American Lance Armstrong is cruising towards his third successive Tour de France victory after winning today's 18th stage, a 61-kilometre time trial. The Texan beat Spain's Igor Gonzalez Galdeano by one minute 24 seconds with his main rival Jan Ullrich a further 15 seconds back in third spot. Despite the humid conditions, the US Postal team leader completed his victory at an average speed of 49.282 kilometres per hour. He now leads Ullrich in the overall standings by six minutes 44 seconds with just two stages remaining.
ONCE rider Joseba Beloki of Spain climbed into third spot in the overall standings by finishing sixth in today's time trial, pushing Kazakh Andrei Kivilev back down into fourth place. This means the race now looks likely to finish with the same top three as last year - Armstrong, Ullrich, and Beloki.
Today's stage was the ideal one for Armstrong to secure his victory. It was the last real chance for an upset in the standings excluding a bad accident or illness to the champion elect over the next two days. "Of course I'm happy with the win," said the Texan. "I really went flat out on the stage and I was happy with the tactics I used. I know the course really well. I gave it everything and I'm very happy."
His team manager, Johan Bruyneel, was thrilled by Armstrong's fourth stage win of this year's Tour and he described today's time-trial victory as the rider's most accomplished performance in a time-trial. " I don't know how long and how many years he can be like this, he's incredible," he said.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
