Armstrong eases closer to title

THE stages come and go but still no one can get closer to Lance Armstrong.

The American has just two days to negotiate before he can pick up his fourth consecutive Tour de France title.

Yesterday’s stage, a 176.5-kilometre run from Cluses to Bourg-en-Bresse, was the final chance for several riders to make their move ahead of a time trial today and the famous journey into Paris on tomorrow’s final day.

But Armstrong managed to avoid any possible dramas, his US Postal team shielding him from potential dangers to bring him home safely in the main peloton, 11 minutes and 42 seconds behind yesterday’s winner, Thor Hushovd.

Hushovd became just the second Norwegian to win a stage of the Tour de France and the first for 15 years, winning a sprint involving Christophe Mengin and Jakob Storm Piil.

Piil’s chances of victory disappeared when his foot came out of the pedal as the sprint began in earnest, leaving the other two to scrap it out.

The Credit Agricole rider dedicated the win to his embattled team, who are beginning to emerge from a dismal year.

‘‘It’s a good feeling to win for the whole team,’’ Hushovd said. ‘‘We have had so much bad luck this year and I hope this can be the turning point.”

Hushovd nearly crashed out on the second stage but has shown remarkable powers of recovery to win so late in the Tour.

‘‘I got over my problems very quickly and have finished the tour in good form,’’ he continued.

Hushovd is renowned as a sprinter but also impressed in the last stage in the Alps.

‘‘I had a good day but I still consider myself to be a sprinter. I want to improve further as a sprinter before I can think about my mountain riding.’’

The 24-year-old may be good when it comes to the fast finishes, but he still has some way to go to reach the level being set by Green Jersey rivals Erik Zabel and Robbie McEwen. McEwen is now in possession of the sprinter’s jersey having come home first in the main peloton, ahead of his German rival. The Australian now leads Zabel on points with just two stages to go.

The Polka Dot jersey for the king of the mountains was unofficially decided yesterday with withdrawal the only reason how Laurent Jalabert can be denied victory.

While Hushovd, McEwen and Jalabert all have good reasons to be happy, the man who wore the biggest grin at the end was Armstrong.

The Texan stands just two stages from another win to continue a truly remarkable career.