Cancellara back in yellow at Tour de France

Lance Armstrong was one of the big losers on the Tour de France yesterday as the cobblestones of the feared third stage exacted a heavy toll on the peloton.

Norwegian Thor Hushovd took the stage honours, and with that the race's green jersey, after an epic day of racing from Wanze in Belgium to Arenberg.

Overnight leader Sylvain Chavanel, of Quick Step, lost the race leader's jersey to the man who gave him it on Monday, Fabian Cancellara.

However, there was less welcome news for Cancellara's Saxo Bank team as Frank Schleck crashed out injured.

Armstrong then punctured, and had to dig deep to limit the damage before finally finishing 32nd at 2min 08sec behind a six-man front group which also contained Australian Cadel Evans, Andy Schleck and Britain's Geraint Thomas.

Spain's reigning champion Alberto Contador showed his class and determination, and rode a good deal of luck, to finish only 1:13 behind the leaders, taking 55secs off Armstrong in the process.

In the overall classification Cancellara leads Team Sky's Thomas by 23sec, with two-time runner-up Evans in third at 39.

Contador is now only 1:40 off the pace in ninth overall, with Armstrong dropping to 18th at 2:30.