July 18, 2003 – An interesting turn of events today as Team Bianchi's Jan Ullrich confirmed his comeback, putting over a minute-and-a-half on USPS's Lance Armstrong. After starting the 47k test fairly equally, Ullrich motored away halfway through, ultimately finishing 1:35 ahead of the Armstrong. Alex Vinokourov (Telekom) finished 2:05 behind, meaning both the Kazak and the German are still within fighting range: Ullrich moves up to second, just 34 seconds behind, with Vinokourov 51 seconds behind. The “other American” Tyler Hamilton (CSC) finished a sturdy fifth, losing 2:42 to Ullrich. The Pyrenees await, and suddenly it appears we have the closest Tour de France in recent years…

Stage 12 РFriday, July 18: Gaillac РCap' D̩couverte, ITT, 47 km

1. Jan Ullrich (Ger) Team Bianchi
58.32.92(48.178 km/h)
2. Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal-Berry Floor 1.35.13
3. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Team Telekom 2.05.94
4. Haimar Zubeldia (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 2.39.39
5. Tyler Hamilton (USA) Team CSC 2.42.52
6. Uwe Peschel (Ger) Gerolsteiner 3.25.27
7. David Millar (GBr) Cofidis, Credit Par Telephone 3.54.25
8. Inigo Chaurreau (Spa) Ag2R Prevoyance 4.00.71
9. David Plaza (Spa) Team Bianchi 4.36.87
10. Santiago Botero (Col) Team Telekom 4.59.16

Overall:

1. Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal-Berry Floor 50.16.45
2. Jan Ullrich (Ger) Team Bianchi 0.34
3. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Team Telekom 0.51
4. Tyler Hamilton (USA) Team CSC 2.59
5. Haimar Zubeldia (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 4.29
6. Iban Mayo (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
7. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) iBanesto.com 5.01
8. Ivan Basso (Ita) Fassa Bortolo 6.49
9. Denis Menchov (Rus) iBanesto.com 7.24
10. Christophe Moreau (Fra) Credit Agricole 7.55