Armstrong Can’t Beat Pack, Remains Seventh

Lance Armstrong finished in the main pack after a difficult stretch of racing Wednesday to remain in seventh place in the Tour de France.

Laurent Jalabert of France, who broke three ribs in February after falling off a ladder, won the fourth stage. He edged Ludo Dierckxsens of Belgium in a sprint finish.

Australia’s Stuart O’Grady kept the overall leader’s yellow jersey for a second day.

Armstrong finished seven seconds behind the leaders on a day of racing that ended at the scene of one of World War I’s bloodiest battles. The two-time defending champion was 30th in the 133.5-mile stage.

“It was a very, very hard day,” Armstrong said. “All the favorites were in the front of the pack. But it’s better to have them there than ahead of the pack.”

Armstrong last entered Verdun with the Tour de France in 1993, winning the stage at 21. It was his first stage victory in the Tour.

Dierckxsens, Jalabert and Francisco Mancebo broke from the front of the pack with 18.6 miles left and led by up to 1 minute 25 seconds. Their advantage slowly diminished and Jalabert broke away 1.8 miles from the finish.

Dierckxsens followed and the two exchanged the lead until the Frenchman triumphed, timed in 5 hours 17 minutes 49 seconds after the start in Huy, Belgium.

Jalabert, who rides for CSC-Tiscali, fell off a ladder while changing a light bulb at his home in Geneva. He was unable to ride for more than two months.

France’s Damien Nazon led the main pack as it ended the stage seven seconds off the pace and took third place. Armstrong finished in the same time, as did his main rival, Germany’s Jan Ullrich.

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At A Glance

A look at Wednesday’s fourth stage of the 88th Tour de France:

Stage--133.52 miles from Huy, Belgium, to Verdun in eastern France.

Winner--Laurent Jalabert, France; 5 hours 17 minutes 49 seconds.

How others fared--Two-time defending champion Lance Armstrong was 30th, seven seconds behind the leader. Australia’s Stuart O’Grady kept the overall leader’s yellow jersey for a second day.

Quote of the day--”It’s a lesson in courage,” said Jalabert, who fell off a ladder and broke three ribs in February and didn’t ride for two months.

Next stage--Today’s stage is a 41.61-mile team time trial from Verdun to Bar-le-Duc.