Five-times winner Lance Armstrong took over the Tour de France yellow jersey from Thomas Voeckler after a dramatic win on the 180.5-km 15th stage between Valreas and Villard-de-Lans today.
Armstrong, bidding for a record sixth victory, was part of a small leading group over the final few kilometres in the first stage in the Alps and outsprinted his main rival Ivan Basso to cross the line first.
Jan Ullrich, the 1997 champion, who had launched an attack on the American midway through the stage, finished third.
Armstrong leads Italian Basso overall by one minute and 25 seconds.
Frenchman Voeckler, who had worn the yellow jersey since the fifth stage, crossed the line more than nine minutes behind Armstrong and is now eighth overall.
Ireland's Mark Scanlon finished 23 minutes and 49 second behind Armstrong but improves two places in the general classification to 90th.