Jan Ullrich, Armstrong's closest challenger, is intent on keeping the American in his sights. Santiago Botero and Erik Dekker make a break for it after 15km of the stage.
Police form a protective line between the peloton and an overflow of protestors from a paper mill.
The US Postal team make sure their man Armstrong stays safe in yellow. Alex Zulle and Jose Maria Jimenez force the pace as Banesto come to the front of the peloton. Dekker celebrates his second stage win of the Tour after his third breakaway of 100km or more.