Act 2: Armstrong climbs a mountain

The American surged in the last 200 metres to beat Spaniard Joseba Beloki, who took second place seven seconds behind and looks like Armstrong’s only rival for the rest of the Tour.

Armstrong’s team mate Roberto Heras of Spain, who led his leader towards an impressive 13th stage victory in the ski resort of La Mongie, was third. Overall, Armstrong leads Beloki by one minute 12 seconds with Igor Gonzalez Galdeano, who held the yellow jersey at the start of the stage, third, 1:48 behind.

For Armstrong, who had won the first mountain stage in each of his three previous Tour victories, the last climb to La Mongie, halfway up the Tourmalet pass, was almost business as usual. But his team mates, who led the chase throughout behind early breakaways, did a fantastic job in an impressive final show of strength. (Reuters)