Lance takes third in the time trial and Ullrich is fourth which locks in the win for Lance. One stage to go. Five wins in a row for Lance. Sacre bleu! More later.

[update]

Armstrong closes on Tour title

Lance Armstrong is poised to claim his fifth Tour de France crown after extending his overall lead in Saturday's dramatic time trial.

The American leads second-placed Jan Ullrich by 76 seconds with just one stage left after starting the day 65 seconds ahead of his main rival.

Britain's David Millar won the 49km stage between Pornic and Nantes, somehow clocking a time of 54 minutes 5.13 seconds despite crashing.

But the main focus of attention was on the duel between the race's top two riders.

Ullrich's hopes of making up time on Armstrong evaporated when he also crashed heavily midway through the stage.

With rain and wind making conditions treacherous, the German fell as he rounded a corner, sliding into bollards at the side of the road.

He picked himself up but suffered another wobble moments later before coming home in fourth place.

"When I heard that Ullrich had fallen I did not take any risks," said Armstrong.
[more]

The rain and wet roads made for treacherous riding.

Lance Armstrong is the last of the 148 riders to go, knowing he must clock a fast time to if he is to fight off Ullrich

Up ahead it's disaster for Ullrich who slips in the wet conditions, skidding across the road to lose precious seconds

Ullrich springs up unhurt and quickly remounts his bike, but the fall has probably cost him the Tour

Armstrong does not better Millar's time, but he crosses the finish line all but assured of a fifth title on Sunday

And our man with the broken collar bone, Tyler Hamilton, took second in the time trial and moved up to 4th overall.

Overall results
1. Lance Armstrong USA US Postal 80:03:29
2. Jan Ullrich GER Team Bianchi +01:16
3. Alexandre Vinokourov KAZ Telekom +04:29
4. Tyler Hamilton USA Team CSC +06:32
5. Haimar Zubeldia ESP Euskaltel +07:06
6. Iban Mayo ESP Euskaltel +07:21
7. Ivan Basso ITA Fassa Bortolo +10:12
8. Christophe Moreau FRA Crédit Agricole +12:43
9. Carlos Sastre ESP Team CSC +18:49
10. Francisco Mancebo ESP iBanesto.com +19:30

Sunday is the last stage but there will be no chance for anyone to catch. It will be a race for sprinters and a procession for Lance. 5 in a row!