The Tour de France hit the Alps for the first time this year yesterday with the classic stage up to Alpe d'Huez.

The 208km stage was won by Lance Armstrong, winner of the Tour the last two years.

The defining moment of the stage, which featured three Highest Category climbs, came 13 kilometers from the end.

The American representing the US Postal Team firstly stared out his German rival, Jan Ullrich, before launching a powerful assault that took up the 21 hairpin bends to the finish 1m 59s ahead.

The Tour stays in the Alps for a time-trial to Chamrousse today, before the only rest day in the race. It's then back to the mountains again on Friday as the Tour moves to the Pyrenees.

Armstrong remains the favourite to win the race for a third successive year, although only one rider has ever won this stage before and still managed to win the Tour itself.

Big Brother and the Ashes mean there is no coverage of the Tour on Channel 4 this year, but you can follow the action on Eurosport or online at www.letour.fr

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