Daring double act proves Schleck's class

It was the second-to-last chance for the pure climbers to make their bid for overall victory. And being as such, everybody knew the prodigious Schleck brothers of Saxo Bank would attack on Wednesday's five-climb, 169.5-kilometre stage to Le Grand-Bornand.

"Bjarne Riis came up with a plan this morning. Fränk had no personal goals and he was there to help me," said Andy Schleck.

"We knew what we wanted with this stage, which was planned before the Tour even began," said Riis. "The plan was quite clear and simple: we were willing to put everything on the line and to explode the peloton."

Almost all who knew this also predicted they would force a move on the penultimate climb of the 8.8-kilometre-long Col de Romme. Together with the closely-linked 7.5-km Col de la Colombière, its summit just 15 fast kilometres from the finish, they created a virtual hors-catégorie climb of its own.

But apart from the maillot jaune of Alberto Contador, who was simply unflappable all day, there was not a thing their rivals could do.

And while its profile closely resembled the seventeenth stage of the 2004 Tour de France that also finished in Le Grand-Bornand, the outcome was completely different.

In 2004, Lance Armstrong - then riding for the US Postal team - won a stage he didn't need to en route to overall victory. Afterwards, he said after 'giving' away chances in the past with those favours rarely coming back to help him, the Texan decided it was now a case of "no more gifts". At the time, five-time Tour champion Bernard Hinault commended Armstrong, telling him it was the "perfect" thing to do.

But Wednesday in the same French alpine village nestled at the foot of the Aravis mountain range, Contador didn't even try to break free of the Schlecks. Despite possessing a sprint-finish not worth writing a word about, that's exactly what the maillot jaune waited for, his faux-lunge twenty metres from the line making it fairly obvious a gentleman's agreement had taken place for the elder Schleck to claim the stage - which Fränk took with open arms.

"It was very special and I want to give special thanks to Andy. I will help him get on the podium in Paris," Fränk Schleck said, who finished on the same time as second-placed Contador and his brother Andy, the stage run at a 34.604 km/h average.

Contador's 'gift' the best thing for him

What's also obvious is that Contador and Armstrong, teammates they may be, are completely different persons. And it just may be - even though he's not saying so - that Contador is supremely confident about taking his second Tour de France, now just four days from Paris. So confident that so long as he wins the major prize, he doesn't need to win - or care about winning - stages, and being non-confrontational, the Spaniard doesn't wish to engage in any potential conflict with Saxo Bank.

"Both the Schleck brothers were very strong, Andy as much as Fränk," said Contador. "I'd spoken about attacking them on the Colombière with Johan Bruyneel - the goal was to gain minutes. I'd also spoken with Andréas Klöden on the climb, and he told me to go for it.

"I thought I could go alone but the brothers managed to come back, so from there on, I decided to stay on their wheels. The Schlecks asked me to collaborate; I said no, because I had teammates behind. I knew the Schleck brothers would attack all the way to the finish, so I focused on staying with them and staying fresh for the time trial."

Astana DS Johan Bruyneel had a different recollection of events: "The attack from Contador, three k' from the top [of the Colombière], that was not really... I had advised not to go. He did not need to go, he did not need to attack."

Regardless, by consequence of the Schleck spectacular in the mountains, previous second and third on the classement générale - Armstrong (Astana) and Bradley Wiggins (Garmin-Slipstream) - were bumped to fourth and sixth and replaced by Andy and Fränk Schleck, 2:26 and 3:25 behind Contador, respectively. And at a minimum, Saxo Bank intends to keep Andy in second.

"It is a bike race: we saw in Paris-Nice that even a big champion like Contador can have a bad day and lose time. It is going to be hard to beat him, he is very strong. But he is human being and we are just waiting for him to make a mistake; if he has a mistake, we will be there," Fränk Schleck said.

Don't rule out Nibali, Armstrong, Klöden & Wiggo

It's not like Armstrong and Wiggins rode poorly, the Anglophone pair part of a chase group of four that formed on the Col de Romme along with Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) and Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Slipstream). In the end, only Nibali and the American managed to finish together, 2:18 behind the lead trio to take fourth and fifth, with a third Astana-ite, Andréas Klöden, nine seconds in arrears. Garmin's GC pairing of Wiggins and Vande Velde would finish 3:07 and 4:09 behind Contador in seventh and ninth, respectively.

Asked if he was happy with his day, Armstrong responded: "Yes and no. I tried to be conservative on the Col de Romme. I did not go with those initial attacks, and then I got kind of stuck behind. Once you are 30 seconds back there is nothing you can do; you got to just sit on.

"I was a little concerned with Bradley Wiggins and the TT, so in the last kilometre over Colombière I decided to jump away," he said, the American all-star 30 seconds behind Fränk Schleck in fourth place on the overall standings. His teammate Klöden is fifth, a further 49 seconds behind the seven-time Tour champion.

Thursday's 40.5-kilometre time trial around Lake Annecy may switch things around a little at the top. However, it's a course that favours riders strong at the end of a three-week race rather than specialists against the clock, and the gaps shouldn't be too significant at the top of the leader board. Far more noteworthy will be Saturday's penultimate leg to Mont Ventoux, the Giant of Provence.

"On Ventoux, people will be more tired. The advantage is that we recover well and if the climb is steeper, it is better for us. We saw that today and Ventoux we will be up there," Andy Schleck said.

"I think Lance and Andréas can catch up with the Schleck brothers [on the overall standings]," said Contador.

"It would be nice to get on the podium," said Armstrong. "I will go as hard as I can [in the Annecy time trial] and go up Ventoux as fast as I can."

Remember Stage 17 of the 2004 and '06 Tours? This ain't so different.

Arguably the hardest stage of the race simply because of the number of high-rating climbs within the relatively short space of 169.5 kilometres, the seventeenth stage began just before half-past midday from the previous day's finish in Bourg-Saint-Maurice. Situated in the foothills of the legendary Cols de l'Iseran, du Peit-Saint-Bernard and du Cormet de Roseland, the mountainous surroundings gave good indication of what lay ahead, the parcours not dissimilar to Stage 17 of the 2004 and 2006 Tours de France, where in the latter, a rampaging Floyd Landis turned Le Tour inside out and upside down - quite literally.

Straight away on the Cormet de Roselend, it was a jumpy peloton, a group of 10 gaining clearance two-thirds of the way on the 18.1-km climb and containing a few expected - and unexpected - suspects; perhaps the strangest being Denis Menchov (Rabobank), who appears to be persona non grata at Le Tour.

Between the lead 10 and the peloton were a trio of chasers, although they didn't quite manage to bridge before the climb topped out at 1,968 metres, polka-dotted Pellizotti once again first over the top. Down to Beaufort (km. 38) a few more came across to the front group, numbering a sizeable 22 before one of those escapees, points leader Thor Hushovd (Cérvelo TestTeam), went on a solo expedition in a search for the two intermediate sprints on offer; the first still some way off at Paz-sur-Arly (km 75.5). The other 21 names were: Menchov, Sandy Casar (Française des Jeux), Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas), Dave Zabriskie (Garmin-Slipstream), Jurgen Van den Broeck (Silence-Lotto), Ruben Perez, Egoi Martinez, Amets Txurruka, Gorka Verdugo (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Rigoberto Uran (Caisse d'Epargne), Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step), Remi Pauriol and Christophe Kern (Cofidis), Geoffroy Lequatre (Agritubel), Maxime Monfort (Columbia-HTC), Marzio Bruseghin (Lampre NGC), Pierre Rolland, Thomas Voeckler (BBox Bouygues Telecom), Jose Luis Arrieta (AG2R La Mondiale), George Hincapie (Columbia-HTC), and Linus Gerdemann (Milram).

All roads lead to Romme

At the base of the 8.8-km Col de Romme, that together with the closely-linked 7.5-km Col de la Colombière creates a hors-catégorie climb of its own, Carlos Sastre (Cérvelo TestTeam) was first to go with Sylvain Calzati (Agritubel).

That break was short-lived, however, becoming the precursor to a far more dangerous move when Andy Schleck fired off for the second day running, his second big dig five kilometres from the Romme's 1,297-metre summit shedding all bar Contador and Klöden, his brother Fränk later rejoining the lead group. Behind was an equally select quartet containing Armstrong, Wiggins, Vande Velde and Nibali who trailed by 1:11 at the crest, 29 kilometres from Le Grand-Bornand.

The two quartets hit the base of the Colombière 1:20 apart, Fränk Schleck pacing the Contador group and Vande Velde the Armstrong bunch, with a chase group of 13 3:28 in arrears. Apart from Vande Velde being dropped, nothing much happened till 16.7 kilometres from the finish when Contador took a flyer and dropped his companions. Though a short while later, he sat up and allowed the brothers Schleck to join him but not Klöden, who went over the 1,618-metre climb 25 seconds down on the new lead trio, with Fränk in first place.

"When Alberto attacks it is better to take your time at first," said Andy Schleck. "We came back step-by-step to him, but he showed that he had great legs today. We showed strength in front, it was not an easy stage, but we just had to focus on myself, because without being arrogant I think I am the best climber out there."

It was then Armstrong who turned the screws and left behind Wiggins and Nibali, cresting the Colombière 2:06 behind the Schlecks and Contador. The American seemed intent on catching Klöden on the high-speed descent but was in fact caught by demonic descender Nibali, who together, managed to nip at the German's heels just few kilometres from home.

A pat on Fränk Schleck's bum by Contador may be construed as a job well done. But it was not just that: it was a sign he was conceding the stage victory, a half-hearted effort by the maillot jaune granting Fränk his second Tour stage after his 2006 triumph atop L'Alpe d'Huez. Nibali led Armstrong over the line 2:18 later, with Klöden a further nine seconds back. Wiggins, Christophe Moreau (Agritubel), Vande Velde and Rémi Pauriol (Cofidis) would complete Wednesday's first 10 places.

For images of stage 17 click here

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Full Results
1Fränk Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank4:53:54
2Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) AstanaRow 1 - Cell 2
3Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo BankRow 2 - Cell 2
4Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas0:02:18
5Lance Armstrong (USA) AstanaRow 4 - Cell 2
6Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana0:02:27
7Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Garmin - Slipstream0:03:07
8Christophe Moreau (Fra) Agritubel0:04:09
9Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin - SlipstreamRow 8 - Cell 2
10Rémi Pauriol (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne0:06:10
11Christophe Le Mevel (Fra) Française des JeuxRow 10 - Cell 2
12Maxime Monfort (Bel) Team Columbia - HTC0:06:12
13Roman Kreuziger (Cze) LiquigasRow 12 - Cell 2
14Rinaldo Nocentini (Ita) AG2R La MondialeRow 13 - Cell 2
15Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Team KatushaRow 14 - Cell 2
16Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Silence - LottoRow 15 - Cell 2
17Sandy Casar (Fra) Française des JeuxRow 16 - Cell 2
18Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiRow 17 - Cell 2
19Stéphane Goubert (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale0:06:15
20José Luis Arrieta Lujambio (Spa) AG2R La Mondiale0:06:19
21Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Quick Step0:07:01
22Sébastien Minard (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne0:07:47
23Matthew Lloyd (Aus) Silence - LottoRow 22 - Cell 2
24Sylvain Calzati (Fra) AgritubelRow 23 - Cell 2
25Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Cervelo Test TeamRow 24 - Cell 2
26Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - SlipstreamRow 25 - Cell 2
27Alexandre Botcharov (Rus) Team KatushaRow 26 - Cell 2
28David Arroyo Duran (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne0:07:50
29Serguei Ivanov (Rus) Team Katusha0:08:30
30David Loosli (Swi) Lampre - NGC0:08:54
31Christian Knees (Ger) Team MilramRow 30 - Cell 2
32Carlos Barredo Llamazales (Spa) Quick StepRow 31 - Cell 2
33Hubert Dupont (Fra) AG2R La MondialeRow 32 - Cell 2
34Pierre Rolland (Fra) BBOX Bouygues TelecomRow 33 - Cell 2
35Rigoberto Uran (Col) Caisse d'Epargne0:08:58
36Stijn Vandenbergh (Bel) Team Katusha0:11:00
37Egoi Martinez De Esteban (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiRow 36 - Cell 2
38Christophe Kern (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne0:11:20
39Brice Feillu (Fra) Agritubel0:11:50
40Grischa Niermann (Ger) RabobankRow 39 - Cell 2
41Nicolas Roche (Irl) AG2R La MondialeRow 40 - Cell 2
42Joost Posthuma (Ned) RabobankRow 41 - Cell 2
43Leonardo Duque (Col) Cofidis, Le Credit en LigneRow 42 - Cell 2
44George Hincapie (USA) Team Columbia - HTCRow 43 - Cell 2
45Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) Lampre - NGCRow 44 - Cell 2
46Stijn Devolder (Bel) Quick StepRow 45 - Cell 2
47Luis Pasamontes Rodriguez (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne0:13:30
48Ruben Perez Moreno (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiRow 47 - Cell 2
49Sébastien Rosseler (Bel) Quick Step0:15:33
50Nicki Sörensen (Den) Team Saxo Bank0:17:33
51Thomas Voeckler (Fra) BBOX Bouygues TelecomRow 50 - Cell 2
52Chris Anker Sørensen (Den) Team Saxo BankRow 51 - Cell 2
53Laurent Lefevre (Fra) BBOX Bouygues TelecomRow 52 - Cell 2
54Jussi Veikkanen (Fin) Française des JeuxRow 53 - Cell 2
55Haimar Zubeldia Aguirre (Spa) AstanaRow 54 - Cell 2
56Linus Gerdemann (Ger) Team MilramRow 55 - Cell 2
57Sergio Miguel Moreira Paulinho (Por) AstanaRow 56 - Cell 2
58David Zabriskie (USA) Garmin - SlipstreamRow 57 - Cell 2
59Franco Pellizotti (Ita) LiquigasRow 58 - Cell 2
60Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Astana0:21:31
61Iñigo Cuesta Lopez De Castro (Spa) Cervelo Test TeamRow 60 - Cell 2
62Juan Antonio Flecha Giannoni (Spa) RabobankRow 61 - Cell 2
63Denis Menchov (Rus) RabobankRow 62 - Cell 2
64Gorka Verdugo Marcotegui (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi0:25:38
65Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Team Katusha0:29:43
66Alessandro Ballan (Ita) Lampre - NGCRow 65 - Cell 2
67Thierry Huppond (Fra) Skil-ShimanoRow 66 - Cell 2
68Koen de Kort (Ned) Skil-ShimanoRow 67 - Cell 2
69Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'EpargneRow 68 - Cell 2
70Stef Clement (Ned) RabobankRow 69 - Cell 2
71Jérémy Roy (Fra) Française des JeuxRow 70 - Cell 2
72Mauro Santambrogio (Ita) Lampre - NGCRow 71 - Cell 2
73Simon Spilak (Slo) Lampre - NGCRow 72 - Cell 2
74Maxime Bouet (Fra) AgritubelRow 73 - Cell 2
75Alan Perez Lezaun (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiRow 74 - Cell 2
76Juan Jose Oroz Ugalde (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiRow 75 - Cell 2
77Fumiyuki Beppu (Jpn) Skil-ShimanoRow 76 - Cell 2
78Heinrich Haussler (Ger) Cervelo Test TeamRow 77 - Cell 2
79Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test TeamRow 78 - Cell 2
80Volodymir Gustov (Ukr) Cervelo Test TeamRow 79 - Cell 2
81Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence - LottoRow 80 - Cell 2
82Brett Lancaster (Aus) Cervelo Test TeamRow 81 - Cell 2
83Staf Scheirlinckx (Bel) Silence - LottoRow 82 - Cell 2
84José Ivan Gutierrez Palacios (Spa) Caisse d'EpargneRow 83 - Cell 2
85Juan Manuel Garate Cepa (Spa) RabobankRow 84 - Cell 2
86Nikolai Troussov (Rus) Team KatushaRow 85 - Cell 2
87Luis León Sánchez Gil (Spa) Caisse d'EpargneRow 86 - Cell 2
88Gustav Erik Larsson (Swe) Team Saxo BankRow 87 - Cell 2
89Charles Wegelius (GBr) Silence - LottoRow 88 - Cell 2
90Geoffroy Lequatre (Fra) AgritubelRow 89 - Cell 2
91Johannes Fröhlinger (Ger) Team MilramRow 90 - Cell 2
92Christophe Riblon (Fra) AG2R La MondialeRow 91 - Cell 2
93Peter Velits (Svk) Team MilramRow 92 - Cell 2
94Alexandre Pichot (Fra) BBOX Bouygues TelecomRow 93 - Cell 2
95Pierrick Fedrigo (Fra) BBOX Bouygues TelecomRow 94 - Cell 2
96Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Quick StepRow 95 - Cell 2
97Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) RabobankRow 96 - Cell 2
98Joan Horrach Rippoll (Spa) Team KatushaRow 97 - Cell 2
99Grégory Rast (Swi) AstanaRow 98 - Cell 2
100Bingen Fernandez Bustinza (Spa) Cofidis, Le Credit en LigneRow 99 - Cell 2
101Dmitriy Muravyev (Kaz) AstanaRow 100 - Cell 2
102Mickael Delage (Fra) Silence - LottoRow 101 - Cell 2
103Martijn Maaskant (Ned) Garmin - SlipstreamRow 102 - Cell 2
104Daniele Righi (Ita) Lampre - NGCRow 103 - Cell 2
105David Millar (GBr) Garmin - SlipstreamRow 104 - Cell 2
106Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) Silence - LottoRow 105 - Cell 2
107Julian Dean (NZl) Garmin - SlipstreamRow 106 - Cell 2
108Johan Van Summeren (Bel) Silence - LottoRow 107 - Cell 2
109Frederik Willems (Bel) LiquigasRow 108 - Cell 2
110Simon Geschke (Ger) Skil-ShimanoRow 109 - Cell 2
111Laurens ten Dam (Ned) RabobankRow 110 - Cell 2
112Danny Pate (USA) Garmin - SlipstreamRow 111 - Cell 2
113Matteo Tosatto (Ita) Quick Step0:35:47
114Marco Bandiera (Ita) Lampre - NGCRow 113 - Cell 2
115Bernhard Eisel (Aut) Team Columbia - HTCRow 114 - Cell 2
116Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team Columbia - HTCRow 115 - Cell 2
117Fabio Sabatini (Ita) LiquigasRow 116 - Cell 2
118Gerald Ciolek (Ger) Team MilramRow 117 - Cell 2
119Lloyd Mondory (Fra) AG2R La MondialeRow 118 - Cell 2
120Daniele Bennati (Ita) LiquigasRow 119 - Cell 2
121Aleksandr Kuschynski (Blr) LiquigasRow 120 - Cell 2
122Steven de Jongh (Ned) Quick StepRow 121 - Cell 2
123Sebastian Lang (Ger) Silence - LottoRow 122 - Cell 2
124Tony Martin (Ger) Team Columbia - HTCRow 123 - Cell 2
125Bert Grabsch (Ger) Team Columbia - HTCRow 124 - Cell 2
126Igor Anton Hernandez (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiRow 125 - Cell 2
127William Bonnet (Fra) BBOX Bouygues TelecomRow 126 - Cell 2
128Alessandro Vanotti (Ita) LiquigasRow 127 - Cell 2
129Yury Trofimov (Rus) BBOX Bouygues TelecomRow 128 - Cell 2
130Hayden Roulston (NZl) Cervelo Test TeamRow 129 - Cell 2
131Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Team Saxo BankRow 130 - Cell 2
132Brian Vandborg (Den) LiquigasRow 131 - Cell 2
133Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - HTCRow 132 - Cell 2
134Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - SlipstreamRow 133 - Cell 2
135Marcin Sapa (Pol) Lampre - NGCRow 134 - Cell 2
136David Moncoutie (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en LigneRow 135 - Cell 2
137Mikhail Ignatiev (Rus) Team KatushaRow 136 - Cell 2
138Mark Renshaw (Aus) Team Columbia - HTCRow 137 - Cell 2
139Stéphane Auge (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en LigneRow 138 - Cell 2
140Yauheni Hutarovich (Blr) Française des JeuxRow 139 - Cell 2
141Samuel Dumoulin (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en LigneRow 140 - Cell 2
142Amaël Moinard (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en LigneRow 141 - Cell 2
143Amets Txurruka (Spa) Euskaltel - EuskadiRow 142 - Cell 2
144Anthony Geslin (Fra) Française des JeuxRow 143 - Cell 2
145Jonathan Hivert (Fra) Skil-ShimanoRow 144 - Cell 2
146Albert Timmer (Ned) Skil-ShimanoRow 145 - Cell 2
147Nicolas Vogondy (Fra) AgritubelRow 146 - Cell 2
148Cyril Lemoine (Fra) Skil-ShimanoRow 147 - Cell 2
149Saïd Haddou (Fra) BBOX Bouygues TelecomRow 148 - Cell 2
150Arnaud Coyot (Fra) Caisse d'EpargneRow 149 - Cell 2
151Yukiya Arashiro (Jpn) BBOX Bouygues TelecomRow 150 - Cell 2
152Benoït Vaugrenard (Fra) Française des JeuxRow 151 - Cell 2
153Kim Kirchen (Lux) Team Columbia - HTCRow 152 - Cell 2
154Marcus Fothen (Ger) Team MilramRow 153 - Cell 2
155Niki Terpstra (Ned) Team MilramRow 154 - Cell 2
156Andreas Klier (Ger) Cervelo Test Team0:35:58
157Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank0:35:59
158Fabian Wegmann (Ger) Team MilramRow 157 - Cell 2
DNFKenny Robert van Hummel (Ned) Skil-ShimanoRow 158 - Cell 2
DNFCyril Dessel (Fra) AG2R La MondialeRow 159 - Cell 2
DNFJosé Angel Gomez Marchante (Spa) Cervelo Test TeamRow 160 - Cell 2
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Points
1Fränk Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank20pts
2Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana17Row 1 - Cell 3
3Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank15Row 2 - Cell 3
4Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas13Row 3 - Cell 3
5Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana12Row 4 - Cell 3
6Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana10Row 5 - Cell 3
7Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Garmin - Slipstream9Row 6 - Cell 3
8Christophe Moreau (Fra) Agritubel8Row 7 - Cell 3
9Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin - Slipstream7Row 8 - Cell 3
10Rémi Pauriol (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne6Row 9 - Cell 3
11Christophe Le Mevel (Fra) Française des Jeux5Row 10 - Cell 3
12Maxime Monfort (Bel) Team Columbia - HTC4Row 11 - Cell 3
13Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas3Row 12 - Cell 3
14Rinaldo Nocentini (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale2Row 13 - Cell 3
15Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Team Katusha1Row 14 - Cell 3
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Sprint 1 - Praz-Sur-Arly, km. 75.5
1Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team6pts
2Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Quick Step4Row 1 - Cell 3
3Christophe Kern (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne2Row 2 - Cell 3
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Sprint 2 - Cluses, km. 126.0
1Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team6pts
2Christophe Kern (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne4Row 1 - Cell 3
3Thomas Voeckler (Fra) BBOX Bouygues Telecom2Row 2 - Cell 3
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Cormet de Roselend (Cat. 1) km. 18.0
1Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas15pts
2Sandy Casar (Fra) Française des Jeux13Row 1 - Cell 3
3Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Quick Step11Row 2 - Cell 3
4José Luis Arrieta Lujambio (Spa) AG2R La Mondiale9Row 3 - Cell 3
5Christophe Kern (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne8Row 4 - Cell 3
6Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Silence - Lotto7Row 5 - Cell 3
7David Zabriskie (USA) Garmin - Slipstream6Row 6 - Cell 3
8Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank5Row 7 - Cell 3
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Col des Saisies (Cat. 1) km. 56.0
1Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team15pts
2Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas13Row 1 - Cell 3
3Christophe Kern (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne11Row 2 - Cell 3
4Egoi Martinez De Esteban (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi9Row 3 - Cell 3
5Amets Txurruka (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi8Row 4 - Cell 3
6Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank7Row 5 - Cell 3
7Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Silence - Lotto6Row 6 - Cell 3
8Carlos Barredo Llamazales (Spa) Quick Step5Row 7 - Cell 3
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Côte d'Araches (Cat. 2) km. 111.5
1Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team10pts
2Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas9Row 1 - Cell 3
3Egoi Martinez De Esteban (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi8Row 2 - Cell 3
4Christophe Kern (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne7Row 3 - Cell 3
5Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Silence - Lotto6Row 4 - Cell 3
6David Zabriskie (USA) Garmin - Slipstream5Row 5 - Cell 3
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Col de Romme (Cat. 1) km. 140.5
1Fränk Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank15pts
2Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank13Row 1 - Cell 3
3Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana11Row 2 - Cell 3
4Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana9Row 3 - Cell 3
5Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas8Row 4 - Cell 3
6Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin - Slipstream7Row 5 - Cell 3
7Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Garmin - Slipstream6Row 6 - Cell 3
8Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana5Row 7 - Cell 3
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Col de la Colombière (Cat. 1) km. 154.5
1Fränk Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank30pts
2Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank26Row 1 - Cell 3
3Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana22Row 2 - Cell 3
4Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana18Row 3 - Cell 3
5Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana16Row 4 - Cell 3
6Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas14Row 5 - Cell 3
7Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Garmin - Slipstream12Row 6 - Cell 3
8Christophe Moreau (Fra) Agritubel10Row 7 - Cell 3
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Young riders
1Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank4:53:54
2Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas0:02:18
3Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas0:06:12
4Pierre Rolland (Fra) BBOX Bouygues Telecom0:08:54
5Rigoberto Uran (Col) Caisse d'Epargne0:08:58
6Stijn Vandenbergh (Bel) Team Katusha0:11:00
7Brice Feillu (Fra) Agritubel0:11:50
8Nicolas Roche (Irl) AG2R La MondialeRow 7 - Cell 2
9Chris Anker Sørensen (Den) Team Saxo Bank0:17:33
10Thierry Huppond (Fra) Skil-Shimano0:29:43
11Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'EpargneRow 10 - Cell 2
12Mauro Santambrogio (Ita) Lampre - NGCRow 11 - Cell 2
13Simon Spilak (Slo) Lampre - NGCRow 12 - Cell 2
14Maxime Bouet (Fra) AgritubelRow 13 - Cell 2
15Heinrich Haussler (Ger) Cervelo Test TeamRow 14 - Cell 2
16Nikolai Troussov (Rus) Team KatushaRow 15 - Cell 2
17Johannes Fröhlinger (Ger) Team MilramRow 16 - Cell 2
18Peter Velits (Svk) Team MilramRow 17 - Cell 2
19Mickael Delage (Fra) Silence - LottoRow 18 - Cell 2
20Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) Silence - LottoRow 19 - Cell 2
21Simon Geschke (Ger) Skil-ShimanoRow 20 - Cell 2
22Marco Bandiera (Ita) Lampre - NGC0:35:47
23Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team Columbia - HTCRow 22 - Cell 2
24Fabio Sabatini (Ita) LiquigasRow 23 - Cell 2
25Gerald Ciolek (Ger) Team MilramRow 24 - Cell 2
26Tony Martin (Ger) Team Columbia - HTCRow 25 - Cell 2
27Yury Trofimov (Rus) BBOX Bouygues TelecomRow 26 - Cell 2
28Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - SlipstreamRow 27 - Cell 2
29Mikhail Ignatiev (Rus) Team KatushaRow 28 - Cell 2
30Jonathan Hivert (Fra) Skil-ShimanoRow 29 - Cell 2
31Albert Timmer (Ned) Skil-ShimanoRow 30 - Cell 2
32Yukiya Arashiro (Jpn) BBOX Bouygues TelecomRow 31 - Cell 2
33Niki Terpstra (Ned) Team MilramRow 32 - Cell 2
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Most aggressive rider
1Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team
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Teams
1Astana14:46:27
2Garmin - Slipstream0:10:18
3Team Saxo Bank0:12:48
4AG2R La Mondiale0:14:01
5Team Katusha0:17:44
6Agritubel0:19:01
7Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne0:20:32
8Liquigas0:21:18
9Quick Step0:23:00
10Francaise Des Jeux0:25:10
11Caisse d'Epargne0:25:33
12Euskaltel - Euskadi0:25:57
13Silence - Lotto0:38:57
14Bbox Bouygues Telecom0:39:15
15Rabobank0:40:26
16Lampre - N.G.C0:45:42
17Team Columbia - HTC0:49:04
18Team Milram0:51:25
19Cervelo Test Team0:54:16
20Skil-Shimano1:24:24
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General classification after stage 17
1Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana72:27:09
2Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank0:02:26
3Fränk Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank0:03:25
4Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana0:03:55
5Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana0:04:44
6Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Garmin - Slipstream0:04:53
7Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas0:05:09
8Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin - Slipstream0:08:08
9Christophe Le Mevel (Fra) Française des Jeux0:09:19
10Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi0:10:50
11Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas0:10:52
12Rinaldo Nocentini (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale0:11:38
13Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Cervelo Test Team0:11:39
14Sandy Casar (Fra) Française des Jeux0:11:52
15Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Team Katusha0:12:08
16Stéphane Goubert (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale0:15:29
17Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Silence - Lotto0:17:23
18Alexandre Botcharov (Rus) Team Katusha0:19:20
19Brice Feillu (Fra) Agritubel0:21:50
20Christian Knees (Ger) Team Milram0:24:15
21Pierre Rolland (Fra) BBOX Bouygues Telecom0:25:07
22George Hincapie (USA) Team Columbia - HTC0:25:38
23Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Quick Step0:25:45
24Nicolas Roche (Irl) AG2R La Mondiale0:28:38
25Linus Gerdemann (Ger) Team Milram0:28:49
26Haimar Zubeldia Aguirre (Spa) Astana0:30:59
27Maxime Monfort (Bel) Team Columbia - HTC0:34:06
28Nicki Sörensen (Den) Team Saxo Bank0:35:58
29Christophe Moreau (Fra) Agritubel0:36:21
30Hubert Dupont (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale0:36:33
31Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Astana0:36:37
32Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence - Lotto0:37:06
33Luis León Sánchez Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne0:38:06
34Chris Anker Sørensen (Den) Team Saxo Bank0:39:08
35Sergio Miguel Moreira Paulinho (Por) Astana0:39:35
36Peter Velits (Svk) Team Milram0:40:37
37Kim Kirchen (Lux) Team Columbia - HTC0:40:52
38Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas0:41:11
39Egoi Martinez De Esteban (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi0:43:57
40Luis Pasamontes Rodriguez (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne0:45:47
41Serguei Ivanov (Rus) Team Katusha0:47:03
42Sébastien Minard (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne0:47:06
43Laurent Lefevre (Fra) BBOX Bouygues Telecom0:48:17
44Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank0:48:35
45Rigoberto Uran (Col) Caisse d'Epargne0:49:53
46Rémi Pauriol (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne0:50:26
47Volodymir Gustov (Ukr) Cervelo Test Team0:51:06
48Grischa Niermann (Ger) Rabobank0:52:52
49Jérémy Roy (Fra) Française des Jeux0:53:07
50Tony Martin (Ger) Team Columbia - HTC0:54:35
51Gustav Erik Larsson (Swe) Team Saxo Bank0:56:47
52Yury Trofimov (Rus) BBOX Bouygues Telecom0:58:19
53Matthew Lloyd (Aus) Silence - Lotto0:59:10
54Carlos Barredo Llamazales (Spa) Quick Step0:59:44
55Laurens ten Dam (Ned) Rabobank1:02:47
56Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Slipstream1:03:46
57David Loosli (Swi) Lampre - NGC1:05:33
58David Moncoutie (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne1:11:15
59Pierrick Fedrigo (Fra) BBOX Bouygues Telecom1:13:20
60Charles Wegelius (GBr) Silence - Lotto1:14:25
61Sylvain Calzati (Fra) Agritubel1:16:36
62David Zabriskie (USA) Garmin - Slipstream1:17:20
63Igor Anton Hernandez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi1:17:36
64Gorka Verdugo Marcotegui (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi1:18:18
65Amets Txurruka (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi1:20:21
66Thomas Voeckler (Fra) BBOX Bouygues Telecom1:20:40
67David Arroyo Duran (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne1:21:16
68José Luis Arrieta Lujambio (Spa) AG2R La Mondiale1:23:09
69Juan Manuel Garate Cepa (Spa) Rabobank1:25:38
70Nicolas Vogondy (Fra) Agritubel1:25:52
71José Ivan Gutierrez Palacios (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne1:27:09
72Maxime Bouet (Fra) Agritubel1:28:58
73Geoffroy Lequatre (Fra) Agritubel1:29:02
74Christophe Kern (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne1:29:33
75David Millar (GBr) Garmin - Slipstream1:29:57
76Amaël Moinard (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne1:31:02
77Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) Lampre - NGC1:32:04
78Ruben Perez Moreno (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi1:32:20
79Johannes Fröhlinger (Ger) Team Milram1:33:20
80Joost Posthuma (Ned) Rabobank1:36:29
81Iñigo Cuesta Lopez De Castro (Spa) Cervelo Test Team1:36:54
82Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank1:40:08
83Stijn Devolder (Bel) Quick Step1:41:32
84Joan Horrach Rippoll (Spa) Team Katusha1:42:19
85Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne1:42:37
86Leonardo Duque (Col) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne1:45:52
87Frederik Willems (Bel) Liquigas1:45:56
88Sebastian Lang (Ger) Silence - Lotto1:49:40
89Heinrich Haussler (Ger) Cervelo Test Team1:50:48
90Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) Silence - Lotto1:53:17
91Juan Antonio Flecha Giannoni (Spa) Rabobank1:53:47
92Christophe Riblon (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale1:54:35
93Alessandro Ballan (Ita) Lampre - NGC1:55:25
94Sébastien Rosseler (Bel) Quick Step1:56:29
95Hayden Roulston (NZl) Cervelo Test Team1:57:45
96Jussi Veikkanen (Fin) Française des Jeux1:58:52
97Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Quick Step1:59:07
98Stijn Vandenbergh (Bel) Team Katusha1:59:25
99Thierry Huppond (Fra) Skil-Shimano1:59:42
100Martijn Maaskant (Ned) Garmin - Slipstream2:01:24
101Juan Jose Oroz Ugalde (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi2:01:48
102Johan Van Summeren (Bel) Silence - Lotto2:02:53
103Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Team Katusha2:06:50
104Bingen Fernandez Bustinza (Spa) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne2:07:40
105Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Rabobank2:07:59
106Simon Spilak (Slo) Lampre - NGC2:08:08
107Aleksandr Kuschynski (Blr) Liquigas2:13:22
108Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team2:15:37
109Alessandro Vanotti (Ita) Liquigas2:21:10
110Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Team Saxo Bank2:25:32
111Matteo Tosatto (Ita) Quick Step2:25:40
112Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - HTC2:25:54
113Nikolai Troussov (Rus) Team Katusha2:26:17
114Marcus Fothen (Ger) Team Milram2:26:29
115Koen de Kort (Ned) Skil-Shimano2:27:28
116Stef Clement (Ned) Rabobank2:29:18
117Brian Vandborg (Den) Liquigas2:30:31
118Mickael Delage (Fra) Silence - Lotto2:30:58
119Arnaud Coyot (Fra) Caisse d'Epargne2:31:06
120Julian Dean (NZl) Garmin - Slipstream2:31:45
121Alexandre Pichot (Fra) BBOX Bouygues Telecom2:32:24
122Staf Scheirlinckx (Bel) Silence - Lotto2:34:05
123Daniele Righi (Ita) Lampre - NGC2:34:14
124Mauro Santambrogio (Ita) Lampre - NGC2:34:52
125Simon Geschke (Ger) Skil-Shimano2:35:08
126Fumiyuki Beppu (Jpn) Skil-Shimano2:36:45
127Fabian Wegmann (Ger) Team Milram2:38:01
128Anthony Geslin (Fra) Française des Jeux2:38:11
129Grégory Rast (Swi) Astana2:40:02
130Brett Lancaster (Aus) Cervelo Test Team2:42:10
131Alan Perez Lezaun (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi2:42:34
132Daniele Bennati (Ita) Liquigas2:42:53
133Lloyd Mondory (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale2:44:07
134Yukiya Arashiro (Jpn) BBOX Bouygues Telecom2:44:31
135Benoït Vaugrenard (Fra) Française des Jeux2:45:23
136Bert Grabsch (Ger) Team Columbia - HTC2:45:32
137Gerald Ciolek (Ger) Team Milram2:45:46
138Danny Pate (USA) Garmin - Slipstream2:47:05
139Marco Bandiera (Ita) Lampre - NGC2:47:19
140Mikhail Ignatiev (Rus) Team Katusha2:47:43
141Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team Columbia - HTC2:51:25
142Dmitriy Muravyev (Kaz) Astana2:53:01
143Marcin Sapa (Pol) Lampre - NGC2:54:04
144Albert Timmer (Ned) Skil-Shimano2:56:05
145Stéphane Auge (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne2:56:06
146Samuel Dumoulin (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne2:56:15
147Fabio Sabatini (Ita) Liquigas2:57:34
148Saïd Haddou (Fra) BBOX Bouygues Telecom2:57:53
149William Bonnet (Fra) BBOX Bouygues Telecom2:58:46
150Cyril Lemoine (Fra) Skil-Shimano2:59:23
151Jonathan Hivert (Fra) Skil-Shimano3:00:35
152Mark Renshaw (Aus) Team Columbia - HTCRow 151 - Cell 2
153Bernhard Eisel (Aut) Team Columbia - HTC3:01:02
154Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - Slipstream3:02:00
155Niki Terpstra (Ned) Team Milram3:02:40
156Andreas Klier (Ger) Cervelo Test Team3:03:44
157Steven de Jongh (Ned) Quick Step3:13:14
158Yauheni Hutarovich (Blr) Française des Jeux3:26:01
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Points classification
1Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team230pts
2Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team Columbia - HTC200Row 1 - Cell 3
3Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne126Row 2 - Cell 3
4Gerald Ciolek (Ger) Team Milram122Row 3 - Cell 3
5Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - Slipstream110Row 4 - Cell 3
6Nicolas Roche (Irl) AG2R La Mondiale100Row 5 - Cell 3
7Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Rabobank97Row 6 - Cell 3
8Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas96Row 7 - Cell 3
9Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana77Row 8 - Cell 3
10Lloyd Mondory (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale74Row 9 - Cell 3
11Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana71Row 10 - Cell 3
12Serguei Ivanov (Rus) Team Katusha66Row 11 - Cell 3
13Leonardo Duque (Col) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne64Row 12 - Cell 3
14George Hincapie (USA) Team Columbia - HTC63Row 13 - Cell 3
15Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Garmin - Slipstream62Row 14 - Cell 3
16Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Quick Step61Row 15 - Cell 3
17Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank61Row 16 - Cell 3
18Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank55Row 17 - Cell 3
19William Bonnet (Fra) BBOX Bouygues Telecom54Row 18 - Cell 3
20Marco Bandiera (Ita) Lampre - NGC53Row 19 - Cell 3
21Daniele Bennati (Ita) Liquigas52Row 20 - Cell 3
22Pierrick Fedrigo (Fra) BBOX Bouygues Telecom51Row 21 - Cell 3
23Thomas Voeckler (Fra) BBOX Bouygues Telecom49Row 22 - Cell 3
24Heinrich Haussler (Ger) Cervelo Test Team48Row 23 - Cell 3
25Egoi Martinez De Esteban (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi48Row 24 - Cell 3
26Yauheni Hutarovich (Blr) Française des Jeux48Row 25 - Cell 3
27Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas47Row 26 - Cell 3
28Cyril Lemoine (Fra) Skil-Shimano47Row 27 - Cell 3
29Mark Renshaw (Aus) Team Columbia - HTC47Row 28 - Cell 3
30Fränk Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank46Row 29 - Cell 3
31Samuel Dumoulin (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne46Row 30 - Cell 3
32Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Quick Step46Row 31 - Cell 3
33Nikolai Troussov (Rus) Team Katusha44Row 32 - Cell 3
34Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence - Lotto43Row 33 - Cell 3
35Sandy Casar (Fra) Française des Jeux42Row 34 - Cell 3
36Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana42Row 35 - Cell 3
37Brice Feillu (Fra) Agritubel41Row 36 - Cell 3
38Ruben Perez Moreno (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi41Row 37 - Cell 3
39Hayden Roulston (NZl) Cervelo Test Team38Row 38 - Cell 3
40Sébastien Minard (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne38Row 39 - Cell 3
41Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi37Row 40 - Cell 3
42Thierry Huppond (Fra) Skil-Shimano37Row 41 - Cell 3
43Peter Velits (Svk) Team Milram37Row 42 - Cell 3
44Nicki Sörensen (Den) Team Saxo Bank35Row 43 - Cell 3
45Christophe Kern (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne35Row 44 - Cell 3
46Koen de Kort (Ned) Skil-Shimano34Row 45 - Cell 3
47Mikhail Ignatiev (Rus) Team Katusha34Row 46 - Cell 3
48Christophe Le Mevel (Fra) Française des Jeux33Row 47 - Cell 3
49Rinaldo Nocentini (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale33Row 48 - Cell 3
50Rémi Pauriol (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne31Row 49 - Cell 3
51Maxime Bouet (Fra) Agritubel31Row 50 - Cell 3
52Stéphane Auge (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne30Row 51 - Cell 3
53Laurent Lefevre (Fra) BBOX Bouygues Telecom30Row 52 - Cell 3
54Yukiya Arashiro (Jpn) BBOX Bouygues Telecom30Row 53 - Cell 3
55Tony Martin (Ger) Team Columbia - HTC29Row 54 - Cell 3
56Saïd Haddou (Fra) BBOX Bouygues Telecom29Row 55 - Cell 3
57Sylvain Calzati (Fra) Agritubel28Row 56 - Cell 3
58Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas28Row 57 - Cell 3
59Alessandro Ballan (Ita) Lampre - NGC27Row 58 - Cell 3
60Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Team Katusha27Row 59 - Cell 3
61Marcin Sapa (Pol) Lampre - NGC26Row 60 - Cell 3
62Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Astana26Row 61 - Cell 3
63Amets Txurruka (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi26Row 62 - Cell 3
64Albert Timmer (Ned) Skil-Shimano26Row 63 - Cell 3
65Luis León Sánchez Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne24Row 64 - Cell 3
66Martijn Maaskant (Ned) Garmin - Slipstream24Row 65 - Cell 3
67Marcus Fothen (Ger) Team Milram24Row 66 - Cell 3
68Jérémy Roy (Fra) Française des Jeux23Row 67 - Cell 3
69José Ivan Gutierrez Palacios (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne22Row 68 - Cell 3
70Daniele Righi (Ita) Lampre - NGC22Row 69 - Cell 3
71Christophe Moreau (Fra) Agritubel21Row 70 - Cell 3
72Linus Gerdemann (Ger) Team Milram21Row 71 - Cell 3
73Christophe Riblon (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale20Row 72 - Cell 3
74Fabian Wegmann (Ger) Team Milram19Row 73 - Cell 3
75Mauro Santambrogio (Ita) Lampre - NGC18Row 74 - Cell 3
76Fumiyuki Beppu (Jpn) Skil-Shimano18Row 75 - Cell 3
77Johannes Fröhlinger (Ger) Team Milram17Row 76 - Cell 3
78Steven de Jongh (Ned) Quick Step17Row 77 - Cell 3
79Johan Van Summeren (Bel) Silence - Lotto16Row 78 - Cell 3
80Amaël Moinard (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne16Row 79 - Cell 3
81Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Silence - Lotto16Row 80 - Cell 3
82Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin - Slipstream15Row 81 - Cell 3
83Stef Clement (Ned) Rabobank14Row 82 - Cell 3
84Kim Kirchen (Lux) Team Columbia - HTC14Row 83 - Cell 3
85Frederik Willems (Bel) Liquigas14Row 84 - Cell 3
86Juan Antonio Flecha Giannoni (Spa) Rabobank14Row 85 - Cell 3
87Sebastian Lang (Ger) Silence - Lotto13Row 86 - Cell 3
88Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) Silence - Lotto13Row 87 - Cell 3
89Benoït Vaugrenard (Fra) Française des Jeux12Row 88 - Cell 3
90Maxime Monfort (Bel) Team Columbia - HTC11Row 89 - Cell 3
91Sébastien Rosseler (Bel) Quick Step11Row 90 - Cell 3
92David Millar (GBr) Garmin - Slipstream10Row 91 - Cell 3
93Anthony Geslin (Fra) Française des Jeux10Row 92 - Cell 3
94Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Cervelo Test Team10Row 93 - Cell 3
95Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Team Katusha10Row 94 - Cell 3
96Christian Knees (Ger) Team Milram10Row 95 - Cell 3
97Alexandre Pichot (Fra) BBOX Bouygues Telecom9Row 96 - Cell 3
98Stéphane Goubert (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale8Row 97 - Cell 3
99Geoffroy Lequatre (Fra) Agritubel8Row 98 - Cell 3
100Brett Lancaster (Aus) Cervelo Test Team7Row 99 - Cell 3
101Grischa Niermann (Ger) Rabobank6Row 100 - Cell 3
102Alexandre Botcharov (Rus) Team Katusha5Row 101 - Cell 3
103Arnaud Coyot (Fra) Caisse d'Epargne5Row 102 - Cell 3
104Alan Perez Lezaun (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi5Row 103 - Cell 3
105Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Slipstream4Row 104 - Cell 3
106Gorka Verdugo Marcotegui (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi4Row 105 - Cell 3
107Nicolas Vogondy (Fra) Agritubel4Row 106 - Cell 3
108Stijn Vandenbergh (Bel) Team Katusha4Row 107 - Cell 3
109Aleksandr Kuschynski (Blr) Liquigas4Row 108 - Cell 3
110Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Team Saxo Bank4Row 109 - Cell 3
111Fabio Sabatini (Ita) Liquigas4Row 110 - Cell 3
112Matteo Tosatto (Ita) Quick Step3Row 111 - Cell 3
113Mickael Delage (Fra) Silence - Lotto3Row 112 - Cell 3
114Simon Geschke (Ger) Skil-Shimano3Row 113 - Cell 3
115Bernhard Eisel (Aut) Team Columbia - HTC3Row 114 - Cell 3
116Haimar Zubeldia Aguirre (Spa) Astana2Row 115 - Cell 3
117David Moncoutie (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne2Row 116 - Cell 3
118David Loosli (Swi) Lampre - NGC2Row 117 - Cell 3
119Juan Manuel Garate Cepa (Spa) Rabobank2Row 118 - Cell 3
120Rigoberto Uran (Col) Caisse d'Epargne1Row 119 - Cell 3
121Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - HTC1Row 120 - Cell 3
122Simon Spilak (Slo) Lampre - NGC-25Row 121 - Cell 3
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Mountains classification
1Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas196pts
2Egoi Martinez De Esteban (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi118Row 1 - Cell 3
3Pierrick Fedrigo (Fra) BBOX Bouygues Telecom97Row 2 - Cell 3
4Christophe Kern (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne89Row 3 - Cell 3
5Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi86Row 4 - Cell 3
6Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana85Row 5 - Cell 3
7Sandy Casar (Fra) Française des Jeux84Row 6 - Cell 3
8Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Silence - Lotto76Row 7 - Cell 3
9Fränk Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank68Row 8 - Cell 3
10Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Quick Step67Row 9 - Cell 3
11Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank65Row 10 - Cell 3
12Brice Feillu (Fra) Agritubel64Row 11 - Cell 3
13Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas54Row 12 - Cell 3
14Amets Txurruka (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi49Row 13 - Cell 3
15Christophe Riblon (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale46Row 14 - Cell 3
16Heinrich Haussler (Ger) Cervelo Test Team45Row 15 - Cell 3
17David Moncoutie (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne38Row 16 - Cell 3
18Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana37Row 17 - Cell 3
19Juan Manuel Garate Cepa (Spa) Rabobank36Row 18 - Cell 3
20Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Garmin - Slipstream35Row 19 - Cell 3
21Rinaldo Nocentini (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale34Row 20 - Cell 3
22Johannes Fröhlinger (Ger) Team Milram32Row 21 - Cell 3
23Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence - Lotto31Row 22 - Cell 3
24Thomas Voeckler (Fra) BBOX Bouygues Telecom31Row 23 - Cell 3
25Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana27Row 24 - Cell 3
26Luis León Sánchez Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne26Row 25 - Cell 3
27José Ivan Gutierrez Palacios (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne26Row 26 - Cell 3
28Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team25Row 27 - Cell 3
29Ruben Perez Moreno (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi24Row 28 - Cell 3
30Amaël Moinard (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne24Row 29 - Cell 3
31Laurens ten Dam (Ned) Rabobank23Row 30 - Cell 3
32Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Quick Step23Row 31 - Cell 3
33George Hincapie (USA) Team Columbia - HTC21Row 32 - Cell 3
34David Zabriskie (USA) Garmin - Slipstream20Row 33 - Cell 3
35Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Team Katusha18Row 34 - Cell 3
36Mikhail Ignatiev (Rus) Team Katusha17Row 35 - Cell 3
37Stéphane Goubert (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale17Row 36 - Cell 3
38Aleksandr Kuschynski (Blr) Liquigas17Row 37 - Cell 3
39Stéphane Auge (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne14Row 38 - Cell 3
40Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Cervelo Test Team14Row 39 - Cell 3
41Pierre Rolland (Fra) BBOX Bouygues Telecom14Row 40 - Cell 3
42Sergio Miguel Moreira Paulinho (Por) Astana14Row 41 - Cell 3
43Juan Antonio Flecha Giannoni (Spa) Rabobank13Row 42 - Cell 3
44Haimar Zubeldia Aguirre (Spa) Astana12Row 43 - Cell 3
45Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank12Row 44 - Cell 3
46Igor Anton Hernandez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi12Row 45 - Cell 3
47David Millar (GBr) Garmin - Slipstream11Row 46 - Cell 3
48Christophe Moreau (Fra) Agritubel11Row 47 - Cell 3
49José Angel Gomez Marchante (Spa) Cervelo Test Team10Row 48 - Cell 3
50Leonardo Duque (Col) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne10Row 49 - Cell 3
51Jussi Veikkanen (Fin) Française des Jeux9Row 50 - Cell 3
52José Luis Arrieta Lujambio (Spa) AG2R La Mondiale9Row 51 - Cell 3
53Thierry Huppond (Fra) Skil-Shimano7Row 52 - Cell 3
54Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin - Slipstream7Row 53 - Cell 3
55Peter Velits (Svk) Team Milram7Row 54 - Cell 3
56Tony Martin (Ger) Team Columbia - HTC6Row 55 - Cell 3
57Frederik Willems (Bel) Liquigas6Row 56 - Cell 3
58Koen de Kort (Ned) Skil-Shimano6Row 57 - Cell 3
59Anthony Geslin (Fra) Française des Jeux6Row 58 - Cell 3
60Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank6Row 59 - Cell 3
61Laurent Lefevre (Fra) BBOX Bouygues Telecom5Row 60 - Cell 3
62Johan Van Summeren (Bel) Silence - Lotto5Row 61 - Cell 3
63Marcin Sapa (Pol) Lampre - NGC5Row 62 - Cell 3
64Carlos Barredo Llamazales (Spa) Quick Step5Row 63 - Cell 3
65Gorka Verdugo Marcotegui (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi5Row 64 - Cell 3
66Sébastien Minard (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne4Row 65 - Cell 3
67Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Slipstream4Row 66 - Cell 3
68Nicki Sörensen (Den) Team Saxo Bank4Row 67 - Cell 3
69Maxime Bouet (Fra) Agritubel4Row 68 - Cell 3
70Gerald Ciolek (Ger) Team Milram4Row 69 - Cell 3
71Albert Timmer (Ned) Skil-Shimano4Row 70 - Cell 3
72Samuel Dumoulin (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne4Row 71 - Cell 3
73Alexandre Botcharov (Rus) Team Katusha3Row 72 - Cell 3
74Sylvain Calzati (Fra) Agritubel3Row 73 - Cell 3
75Marcus Fothen (Ger) Team Milram3Row 74 - Cell 3
76Benoït Vaugrenard (Fra) Française des Jeux3Row 75 - Cell 3
77Serguei Ivanov (Rus) Team Katusha2Row 76 - Cell 3
78Daniele Bennati (Ita) Liquigas2Row 77 - Cell 3
79Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas1Row 78 - Cell 3
80Rémi Pauriol (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne1Row 79 - Cell 3
81David Loosli (Swi) Lampre - NGC1Row 80 - Cell 3
82Martijn Maaskant (Ned) Garmin - Slipstream1Row 81 - Cell 3
83Stef Clement (Ned) Rabobank1Row 82 - Cell 3
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Young rider classification
1Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank72:29:35
2Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas0:02:43
3Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas0:08:26
4Brice Feillu (Fra) Agritubel0:19:24
5Pierre Rolland (Fra) BBOX Bouygues Telecom0:22:41
6Nicolas Roche (Irl) AG2R La Mondiale0:26:12
7Chris Anker Sørensen (Den) Team Saxo Bank0:36:42
8Peter Velits (Svk) Team Milram0:38:11
9Rigoberto Uran (Col) Caisse d'Epargne0:47:27
10Tony Martin (Ger) Team Columbia - HTC0:52:09
11Yury Trofimov (Rus) BBOX Bouygues Telecom0:55:53
12Maxime Bouet (Fra) Agritubel1:26:32
13Johannes Fröhlinger (Ger) Team Milram1:30:54
14Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne1:40:11
15Heinrich Haussler (Ger) Cervelo Test Team1:48:22
16Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) Silence - Lotto1:50:51
17Stijn Vandenbergh (Bel) Team Katusha1:56:59
18Thierry Huppond (Fra) Skil-Shimano1:57:16
19Simon Spilak (Slo) Lampre - NGC2:05:42
20Nikolai Troussov (Rus) Team Katusha2:23:51
21Mickael Delage (Fra) Silence - Lotto2:28:32
22Mauro Santambrogio (Ita) Lampre - NGC2:32:26
23Simon Geschke (Ger) Skil-Shimano2:32:42
24Yukiya Arashiro (Jpn) BBOX Bouygues Telecom2:42:05
25Gerald Ciolek (Ger) Team Milram2:43:20
26Marco Bandiera (Ita) Lampre - NGC2:44:53
27Mikhail Ignatiev (Rus) Team Katusha2:45:17
28Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team Columbia - HTC2:48:59
29Albert Timmer (Ned) Skil-Shimano2:53:39
30Fabio Sabatini (Ita) Liquigas2:55:08
31Jonathan Hivert (Fra) Skil-Shimano2:58:09
32Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - Slipstream2:59:34
33Niki Terpstra (Ned) Team Milram3:00:14
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Teams classification
1Astana215:55:13
2Garmin - Slipstream0:16:12
3AG2R La Mondiale0:16:33
4Team Saxo Bank0:24:31
5Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne0:37:17
6Liquigas0:38:28
7Euskaltel - Euskadi0:39:09
8Francaise Des Jeux0:43:20
9Team Katusha0:53:54
10Agritubel1:02:52
11Team Milram1:02:54
12Bbox Bouygues Telecom1:04:25
13Caisse d'Epargne1:05:00
14Cervelo Test Team1:07:57
15Silence - Lotto1:10:55
16Team Columbia - HTC1:17:17
17Rabobank1:34:07
18Quick Step2:03:08
19Lampre - N.G.C3:07:18
20Skil-Shimano6:14:13

Thor continues his hammer-fest

With overnight leader Contador experiencing mechanical problems and others like Cyril Dessel (AG2R) calling it a day, Hushovd at first appeared to be the only man revelling in the lousy conditions, summiting the 15.1-km Col de Saises 1:20 ahead of the group he briefly occupied and 5:09 clear of the peloton. The versatile Norwegian was clearly on a mission - no doubt fuelled by Mark Cavendish's words the previous day, where he told Hushovd, "You've won the green jersey but that's always going to have a stain on it" - and after he took the sprint in Paz-sur-Arly, he gestured to the camera, smirked, and tugged his maillot vert, appearing to say, 'It's mine'.

For the time being, the group behind - now minus Amets Txurruka (Euskaltel-Euskadi), making it a 20-man chase - seemed content to let the God of Thunder continue to banish his mighty hammer. Back in the peloton, Saxo Bank drove at the fore, Stuart O'Grady doing much of the pace-making, with the entire Astana formation right behind, patiently waiting.

Through the Sallanches valley - the only decent piece of flat road the entire stage - and onto the 6.3-km Côte d'Araches, Hushovd did not appear to be weakening. Over the Araches and 58-km from the finish, Astana had now combined with Saxo Bank, 3:09 behind Hushovd, the extra pace causing problems for Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) and Kim Kirchen (Columbia-HTC), the first of the big names to be dropped. And with the retirement of Kenny Van Hummel (Skil-Shimano), Yauheni Hutarovich (Française des Jeux) became the new lanterne rouge.

Thor's extraordinary feat was complete when he made it to the second sprint in Cluses (km. 126); barring disaster, now certain to take his second maillot vert in Paris.

"Today everything just felt perfect. I attacked over the first climb, did a good descent and then had an amazing day in the front," Hushovd said. "I think this is the best day I've ever had on the bike. Maybe I was making a statement, but at least I've got more points in case something happens in the coming days. If I win the jersey by 10 points, I can say that I had built a sufficient buffer on this stage to Le Grand-Bornand."

His job done - and voted the day's most aggressive rider - he was soon overtaken by the chase group, who in turn was swallowed by the peloton. Then the race began for real.

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