Green jersey holder Thor Hushovd and polka-dot jersey wearer Michael Rasmussen pair up at the start of stage 18

Race leader Lance Armstrong looks pensive - he has lead of almost three minutes at the start of the stage

The pack rides on a bridge in Albi as the 198km stage to Mende gets underway

French rider Christophe Moreau is one of the first riders to break away from the rest

There are a number of breakaways in the early stages but the majority of the riders stay fairly close together

Armstong knows that he can afford to stay in the pack as the break away leaders cannot challenge his overall lead

Spain's Marcos Serrano beats Cedric Vasseur and Axel Merckx on a short sharp climb late in the stage to take it