Three-time defending Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong of the United States has won the opening stage of this year's race, taking the leader's yellow jersey after a seven kilometer individual time trial.
Armstrong finished the ride in Luxembourg City in 9:08.78. Frenchman Laurent Jalabert finished second, nearly two seconds behind the American.
Lithuania's Raimondas Rumsas was third, three seconds behind Armstrong. The American will be wearing the leader's yellow jersey when the tour continues in Luxembourg Sunday with a 195-kilometer ride.
Armstrong is trying to become the first American to win four titles in cycling's premier event. The tour ends in Paris July 28.