Jan Ullrich hit race leader Lance Armstrong's hopes of winning a record-equalling fifth Tour de France for the second day running after a stage in the Pyrenees won by Spain's Carlos Sastre.
Ullrich attacked two kilometres from the finish of the 197.5 km 13th stage from Toulouse to Ax-3 Domaines and finished second - one minute one second behind Sastre.
He crossed the line seven seconds ahead of Armstrong and also picked up a 12-second bonus to slash further into Armstrong's lead.
The German rider, a Tour winner in 1997, had already stunned the American in yesterday's 47 km time trial and is now only 15 seconds behind his rival as he bids for his first Tour leader's yellow jersey since 1998.
The big battle between the two will resume in the 191.5 km 14th stage from St Girons to Loudenvielle, with six climbs, including four first category ones.