Armstrong powers back into yellow

LANCE ARMSTRONG reclaimed the yellow jersey with a mesmerising display of power which crushed all but a handful of his rivals on stage 10 of the Tour de France yesterday.

As has become traditional for Armstrong, the Texan used the first mountaintop finish of the 'Grand Boucle' to stamp his authority on the peloton and, while it was predictable, it was no less impressive.

Only Iles Balears rider Alejandro Valverde was able to stay with Armstrong as far as the finishing line at the Courcheval ski resort and the young Spaniard was ushered through for his first stage win in the Tour.