Armstrong on verge of Tour record after stage win

Champion-elect Lance Armstrong produced a masterful display of time-trial cycling to win the penultimate 20th stage of the Tour de France on Saturday and all but seal an incredible seventh title.

The American was in scintillating form throughout the 55km trial, blitzing all before him to win in a superb 1hour 11minutes 46seconds with Jan Ullrich a massive 23 seconds behind in second.

Armstrong now takes a mammoth lead into the final stage in Paris on Sunday and, barring injury, will be able to coast to victory in his final ever Tour stage.