Cycling Tour De FranceMark Scanlon yesterday negotiated the last major hurdle before Paris in this year's Tour, riding solidly on the final mountain stage to Le Grand Borrand. He crossed the line as part of a 32-man group, 20 minutes and 49 seconds behind Lance Armstrong, to place 74th. He is up to 86th overall and remains 14th in the "best young rider" classification.

Today's undulating 18th stage to Lons le Saunier represents Scanlon's best chance for a high stage placing.

As before, his success in getting into the right long-range breakaway depends to some extent on luck and, of course, on strength.