Pena’s first for ColombiaBy Paul Handler

A COLOMBIAN rider claimed the yellow jersey for the first time in Tour de France history yesterday as Lance Armstrong’s US Postal team took a firm grip on the centenary running of the world’s most famous cycling race.

But Scotland's David Millar is now two minutes off the pace after his Cofidis side were left in the shade by US Postal, whose ability to stay in tight formation even on tough mountain climbs has earned them the nickname "the Blue Train".

Victor Hugo Pena sat proudly on top of the overall standings after the team time trial, with the "Postmen" sweeping to victory ahead of the ONCE and Bianchi outfits who were 30 and 43 seconds back respectively.