Armstrong’s Million

Philadelphia, USA, June 6, 1993

1993 Champion: Lance Armstrong (USA) 251 kms (156 miles) in 6h19’38” (39.77 km/h)
1993 US National Champion: (1st) Lance Armstrong (USA)

KMart Stage Race in West Virginia, Thrift Drug Classic in Pittsburgh, and CoreStates USPRO Championships in Philadelphia comprised the Thrift Drug Triple Crown of US Cycling. The grand prize being offered was one million dollars for the rider who could win all three races. Lance Armstrong came to Philadelphia with wins in the first two races of the series. For Armstrong the 8th CoreStates USPRO championships became a million dollar affair. 

The pressure began to mount on Armstrong and his Motorola team as 125 riders came to the start line to dethrone the Texan. Motorola’s director Jim Ochowicz brought a strong contingent to support Armstrong. A key member of the team, British powerhouse Sean Yates, flew in from Europe for the race. 

An early breakaway was chased and brought back by Motorola, when Roberto Gaggioli attacked on the eighth climb of the Manayunk Wall and generated a seven rider breakaway. Armstrong was the first to join the Gaggioli inspired break and powered the group to a 2’30” lead. 

Motorola sets a hard tempo to launch Armstrong	Armstrong controls the breakaway before riding solo to the victory

When the breakaway hit the Wall for the final time Armstrong exploded from the group. To the roar of the huge crowd lining the Wall Lance went over the top of the climb with a 26 second gap.  He still had 17 miles to go, but continued to extend the lead as he rode up Lemon Hill. 

Cruising into the final three short laps (Lemon Loops) his lead was 1’42” on the hard charging Italian Gianluca Pierobon and 2’30” on the peloton. As he rounded the traffic circle at Logan Square Armstrong heard the roar of the 100,000+ ecstatic fans along Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Pumping his arms in the air as he crossed the finish line Lance Armstrong beat all the odds and won the ONE MILLION DOLLAR Prize in grand style.

With the victory he also carried away the Stars and Stripes jersey on the US National championship.

Lance Armstrong blows kisses to his mother as he soloes to the victory	Armstrong claims the 1 Million dollar Grand Prize for his triple win

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