Armstrong had been near the leaders on the climb, but dropped back to help Leipheimer, who would later say that Armstrong saved him "minutes and minutes" by shepherding him to the finish.
Armstrong havde siddet tæt på favoritterne på stigningen, men lod sig falde tilbage for at hjælpe Leipheimer, der senere fortalte, at Armstrong reddede "minutter og flere minutter" for ham ved at hjælpe ham i mål.