LUZ-ARDIDEN, France -- Lance Armstrong descended from the
wooded peaks of the Pyrenees on Sunday wearing the leader's yellow
jersey and on course for a third straight Tour de France title.
|  | | Roberto Laiseka of Spain won the 14th stage, to the delight of thousands of fans from his native Basque region. |
Barring sickness or accidents, the Texan is almost certain to be
the champion again when the race ends July 29 in Paris, thanks
to his dominating mountain rides the past week.
In Sunday's last mountain leg he was fourth, finishing just
behind main rival Jan Ullrich of Germany. Armstrong leads the
overall standings by 5 minutes, 5 seconds, with six stages left. In
these flat stages it is difficult for riders to take a big lead.
"This year, he is stronger then ever," said Ullrich, the
runner-up last year. "Simply unbeatable."
Armstrong took the lead Saturday after his third stage victory.
All three were in the mountain stages, which began in the Alps and
moved to the Pyrenees close to the Spanish border.
He slowed before the finish Sunday, apparently allowing Ullrich
to beat him. The pair shook hands after crossing the line. It was
the only time since the start of the five mountain stages that
Armstrong hadn't overwhelmed the German rider.
"I tried everything, my team tried everything," Ullrich said.
"I attacked, my team attacked, but Lance was simply unbeatable."
After the stage Armstrong attended the daily race leader's
ceremony and was applauded by spectators. He returned to his team
vehicle without speaking to reporters.
Roberto Laiseka of Spain delighted thousands of fans from his
native Basque region by winning the leg from Tarbes to this ski
station high in the Pyrenees. Wladimir Belli of Italy finished
second.
Ullrich, the 1997 champion, moved into second place behind
Armstrong. The two riders recorded the same time in the 89.6-mile
stage. Armstrong defeated Ullrich in the previous four mountain
stages.
Ullrich was part of a small group of riders that included
Armstrong when he attacked with less than a mile to go. Armstrong
gave chase but unlike the previous mountain stages was unable to
overtake his rival.
Laiseka crossed himself and blew kisses as he approached the
finish line surrounded by hundreds of fans clad in the orange
colors of his Euskaltel team.
He took the stage lead by catching Belli with 3.6 miles to go in
the last climb under blazing sunshine. One fan ran toward him and
poured water on his neck to cool him.
He finished in 4:24:30. Belli was 54 seconds behind, with
Ullrich and Armstrong 1:08 off the pace. Although Ullrich had the
same time as Armstrong, he drew eight bonus seconds for taking
third place.
Sunday's stage covered three tough mountain passes, including
the highest peak of the Tour, the 6,980-foot Col du Tourmalet.
Monday is a rest day. Racing resumes Tuesday with the longest
stage of the Tour, a 144-mile stretch from Pau to Lavaur in
southwest France.
Before Sunday's stage, 22 unidentified riders underwent random
blood tests for drug use. All were cleared to compete.
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ALSO SEE
Sunday's Tour de France results
Tour de France: Day-by-day
Armstrong has time on his side
Armstrong grabs Tour's yellow jersey
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