Bradley Wiggins’ hopes of defending his Tour de France title were dealt a blow today after the details of the 2013 route were unveiled in Paris.

LANCE ARMSTRONG took what looks like an unshakeable grip on the yellow jersey in yesterday’s time-trial with a performance worthy of a man about to enter history by becoming the first cyclist to win a sixth Tour de France.

LANCE ARMSTRONG took the overall lead in the Tour de France yesterday, though the American four-time winner was eclipsed by the climbing talents of little Iban Mayo.