The longest stage of this year's Tour starts with yellow-jersey wearer Thomas Voeckler leading the way out of Limoges

Lance Armstrong and his US Postal team-mates pass a herd of cows as the peloton winds its way through the Massif Central

Frenchman Richard Virenque makes a succesful break away from the peloton as he launches his King of the Mountains bid

Armstrong settles in at the head of the pursuing peloton with the hot conditions testing a number of the riders

The riders enjoy plenty of support on Bastille Day as the spectators bask in the glorious sunshine

Belgium's Axel Merckx, in second place behind Virenque, keeps up the pressure on the Col du Pas de Peyrol

Germany's Jan Ullrich leads a group of riders behind the leaders as the field starts to thin out

Virenque holds on to his lead and crosses the line in Saint Flour to claim his seventh Tour stage win

Voeckler celebrates as he retains his yellow jersey after finishing the stage in a creditable fifth spot