Corpus Christi Caller Times Caller.com - Julich a local connection of sorts in Tour de France

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Saturday, July 3, 1999

Julich a local connection of sorts in Tour de France

By Stu Duncan
Caller-Times

Half a world away, Bobby Julich's quest for greatness begins today when he attempts to become only the second American to win the Tour de France in its 96-year history.
   Behind his third place finish during the 1998 event, Julich became the second American - and first since Greg LeMond in 1990 - to place among the top three on final general classification. The 27-year-old Julich is considered by many to be the favorite heading into the start of today's 2,287-mile race.
   "His goal is to win the Tour," Julich's mother Bernadette said in a phone interview Thursday. "He's very focused on that and isn't thinking about anything beyond that."
   Though he was unavailable for comment, Julich let his intentions be known on his home web page through the Internet.
   "I won't stop until I either win the Tour de France or am too old to ride my bike," Julich stated.
   Corpus Christi cycling fans might be paying particular attention to Julich's every move the next 22 days, and why not? In a sense, he's a local guy.
   Julich was born in Corpus Christi at Memorial Hospital on November 18, 1971. He was later christened at St. Cyril & Methodius Church.
   Brief stay
   Although Julich lived in Corpus Christi only 1 years before moving to Houston and eventually to his hometown of Glenwood Springs Colo., he will be remembered as a beach baby.
   Julich's father, Bob Sr., worked for a pipeline company in Corpus Christi before the family moved to Houston.
   Bernadette said Bob Sr. tried to talk his son into competing in triathlons but Julich wasn't fond of the rigorous swimming involved.
   So, Julich eventually ventured into downhill skiing before finding his niche.
   Bernadette said Julich revealed his talents when he was 14 during the 1985 Red Zinger Mini Classic in Boulder.
   "He told us, 'I really like cycling,'" Bernadette recalled. "His father thought he'd probably get his clock cleaned because he'd be racing against others who had been on bikes before. What happened was - he won his age class. And that was beginning."
   The start of this year's cycling season wasn't as gratifying for Julich, however.
   He suffered a blood clot in his ankle during Spain's Ruta Del Sol in mid-February. The injury occurred during the first hour of the race. His chain came off as he stood up to accelerate and he was nearly tossed over his handlebars.
   "He missed about three weeks," Bernadette said of the extent of cycling time missed due to the injury. "He wasn't too depressed. He found that time to be very rewarding. He was very busy in the offseason. He got married (to wife Angela in Hawaii) and bought a house in the Pennsylvania area."
   Bernadette didn't believe the injury would hamper her son's chances of dethroning champion Marco Pantani of Italy in the 86th Tour de France.
   Julich - who finished 10th on final general classification at the Route du Sud in France last week - and his American cycling faithful are hoping his mother knows best.



Stu Duncan can be reached at 886-3702, via e-mail at duncans@caller.com or via the internet at caller.com

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