July 12, 2005 – After a day in his plain blue Discovery jersey, Lance Armstrong has gone through another wardrobe change. Today’s first stage in the alps saw the Texan take control of the race after his Discovery team delivered him to the foot of the last climb, then set an incredible pace as all pretenders slowly cracked. By the time Armstrong’s last teammate had peeled off, Armstrong found himself with only three breakaway companions: The Illes Balears-Caisse d’Epargne duo Francisco Mancebo and Alex Valverde and Dane Michael Rasmussen (Rabobank), clad in the spotted climber’s jersey.

As the foursome rode, the gaps on the “others” grew. Jan Ullrich would cede well over a minute to Armstrong, riding with his teammate Andreas Kloeden, and Christophe Moreau (Credit Agricole) would limit his losses to under two: Could he be the French hope, once again?

Other surprises was that of Alex Vinokourouv (T-Mobile) who had a veritable sans jour, and even Jens Voigt (CSC) who gave up his Yellow jersey, despite some thinking he might just keep it one more day.

At the summit, it was Valverde who stayed with Armstrong in the final pitch, with Rasmussen attacking early and finishing behind with Mancebo. Armstrong kept riding hard, with the Spaniard on his wheel until the last metres when he came around. With the win, Valverde climbs up the standings and dons the best young rider’s White jersey.

Results: Brignoud toCourchevel, 181 km

1 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Illes Balears-Caisse d’Epargne 4.50.35 (36.65 km/h)
2 Lance Armstrong (USA) Discovery Channel
3 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 0.09
4 Francisco Mancebo (Spa) Illes Balears-Caisse d’Epargne
5 Ivan Basso (Ita) Team CSC 1.02
6 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Gerolsteiner 1.15
7 Eddy Mazzoleni (Ita) Lampre-Caffita 2.14
8 Cadel Evans (Aus) Davitamon-Lotto
9 Andreas Klöden (Ger) T-Mobile Team
10 Andrei Kashechkin (Kaz) Credit Agricole

Overall

1 Lance Armstrong (USA) Discovery Channel 37.11.04 (44.934 km/h)
2 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 0.38
3 Ivan Basso (Ita) Team CSC 2.40
4 Christophe Moreau (Fra) Credit Agricole 2.42
5 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Illes Balears-Caisse d’Epargne 3.16
6 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Gerolsteiner 3.58
7 Francisco Mancebo (Spa) Illes Balears-Caisse d’Epargne 4.00
8 Jan Ullrich (Ger) T-Mobile Team 4.02
9 Andreas Klöden (Ger) T-Mobile Team 4.16
10 Floyd Landis (USA) Phonak Hearing Systems