As expected, the time trial did a lot to upset the general classification. Hungarian specialist László Bodrogi set an early time that lasted quite long, until Santiago Botero topped it. In the end, Botero's time was not beaten by anyone, Armstrong coming closest, 11 seconds behind. González de Galdeano lost only 8 seconds to Armstrong, and is now 26 seconds ahead in the GC - note that Armstrong lost 27 seconds in stage 7; he would have worn the yellow with 1 second difference otherwise. Riders like Honchar and Beloki also did not lose much time, so Armstrong might well have a harder fight ahead than the previous years.
