Texan leaves rivals trailing in his wake

ANY DOUBTS over whether Lance Armstrong could win a fourth successive Tour de France were surely left behind for good in the steep hills of the Pyrenees yesterday.

The Texan attacked on the highest category climb to leave 10 riders, including Spaniards Joseba Beloki and Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano his nearest challengers for the yellow jersey trailing in his wake.

By the time he reached the finish in Plateau de Beille seven kilometres later to clinch his second successive stage win, he was over a minute clear of US Postal Service team-mate Roberto Heras and Beloki.