Lance Armstrong and the Blue Train of US Postal are now the race leaders in the Tour de France, after a legendary performance in a rainy team time trial: Armstrong Takes Tour De France Lead Thanks to Team.

ARRAS, France (Reuters) - Lance Armstrong claimed back his familiar Tour de France leader’s yellow jersey when U.S. Postal won a 40-mile team time trial in Arras Wednesday.

The American outfit clocked one hour 12 minutes three second in the fourth stage from Cambrai to hand the five-time Tour winner the 54th yellow jersey in his career.

Armstrong now leads his team mates George Hincapie and Floyd Landis in the overall rankings by 10 and 16 seconds respectively.

Swiss team Phonak, led by American Tyler Hamilton, were second more than one minute behind in 1:13:10 while Spain’s Illes Baleares were third, a further eight seconds adrift.

U.S. Postal were impressive, clocking the third best ever average speed in a Tour de France team time trial at 53.71 kph (33.3 mph).

The stage was held in dreadful conditions, rain falling steadily on a windswept course.