CYCLING: Every year at a given point on the Tour de France an old saw is trotted out: "Today the real Tour begins." This year the "real Tour" had a false start in Monday's time-trial stage in Brittany, where Lance Armstrong failed to win. Today the 181 riders left in the race can "begin the real Tour" again.

Yesterday Armstrong had the grace to look embarrassed when asked where and when he will attack the Basque in the yellow jersey, Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano, and the rest of the short shortlist who might get in the way of his fourth Tour win.

The Texan mumbled that it all depends on many things: the form, the roads, the other riders or even the state of the Dow Jones. At some point today, however, his attack will come, either on the dramatic rock circus that is the Col d'Aubisque, the first mountain climbed by the Tour riders in 1910, or in the concrete tunnels leading to the architectural nightmare masquerading as the ski station where the race finishes today.

The forecast is for clear skies but the race leader Galdeano is under something more like a black cloud or a nasty mist, depending on which side of the mountain you come from. Yesterday France's anti-doping body opened an inquiry into a run of tests carried out on him since May. These showed the presence of Salbutamol on enough occasions and in sufficient quantity for them to feel his reasons for using it need examination.

Salbutamol, a broncial dilator, widens the air passages in the lungs and can be a mild stimulant. The substance is permitted under prescription if an inhaler is used, and there is no limit on the volume. However, if the authorities feel that Galdeano's medical file is not in order, he may be suspended, but only in France.

Galdeano is one of a distinguished group of two-wheeled asthmatics. The five-time Tour winner Miguel Indurain was "positive in France" for Salbutamol in 1994.

Cycling's governing body, the Union Cycliste Internationale, have come down on the rider's side. Their head of anti-doping, Leon Schattenberg, said there is no case to answer, as he has the necessary medical documents.

Between the drug debate and divining Armstrong's intentions, the Tour headed south yesterday with the keenness of migrating birds. The speed through the pinewoods of the Landes and into the bastides and maize fields of the Pyrenean foothills was intense, making it the third fastest stage in the Tour's history at an average of just over 30.5 m.p.h.

Muted the mood may have been, but after 10 stages, the French finally had some cause for mild celebration with their first victory via the Breton Patrice Halgand, who leapt away from 11 leaders close to the finish.

Tragedy hit the Tour for the fourth time in recent years yesterday when a seven-year-old boy was knocked down and killed by one of the vehicles in the publicity caravan. A minute's silence will be held before the start of today's stage.

Gendarmes said that the boy was knocked down by a Land Rover travelling at approximately 30 m.p.h, when he suddenly ran across the road to his grandparents. He was killed instantly. A police inquiry into the incident was opened yesterday, and initial blood alcohol tests on the driver were negative.