July 17, 2004 – USPS’ Lance Armstrong has made his first stamp on this year’s tour, once again coming to the line with CSC’ Ivan Basso after his USPS team delivered him to the final climb, the Plateau de Beille, the first hors categorie climb in this year’s race. Armstrong is now second overall, with Thomas Voeckler (Brioches La Boulangère) barely holding onto the yellow jersey.

Stage 13:

1. Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal p/b Berry Floor 6.04.38 (33.81 km/h)
2. Ivan Basso (Ita) Team CSC
3. Georg Totschnig (Aut) Gerolsteiner 1.05
4. Andreas Klöden (Ger) T-Mobile Team 1.27
5. Francisco Mancebo P̩rez (Spa) Illes Balears РBanesto
6. Jan Ullrich (Ger) T-Mobile Team 2.42
7. Jose Azevedo (Por) US Postal p/b Berry Floor 2.50
8. Christophe Moreau (Fra) Crédit Agricole 2.51
9. Pietro Caucchioli (Ita) Alessio-Bianchi
10. Gilberto Simoni (Ita) Saeco 3.43

Overall:

1. Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Brioches La Boulangère 8.00.27
2. Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal p/b Berry Floor 0.22
3. Ivan Basso (Ita) Team CSC 1.39
4. Andreas Klöden (Ger) T-Mobile Team 3.18
5. Francisco Mancebo P̩rez (Spa) Illes Balears РBanesto 3.28
6. Georg Totschnig (Aut) Gerolsteiner 6.08
7. Jose Azevedo (Por) US Postal p/b Berry Floor 6.43
8. Jan Ullrich (Ger) T-Mobile Team 7.01
9. Pietro Caucchioli (Ita) Alessio-Bianchi 7.59
10. Sandy Casar (Fra) Fdjeux.com 8.29