July 23, 2004 – Spain’s Juan Miguel Mercado (Quick Step) took Stage 18 today, the 166.5km stage from Annemasse to Lons-le-Saunier, over fellow Spaniard, Vicente Garcia Acosta (Sp), Illes Balears-Banesto. Race leader, Lance Armstrong (USPS) faced off against Italy’s Filippo Simeoni (Domina Vacanze) when Simeoni jumped to the break with the two Spaniards. Armstrong and Simeoni shared some words and eventually fell off the break. There is no love lost between the two. Simeoni has given testimony against Dr. Michele Ferrari, the controversial Italian sports doctor, and has also sued Armstrong for defamation. Armstrong allegedly made remarks concerning Simeoni’s honesty and reputation. The Tour leader finished safely in 74th and is just over 4 minutes up on CSC’s Ivan Basso.

Results
1. Juan Miguel Mercado (Sp), Quick Step-Davitamon, 4:04:03
2. Vicente Garcia Acosta (Sp), Illes Balears-Banesto, 00:00
3. Dmitriy Fofonov (Kaz), Cofidis, 00:11
4. Joly Sébastien (F), Crédit Agricole, 00:11
5. Marc Lotz (Nl), Rabobank, 00:11
6. Juan Antonio Flecha (Sp), Fassa Bortolo, 00:11
7. Thor Hushovd (Nor), Crédit Agricole, 11:29
8. Robbie Mc Ewen (Aus), Lotto-Domo, 11:29
9. Danilo Hondo (G), Gerolsteiner, 11:29
10. Stuart O’Grady (Aus), Cofidis, 11:29

Overall Standings
1. Lance Armstrong (USA), U.S. Postal Service, 78:20:28
2. Ivan Basso (I), CSC, 04:09
3. Andréas KlÖden (G), T-Mobile, 05:11
4. Jan Ullrich (G), T-Mobile, 08:08
5. José Azevedo (P), U.S. Postal Service, 10:41
6. Francisco Mancebo (Sp), Illes Balears-Banesto, 11:45
7. Georg Totschnig (A), Gerolsteiner, 12:56
8. Carlos Sastre (Sp), CSC, 15:14
9. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Rabobank, 16:25
10. Pietro Caucchioli (I), Alessio-Bianchi, 16:33