Armstrong Continues His Climb

PLATEAU DE BONASCRE, France —  Drawing strength from the mountains again, Lance Armstrong outclassed Jan Ullrich for the third consecutive stage and bolstered his bid for a third consecutive Tour de France title.

Colombia’s Felix Cardenas won the 12th stage between Perpignan and this ski station in the Pyrenees, with Spain’s Roberto Laiseka second.

Armstrong finished third, making a late sprint in the uphill finish to beat Ullrich--his main rival--by 23 seconds.

The Texan remained third overall but greatly reduced the lead held by Francois Simon of France and second-place Andrei Kivilev of Kazakstan. That lead is expected to shrink further in the next two stages in the Pyrenees as Armstrong steps up his attack.

Today’s stage is a grueling 120.5-mile stretch covering six difficult mountain passes between the medieval city of Foix and Saint-Lary-Soulan.

Whoever leads by the end of the three stages in the Pyrenees is expected to wear the yellow jersey when the Tour finishes on the Champs-Elysees in Paris on July 29.

Cardenas was well ahead in the last climb of the 103.4-mile stretch when Armstrong and Ullrich advanced toward the front of the main pack and broke away.

Ullrich looked back repeatedly at Armstrong, apparently expecting to be overtaken at any moment--but nothing happened.

In the final few miles, Armstrong surged ahead, opening a huge gap. Ullrich, his teeth gritted, was unable to react.

“I was surprised that Ullrich attacked so early in the last climb,” Armstrong said. “I think that it was premature and I think he tired out early.

“But when he attacks, nobody can follow him sitting down.”

Armstrong beat Ullrich by nearly two minutes Tuesday in the first of two grueling stages in the Alps and was a minute faster in the uphill time trial the next day.

Ullrich took the latest defeat in stride, saying: “I rode very well today, and I’ll keep doing so.”

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Tour de France at a Glance

A look at Friday’s 12th stage:

* Stage: A 103.4-mile mountainous stretch from Perpignan to Plateau de Bonascre.

* Winner: Colombia’s Felix Cardenas in 5 hours 3 minutes 34 seconds.

* How others fared: Two-time defending champion Lance Armstrong was third, 15 seconds behind Cardenas. Germany’s Jan Ullrich was fourth. Frenchman Francois Simon kept the leader’s yellow jersey.

* Quote of the day: “I think [Ullrich’s attack] was premature and I think he tired out early.” -- Armstrong, after he surged past the German in the final stretch.

* Next stage: A grueling 120.5-mile ride featuring six mountain passes between Foix and Saint-Lary-Soulan (Pla d’Adet).