The moment of the day was the contrast in speed between the stage winner Javier Otxoa and Lance Armstrong on the final climb on today's stage.

Otxoa, who had been in the lead over all of the day's major climbs, had ridden himself almost to a standstill.

His once sizeable advantage of 17 minutes had slowly been reduced and he was losing ground to Armstrong at an alarming rate.

At one point the American took a minute out of his lead in just 500 metres.

Otxoa hung on for the greatest victory of his career and has the King of the Mountains jersey as well.

Armstrong's incredible surge of power in the final climb leaves him in the yellow jersey over four minutes clear of his nearest rival.