With the return of Lance Armstrong from retirement and his expected battle with teammate Alberto Contador looming, the Tour de France began a week ago on July 4, 2009. Friday’s 140-mile trek from Barcelona to the Andorran ski resort of Arcalis was the longest stage this Tour. Competitors scaled the punishing Serra-Seca pass before the climb into Arcalis that is one of the toughest ascents in cycling. Lance Armstrong dropped one spot to third place in the Tour de France on Friday, with rival and teammate Alberto Contador breaking away in the final sprint up the mountain to claim second. Two more days of racing in the Pyrenees await before a rest day Monday. Saturday’s stage is a 110-mile route that features three hard climbs and finishes in Saint-Girons, France. The Tour ends July 26 in Paris. Photos from the Denverpost