The Associated Press

LEADVILLE, Colo. — Not since his last victory ride down the Champs-Elysees in 2005 has a finish line looked so sensational to Lance Armstrong.

The seven-time Tour de France champion took second place in the Leadville Trail 100 on Saturday, pushing six-time defending champion Dave Wiens to a record time in the "Race Across the Sky," a lung-searing 100-mile mountain bike race through the Rockies.

"I was empty at the end, just in terms of fuel. I just haven't had seven-hour rides," Armstrong said after his first finish in a competitive bike race since he retired following his seventh straight triumph in the Tour de France.

Wiens crossed the finish on a flat back tire in 6 hours 45 minutes 45 seconds, shaving 13 minutes off the record he set last year.

Armstrong crossed 1 minute 56 seconds later.

"The guy that I raced today wasn't the guy who won the Tours, so I don't put myself in that category," Wiens said.



Horse racing

That's the spirit! Colt pulls off upset

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. — French-based Spirit One won the 26th running of the Arlington Million on Saturday, leading from start to finish for an upset victory over an international field of seven turf horses.

Winning jockey Ioritz Mendizabal raised his arm in triumph after his horse turned back favored Archipenko by three-quarters of a length.

Spirit One finished the 1 1/4-mile Grade I stakes in 2:02.17.



Tennis

Roddick routs foe, rolls into L.A. final

LOS ANGELES — Andy Roddick overpowered Denis Gremelmayr 6-2, 6-2 Saturday night to set up today's showdown against Juan Martin del Potro for the Countrywide Classic title.

Del Potro, a rangy 19-year-old Argentine who is on a roll, made quick work of Mardy Fish in taking a 6-2, 6-1 victory in their afternoon semifinal.

The top-seeded Roddick is looking for his third ATP championship of the year and 26th of his career.



NBA

Lakers strike a deal with Chinese star

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers agreed to terms with guard Sun Yue, who is playing for China and will face Kobe Bryant and the U.S. men's team today in the Beijing Olympics.

Lakers spokesman John Black declined Saturday to discuss details of the terms and said it could be some time before a contract is signed.

The 6-foot-9-inch, 212-pound Sun was the Lakers' second-round draft pick last year. He has played mostly point guard in China.