Operation Marathon Man: Armstrong's Assault on New York

Tim Maloney, European Editor

As 2004 Olympic Marathon Champion and occasional cyclist Stefano Baldini of Italy (who rides a Colnago C50) prepares for what may be his last chance at a Big Apple win, seven time Tour De France winner and neophyte marathoner is looking to finish Sunday's New York Marathon in under three hours or "within one hour of the winner" like favorites Paul Tergat and Baldini, whichever comes first for the 35-year-old Texan. Armstrong will wear a special race number, 1002, to commemorate his diagnosis with testicular cancer, now over a decade ago as well as special race kit from Nike from his 10/2 line. And Nike has organized some very special "rabbits" for the Lance-man, as he will be escorted and encouraged by former NY Marathon winner Alberto Salazar for the first 16km, then by Joan Benoit Samuelson and finally with Hicham El Gerrouj over the last 10k.

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