through the countryside

Today marks the twentieth anniversary of one of the most unusual moments in the history of the Tour de France. On July 14, 2003, the Grande Boucle witnessed an event that will remain etched in the memory of cycling fans around the world. Lance Armstrong, who had become a cyclo-cross racer at the time, and Joseba Beloki, the victim of a heavy fall, starred in a sequence that is still alive today;

The stage in question was heading towards the city of Gap, and the peloton was advancing on the hot and melted asphalt of that summer day. In the midst of the fight for the lead, an event occurred that changed the course of the race and left an indelible image in the retina of the spectators.

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Joseba Beloki, Spanish cyclist of the ONCE team, suffered a violent fall on the scorching surface. The impact was so severe that it caused serious injuries to his leg, resulting in his withdrawal from the Tour de France. Right behind him, Lance Armstrong, leader of the US Postal Service team, was in a compromising situation.

Faced with Beloki's bike in his path, Armstrong had an instinctive reaction. He quickly turned his handlebars to avoid the collision, but the action took him by surprise. His front wheel lost grip on the asphalt and began to skid. The Texan, with no other option, spun off the road and into a nearby meadow.

The scene was surreal. Armstrong, one of the most dominant cyclists of his generation, had temporarily abandoned the asphalt and was now struggling to keep his balance on uneven terrain. But he didn't stop there. With determination and exceptional dexterity, he cut through cross country, crossed a roadside ditch and returned to the main road.

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Armstrong's goal was clear: to prevent Jan Ullrich, his closest rival for the yellow jersey, from taking advantage of this unexpected setback. The American returned to the road and, with a mixture of courage and skill, accelerated to make up for lost time.

The image of Armstrong pedaling into the meadow, while the crowd and the other riders watched in amazement, became an iconic moment in the history of the Tour de France. It was a living example of a champion's determination and ability to react.

Despite his valiant effort, Armstrong failed to hold on to the lead in that edition of the Tour de France. Jan Ullrich, the German rider, took advantage of the situation to snatch the yellow jersey in the subsequent stages and was crowned the final winner.

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Two decades have passed since that event, and Armstrong's fearless action in the face of adversity is still remembered today. While his legacy has been tarnished by the doping scandals that subsequently came to light, there is no denying the powerful image he left in the memory of cycling fans.

Cycling is a sport that gives us unforgettable moments, and the incident involving Lance Armstrong and Joseba Beloki in the 2003 Tour de France is one of them. Twenty years later, that sequence still captures our attention and reminds us of the unpredictability and excitement that can arise in a race full of challenges and sacrifices.

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