July 16, 2005 – An epic day in the mountains today as Austria’s Georg Totschnig (Gerolsteiner) managed to stay clear of a dominant Lance Armstrong (Discovery). Armstrong confirmed his strength today by putting more time into his rivals, CSC’s Ivan Basso and T-Mobile’s Jan Ullrich. Totschnig’s American teammate Levi Leipheimer had a solid ride for fifth, followed by another American, Floyd Landis (Phonak) for sixth.

Polka Dot jersey wearer Michael Rasmussen fell of the pace today, finishing 8th, but keeps his second overall behind the Texan.

Totschnig was away for over 200km today, as he began the day in an early break with Daniele Nardello (T-Mobile), Alexandre Moos (Phonak), Juan Manual Garate (Saunier Duval), Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas), Walter Beneteau (Bouygues Telecom), Carlos Da Cruz, Phillipe Gilbert (FDJ), Andriy Grivko (Domina Vacanze) and Yuriy Krivtsov (Ag2r). By the time the pack hit the first major climb, Totschnig, Garzelli, and Beneteau broke clear, before Totschnig made his final move that would foil a stage win from Armstrong.

Results:
1 Georg Totschnig (Aut) Gerolsteiner 5.43.43 (38.491 km/h)
2 Lance Armstrong (USA) Discovery Channel 0.56
3 Ivan Basso (Ita) Team CSC 0.58
4 Jan Ullrich (Ger) T-Mobile Team 1.16
5 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Gerolsteiner 1.31
6 Floyd Landis (USA) Phonak Hearing Systems
7 Francisco Mancebo (Spa) Illes Balears-Caisse d’Epargne 1.47
8 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank
9 Andreas Klöden (Ger) T-Mobile Team 2.06
10 Haimar Zubeldia (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 2.20

G.C.

1 Lance Armstrong (USA) Discovery Channel 55.58.17 (43.32 km/h)
2 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 1.41
3 Ivan Basso (Ita) Team CSC 2.46
4 Jan Ullrich (Ger) T-Mobile Team 4.34
5 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Gerolsteiner 4.45
6 Floyd Landis (USA) Phonak Hearing Systems 5.03
7 Francisco Mancebo (Spa) Illes Balears-Caisse d’Epargne
8 Andreas Klöden (Ger) T-Mobile Team 5.38
9 Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) T-Mobile Team 7.09
10 Christophe Moreau (Fra) Credit Agricole 8.37