Lance strikes for yellow after team time-trial

LANCE ARMSTRONG seized control of the yellow jersey for the first time during his pursuit of a record sixth Tour de France title yesterday, thanks to a display of unmatched power and discipline in the team time-trial from his US Postal outfit.

The Texan sported a broad grin as his team-mates congratulated each other at the finishing line in Arras on winning a stage which could prove as decisive as any in the 91st Tour.

After just five days’ racing, Armstrong will start today’s 36 seconds ahead of Tyler Hamilton, the nearest of the men who have serious hopes of defying his attempt to write his name in the history books.

There are fewer big names in the US Postal ranks this year than previous years, leading some commentators to talk down Armstrong’s chances.

But the 32-year-old had ominous words for his rivals, telling French television: “We have a very strong team this year. I feel they’ve all improved a lot since last year.”

The Postmen will admit they enjoyed a dash of luck as the wet and windy weather which washed across the 64.5 kilometre course for most of the day eased in the last half-hour.

The conditions were still treacherous, however, and - although they lost Spanish rider Benjamin Noval early in their ride - they still finished more than a minute quicker than second-placed Phonak, home to former US Postal rider Hamilton.

The New Englander will have been happier than other pretenders to Armstrong’s throne as Phonak were able to claim second place despite a series of punctures which meant they finished four men down.

But Jan Ullrich’s T-Mobile were not so fortunate as they gave up 40 seconds to Armstrong today, leaving the 1997 Tour winner 55 seconds off the pace. However, it looked as if they had been afflicted with the worst of the conditions.

Elsewhere, Mark Scanlon’s AG2R team endured a disappointing day and finished as the 13th fastest team. Scanlon led home the outfit a full 4:05 behind the victorious US Postal team.

Today, the race heads south from Amiens to Chartres when more high winds could buffet the peloton but there looks to be little opportunity for Armstrong’s rivals to erode his lead, at least until they head for the Pyrenees next week.