Sanjeev.NET

SI.com - More Sports - 2005 Tour de France - Armstrong's Tour de France lead grows - Saturday July 16, 2005 4:47PM:

Lance advances
Armstrong stretches lead with climb into Pyrenees
Posted: Saturday July 16, 2005 11:06AM; Updated: Saturday July 16, 2005 4:49PM

Lance fends off rivals

AX-3 DOMAINES, France (AP) -- As the Pyrenean peak loomed, the assault Lance Armstrong was bracing for finally came. Here, the six-time champion knew, was a Tour de France moment of truth.

'It's scary,' he admitted later.

Emotionless behind their wraparound shades, Armstrong's pink-shirted rivals from the German T-Mobile squad raced into the steep ascent at full pelt. The tactic was simple: Isolate Armstrong by riding so hard that his teammates would be unable to stay with the pace.

It worked. By the time T-Mobile's racers were spent, Armstrong's support crew were strewn down the road and his long-tormented challengers, including T-Mobile leader Jan Ullrich, finally had him were they wanted him -- alone on a climb. Now, it was man-to-man.

'In that situation you either fight back or you run away,' Armstrong said.

He fought, and end result was familiar: Armstrong came out on top of his main challengers in an epic stage 14, taking another step toward a seventh consecutive Tour victory.

Leading overall standings

1 L Armstrong US Discovery 55:58.17
2 M Rasmussen Den Rabobank @ 1.41
3 I Basso It Team CSC @ 2.46
4 J Ullrich Ger T-Mobile @ 4.34
5 L Leipheimer US Gerols'ner @ 4.45
6 F Landis US Phonak @ 5.03
7 F Mancebo Sp I Balears @ 5.03
8 A Kloeden Ger T-Mobile @ 5.38
9 A Vinokourov Kaz T-Mobile @ 7.09
10 C Moreau Fr C Agricole @ 8.37

Tour De France 2005 Blog


Tour De France 2005 Blog List

Stage Results

1 Totschnig Georg Gst Aut 5h 43' 43"
2 Armstrong Lance Dsc Usa 00' 56"
3 Basso Ivan Csc Ita 00' 58"
4 Ullrich Jan Tmo Ger 01' 16"
5 Leipheimer Levi Gst Usa 01' 31"
6 Landis Floyd Pho Usa m.t.
7 Mancebo Francisco Iba Esp 01' 47"
8 Rasmussen Mickael Rab Den m.t.
9 Kl�den Andr�as Tmo Ger 02' 06"
10 Zubeldia Haimar Eus Esp 02' 20"

Tour De France 2005 Blog


Tour De France 2005 Blog List

Bicycling: Tour De France 2005 - Armstrong Holds Off Attackers:

Armstrong Holds Off Attackers

Tour champ extends lead as Austrian wins stage

By Joe 'Lindsey, Contributing Writer
July 16, 2005

Isolated and under attack, six-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) didn�t panic and didn�t try to respond with a knockout punch of his own. Instead, the American simply played defense until he saw a moment of weakness in his rivals.

On today�s 14th stage, Armstrong rebounded from early attacks and the loss of his teammates to an almost perfect finish, taking second on the stage behind only Georg Totschnig of Gerolsteiner, the lone survivor of a marathon breakaway that went up the road just 10 kilometers into the day�s 220.5-kilometer ride from Agde to the mountaintop finish of Ax-3 Domaines. In so doing, Armstrong gained time on every one of his rivals for the overall Tour title and sent a message: Either alone or with teammates, he appears all but impossible to beat.

BBC SPORT | Other Sport... | Cycling | Totschnig claims 14th Tour stage:

Totschnig claims 14th Tour stage

Georg Totschnig won the 220.5km 14th stage as six-time Tour winner Lance Armstrong extended his overall lead on day one of three in the Pyrenees.

Austrian Totschnig led early, joining a 10-man escape group at 7km before a pursuing pack, including Armstrong, closed the gap in the final 20km.

But the Gerolsteiner rider, 34, had just enough breathing space to triumph.

American Armstrong retained his yellow jersey after finishing 56 seconds back, while Italy's Basso was third.

Another yellow jersey contender, 1997 winner Jan Ullrich, finished around 10 seconds behind Armstrong, who holds a lead of one minute 41 seconds over Dane Michael Rasmussen.

I attacked early in the morning, knowing it was my only chance
Stage winner Georg Totschnig
Ullrich's team-mate Alexandre Vinokourov was one of the biggest losers on the day, finishing nearly three minutes behind.

MSNBC - Armstrong adds more than minute to lead:

Armstrong adds more than minute to lead
6-time champion finishes 2nd in stage 14 in Pyrenees mountains
The Associated Press
Updated: 4:31 p.m. ET July 16, 2005

AX-3 DOMAINES, France - As the Pyrenean peak loomed, the assault Lance Armstrong was bracing for finally came. Here, the six-time champion knew, was a Tour de France moment of truth.

�It�s scary,� he admitted later.

Emotionless behind their wraparound shades, Armstrong�s pink-shirted rivals from the German T-Mobile squad raced into the steep ascent at full pelt. The tactic was simple: Isolate Armstrong by riding so hard that his teammates would be unable to stay with the pace.

It worked. By the time T-Mobile�s racers were spent, Armstrong�s support crew were strewn down the road and his long-tormented challengers, including T-Mobile leader Jan Ullrich, finally had him were they wanted him � alone on a climb. Now, it was man-to-man.

�In that situation you either fight back or you run away,� Armstrong said.

He fought, and end result was familiar: Armstrong came out on top of his main challengers in an epic stage 14, taking another step toward a seventh consecutive Tour victory.

Even without his teammates, who usually lead him up mountains, Armstrong fended off Ullrich, Italian Ivan Basso and others, and dealt out punishment of his own by beating them to the ski station of Ax-3 Domaines, extending his overall lead.

Armstrong placed second, 56 seconds behind Georg Totschnig, the first Austrian since 1931 to win a stage. But he is not a challenger in the overall standings.

Basso, who is, stayed with Armstrong up to Ax-3 Domaines but couldn�t follow his finishing sprint, placing third.

Ullrich was fourth, dropped by Armstrong�s acceleration toward the end.

Overall, Armstrong�s lead over Basso grew to 2 minutes, 46 seconds and to 4:34 over Ullrich. Those advantages could carry Armstrong to victory in Paris on July 24 if h

Puzzles - a photoset on Flickr:

Puzzles

Saving it up : Lance keeps lead, coasts before climb into Pyrenees

MONTPELLIER, France (AP) -- Lance Armstrong retained his overall lead in the Tour de France's flat, fast 13th stage across southern France, won by Robbie McEwen in a sprint Friday.

The win was McEwen's third of this Tour. Armstrong and his main rivals finished together before the Tour goes back to the mountains, with the Pyrenees stages starting Saturday.

Armstrong's lead over Mickael Rasmussen of Denmark stayed at 38 seconds, with French rider Christophe Moreau still third, 2:34 behind the six-time champion.

Italian Ivan Basso stayed 2:40 back in fourth. Jan Ullrich of Germany is 4:02 behind, but rose to eighth in the standings after Spain's Alejandro Valverde dropped out of the Tour because of an inflamed left knee. Valverde, winner of the first Alpine stage, had been fifth overall.

'Everybody is waiting' for the Pyrenees, said Armstrong, explaining why he and his rivals didn't do battle over the 107.8-mile trek from Miramas to Montpellier.

McEwen attributed his victory to his Davitamon-Lotto team, which helped reel in a group of riders that were ahead, setting the Australian sprinter up for his dash to the line.

'It's not a victory for McEwen, it's a victory for Davitamon-Lotto,' he said. 'Unbelievable.'

Overall standings (top 10)
1. Lance Armstrong (US) Discovery 50hrs 13mins 50secs
2. Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank +38secs
3. Christophe Moreau (Fra) Credit Agricole +2:34
4. Ivan Basso (Ita) Team CSC +2:40
5. Santiago Botero (Col) Phonak +3:48
6. Levi Leipheimer (US) Gerolsteiner +3:58
7. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) Illes Balears +4:00
8. Jan Ullrich (Ger) T-Mobile +4:02
9. Andreas Kloeden (Ger) T-Mobile +4:16
10. Floyd Landis (USA) Phonak +4:16

Tour De France 2005 Blog


Tour De France 2005 Blog List

Stage results (top 10)
1. R McEwen (Aus) Davitamon-Lotto, 3hrs 43mins 14secs
2. S O'Grady (Aus) Cofidis, same time
3. F Rodriguez (USA) Davitamon-Lotto, same time
4. G Trenti (USA) Quick Step, same time
5. T Hushovd (Nor) Credit Agricole, same time
6. Anthony Geslin (Fra) Bouygues Telecom, same time
7. Robert Forster (Ger) Gerolsteiner, same time
8. Magnus Backstedt (Swe) Liquigas, same time
9. Gianluca Bortolami (Ita) Lampre-Caffita, same time
10. Chris Horner (USA) Saunier Duval, same time

Tour De France 2005 Blog


Tour De France 2005 Blog List

BBC SPORT | Other Sport... | Cycling | McEwen clinches third win of Tour:

McEwen clinches third win of Tour

Robbie McEwen won a bunched sprint finish to take victory in the 13th stage of the Tour de France.

The Australian, who also won stages five and seven, pipped compatriot Stuart O'Grady after the peloton caught the leaders inside the final 500m.

Race leader Lance Armstrong retained his overall lead of 38 seconds over Dane Michael Rasmussen.

But Alejandro Valverde, fifth in the standings, was forced to pull out with tendinitis in his knee.

SI.com - More Sports - 2005 Tour de France - Moncoutie wins on Bastille Day, Lance loses teammate - Thursday July 14, 2005 11:07AM:

French revolution
Moncoutie wins on Bastille Day, Lance loses teammate
Posted: Thursday July 14, 2005 11:06AM; Updated: Thursday July 14, 2005 11:40AM

DIGNE-LES-BAINS, France (AP) -- Lance Armstrong retained the overall lead but lost a key teammate in a crash as the Tour de France headed out of the Alps following David Moncoutie's victory in Thursday's 12th stage.

Moncoutie became the 15th Frenchman since World War II to win on Bastille Day, France's national holiday. It was his second stage win in five Tours.

'It's fabulous,' Moncoutie said. 'I'm so happy to win. It's July 14th.'

Moncoutie took the lead on the Col du Corobin, the fourth of five ascents on the 116.2-mile trek from Briancon to Digne-les-Bains, and cycled alone to the finish past cheering crowds. He finished the stage in 4 hours, 20 minutes, 6 seconds.

Armstrong cruised in with his main rivals in a group more than 10 minutes back to finish 41st. His lead over second-place Mickael Rasmussen of Denmark stayed at 38 seconds, with French rider Christophe Moreau still third overall, 2:34 behind.

Italian rider Ivan Basso is 2:40 back, fourth overall, with Jan Ullrich 4:02 behind in ninth. They all finished together in a large group, 10:33 behind Moncoutie.

Overall standings (top 10)
1. Lance Armstrong (US) Discovery) 46:30:36"
2. Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank +38s
3. Christophe Moreau (Fra) Credit Agricole +2:34
4. Ivan Basso (Ita) Team CSC +2:40
5. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Illes Balears +3:16
6. Santiago Botero (Col) Phonak +3:48
7. Levi Leipheimer (US) Gerolsteiner +3:58
8. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) Illes Balears +4:00
9. Jan Ullrich (Ger) T-Mobile +4:02
10. Andreas Kloeden (Ger) T-Mobile +4:16

Tour De France 2005 Blog


Tour De France 2005 Blog List

Stage results (top 10)
1. David Moncoutie (Fra) Cofidis 4hrs 20mins 06secs
2. Sandy Casar (Fra) Francaise des Jeux +57s
3. Angel Vicioso (Spa) Liberty Seguros
4. Patrice Halgand (Fra) Credit Agricole
5. Jose Luis Arrieta (Spa) Illes Balears
6. Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas
7. Axel Merckx (Bel) Davitamon - Lotto
8. Juan Manuel Garate (Spa) Saunier Duval
9. Thor Hushovd (Nor) Credit Agricole +3:15
10. Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Cofidis

Tour De France 2005 Blog


Tour De France 2005 Blog List

BBC SPORT | Other Sport... | Cycling | Bastille Day glory for Moncoutie:

Bastille Day glory for Moncoutie

Cofidis rider David Moncoutie gave the home crowds added reason to celebrate on Bastille Day by winning stage 12 of the Tour de France on Thursday.

Sandy Casar, another Frenchman, claimed second spot on the 187km ride from Briancon to Digne-les-Bains after holding off Spain's Angel Vicioso.

Lance Armstrong retained the overall lead but lost team-mate Manuel Beltan in a crash early on in the stage.

The Spaniard quit after falling on the Col des Demoiselles Coiffees climb.

Moncoutie became the 15th Frenchman since World War II to win on France's national holiday.

Armstrong retains overall lead, rival Vinokourov makes up time:

Armstrong retains overall lead, rival Vinokourov makes up time
Alexandre Vinokourov, who had faded badly on Tuesday, rebounded today to win the 11th stage.
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
> Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Alexandre Vinokourov, who had faded badly Tuesday, rebounded today to win the 11th stage of the Tour de France but remains well behind six-time champion Lance Armstrong.

Armstrong finished sixth, 1:15 behind Vinokourov, and retained his overall lead and will keep the yellow jersey.

SI.com - More Sports - 2005 Tour de France - Vinokourov cuts into Armstrong's lead with win - Wednesday July 13, 2005 11:31AM:

Fighting back
Vinokourov rebounds to cut into Armstrong's lead
Posted: Wednesday July 13, 2005 11:31AM; Updated: Wednesday July 13, 2005 11:44AM

BRIANCON, France (AP) -- Alexandre Vinokourov won Wednesday's second Alpine stage of the Tour de France with a solo ascent of this year's highest climb, but Lance Armstrong's overall lead remained unchanged.

The 11th-stage win at Briancon was Vinokourov's second in five Tours. His first was in 2003.

The T-Mobile rider rebounded from a disastrous ride Tuesday on the first Alpine stage, when Armstrong surged ahead of the Kazakh rider and other main rivals to retake the overall lead.

Vinokourov surged into the lead on the famed Col du Galibier, the last of three ascents on the 107.5-mile route from the ski station of Courchevel. The Galibier is the highest climb on this year's Tour at 8,677 feet.

Santiago Botero of Colombia was second over the pass, 40 seconds slower than Vinokourov. But the Phonak rider caught Vinokourov on the descent toward Briancon, and they raced to the finish, where Vinokourov beat Botero in a sprint to the line.

Armstrong scaled the Galibier some 2 minutes, 40 seconds behind Vinokourov in a group of about 20 riders. But he reeled in some of the deficit with a speedy descent, finishing 1:15 behind Vinokourov in sixth place.

Armstrong's overall lead over the second-place Mickael Rasmussen of Denmark remained at 38 seconds. French rider Christophe Moreau moved to third overall, 2:34 behind the six-time champion.

Overall standings: (Top 10)

1. Lance Armstrong (United States / Discovery Channel) 41:59:57"
2. Michael Rasmussen (Denmark / Rabobank) +38"
3. Christophe Moreau (France / Credit Agricole) +2:34"
4. Ivan Basso (Italy / Team CSC) +2:40"
5. Alejandro Valverde (Spain / Illes Balears) +3:16"
6. Santiago Botero (Colombia / Phonak) +3:48"
7. Levi Leipheimer (United States / Gerolsteiner) +3:58"
8. Francisco Mancebo (Spain / Illes Balears) +4:00"
9. Jan Ullrich (Germany / T-Mobile) +4:02"
10. Andreas Kloeden (Germany / T-Mobile) +4:16"

Tour De France 2005 Blog


Tour De France 2005 Blog List

Stage results (top 10):

1. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kazakhstan / T-Mobile) 4:47:38"
2. Santiago Botero (Colombia / Phonak) +1"
3. Christophe Moreau (France / Credit Agricole) +1:15"
4. Bobby Julich (United States / Team CSC) same time
5. Eddy Mazzoleni (Italy / Lampre - Caffita)
6. Lance Armstrong (United States / Discovery Channel)
7. Cadel Evans (Australia / Davitamon - Lotto)
8. Levi Leipheimer (United States / Gerolsteiner)
9. Michael Rasmussen (Denmark / Rabobank)
10. Georg Totschnig (Austria / Gerolsteiner)

Tour De France 2005 Blog


Tour De France 2005 Blog List

BBC SPORT | Other Sport... | Cycling | Vinokourov takes 11th Tour stage:

Vinokourov takes 11th Tour stage
Alexander Vinokourov of Kazakhstan won Wednesday's 11th stage of the Tour de France - a gruelling 172km Alpine slog from Courchevel to Briancon.

The T-Mobile rider out-sprinted Colombian rival Santiago Botero, of Phonak, in the final 500m to win by a second in four hours 47.38 seconds.

France's Christophe Moreau edged a chasing group that included Lance Armstrong to take third in 4:48.53.

But Armstrong's result was good enough to see him retain the yellow jersey.

Vinokourov mounted an early breakaway and by the time he was at the summit of the day's third climb - the massive Hors Category Col du Galibier - he was out on his own.

Botero caught him on the long descent into Briancon and together both riders worked together to hold off a chasing bunch being led by Armstrong's Discovery Channel.

But he timed his sprint to line perfectly to secure the stage.

'I really wanted to attack on this stage,' said Vinokourov, who now moves up from 16th overall to 12th.

'After losing so much time on Tuesday I felt I had got nothing to lose and I wanted to show that I'm far from being out of the race.'

Bicycling: Tour De France 2005 - Armstrong Climbs Back Into Lead:

Armstrong Climbs Back Into Lead

Defending champ overpowers rivals in mountains

By Joe 'Lindsey, Contributing Writer
July 12, 2005

When Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) gave up the yellow jersey following Sunday�s ninth stage of the Tour de France, he planned on getting it back. He followed through today with a textbook-perfect ride on the 10th stage, from Grenoble to Courchevel, and in so doing dispatched nearly all of his main rivals to significant time gaps.

The only racers who could ultimately hold the American�s wheel were a trio of climbers: King of the Mountains leader Michael Rasmussen (Rabobank), and the Illes Balears duo of Alejandro Valverde and Francisco Mancebo. The four rode together up the final few kilometers of the Courchevel climb, where Valverde came around Armstrong for his first stage win, a considerable achievement given that this is his first-ever Tour de France.

�It was the first big day for our team,� said Armstrong, speaking of his team�s struggles in the eighth stage. �They�re a super team and set a great pace for me at the front of the climb. I had good legs today, but I want to say thanks to Rasmussen, Valverde, and Mancebo. Without them I might not have got the result I wanted.�

SI.com - More Sports - 2005 Tour de France - Armstrong captures yellow jersey again - Tuesday July 12, 2005 12:05PM:

No surprise
Armstrong blows away rivals, captures yellow jersey
Posted: Tuesday July 12, 2005 11:32AM; Updated: Tuesday July 12, 2005 2:26PM

COURCHEVEL, France (AP) -- Lance Armstrong took a decisive step Tuesday toward a seventh consecutive Tour de France title, blowing away his main rivals in the first Alpine stage to regain the overall lead.

Armstrong did the damage on the punishing 13.8-mile climb to the ski station of Courchevel, eating up the ascent with ease while Jan Ullrich and other challengers grimaced in pain behind.

Spain's Alejandro Valverde won the 10th stage, just beating Armstrong to the finish line, but is not considered one of Armstrong's main rivals in this year's race. Valverde and Armstrong finished the 110.9-mile stage in 4 hours, 50 minutes, 35 seconds.

Mickael Rasmussen is second in the overall standings, 38 seconds behind Armstrong. Ivan Basso, among the main challengers left behind by Armstrong on Tuesday, is third overall -- 2:40 behind the Texan.

Rasmussen finished the stage in third place, 9 seconds behind Valverde and Armstrong.

Valverde and Armstrong shook hands in the saddle after they crossed the line together.

'Today, I had good legs,' Armstrong said. 'We are in a good position with regards to some of the main rivals, so we'll have to protect that.'

His powerful ride silenced doubts that Armstrong is too old at 33, or too jaded after his record six victories,

Overall standings (Top 10)
1. Lance Armstrong (US) Discovery 37:11:04"
2. Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank +38s
3. Ivan Basso (It) Team CSC +2:40
4. Christophe Moreau (Fr) Credit Agricole +2:42
5. Alejandro Valverde (Sp) Illes Balears +3:16
6. Levi Leipheimer (US) Gerolsteiner +3:58
7. Francisco Mancebo (Sp) Illes Balears +4:00
8. Jan Ullrich (Ger) T-Mobile +4:02
9. Andreas Kloden (Ger) T-Mobile +4:16
10. Floyd Landis (US) Phonak same time

Stage results (Top 10)
1. Alejandro Valverde (Sp) Illes Balears 4hrs 50mins 35secs
2. Lance Armstrong (US) Discovery same time
3. Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank +9s
4. Francisco Mancebo (Sp) Illes Balears same time
5. Ivan Basso (It) Team CSC +1:02
6. Levi Leipheimer (US) Gerolsteiner +1:15
7. Eddy Mazzoleni (It) Lampre-Caffita +2:14
8. Cadel Evans (Aus) Davitamon-Lotto same time
9. Andreas Kloden (Ger) T-Mobile same time
10. Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz) Credit Agricole same time

Tour De France 2005 Blog


Tour De France 2005 Blog List

BBC SPORT | Other Sport... | Cycling | Armstrong takes control of Tour:

Armstrong takes control of Tour

Lance Armstrong reclaimed the Tour de France leader's yellow jersey after stage 10 from Grenoble to Courchevel.

The first of the Tour's mountain stages was won by Alejandro Valverde, who just pipped Armstong after a gruelling category one climb to the finish.

After looking vulnerable in the first week, Armstrong's Discovery team were at their best in the Alps, setting a relentless pace on the final climb.

Armstrong left main rivals Jan Ullrich and Alexandre Vinokourov far behind.

The six-time Tour winner leads the overall standings by 38 seconds from Dane Michael Rasmussen with Ullrich now over four minutes adrift.

But Armstrong downplayed his advantage saying: 'We're in a good position as compared to some of the main rivals - but there's still a lot of racing to go.

'We have another day in the Alps, a transition stage then two very tough days in the Pyrenees, then the final time trial.'

The Diversity of the nude American Female - a photoset on Flickr:

The Diversity of the nude American Female

Overall standings (Top 10)
1. Jens Voigt (Ger) Team CSC 32hrs 18mins 23secs
2. Christophe Moreau (Fra) Credit Agricole at 1min 50secs
3. Lance Armstrong (USA) Discovery Channel at 2.18
4. Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank at 2.43
5. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) T-Mobile Team at 3.20
6. Bobby Julich (USA) Team CSC at 3.25
7. Ivan Basso (Ita) Team CSC at 3.44
8. Jan Ullrich (Ger) T-Mobile Team at 3.54
9. Carlos Sastre (Spa) Team CSC at same time
10. George Hincapie (USA) Discovery Channel at 4.05

Tour De France 2005 Blog


Tour De France 2005 Blog List

Stage results (Top 10)
1. Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 4hrs 08mins 20secs
2. Christophe Moreau (Fra) Credit Agricole at 3mins 04secs
3. Jens Voigt (Ger) Team CSC at same time
4. Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Cofidis at 6.04
5. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Francaise des Jeux at same time
6. Anthony Geslin (Fra) Bouygues Telecom at same time
7. Sebastian Lang (Ger) Gerolsteiner at same time
8. Laurent Brochard (Fra) Bouygues Telecom at same time
9. Jerome Pineau (Fra) Bouygues Telecom at same time
10. Gerrit Glomser (Aut) Lampre - Caffita at same time

Tour De France 2005 Blog


Tour De France 2005 Blog List

MSNBC - Armstrong gives up overall Tour lead:

Armstrong gives up overall Tour lead
Voigt takes yellow jersey in stage 9; six-time champ not concerned
BREAKING NEWS
The Associated Press
Updated: 11:36 a.m. ET July 10, 2005

MULHOUSE, France - Lance Armstrong gave up the overall lead in the Tour de France on Sunday, allowing Germany�s Jens Voigt to wear the yellow jersey while the six-time champion prepares to scale the mighty Alps.

Armstrong finished 28th in the ninth stage and dropped to third overall, 2 minutes, 18 seconds behind Voigt. The Texan, seeking a seventh straight Tour victory before he retires, had been in front for five days.

Armstrong does not regard Voigt as a main contender in the Tour. Letting the German take the leader�s yellow jersey off his shoulders allowed Armstrong to head into the Alps, which start on Tuesday after a rest day on Monday, without worrying about having to defend the lead.

Danish racer Mickael Rasmussen took his first career Tour stage victory with a gutsy solo ride. Sunday's 106.3-mile route from Gerardmer and Mulhouse in eastern France took the riders over six climbs, and Rasmussen was first over them all.

Team CSC rider Voigt crossed the line 3:04 seconds behind Rasmussen with French rider Christophe Moreau � good enough to take the overall race lead from Armstrong.

Armstrong finished in a pack with his main rivals several minutes behind Voigt and Moreau, now 1:50 behind in second.

Because they finished together in a group, the time differences between Armstrong and his main rivals - Jan Ullrich, Ivan Basso and Alexandre Vinokourov, remained unchanged. Their competition is expected to begin in earnest in the Alps. Ullrich finished 29th on Sunday, Vinokourov 35th and Basso 39th.

:

Armstrong Gives Up the Overall Lead in the Tour de France
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Filed at 11:05 a.m. ET

MULHOUSE, France (AP) -- Lance Armstrong gave up the overall lead in the Tour de France on Sunday, allowing Germany's Jens Voigt to wear the yellow jersey while the six-time champion prepares to scale the mighty Alps.

Armstrong dropped to third overall, 2 minutes, 18 seconds behind Voigt. The Texan, seeking a seventh straight Tour victory before he retires, had been in front for five days.

Armstrong does not regard Voigt as a main contender in the Tour. Letting the German take the leader's yellow jersey off his shoulders allowed Armstrong to head into the Alps, which start on Tuesday after a rest day on Monday, without worrying about having to defend the lead.

Danish racer Mickael Rasmussen won the ninth stage with a gutsy solo ride. Sunday's 106.3-mile route from Gerardmer and Mulhouse in eastern France took the riders over six climbs, and Rasmussen was first over them all.

Team CSC rider Voigt crossed the line 3:04 seconds behind Rasmussen with French rider Christophe Moreau -- good enough to take the overall race lead from Armstrong.

Armstrong finished in a pack with his main rivals several minutes behind Voigt and Moreau, now 1:50 behind in second.

Because they finished together in a group, the time differences between Armstrong and his main rivals -- Jan Ullrich, Ivan Basso and Alexandre Vinokourov, remained unchanged. Their competition is expected to begin in earnest in the Alps.

''We don't need the yellow jersey,'' Armstrong said at the start of the stage. ''We don't need to keep it in the Alps. We need to have it at the end.''

Armstrong's team did not give chase when Rasmussen sprinted off on the day's first climb, building up a lead that he never gave up. Nor did Armstrong's teammates seek to prevent Voigt from taking the overall lead, although they still pedaled robustly to make sure that he did not get too far ahead -- and to show that they remain strong after they had a disappointing day on Saturday.

Armstrong's pack ''weren't riding that much behind, so it happily worked for me,'' Voigt said.

Armstrong will have plenty of opportunities to gain time on the punishing Alpine climbs, or later in the Pyrenees and in a final time trial race against the clock on the Tour's next-to-last day, before the finish in Paris on July 24.

BBC SPORT | Other Sport... | Cycling | Armstrong loses lead in Le Tour:

Armstrong loses lead in Le Tour

Lance Armstrong lost his grip on the Tour de France yellow jersey as Dane Mickael Rasmussen won stage nine with a strong display of climbing on Sunday.

Armstrong finished the day in third place overall, more than two minutes behind new leader Jens Voigt.

Rasmussen, who rides for the Radobank team, took the lead after 3km and won maximum points on all of the climbs.

He held off the challenge of German Voigt and Christophe Moreau, who moved above Armstrong into second place.

Voigt, who had started the day one minute behind Lance Armstrong, had been in a group tracking Rasmussen for much of the race but broke away with Moreau on the final climb of the day, the Ballon d�Alsace.

It gave the German the yellow jersey for the second time in his career while Rasmussen became the 10th Dane to win a stage on the Tour.

But Voigt admits that he is unlikely to keep the lead when the riders head for the Alps after Monday's rest day.

'I could not be happier but it cost me a lot of effort and I expect to pay a high price in two days time. But today I have the jersey and that's great.'