Millar just fails to grind it out after breakaway

Britain's David Millar admitted his emotions got the better of him after he narrowly failed to win yesterday's stage of the Tour de France with a brave solo breakaway.

The 32-year-old, who struck with 30km to go, said: "Girona is my home town, so I felt like I had to do something. It was an attack prompted more out of emotions really. I rode with the heart rather than the head."

But the uphill finish eventually got the better of him, with Thor Hushovd taking the honours to reduce the gap on rival sprinter Mark Cavendish to one point in the race to be points king.

Race leader Fabian Cancellara and second-placed Lance Armstrong finished in the peloton but the Swiss rider is already resigned to losing his yellow jersey today.

"It's been a beautiful week," he said. "I'm going to try to defend the yellow jersey but I don't know how well I can."

Seven-time winner Armstrong will be looking to take control of the race, although he knows he faces stiff competition from Astana team-mate Alberto Contador.

"Friday is an important day," said the 37-year-old American. "I know Alberto wants to assert himself in the race. I don't need a team meeting to know that.

"But I'll show up, try to do my best, get to the top as quick as I can and we'll see."