Ivan’s thoughts about Lance Armstrong
July 29, 2005
If they ask me what remains for me the biggest opponent of this Tour, it is the memory of an athlete the likes of whom is rarely born. Armstrong is a perfect machine, with an incredible motor and a great mind that works at 100%. His form is like Maradona, like Schumacher or Tiger Woods, one of the unerring legends of sport.

I always held out
July 30, 2005
If I must make a careful consideration, I would say that, with respect to the 10 favorites that had wagered everything on the Tour, I would have paid for the rest period after the Giro. I was strong again, I think, if I only lost a little to Ullrich and I beat all the other specialists. Only Armstrong gave a demonstration of unnatural strength. There were not moments of true difficulty. At Courchevel, when I was gapped off, I wasn’t really in crisis, but I was thinking about not going out for a turn. The worst moment of this year remains the crisis on the Stelvio at the Giro d’Italia: that day I didn’t know how I would arrive at the finish.

All of you
July 30, 2005
In this period after the Tour de France, I am analyzing all that happened in the three weeks of the race with much happiness. I believe that we want a little time to evaluate all the particulars that can be fundamental for the 2006 season. See you soon – Ivan

In Denmark for a bit
August 1, 2005
I’ve been put to work in a series of criteriums in Europe. In the morning, I take a coach for about 100k and in the evening I race. There are always many people along the streets to cheer us on, and I have signed hundreds of autographs. I was in Holland & Germany, and then shortly I will leave again to go race the Tour of Denmark.

(Translated by Jessica)