MONACO (July 4, 2009)--Seven-time champion Lance Armstrong has taken the early lead in the first-stage individual time trial of the Tour de
France.

The 37-year-old Texan began his comeback in the Tour by clocking
20 minutes, 12.36 seconds in the 9.6-mile stage along winding and
hilly roads in the Mediterranean principality on Saturday. He
started 18th among the 180 riders who are rolling down the start
ramp one-by-one for the race against the clock in hot and muggy
weather.

Aside from Armstrong and Astana teammate Levi Leipheimer, most
of the time trial specialists and prerace favorites are riding last
- hours after the two Americans.

The stage is likely to offer an early shakeout of potential
title contenders. Specialists in the discipline include Fabian
Cancellara of Switzerland and British rider Bradley Wiggins.