| | Associated Press
REVEL, France -- Lance Armstrong strengthened his lead in
the Tour de France on Tuesday, finishing well behind the winner of
the 11th stage but without losing any time to his main rivals.
Erik Dekker of the Netherlands won the hilly 135-mile stage from
Bagneres-de-Bigorre to Revel in southwestern France after sharing a
big lead over the pack with Santiago Botero for almost the entire
race.
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Santiago Botero (left) and Erik Dekker battled each other throughout the 11th stage. |
Armstrong, who came back from cancer to win the Tour last year,
kept his 4-minute, 14-second overall lead on 1997 champion Jan
Ullrich while moving closer to the 21st and final stage in Paris on
July 23.
Armstrong took his lead on Monday with a stunning late climb in
the Pyrénées.
In the 11th stage, Botero and Dekker raced wheel to wheel until
the end, when the Dutchman showed he had stronger legs. Dekker, who
won Saturday's eighth stage, finished in five hours, six minutes,
47 seconds.
Neither rider had any chance of taking the yellow jersey, worn
by the overall leader. Botero started the day in 45th place, 17:40
behind Armstrong, while Dekker was a distant 61st, 26:17 slower
than the Texan.
Botero and Dekker led the rest of the pack by more than 10
minutes three-quarters through the stage.
Armstrong's U.S. Postal Service teammates were at the front for
long periods, shielding him from any attacks from Ullrich.
Armstrong finished 24th, one spot behind the German.
The 11th stage came as a relief to riders after Monday's
energy-sapping mountain climb in cold, driving rain.
Temperatures hovered around a comfortable 59 degrees, though
occasional showers and wind made riding difficult at times.
Riders left the small town of Bagneres-de-Bigorre in the rolling
foothills of the Pyrénées and headed east, passing lush sunflower
fields and quaint villages.
French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin, who lives in the region,
was among the spectators.
He peered out of the sun roof of the race director's car as the
front two riders sprinted through his home town of Cintegabelle.
Riders have a rest day on Wednesday before Thursday's 12th leg,
a 93-mile course, which includes a tough climb up Mont Ventoux. | |
ALSO SEE
Stage Eleven results
Quiet day on France's roads
Ullrich team chief under Armstrong's spell
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Erik Dekker wins the battle over Santiago Botero to take Stage 11.
avi: 1855 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Lance Armstrong finshes with the main pack and keeps the yellow jersey.
avi: 759 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
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