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  Monday  July 21  2003    10: 11 AM

tour de france

This Tour has had it's twists and turns. We last left Lance Armstrong with the Yellow Jersey as the Tour left the Alps behind. Stage 10 and Stage 11 were flat and Lance's position went unchallenged. Stage 12 was something else. Ullrich, last seen fading on the mountain stages, came storming back with a win in the time trial. He gained 1 minute 36 seconds on Lance, cutting Lance's lead to 34 seconds. Vinokourov was only 51 seconds behind Lance. Lance was looking vulnerable. Stage 13 was in the Pyrenees and Ullrich took second and gained more time on Lance. Lance lead Ullrich by only 15 seconds. Vinokourov made his move on Stage 14. At the end of Stage 14 Ullrich was down by 15 seconds and Vinokourov was down by 18 seconds. Lance was not looking strong. Today Lance dug down deep and won Stage 15 after crashing on the final climb. There are two more chances for Ullrich and Vinokourov. Tomorrow, Stage 16, is the last mountain stage and Stage 19 will be the last time trial. The final positions will be determined on the time trial. Stage 20 is the final stage into Paris. Ullrich and Vinokourov have their work cut out for them. Lance was back in chanpionship form today.

Overall Standings
1. Lance Armstrong USA US Postal 65:36:23
2. Jan Ullrich GER Team Bianchi +01:07
3. Alexandre Vinokourov KAZ Telekom +02:45
4. Haimar Zubeldia ESP Euskaltel +05:16
5. Iban Mayo ESP Euskaltel +05:25
6. Ivan Basso ITA Fassa Bortolo +08:08
7. Tyler Hamilton USA Team CSC +09:02
8. Christophe Moreau FRA Crédit Agricole +11:12
9. Francisco Mancebo ESP iBanesto.com +16:05
10. Carlos Sastre ESP Team CSC +16:12