SAINT-DIZIER, France, July 9 (UPI) -- The U.S. Postal Service squad won the team time trial at the Tour De France Wednesday, pushing Lance Armstrong closer to a fifth straight title.
Armstrong's group recorded a 30-second triumph over the ONCE team. Each cyclist is given the time turned in by his team and the U.S. Postal victory sent Armstrong storming into second place in the overall standings.
He is just one second behind teammate Victor Hugo Pena, who became the first Colombian in the 100-year history of cycling's biggest event to wear the yellow jersey.
The top eight in the standings all ride for U.S. Postal.
Armstrong built a 39-second lead over rival Jan Ullrich of Germany and will try to extend that margin when the Tour reaches the Alps over the weekend.
Thursday's stage will be a relatively flag, 122-mile journey from Troyes to Nevers.
