Armstrong defends yellow as Pereiro wins Tour's 16th stage

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2005

PAU, France (AFP) — Spaniard Oscar Pereiro of the Phonak team won the 16th stage of the Tour de France here held over 180.5km between Mourenx and Pau.

American Lance Armstrong retained the yellow jersey after the final day of climbing in the high mountains despite coming under a brief attack from Germany's Jan Ullrich.

Armstrong began the day with a 2min 46sec lead on Italian Ivan Basso, of the CSC team, with 1997 race winner Ullrich in fourth place, behind Michael Rasmussen, at nearly six minutes adrift of the six-time winner.

After Tuesday's stage - which was the last real chance for any of his rivals to claw back time in the mountains - Armstrong's lead remained the same as all the main challengers finished in the peloton although there are likely to be...