Armstrong remains in third; Leipheimer is out

COLMAR, France (AP) — Lance Armstrong stayed in third place after a wet and chilly ride Friday and lost a crucial ally for the rest of the Tour de France when teammate Levi Leipheimer withdrew because of a broken wrist.

The 13th stage from Vittel to Colmar, won by Germany’s Heinrich Haussler, was less secure for riders Julian Dean and Oscar Freire: they were lightly injured by shots from a suspected air rifle from the roadside.

The top standings didn’t change in the 124-mile stage through the rolling hills of northeast France that featured three big climbs, including the demanding Col du Platzerwasel.

Armstrong, who trails overall leader Rinaldo Nocentini of Italy by eight seconds and Astana teammate Alberto Contador by two, said a crucial showdown awaits in Sunday’s ride into Switzerland.

“That one is almost a guarantee because it’s uphill,” the seven-time champion said of the ride from Pontarlier, France, to the Swiss ski station of Verbier. “For sure, it’s a decisive stage and exciting for the fans.”

Armstrong and Contador expressed regret about the withdrawal of Leipheimer before the stage. Leipheimer, who had been fourth overall, 39 seconds behind Nocentini, fell off his bike and broke his wrist in the last two miles of Thursday’s stage.

He had surgery on the wrist Friday, and Astana said he would return to the United States as soon as possible to begin his recovery.

“My wrist hurts a lot but it doesn’t compare to the pain of watching the Tour leave me behind and not be able to ride the Tour with my teammates,” Leipheimer said in a statement. “We’ve had a big battle so far. We’re the favorites, and I wanted to be part of that.”

Leipheimer and Armstrong have a close relationship.

“He’s a good friend of mine so it makes it even more unfortunate, but that’s cycling,” said Armstrong, stressing that Leipheimer’s absence is a big loss.

“You saw even there, in some stages in the Pyrenees, when there was an attack, we had four guys there. And now, one’s gone,” Armstrong said. “Not only does it hurt us, I think it helps the others in terms of morale, and thinking perhaps that the team has been weakened.”

Pounding rain forced many in the pack to don windbreakers and made conditions unfavorable for potential contenders Cadel Evans of Australia, brothers Andy and Frank Schleck of Luxembourg or the 2008 Tour champion Carlos Sastre.

“It was really, really cold,” said Armstrong, who is riding in his 12th Tour. “To be honest, I don’t remember a day in the Tour that has been colder than that one.”

Some riders were forced to contend with more than just slick conditions on rain-soaked roads. New Zealand’s Dean and Freire, a three-time world champion from Spain, were slightly injured by shots from what their teams suspect was an air rifle during the stage.

A projectile embedded in Freire’s thigh was removed by a Rabobank team doctor. Dean’s right index finger was injured, said Marya Pongrace, a spokeswoman for his Garmin-Slipstream team.

Police were investigating. Both cyclists were expected to start today’s mostly flat 14th stage, a 124-mile trek through plains from Colmar to Besancon, the teams said.

The riders were hit in the descent from the Col du Platzerwasel, the hardest of Friday’s climbs about 22 miles from the finish, Rabobank said.