Armstrong retains lead
SARRAN, France (AP) -- Lance Armstrong finished about 26 minutes behind the stage winner in a crash-marred race Wednesday and still retained a comfortable lead in quest of his third straight Tour de France title.
Germany's Jens Voigt won the stage, sprinting ahead in the final stretch to beat Australian Bradley McGee. Voigt finished the 141-mile stretch from Castelsarrasin to Sarran in 5 hours, 17 minutes, 11 seconds.
McGee was about five seconds behind, with Russian Alexandre Botcharov finishing third, nearly two minutes off the pace.
Armstrong was with the main pack, which finished far back, and held the leader's yellow jersey. His principal rivals also were with the main pack, meaning the top part of the overall standings didn't change significantly as a result of Wednesday's stage.
Several riders received medical attention after crashing 22 miles from the finish. About 20 riders at the back of the main pack were involved in the crash on a downhill bend and some were unable to get up for several minutes. Armstrong was not among those who crashed.
Four stages remain before the three-week Tour ends in Paris Sunday.
Thursday's stage is a 120.28-mile stretch from Brive-la-Gaillarde to Montlucon.