The Criterium International is called the "Mini Tour de France," so it's only natural the Tour de France champion should do well here. Lance Armstrong came within a second of scoring the overall title Sunday, but Spanish rider Alberto Martinez edged the Texan in the individual time trial of this two-day, three-stage race.

Martinez, a 26-year-old on the Euskaltel-Euskadi team, finished with the same time as the three-time Tour de France champion in the morning climbing stage and barely nipped Armstrong in the 8.5-km time trial in the afternoon to claim the overall victory.

A pro with Euskaltel-Euskadi since 1998, Martinez won stages in GP Midi Libre in 1999 and the Vuelta a Burgos in 2000. Last year, Martinez finished second overall at Criterium International and second overall at Vuelta a Pais Vasco.

Armstrong says he's feeling fit.

Photo: Graham Watson

German Jens Voigt (Credit Agricole) won the time trial in 10:23 and finished fifth overall. Armstrong came across with a time of 10:31.33 and was the overall leader until Martinez finished just 0.45 seconds faster. The time is rounded to the nearest second for the official classification.

Starting in only his second race this season, Armstrong revealed he's already in fine form as prepares for a run at a fourth consecutive Tour de France. A stomach virus sidelined him in early March and the Texan postponed his season debut until Milan-San Remo on March 23.

"I was missing something in the time trial," Armstrong said. "The course was a little strange. It was cold in the morning, but I am content. My legs feel good."

Come time for the real Tour de France in July, Armstrong should be on top of his game. Next up for Armstrong will be Tour of Flanders on Saturday, where he will work to help U.S. Postal Service teammate George Hincapie.

David Moncoutié (Cofidis), winner of the morning climbing stage, lost 21 seconds to Martinez in the time trial and finished 12 seconds back in third overall. Moncoutié passed Aitor Gonzalez, a Spanish rider on Kelme, in the final stretch to take the victory. Armstrong easily bridged to the winning break earlier in the stage and crossed the line ninth, nine seconds slower than Moncoutié.

Moncoutié won the morning stage.

Photo: Graham Watson