Tour de France : Hampsten Hopes to Keep Race Foreign to the French

The Tour de France, which was won last year by Stephen Roche of Ireland and two years ago by Greg LeMond of the United States, may continue to be a foreign affair this summer.

Andy Hampsten of Boulder, Colo., is one the favorites for the world’s most prestigious cycling race, a three-week ordeal that begins today with two short stages near Nantes in western France.

Hampsten, 26, hopes to survive the 2,020-mile race through the French countryside and mountains to ride down Paris’ eloquent avenue, Champs Elysees, on the race’s final day, July 24, wearing the leader’s yellow jersey.

Fewer than half of the 198 riders from 22 teams are expected to complete the course.

“To win the Tour de France, you’ve got to do well in everything--be able to win in the mountains when you must, win a time trial, or at least do well,” said Bernard Hinault, a five-time winner from France who retired in 1986.

Hampsten won the Tour of Italy last month, giving him a major boost for this race. Last year Roche won the Italian race on his way to the Tour de France victory. But Roche has not been able to recover from a knee operation and last month withdrew from the event.

LeMond, after winning in 1986, was unable to defend the title last year because of a shooting accident. He will not ride this year because he hurt an ankle and cracked a collarbone during a road race in Belgium last month. He also has had foot problems.

That leaves Hampsten, Colombia’s Luis Herrera, Ireland’s Sean Kelly and Mexico’s Raul Acala as the favorites.

France is expected to be led by Laurent Fignon, a winner in 1983 and 1984, and Charly Mottet. But both are battling injuries.

In 1986, Hampsten finished fourth in his first Tour de France, earning the top rookie award. Last year, a bout of bronchitis sapped his strength in the mountain climbs--normally his strength--and Hampsten finished far behind Roche.