Tour De France: Armstrong extends lead over Ullrich in Pyrenees

Lance Armstrong played cat-and-mouse with his main rival Jan Ullrich in the 12th stage of the Tour de France.

The US Postal Service rider powered past him in the final stretch to extend his advantage in the rankings.

Colombian Felix Cardenas won the mountain stage in the Pyrenees and Spaniard Roberto Laiseka was second.

Armstrong placed third thanks to a late sprint in the uphill finish, beating Ullrich to the line by 23 seconds.

He remained third in the overall standings but greatly reduced the lead held by Frenchman Francois Simon and second-placed Andrei Kivilev of Kazakstan.

That lead is expected to shrink further in the next two stages in the Pyrenees as Armstrong steps up his bid for a third Tour de France title.