NARBONNE, France (AP) - Halfway through the Tour de France, Lance Armstrong has yet to dominate cycling's showcase race as he has in the past.
He didn't shine in the Alps and their monstrous climbs - although he rode well enough to take the overall lead. And he's ahead by only 21 seconds after the 10th stage, with another four days looming on the punishing ascents of the Pyrenees.
The talk among some riders as they headed into Wednesday's rest day was that the four-time champion is not the dominant force he once was as he goes for a record-tying fifth Tour win.
"It's perhaps the first time in four years where coming out of the Alps he's left a glimmer of hope," said Christophe Moreau, who is 4 minutes, 4 seconds behind Armstrong and 12th overall.
"It's not what we expected. Maybe he'll deliver a knockout blow in the Pyrenees or be knocked out himself."
Armstrong's closest rival, Alexandre Vinokourov, powered away on the legendary climb to the ski resort of L'Alpe d'Huez on Sunday, finishing second to Iban Mayo of Spain.
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