Armstrong avoids crash to maintain a shaky lead

John Leicester

Monday, July 14, 2003 | 9:38 a.m.

GAP, France -- Lance Armstrong kept his overall lead in the Tour de France today after narrowly avoiding a crash in the Alps involving one of his main rivals.

Armstrong, bidding for a record-tying fifth consecutive title, finished fourth in the harrowing ninth stage.

"I was scared like never before," Armstrong said. "In a moment like that, it's a survival instinct."

Joseba Beloki slipped off his bike speeding around a bend on a rapid downhill section, and hit the road hard. Armstrong was right behind and just missed plowing into him.

To avoid Beloki, Armstrong rode into a field next to the road. He bumped across sun-burnt grass, cutting off a hairpin bend. At the end of the field, he got off his bike, carried it to the road, got back on and sped off.

Hot temperatures have been heating the tarmac, making roads slick.

Alexandre Vinokourov of Team Telekom took the 114.4-mile stage through the Alps from Bourg d'Oisans to Gap. It was the Kazak's first Tour de France win.

On Sunday, Armstrong grabbed the leader's yellow jersey for the first time with a third-place finish.

"I'm perhaps not as strong as in previous years," Armstrong said after that stage.

Four more punishing mountain ascents remain in the Pyrenees. Armstrong remains the favorite, but not necessarily an overwhelming one.