LUXEMBOURG -- Lance Armstrong needed just over four miles to take the lead in the Tour de France.

Armstrong started his bid for a fourth straight Tour title by winning Saturday's 4.34-mile prologue and gaining the leader's yellow jersey.

The 30-year-old Texan completed the individual time trial in 9 minutes, 8 seconds, nearly two seconds ahead of Laurent Jalabert of France.

Raimondas Rumsas of Lithuania was third, 3 seconds behind Armstrong.

Armstrong, of the U.S. Postal Service team, rode during a break in rain that had threatened to make the course slick.

"The weather was so-so, but I saw that the sun was coming out just before I started,'' Armstrong said in an interview on France-2 Television. As reigning champion, Armstrong was the last rider to start.

Shortly before he rode down the starting ramp, Armstrong began his warmup with his wife, Kristin, and his three children in the practice area -- the first time his family has been at his side for the Tour start.

"It's a great motivator to be in the warmup with the twins and Luke,'' he said. The Texan has twin daughters.

Asked whether he would try defending his yellow jersey in the next few stages, Armstrong said, "I think probably not. We'll wait for the team time trial (on Wednesday).''

Thousands of cycling fans looked on and cheered as riders raced through the streets of Luxembourg.