Well-Supported Armstrong Maintains His Overall Lead

Lance Armstrong retained his lead in the Tour de France Tuesday, finishing well behind the winner of the 11th stage but without losing any time to his main rivals.

Erik Dekker of the Netherlands won the hilly, 135-mile stage from Bagneres-de-Bigorre to Revel in southwestern France after sharing a big lead over the pack with Santiago Botero of Colombia for almost the entire race.

Armstrong, who came back from cancer to win the Tour last year, kept his 4-minute 14-second overall lead on 1997 champion Jan Ullrich of Germany while moving closer to the 21st and final stage in Paris on July 23.

Armstrong took his lead Monday with a stunning late climb in the Pyrenees. He is glad that unlike last year there aren’t back-to-back mountain stages until later in the race.

“I didn’t sleep very well, but I felt good this morning,” Armstrong said. “Normally there are two [mountain] stages, so I didn’t feel as fatigued as I did last year after the Alps.

“I was lucky enough to have my family, baby boy and in-laws with me. That was good for morale.”

In the 11th stage, Botero and Dekker raced wheel to wheel until the end, when the Dutchman showed he had stronger legs. Dekker, who won Saturday’s eighth stage, finished in 5 hours 5 minutes 47 seconds.

Neither rider had any chance of taking the yellow jersey, worn by the overall leader. Botero started the day in 45th place, 17:40 behind Armstrong; Dekker was a distant 61st, 26:17 slower than the Texan.

Botero and Dekker led the rest of the pack by more than 10 minutes three-quarters through the stage.

Armstrong’s U.S. Postal Service teammates were at the front for long periods, shielding him from any attacks from Ullrich. Armstrong finished 24th, one spot behind the German.

The 11th stage came as a relief to riders after Monday’s energy-sapping mountain climb in cold, driving rain.

Temperatures hovered around a comfortable 59 degrees, though occasional showers and wind made riding difficult at times.

Riders have a rest day today before Thursday’s 12th leg, a 93-mile course, which includes a tough climb up Mont Ventoux.

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Tour de France Glance

A look at Tuesday’s 11th stage:

* STAGE: A hilly, 135-mile stage from Bagneres-de-Bigorre to Revel.

* STAGE WINNER: Erik Dekker of the Netherlands in 5 hours 5 minutes 47 seconds.

* HOW OTHERS FARED: Defending champion Lance Armstrong finished 24th, 5:05 behind Dekker, to retain the yellow jersey. Jan Ullrich of Germany was 23rd with the same time as Armstrong and stays second overall.

* QUOTE OF THE DAY: Armstrong, on how he celebrated gaining the yellow jersey Monday: “Someone ordered champagne but I didn’t want any. If we win in Paris, I will have champagne, but that is a long way from now.”

* NEXT STAGE: After today’s rest day, Thursday’s 12th leg is a 93-mile course from Carpentras to Mont Ventoux.