TOUR DE FRANCE : Victory Puts Indurain in Control

After one week of racing, it appears the 23-day Tour de France is all but over.

Miguel Indurain of Spain seized the coveted yellow jersey with panache in winning Sunday’s 33.5-mile individual time trial through the stifling Belgium countryside from Huy to Seraing.

After a rest day today, Indurain will lead the cyclists into the mountains with more than a two-minute lead over his main rivals.

For the fifth consecutive year, Indurain won the first long time trial, but it was his toughest challenge yet. He had to rally in the final three miles to edge surprisingly strong Bjarne Riis of Denmark by 12 seconds.

“I knew he would be very strong,” said Indurain, who finished the eighth stage in 1 hour 4.16 seconds.

“I didn’t know I was that close,” said Riis, who wore the yellow jersey for one day Friday. “I missed the guts to finish it off. If I’d known, perhaps I could have gone harder.”

Whether Riis, who is in second place, 23 seconds behind, can challenge Indurain during the energy-sapping mountain stages, is questionable. But those who can might have too much time to make up after the time trial.

Russia’s Eugeni Berzin is third, 2:20 behind after Sunday’s 33.5-mile eighth stage. Switzerland’s Tony Rominger, this year’s winner of the Tour of Italy, lost 58 seconds to Indurain and is fifth, 2:32 behind.

Indurain is attempting to win an unprecedented fifth consecutive Tour. Not only is he riding superbly, his Banesto teammates are considered too strong to allow one of the main challengers to spring a surprise attack in the Alps or Pyrenees.

Lance Armstrong of Austin, Tex., finished 19th in the time trial and moved into 37th place, 12:24 behind Indurain.