PASCAL RICHARD of Switzerland deprived Lance Armstrong of the Ardennes double when he beat the American in the 263 kilometre Liege-Bastogne-Liege classic at the finish at Ans yesterday.

Richard, 32, of the MG-Technogym team, outsprinted the 1992 World champion Armstrong of the United States and fellow countryman Mauro Gianetti. to take the fourth event to count in the World cup series.

Alongside the Tour of Lombardy, it's the greatest victory of my career," said Richard, celebrating his 57th success since tuning professional in 1986.

A former world cyclo-cross champion, Richard escaped with Armstrong, who won the Fleche Wallonne classic on Wednesday, the 1995 winner Gianetti and Armstrong's Motorola team-mate Laurent Madouas 34 kilometres from the finish.

Michele Coppolillo, a teammate of Richard, had been out on his own from the Haute Levee at 185 kilometres until the other four caught him on the final climb, the Redoubt at 226km.

Gianetti tried to go clear 1,100 metres from the line but Armstrong, second two years ago, hauled him back in and took the lead as the trio entered the straight.

Though Armstrong looked to hold the initiative Richard out-smarted him tactically and came from behind to win. The American barely hung on to deprive Gianetti of the runners up spot.

"Thankfully Axel Mercx and Madouas helped me through the difficult times I had during the race," said Armstrong. "It was my fault that I lost today, I didn't learn from losing to Outschakov in a sprint finish in the Tour de France stage to Revel last year," the Texan added.

Madouas, dropped in the final kilometres was nearly a minute behind in fourth while Axel Mercx, celebrated his highest finish in a World Cup race in seventh place. "I made a big mistake when I didn't go with the front three, as the race would have between me and Lance," said Madouas.