A giant leap by Armstrong takes him to 3rd place overall

Christophe Ena/Associated Press

Lance Armstrong proved once more he's still got the balls to jostle it up in the upper tier of the Tour de France standings after 3 stages. He is now placed in third place just 40 seconds behind leader Fabian Cancellara and 33 seconds off from second placed Tony Martin .The resurgent Armstrong benefited from experience when he sensed the wind making a living out of riders just before a corner turn with just 18 miles to go.

“Whenever you see a team lined up at the front like that, you have to pay attention.You know what the wind’s doing, and you see that a turn’s comingup, so it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that you have to go to the front.”

The seven time tour champion was also fined 100 Swiss Francs ($92) by the committee, headed by tour Director Jean-Francois Pescheux, for being late on the pre-stage registration.

100 Francs? Lance could put an autograph on a spoke and sell it for $500. It's even harder to tongue twist "Jean-Francois Pescheux" than paying it.

Armstrong tweeted later his apology faulting Ben Stiller of why he was late.