Graham Watson

Santiago Botero celebrates his victory at the end of the Tour's longest stage

While seven of his U.S. Postal Service teammates often rode at the front of the main field until the most severe climbs began, Armstrong finished seventh Saturday in the 249.5 kilometer Draguignan to Briancon 14th stage. The longest stage of this year's race included two category one climbs and one beyond category climb en route to the finish at Briancon, the highest city in France at an altitude of 1,326 meters.

Santiago Botero (Kelme) of Colombia, who began the day in 19th position, won the stage in 7 hours, 56 minutes and 13 seconds, nearly three minutes ahead of Armstrong. But the defending champion finished in the same time and two spots ahead of German Jan Ullrich, the 1997 race winner and holder of second place in overall tour standings.

"I didn't feel that good for the first half of the race and I don't know why," said Armstrong, who maintained a 4:55 cushion over Ullrich and a 5:52 margin over Joseba Beloki (Festina) of Spain. "But I felt better when we started the Col d'Izoard [the beyond category climb after 228 kilometers]. But after chasing down [Marco} Pantani's break, I didn't feel great and I was happy to finish with the group."

Pantani (Mercatone Uno) of Italy, the 1998 race winner, continued his strong mountain efforts. He placed third, 16 seconds behind runner-up Paolo Savoldelli (Seaco) of Italy, and is now ninth, trailing Armstrong by 10:13.

Armstrong assumed the race lead after his runner-up finish in the 10th stage to Lourdes-Hautacam, the first mountain stage. He gained another second place in the 12th stage when he matched Pantani's final ascent before easing at the finish.

"Our objective is to keep the jersey," said Armstrong, who won four stages last year en route his overall title, a 7:21 margin over Alex Zulle of Switzerland. "If a break develops and it's a guy 20 or 30 minutes down and it doesn't effect the standings, it's easier to keep the team together and not chase. But if it's a guy who is down five or six minutes, we wouldn't let them go."

With seven stages remaining, the riders will face two additional mountain stages with beyond category climbs, an individual time trial and three rolling stages before the short and often ceremonial final-day stage July 23 into Paris.