Armstrong so close to yellow jersey

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The American, winner of the Tour every year between 1999 and 2005, started the day in third position but wiped out his 40-second deficit to leader Fabian Cancellara thanks to Astana's victory in the 39km stage at Montpellier.

Cancellara, whose Saxo Bank team finished third on Tuesday, has the exact same time as Armstrong - 10 hours, 38 minutes and seven seconds - but the Swiss retains the maillot jaune heading into Wednesday's fifth stage.

Astana, the last team out for the time trial, finished in 46 minutes and 29 seconds to oust Garmin-Slipstream into second, 18 seconds back.

Saxo Bank were third, a further 22 seconds behind, with Liquigas and Columbia fourth and fifth respectively.

Astana's strong showing leaves them with four riders in the top five of the general classification - Tour favourite Alberto Contador moves into third, 19 seconds adrift of the joint leaders, while Andreas Kloden and Levi Leipheimer are just behind the Spaniard.

Team Columbia's Tony Martin started the day second but drops out of the leading bunch and is now eighth, 52 seconds off the pace.

Britain's Bradley Wiggins is sixth thanks to Garmin's second-place finish.

Armstrong admitted he saw himself in yellow as Astana closed in on victory.

"We thought we had it based on the time splits on the course," he told Eurosport. "We thought we were close or even there but that's cycling. I did my best, it's just a damn hard event, one of the hardest things we do in the Tour."