Spaniard Serrano steals stage win as Armstrong maintains lead

Spaniard Marcos Serrano claimed victory on the 189km 18th stage of the Tour de France between Albi and Mende after holding off a strong challenge from Cedric Vasseur and Axel Merckx on Thursday.

The Liberty-Seguros rider was a member of an initial group of 10 that broke away from the peloton, including race leader Lance Armstrong, at the 20km mark and stretched their lead throughout the race.