TOUR DE FRANCE : Outschakov Wins 13th Stage

Miguel Indurain finished more than 19 minutes behind stage winner Sergei Outschakov on Saturday in the Tour de France but maintained his overall lead.

Outschakov beat American Lance Armstrong in the final sprint to win the 13th stage from Mende to Revel as the Tour entered its third week.

Indurain came in with the main pack to finish 17th on the day and keep his 2-minute 44-second advantage over Alex Zulle of Switzerland. France’s Laurent Jalabert is third.

Outschakov and Armstrong, a member of the Motorola team, were part of a group of four that built up an advantage of more than 15 minutes on the main pack. They started to move away with more than 125 miles to go in the 152-mile stage.

They broke away from Italian Bruno Cenghialta and Colombian Hernan Buenahora with about five miles left.

Entering the final stretch, Armstrong was right behind the Russian and appeared ready to overtake him. However, Outschakov managed to stay ahead in the final sprint.

“He was faster,” Armstrong said. “I was surprised he was faster.”

Today’s stage is from St. Orens de Gameville to Guzet-Neige, 101 miles, with an off day Monday before two days in the Pyrenees.

The Tour ends next Sunday in Paris.