Lance Armstrong landed what could prove a decisive blow on his biggest rivals today with a performance which was predictable but no less devastating to two of the men who hope to deny him a record sixth Tour de France victory.
The Texan finished second behind the impressive Ivan Basso of CSC after the duo had engaged in a thrilling chase to the summit at La Mongie.
And the gallant young Frenchman Thomas Voeckler defied expectations once again by holding on to the yellow jersey with Armstrong moving up to second just over five minutes behind the 25-year-old.
But, of greater significance to the overall outcome of the race, was the fact that Armstrong established big leads over Jan Ullrich and Tyler Hamilton.
Stage results
1. Ivan Basso (Italy) Team CSC 5:03.58
2. Lance Armstrong (U.S.) US Postal same time
3. Andreas Kloeden (Germany) T-Mobile 20 seconds behind
4. Francisco Mancebo (Spain) Illes Balears 24
5. Carlos Sastre (Spain) Team CSC 33
6. Oscar Pereiro Sio (Spain) Phonak 50
7. Denis Menchov (Russia) Illes Balears 59
8. Michele Scarponi (Italy) Domina Vacanze 1.02
9. Iban Mayo (Spain) Euskatel 1.03
10. Santos Gonzalez (Spain) Phonak
Overall standings (yellow jersey)
1. Thomas Voeckler (France) Brioches La Boulangere 51:51.07
2. Lance Armstrong (U.S.) US Postal 5.24 behind
3. Sandy Casar (France) FDJeux.com 5.50
4. Richard Virenque (France) Quick Step-Davitamon 6.20
5. Andreas Kloeden (Germany) T-Mobile 6.33
6. Ivan Basso (Italy) Team CSC same time
7. Francisco Mancebo (Spain) Illes Balears 6.43
8. Jakob Piil (Denmark) Team CSC 6.53
9. Santos Gonzalez (Spain) Phonak 7.23
10. Carlos Sastre (Spain) Team CSC 8.11