Millar wins 13th stage in style

Malta-born David Millar made up for earlier disappointments to win the 13th stage of the Tour de France between Lavelanet and Beziers yesterday.

The Cofidis rider, who had crashed early in the Tour and finished more than 40 minutes behind leader Lance Armstrong in the Pyrenees, outsprinted his four breakaway companions to score his second Tour victory.

In 2000 Millar unexpectedly beat Armstrong in the Tour prologue to briefly hold the yellow jersey.

The 25-year-old, who cycled for Malta in the 2001 GSSE in San Marino, outclassed Spaniard David Etxebarria and Dutchman Michael Boogerd in the sprint for the finish with former road world champion Laurent Brochard of France fourth and Spaniard David Latasa fifth, all in the same time.

The five were part of a group of 11 riders who broke away early on the 171-kilometre route under blazing sunshine in the south of France.

An attack from Millar, who races as a Briton, eventually split the leading group in half and the five final contenders remained in the lead.

As in the two previous mountain stages Frenchman Laurent Jalabert, holder of the polka-dot climber's jersey, attacked early to score points in the first three bumps of the day.

He surged ahead in the Montsegur pass on the heels of Italian Eddy Mazzoleni and the two were quickly joined by Millar and Boogerd.

Seven riders later joined the breakaway group, including Brochard, Etxebarria and Latasa.

In the final 15 kilometres, Millar, Etxebarria, Brochard, Boogerd and Latasa parted company with their six breakaway partners.

Three-times winner Lance Armstrong comfortably retained the leader's yellow jersey, finishing nearly ten minutes back in the peloton along with his main rivals for overall victory.

Today's 221-kilometre 14th stage takes the riders up the classic Mount Ventoux climb.