At the presentation of the Tour de France last year in October, I got the feeling that Lance Armstrong curled a small smile when he heard that Alpe d'Huez was going to be an individual time trial.

He went away and planned for several months on how to win this historical stage. He visited the "Alpe" several times in May and June this year. Probably ascending the giant of the Alps between 15 and 20 times, he allegedly rode it four times in one day.

He learned every grade, every corner, every bend and even every piece of gravel. But never until today had he ridden the mountain at full race speed. Johan Bruyneel had not wanted him to try at full gas and not perform before he reached his peak condition in July.

He explained that it might have a negative effect if he suffered on the slopes before he reached top condition. He had obviously made the right call as Armstrong came out of the starting house like a full grown lion in pursuit of his prey.

His prey was Ivan Basso who began two minutes in front of him. At the first time check, the Texan had already wiped away more than half of it. Before the top he had caught and passed his closest challenger making his sixth title here look more than certain.

Lance is now set to write his name into the record books at the end of this week with six straight wins. Just two fairly difficult mountains stages to manage, and then he can breathe a sigh of relief.