TOUR DE FRANCE 2009: Lance Armstrong's Twitter diary - Life's all Tweet for Astana rider as seven-time champ offers rare insight into riding Le Tour

By Laura Williamson
Last updated at 7:57 PM on 22nd July 2009



You would think Lance Armstrong would have enough to think about as he makes his Tour de France comeback after a four-year absence.

But the 37-year-old has somehow found the time to connect with his 1,425,156 fans on social network site Twitter.
Astana's Lance Armstrong starts his run in the individual time trials

Time has come: Astana's Lance Armstrong starts his run in the individual time trials

Armstrong, a seven-time Tour de France champion, has provided regular updates, posted pictures and videos to the site and aired his thoughts on everything from the Wimbledon men’s singles final to the music he listens to before a race.

The American reckons the short messages are ‘prob the most accurate’ way for people to gain a ‘good perspective’ of the demands of the 21-stage race and, taken collectively, they provide an intriguing insight into the mind of a one of cycling’s greats.

Sportsmail presents Armstrong’s Tour de France diary…
~~~no need to read all, just read a sample,

JULY 22 - STAGE 17
Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Le Grand-Bornand, 169.5km
Finished: 5th
Overall: 4th (+ 3min 55 secs)

'Big day tomorrow. 40k TT in Annecy. Maybe one of the prettiest spots in France or anywhere for that matter.' (6pm)

'Getting lots of question why AC attacked and dropped Kloden. I still haven't figured it out either. Oh well.' (4pm)

'St 17 done. Tough day! Got caught out on some attacks on the col de romme but managed ok from behind. Had some cramps @ the end. No fun!!' (4pm)


JULY 21 - STAGE 16
Martigny to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, 159km
Finished: 12th
Overall: 2nd (+ 1min 37 secs)

'Just heard from Frank Schleck that Jens is doing ok. Good news.' (8pm)

'Just wrapped up a small press conference in the room. At dinner now.' (8pm)

'Making a very cool announcement on Thursday re: a new American partner for our team in 2010 (and beyond). Stay tuned! (6pm)

'Team truck stopped at border 2day and searched for 3 hrs. At the end they said, "why do you have this olive oil?". Really?' (6pm)

'Heard Jens Voigt had a nasty spill. Hoping he's ok.' (5pm)

'St16 done. Pretty tough day w/ 2 loooong climbs. Felt a lot better today. Team did an excellent job of controlling the race. 3 countries too.' (5pm)

'Video from this morning pre-stage. http://tinyurl.com/l99648' (4pm)

'Interesting note - top 20 in this TdF separated by only 6 mins. Extremely rare with just 6 days to go. Tactically very risky 4 us.' (11am)

'Just done w/ team mtg. 2 big climbs today, will b aggressive from start, dowhill finish. Team looks good.' (11am)
JULY 20 - REST DAY

White'Getting rest day massage and listening to Willie Nelson's Songbird. Willie and Ryan Adams make a damn good team.' (5pm)

White'WhiteTo everyone at RAGBRAI - have fun, be safe, drink lots of beer, eat lots of pie, and LIVESTRONG!!!' (4pm)

'WhiteI miss Marfa.' (3pm)

'Rick Rhoden wins #accgolf for 8th time and once again donates part of prize money to the Fdn. LS was everywhere! Thx to ACI and players!' (1pm)

'Just finished a easy ride on rest day #2. Beautiful here in Sion, Switzerland. Lots of vines.' (12pm)

'Good morning. Antidoping control to wake up to. Alberto, Andreas, and myself.' (8am)
JULY 19 - STAGE 15
Pontarlier to Verbier, 207.5km
Finished: 19th
Overall: 2nd (+ 1min 37 secs)

'Laying in bed here in Switzerland and Meet The Press is on. How cool is that? Miss Tim Russert tho..

'St15 done. Ouch! Verbier was as hard as I thought. Alberto - super and had great punch/power. A heartfelt congrats to him. Rest day 2morrow!'

'Big day today @ the TdF. Expect fireworks. Lots of them. 4 those who think it's been boring, you'll appreciate the final week. Fosho..'

'Good morning from the out skirts of Besancon. Won the TT here in 04 & stayed in this same hotel. Great place/great people. Slept like a rock.'
Enlarge Armstrong of Astana in action on stage 15 from Pontarlier to Verbier

Leader Lance: Armstrong of Astana in action on stage 15 from Pontarlier to Verbier
JULY 18 - STAGE 14
Colmar to Besancon, 199km
Finished: 49th
Overall: 4th (+ 8 secs)

'And how about Tom Watson? Incredible.'

'As well as the police, pub caravan, directors cars, etc. Sad news. May she RIP.'

'Our deepest condolences 2 the fam of the lady who was killed today along the route. There's many close calls between riders and spectators.'

'And I reiterate.Hincapie deserves to be yellow tonight. He deserves more than that. Look to who pulled the last 50k to see who to blame..'

'Until 10km to go he was solidly in yellow until GARMIN put on the gas and made sure it didn't happen.'

'Our team rode a moderate tempo to put him in the jersey by at least 2 mins. Ag2r said they would not defend then they started to ride.'

'St14 done. Sounds like there's quite a bit of confusion over this one... No one, and I mean no one, wanted George (Hincapie) in yellow more than me.'

'Driving 2 the start. Rainy and chilly. Supposed to clear. I'm picking Cav for stage win 5 today.'

'Good morning! Up early reading the web and drinking my coffee. Sad to hear about Walter Cronkite. He delivered the news to generations.'
JULY 17 - STAGE 13
Vittel to Colmar, 200km
Finished: 16th
Overall: 3rd (+ 8 secs)

'St13 done. Wet and cold. And slightly boring. Can't remember a day this cold in the TdF. Ever. Team was solid and controlled things well.'

'Woke up to bad news. Levi is out with a broken wrist. Damn..'

'Just talked with Grace (Armstrong) for awhile. That girl is craaaazy. Miss my kids!'

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