Trial of strength for Lance

Lance Armstrong has the opportunity to crush his rivals' fading hopes of overall Tour de France victory in today's individual time trial to l'Alpe d'Huez.

Five-times champion Armstrong won in the Alpine resort in 2001 and, following the withdrawal of Spanish climbing specialist Iban Mayo, the American is the clear favourite to take the stage and keep the yellow jersey he slipped on after victory in Villard-de-Lans.

The 16th stage is only 15.5km long, but most of it is uphill and the twisting road will be lined with more than 500,000 cheering spectators. Armstrong believes Marco Pantani's 1997 record of 37min 35sec will be beaten.

"Because it's a short time trial and not a long road stage, everyone will be fresher," the American said. "I expect Ivan Basso to be strong and I think he'll be tough to beat."