Frenchman Christophe Moreau's third place moved him second in the overall table behind American Levi Leipheimer.

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Armstrong added that his Astana team were looking to fellow American Levi Leipheimer for overall victory.

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But Vinokourov - one of the most aggressive riders of the Tour - cheated the fast-finishers with a well-timed move 2km out to claim a memorable win and leapfrog Levi Leipheimer into fifth place overall.

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