Lance Armstrong finished 46th in the first stage of the Tour of Murcia, reports espn.com. Robert Hunter of Garmin-Transitions won the stage, a 103-mile ride around the coastal town of San Pedro del Pinatar. Armstrong is using the five-day race along the replica Chopard watches southeastern Mediterranean coast of Spain as training for the Tour de France. TheTexan, who rides for his new Team RadioShack, is looking to improve histime trial performance on Saturday.Check out our Armstrong interview King of Pain from the February 2009 issue.--Stayton Bonner
Obviously it was a goal, the world record has been my goal since I was 14, but it wasnt as planned to go for it that day, whereas this was very planned. I wanted to run under 3:47.59.Q: What were your thoughts when you hit three-quarters of a mile at 2:49, did you feel good about your chances to break the record?A: Definitely. I knew I had a replica Omega 2602.50.37 watch little bit left going with a lap to go. I felt I had a really good chance.Q: At one point did you think you might have to seek out and set up a race of your own in order to break the record?A: I knew I had to do it at some point this year. This whole spring we were talking to different meets to see who wanted to put on a full mile.
Nobody was really cooperating, so we said well just set up our own.Q: What is now at the top of your goal list?A: Thats easy, man. World record - thats the next thing. Theres only one more record that I really want, and thats the world record. That may be more of a long-term goal, but its been the goal my whole life. At this point, my short-term replica Omega 4533.31 watch goal is Osaka and to become the best miler in the world, here and now. My next goal is to be the best miler in the world and win worlds.Q: Was there a 1500 split?A: I think it was 3:31.5-ish. [For the entire race], I wanted to run under 3:47.
