L’ALPE D’HUEZ (France), July 13: Four-times Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong withstood a strong challenge from his rivals to seize race leadership after a third-placed finish in the eighth stage on Sunday.

Spaniard Iban Mayo won the gruelling 219-km stage from Sallanches to L’Alpe d’Huez, but the Texan’s finish, two minutes and 12 seconds behind the Euskaltel team leader, allowed him to take the yellow jersey from Frenchman Richard Virenque.

Kazakh Alexander Vinokourov was second.

Armstrong leads the Tour for the first time since it began after Virenque lost ground in the infamous 21 corners of the climb and finished 9:30 off the pace.

The American has always crushed the opposition on the first big mountain climb of his four Tour victories but this time had to fight hard to contain the challenge from his rivals.

Mayo’s attack left him a little staggered, but Armstrong was able to quash countless attacks by Beloki and Tour hero Tyler Hamilton, much admired for his courage in continuing in the race despite breaking his collarbone in the first stage.

Overall, Armstrong now leads Beloki, second last year, by 40 seconds with Mayo third, 1:10 adrift.

Armstrong had a brief scare in the Galibier descent when he fell off his bike after colliding with team mate Roberto Heras, but swiftly made it back into the leading group.

The Texan will lead the bunch back into the valley for the 184.5-km stage to Gap on Monday.

Leading placings:

1. Iban Mayo (Spain) Euskaltel 5 hours 57 minutes 30 seconds; 2. Alexander Vinokourov (Kazakhstan) Team Telekom 1 minute 45 seconds behind; 3. Lance Armstrong (US) US Postal Service 2:12; 4. Francisco Mancebo (Spain) iBanesto.com; 5. Haimar Zubeldia (Spain) Euskaltel; 6. Joseba Beloki (Spain) ONCE; 7. Tyler Hamilton (US) Team CSC; 8. Ivan Basso (Italy) Fassa Bortolo; 9. Roberto Laiseka (Spain) Euskaltel all same time.—Reuters