Armstrong takes stage with ominous ease

THE Tour de France is only at its mid-way point, but the general classification already has an ominous look to it.

Over a minute clear of his nearest challenger at the head of the world’s premier cycle race is three-time reigning champion Lance Armstrong, who inherited the yellow jersey from Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano yesterday with a scintillating victory on stage 11.

The 158km ride from Pau to La Mongie saw the race enter the mountains for the first time this year, and Armstrong looked to be in his element as he picked up the 13th Tour stage win of his career.