July 19, 2003 – Once again there's indication at this year's Tour de France that Lance Armstrong (USPS) will have a more difficult time winning than in previous years. Although his USPS squad was incredibly strong, controlling the race today and shedding all but a select few on the final climb to Bonsacre, ultimately it was Ullrich who got the advantage with a few kms remaining. Bianchi rider, Jan Ullrich, charged on the pedals on the final slope, putting a small gap into the American.  Armstrong closed it slightly, managing to lose only nine seconds… but Ullrich has set the challenge once again. There are three more tough mountain-top finishes in the next few days, and we will soon see if today was an omen, or just an off-day….

Stage 13: Toulouse (Cite de l'Espace) – Plateau de Bonascre, 197.5 k

1. Carlos Sastre (Spa) Team CSC              5.16.08
2. Jan Ullrich (Ger) Team Bianchi               1.01
3. Haimar Zubeldia (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
4. Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal Service      1.08
5. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Telekom           1.18

Overall:

1. Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal Service  55.34.01
2. Jan Ullrich (Ger) Team Bianchi               0.15
3. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Telekom           1.01
4. Haimar Zubeldia (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi      4.14
5. Tyler Hamilton (USA) Team CSC                4.23