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.

However, that was enough for the Texan to preserve his overall lead of the race he hopes to win for a record-equalling fifth time.

Kazakhstan's Alexander Vinokourov finished third on the day behind Ullrich and Armstrong and is now 17 seconds behind Ullrich overall and 51 behind Armstrong.

Fourth-placed American Tyler Hamilton is now 2:59 adrift of his compatriot and former team-mate and it will take exceptional performances in the Pyrenees or the remaining time-trial for any other rider to challenge the leading trio.

"It was very hard today, it was hot and it turned out more difficult than I thought it would be," said 31-year-old Texan Armstrong, who had said before yesterday's race that this would be the most important time-trial of his life.

"I did not feel so well on the road but in the end it is not that bad since I am second (on the day)," he said.

"Jan has really performed a great race and he is now favourite for the Tour. I have always said that he was my biggest rival.

"And every time we did the Tour together the second part of the event was very tight between us two," he told French TV.

"I am however, not too worried, we now have four days in the Pyrenees ahead of us. I have a great team, probably the best team and the Tour is not over. I will try to attack as much as possible in the mountains," he said.

However, if Ullrich can withstand Armstrong in the mountains then he will fancy his own chances of another victory in the remaining time-trial.

"I am very happy about this result", said the East German from Rostock who was one of the last products of the old communist training system.

"I am tired but I have refound the real Ullrich," he said.

The German had only got a late ticket to the centenary Tour with Italian outfit Team Bianchi after his former outfit Team Coast had folded.

"I had just come here this year to prepare for next year's Tour," said Ullrich, whose victory was his eighth career Tour stage win and his fifth in a time-trial.

"I was not expecting such a victory. I am very happy to be able to challenge Armstrong, this is good news," he said.

Britain's David Millar, who finished seventh in the time-trial, improved to 14th overall and now trails Armstrong by 9:34.