MACON (France), July 27: Lance Armstrong celebrated his imminent fourth victory in the Tour de France with a last show of strength in the final 50-kilometre time trial of the race in the vineyards of Beaujolais Saturday.

The American, who made a prudent start and was behind Lithuanian Raimondas Rumsas early on, set the record straight by winning his fourth stage in this year’s Tour between Regnier-Durette and Macon.

He clocked one hour, three minutes and 50 seconds at an average speed of more than 47 kph.

In the overall standings, Armstrong now leads Spaniard Joseba Beloki by seven minutes and 17 seconds and Rumsas by 8:17 before Sunday’s 144-km last stage from Melun to Paris which will only settle the fight for the points classification between German Erik Zabel and Australian Robbie McEwen.

Armstrong, who was beaten by Colombian Santiago Botero in the first long time trial of the Tour between Lanester and Lorient, made amends this time by clinching his first time trial of the season.

The U.S. Postal team leader has now won 15 Tour stages and eight out of 11 time trials held since 1999.

Rumsas was second, 52 seconds behind Armstrong, and Hungarian specialist Laszlo Bodrogi third 1:06 behind.—Reuters