Ullrich throws down gauntlet

LANCE ARMSTRONG declared arch-rival Jan Ullrich the new favourite to win the centenary Tour de France after the German had come within 34 seconds of tearing the leader’s yellow jersey off his back.

Ullrich, the 29-year-old winner of the 1997 Tour, blitzed his rivals to win the race's 12th stage, a 47km time-trial from Gaillac to Cap'Decouverte.

Armstrong came in second on the day but 1:36 behind the German, the only man to break the hour mark with a blistering time of 58:32.