American Lance Armstrong showed the sort of form that could land him a fourth straight Tour de France title after winning the Dauphine Libere.

The US Postal rider had confirmed his lead by taking Saturday's penultimate stage, and he held on to ensure victory in the final leg from Morzine to Geneva.

His compatriot and team-mate Floyd Landis finished second, with Frenchman Christophe Moreau third.

The last stage was won by Spaniard Jose Enrique Guttierez.

Armstrong revealed afterwards that he felt in fine shape ahead of the French tour, which begins on 6 July, having already claimed the Grand Prix du Midi Libre in May.

"Like every year, people will say that I'm ready too early but I must say I feel very confident," said Armstrong.

He ended the race two minutes and three seconds ahead of Landis overall, and showed his form over mountains on Tuesday, when the riders climbed Mount Ventoux and and then on Saturday when Armstrong won a high Alpine stage.

"I felt better every day in spite of the heat. I felt much better in Saturday's mountain stage than I did in the Ventoux on Tuesday," Armstrong said.

"It was the first time this season that I was taking part in a race at high altitude and my sensations were good, except in the last three kilometres of Joux-Plane," he added.

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Leading results in the 150km seventh and final stage of the Dauphine Libere cycling race between Morzine and Geneva:

1. Jose-Enrique Guttierez (Spa), Kelme, three hours 38 minutes and 45 seconds
2. Christophe Oriol (Fra), AG2r Prevoyance, same time
3. Bradley McGee (Aus), La Francaise des Jeux, 35 seconds behind
4. Jerome Bernard (Fra), Jean Delatour, 42
5. Patrice Halgand (Fra), Jean Delatour, 1:17
6. Santiago Botero (Col), Kelme, 1:19
7. Ludovic Martin (Fr), Credit Agricole, 2:42
8. Xavier Jan (Fra), BigMat-Auber 93, 3:04
9. David Millar (GB), Cofidis, 3:19
10. David Latasa (Spa), Ibanesto.com, same time

Overall final standings:

1. Lance Armstrong (US), US Postal, 28 hours 38 minutes 50 seconds
2. Floyd Landis (US), US Postal, 2:03 behind
3. Christophe Moreau, (Fra), Credit Agricole, 2:24
4. Haimar Zubeldia (Spa), Euskaltel, 2:44
5. Andrei Kivilev (Kaz), Cofidis, 3:28
6. Denis Menchov (Rus), Ibanesto.com, 3:46
7. Aitor Kintana (Spa), BigMat-Auber 93, 5:09
8. Marzio Bruseghin (Ita), Ibanesto.com, 5:34
9. Richard Virenque (Fra), Domo-Farm Frites, 6:11
10. Nicolas Vogondy (Fra), La Francaise des Jeux, 7:09

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