Swiss rider pips Armstrong in prologue

Lance Armstrong made a strong start to his bid to win a record sixth Tour de France, but had to settle for second place as Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara took the opening prologue stage in Liege, Belgium.

Fassa Bortolo rider Cancellara, who broke down in tears after seeing Armstrong fail to reach his time, took the stage in six minutes, 50.94 seconds.

Armstrong, riding for US Postal, was two seconds outside Cancellara’s time while Germany’s Jan Ullrich, many people’s tip to end Armstrong’s run this year, finished 15th in 7:07.40.

Jose Gutierrez of Spain was third, Australian Bradley McGee fourth and Norway’s Thor Hushovd fifth.