ESPN has put together a top ten list of the best American performances in the Tour de France.  The list covers the best moments, from Lance Armstrong’s 2003 cruise through a hay field, to the narrowest winning margin in Tour history by Greg Lemond.

The 8-second win differential still remains the smallest margin of victory in Tour history. LeMond’s average speed of 54.545 kph also remains the fastest time trial pace in the event.

An 8-second difference over the length of the Tour de France is pretty crazy.  If it wasn’t for Laurent Fignon’s ponytail whipping in the wind, Lemond may not have won the race.  Experts have said that the ponytail likely cost Fignon the race.

In 1998 Bobby Julich took third during an uncomfortable Tour:

Against a sea of tumult that included police raids, rider strikes and a media frenzy, the depleted Tour arrived in Paris (only 96 riders finished as teams were banned or abandoned after becoming caught in the imbroglio).

Ten years later, and cycling is still suffering from doping, and uncertainty.  Hopefully, this will be the year cycling takes a step forward with a clean Tour from start to finish.

The full top ten list on ESPN.