Armstrong racing with memory of late teammate

MONTPELLIER, France – Lance Armstrong will have more on his mind than just racing when he completes a rough stretch in the Pyrenees.

It’s been a decade since Armstrong’s friend and teammate Fabio Casartelli died after a high speed crash in the mountains. In today’s 15th stage of the Tour de France, from Lezat-sur-Leze to Saint-Lary Soulan, the six-time winner will pass by the spot where Casartelli fell on July 18, 1995, and remember.

“It’s going to mean a lot,” Armstrong said. “This is the 10-year anniversary, which goes to show just how time flies. It feels almost like yesterday when we were descending the Portet d’Aspet and I saw him there.”

Casartelli, the 1992 Olympic road race champion, was traveling about 53 mph when he crashed in a downhill sprint with several other riders after completing the Col du Portet d’Aspet, a difficult climb in the Pyrenees.

“The death of Casartelli was the worst experience ever, by far,” Armstrong said. “Bad days on the bike can never compare to someone dying in a race, especially a teammate who you had dinner with the night before.”

Armstrong has passed the same spot several times on training runs, but says the grief is still there when he does.

“It’s always a tough moment,” Armstrong said in a lowered voice. “He was a great guy, great guy and … I’ll ride with his memory on Sunday for sure.”

Ten years ago, it was business as usual. Armstrong chatted to the genial, fun-loving Casartelli before they set off to race the stage in the last year of Miguel Indurain’s five straight wins.

Race organizers will place flowers at the site and hold mass, an official said.