The focus of this stage will be the legendary Col d'Aubisque, which represents the final hors categorie climb of the Tour - the mountains aren't finished yet, but Aubisque represents the end of some 'extreme' climbing for riders. Armstrong took the yellow jersey on the back of this climb in 2002 - this occurred earlier in the race, and he went on to dominate the remainder of the Tour after hitting his competition hard in these opening mountain exchanges. In 2005 the situation may well be different, or we could find Armstrong placing a stranglehold on the overall lead leading to a seventh victory - who knows? Either way it's going to be a fight amongst the main GC contenders with a couple of strongmen thrown in; the German has been quiet since his early season success and is primed for a strong Tour performance.
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Defending champions Matt Beers and Sofia Gomez Villafañe dominate at Belgian Waffle Ride California
'Matt Beers was the cat and I was his ball of yarn' reflects men's runner up Peter Stetina -
UCI Gravel World Series - Crystal Anthony and Skyler Taylor win Highlands Gravel Classic
Runner-up spots claimed by Jenna Rinehart and Tim McBirney in first of two American qualifying events -
‘The last kilometre was just a little too much’ - Lotte Kopecky takes fifth at Liège-Bastogne-Liège after dropping on Roche-aux-Faucons climb
'I think it is a race that I can win in the future but just not this year' says world champion who now turns attention to Tour de France Femmes -
Tour of the Gila: Galen Bolard and Eric Brunner win stage 4 bunch sprint
Lauren Stephens and Keiran Haug retain race lead after penultimate stage
