Armstrong’s team takes overall lead in Tour de Georgia
ROME, Ga. (AP) – Yaroslav Popovych won the second stage of the Tour de Georgia by 5.3 seconds Wednesday to give his Discovery Channel team the overall lead. Lance Armstrong, the seven-time Tour de France winner, rode in the Discovery car as Popovych, a Ukrainian and a former teammate of the world’s most celebrated cyclist sprinted to the victory in 4 hours, 47 minutes, 39 seconds.
J.J. Haedo of Toyota-United Pro was second, just a few inches ahead of Davitamon-Lotto’s Fred Rodriguez.
The 116.1-mile race began in Fayetteville and ended in downtown Rome on First Avenue.
Popovych topped the overall standings at 9:33:15, 4 seconds ahead of Rodriguez. Haedo, from Argentina, was 7 seconds back.
Lars Michaelsen, the Dane who won the first leg that ended Tuesday in Macon, was fifth overall.
In the team standings, Discovery is in first place at 14:23.12, 6 seconds ahead of Phonak and 10 ahead of Jelly Belly.