Armstrong must conquer rivals in mountain stage

TODAY cannot come soon enough for Lance Armstrong's rivals in the Tour de France.

The rest day yesterday has given the 182 riders left in the race time to reflect on the evidence of Monday's time trial which suggested that the Texan is vulnerable after all.

Just 11 seconds separated Armstrong from stage winner Santiago Botero, but that narrow margin has opened up a chink of hope for those intent on halting the US Postman's bid for a fourth consecutive Tour title.