GAP, France, July 14 (UPI) -- American Lance Armstrong retained the overall lead in the Tour de France Monday, while one of his competitors is out of the race.
Armstrong finished fourth in Stage 9 and retained the yellow jersey as the overall leader, 21 seconds ahead of Alexandre Vinokourov of Kazakhstan. Vinokourov won Stage 9 with a time of 5 hours, 2 minutes -- 36 seconds ahead of Italian Paolo Bettini.
Armstrong had the same time as Bettini for the stage and had to avoid Spain's Joseba Beloki with just over two miles remaining. Beloki crashed on a steep decline and had to be helped off the course. He was runner-up to Armstrong last year.
The 31-year-old Armstrong is seeking his record-tying fifth straight victory in cycling's premier event. On Sunday, he finished Stage 8 in third place and moved into the overall lead.
The arduous 136-mile trek featured four distinct climbs.
