LA GRANDE MOTTE, France (AFP) - Seven-times Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong said his winning experience and a little bit of luck helped him steal a march on his yellow jersey rivals in Monday's third stage.

While Britain's Mark Cavendish claimed his second consecutive victory on the 196.5km stage from Marseille to La Grande Motte, Armstrong threw down a considerable gauntlet to his rivals in the battle for the yellow jersey.

Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara leads the race ahead of Tuesday's 39km team time trial in Montpellier, but Armstrong bolted up the general classification from 10th to third overall with only 40secs now between him and the leader.

The key event on the stage came with 30 kilometres remaining as Armstrong and Cancellara were among the few big name riders able to stick it out when Columbia's chase of a four-man breakaway caused huge damage in the peloton.

After a strategic right hand bend, their move resulted in a number of big race contenders losing time to Armstrong.

"When you see what the wind is doing and you have a turn coming up, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out you have to go to the front," said Armstrong.

"Every one was worried about Columbia coming through, when you see a team at the front like that you have to pay attention when they are all lined up.

"It is a bit of experience and good positioning with a little bit of luck."

Australia's Cadel Evans, Spain's Alberto Contador, Russian Denis Menchov and defending champion Carlos Sastre all finished with a deficit of around 41secs to the leading group after failing to respond in time.

Ironically, Frenchman Christophe Le Mevel claimed after the stage it was Contador's failure to stick to the wheel in front of him which caused the split with around 30km to go.

"When the split happened I was right on (behind) Contador's wheel," said the Francaise des Jeux rider.

"It was him who caused the split."

With debate still raging about who is the leader of Astana, Armstrong firmly laid down his marker by responding simply that Contador failed to react.

"That wasn't my objective," when asked if he had joined the breakaway to the detriment Contador.

"But I was suprised when I turned round, there was a split and a bundle of other riders weren't there.

"I won the Tour de France seven times, so it makes no sense not to be at the front, but there was a bit of luck.

"Just before that corner I was about 20 guys back and I decided it would be a good idea just to move up to be on their wheel and it went from there."

When asked specifically about who he feels is Astana's leader and why Contador, with a host of other favourites failed to attack, Armstrong was as decisive as his riding.

"I have tried to stay out of the debate of who is the leader, I have won the Tour de France seven times and I think I deserve a bit of credit," said the 37-year-old.

"It wasn't that they didn't take advantage of the opportunity, they just weren't there.

"Columbia were pulling back the group, they were in the front, it wasn't as though they ambushed us.

"It wasn't an attack, they were already there."

With Tuesday's 39km time trial around Montpellier up next, Armstrong said any talk of the yellow jersey was too premature.

"Cancellara is still strong and he has a 40 second advantage over me, but you never say never."

And Astana team boss Johan Bruyneel gave a diplomatic answer when asked why Contador failed to join Armstrong in the Columbia breakaway.

"It was really a surprise moment, because it is not normal that all the favourites were suprised like that," said the Belgian.

"It was a moment which nobody expected.

"Most of the people were caught out by the split and it definitely wasn't planned for us to be the front, it just happened."