The latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Heartland

REVEL, FRANCE (AP) -- Lance Armstrong's team manager says the seven-time Tour de France winner has deliberately lost time to save energy for a new goal: a stage victory. 

RadioShack boss Johan Bruyneel says a flat tire, several crashes and general "bad luck" early in the three-week race put Armstrong out of contention. 

Ahead of Sunday's 13th stage, the first of four punishing legs in the Pyrenees, the American had lost time to the Tour leader for
four straight days. 

Bruyneel said in an interview with The Associated Press that the time loss was "definitely on purpose" so Armstrong could save
energy for a possible breakaway and stage win. 

The 38-year-old American started Sunday's stage in 36th place overall, 25:38 behind of leader Andy Schleck of Luxembourg.

(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)