Graham Watson

Marco Pantani lets the crowd know his place amongst the Tour's climbers

Pantani (Mercatone Uno) claimed the 173.5-kilometer Briancon to Courchevel 15th stage that included two beyond category climbs in 5 hours, 34 minutes and 46 seconds. Jose Maria Jimenez (Banesto) of Spain came in second, 41 seconds back, while Roberto Heras (Kelme) of Spain and Armstrong finished 50 seconds behind Pantani in third and fourth place respectively.

Armstrong (U.S. Postal Service), who last year won his first Tour title by 7:21 over Alex Zulle of Switzerland, extended his margin by more than 2 1/2 minutes. He now leads Germany's Jan Ullrich (Telekom) by 7:26 with six stages of the race's 87th edition remaining. Joseba Beloki (Festina) of Spain is third, trailing by 7:28.

Ullrich, the 1997 race winner, suffered in the waning kilometers and finished 15th in the stage. He said he would be pressed to remain in second.

The stage also included a very rare circumstance in Tour history. Two different cycling impostors, including one wearing a yellow jersey, entered the course near the finish. The possessor of the yellow jersey crossed the finish line in about seventh or eighth place, with his arms flailing as if he had won the stage.

Armstrong, who has led the race since finishing sixth in the 10th stage, the Tour's first mountain stage, again had to concede to Pantani as the day's strongest climber.

Armstrong had eased at the finish of 12th stage, allowing Pantani to claim his first stage. He also acknowledged Pantani as the strongest climber of the day during the 14th stage when he motioned to the 1998 Tour de France and Tour of Italy winner on a descent and en route to his third place finish.

"My form is not getting better," said Armstrong. "It's similar to last year when I did well in the mountains. If I had to say, my best stage was to Hautacam [stage 10]. Perhaps that's not the best circumstance, but at least I think I can maintain my lead."

Pantani, who lost time when his team fared poorly in the fourth-stage time trial and lost more time in the first mountain stage, has rekindled his efforts. Four days ago Pantani was in 25th position, but his two victories and third-place finish moved him into sixth place. He now trails Armstrong by 9:03.

The 15th stage included the famed Col du Galibier, the highest point in the Tour at 2,645 meters. Although there was some scattered snow on the ground, the skies remained clear, with periodic clouds and with a low temperature of 39 degrees. As is tradition, tens of thousands of fan packed the Galibier and the other two major climbs of the stage.

Pantani attacked the peloton several times during the stage. With Jimenez in the lead by about a minute, he broke from the group including Armstrong and Richard Virenque (Polti) of France that formed with 14 kilometers left. Pantani attacked again with five kilometers left, passed Jimenez with three kilometers left and rode alone to the finish.

Pantani was not permitted to compete in last year's Tour de France after he was dispatched from the Tour of Italy while wearing the yellow jersey with two days left after failing a blood test.