Armstrong did the damage on the punishing 13.8-mile climb to the ski station of Courchevel, eating up the ascent with ease while Jan Ullrich and other challengers grimaced in pain behind.

Spain's Alejandro Valverde won the 10th stage, just beating Armstrong to the finish line, but is not considered one of Armstrong's main rivals in this year's race. Valverde and Armstrong finished the 110.9-mile stage in 4 hours, 50 minutes, 35 seconds.

Mickael Rasmussen is second in the overall standings, 38 seconds behind Armstrong. Ivan Basso, among the main challengers left behind by Armstrong on Tuesday's ascent, is third overall - 2:40 behind the Texan.

Valverde and Armstrong shook hands in the saddle after they crossed the line. "Today I had good legs," Armstrong said, praising his Discovery Channel team, which piled on the pace in the first sections of the ascent, whittling down the field. "It is a really tough team with a lot of pride."

He also praised Valverde, who is racing his first Tour but already has been mentioned as a potential future winner.

"Everybody has seen the future of cycling," Armstrong said.

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