Races Road Reversal of fortune for Kessler By Cycling News published 20 July 2006 Like yesterday's stage to Esch-sur-Alzette, just one rider separated breakaway from bunch with five... Comments Race Home Stages Prologue 7km | Strasbourg - Strasbourg, ITT Stage 1 183km | Strasbourg - Strasbourg Stage 2 223km | Obernai - Esch-sur-Alzette (Luxembourg) Stage 3 216km | Esch-sur-Alzette - Valkenburg (Netherlands) Stage 4 215km | Huy (Belgium) - Saint-Quentin Stage 5 219km | Beauvais - Caen Stage 6 184km | Lisieux - Vitré Stage 7 52km | Saint-Grégoire - Rennes ITT Stage 8 177km | Saint-Méen-le-Grand - Lorient Stage 9 170km | Bordeaux - Dax Stage 10 193km | Cambo-les-Bains - Pau Stage 11 208km | Tarbes - Val d'Aran/Pla-de-Beret (Spain) Stage 12 211km | Luchon - Carcassonne Stage 13 231km | Béziers - Montélimar Stage 14 181km | Montélimar - Gap Stage 15 187km | Gap - L'Alpe-d'Huez Stage 16 182km | Le Bourg-d'Oisans - La Toussuire Stage 17 199km | Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne - Morzine Stage 18 193km | Morzine - Mâcon Stage 19 56km | Le Creusot - Montceau-les-Mines ITT Stage 20 152km | Antony (Parc de Sceaux) - Paris Champs-Elysées View all Stages Race history Start list Image 1 of 112Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile)(Image credit: Jon Devich)Michael Rogers (T-Mobile)(Image credit: Jon Devich)Tom Boonen (Quick.Step)(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne)(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Jerome Pineau (Bouygues)(Image credit: Jon Devich)Credit Agricole works at the front to control the break.(Image credit: Jon Devich)Jose Luis Arrieta (AG2R)(Image credit: Jon Devich)Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile)(Image credit: Sirotti)Johan Bruyneel (Discovery) explains his plans for the day.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) with bandage still in place, rolls to sign in.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) signing autographs at sign in.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) one of today's hopefuls, gives a pre-race interview.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)Jerome Pineau (Bouygues) leads the break earlier in the day.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)David Millar (Saunier Duval-Prodir) going strong on an early climb.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)Jose Luis Arrieta (AG2R) powers the break with over a 5 minute lead.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)Credit Agricole works at the front to control the break.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) spending another day in yellow.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)The bunch rolls through the town of Salmchateau.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) trying to get teammate Oscar Freire to the front.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile) solos in for the win.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile) more than happy with his win.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)Michael Rogers (T-Mobile) makes it a 1,2 stage for T-Mobile.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)Tom Boonen (Quickstep) takes over the yellow jersey.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)Tom Boonen (Quickstep) also took over as the sprint leader with today's win.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) crashed out and broke his collarbone. Philippe Gilbert also crashed, but was able to make it back to the peloton(Image credit: Bettini Photo)The Cauberg was the main feature of today's stage(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Boogerd leads the bunch up the Cauberg(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile) is quite happy with his stage win(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Michael Rogers (T-Mobile) celebrates a 1-2 for T-Mobile(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Filippo Pozzato (Quick.Step) after a tough day(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) is the new maillot jaune(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Freddy Maertens congratulations Boonen on his yellow jersey(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile) attacks on the Cauberg(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile) gives it gas with Gilbert on his wheel(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) on the front(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) tries to keep Freire in contention(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Despite a deflating front tyre Tom Boonen looked good on the Cauberg(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Popovych and Ballan(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Luca Paolini (Liquigas) keeps himself in contention(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Carlos Sastre and Frank Schleck lead George Hincapie(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Levi Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner) keeps it going(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Floyd Landis (Phonak) struggles on the Cauberg(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Christophe Moreau (AG2R) fights for survival(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)A small group on the Cauberg(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Carlos da Cruz (FDJ) on his own(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Florent Brard (Caisse d'Epargne) on the Cauberg(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Pozzato and Backstedt were the last riders(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Dammit, this used to be easy(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)You're about 30 years behind the peloton(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)A large crowd greeted the Tour in Valkenburg(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Dropped riders ascend the Cauberg(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Sandy Casar (FDJ) comes up the Cauberg(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile) heads for home(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile) wins the stage in Valkenburg(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Mick Rogers wins the sprint for second(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) comes home(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Iker Camano (Euskaltel) meets a group of finishers(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile) winner of stage 3(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile) with his winner's bouquet(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile) gets up on the podium(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) salutes from the podium(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) the man in yellow(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) smiles with his lion(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) salutes in the yellow jersey(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)The World Champ salutes the crowd(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) pulls on the maillot vert(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) smiles in the green jersey(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) is congratulated by Freddy Maertens after winning the green(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Jerome Pineau (Bouygues) now in dots(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Markus Fothen is best young rider(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)The bunch rides through trees in stage 3(Image credit: AFP Photo)Jerome Pineau (Bouygues) in the breakaway(Image credit: AFP Photo)Jose Luis Arrieta (AG2R) starts to croak on the Cauberg(Image credit: AFP Photo)Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile) is a happy chappy(Image credit: AFP Photo)Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) celebrates with the yellow jersey(Image credit: AFP Photo)Valkenburg Mayor Dr. Constant Nuytens is looking forward to his town hosting the third stage of the Tour de France on July 4 in Holland.(Image credit: Anthony Tan/Cyclingnews.com)How to sell the Tour de France to men.(Image credit: Anthony Tan/Cyclingnews.com)One time, at band camp...(Image credit: Anthony Tan/Cyclingnews.com)Le Départ, sans coureurs, one hour before the start in Esch-sur-Alzette.(Image credit: Anthony Tan/Cyclingnews.com)The perennial voice of the Tour de France, Daniel Mangeas.(Image credit: Anthony Tan/Cyclingnews.com)If looks could kill... don't mess with the Tour de France.(Image credit: Anthony Tan/Cyclingnews.com)Mario Aerts had a strip running down his lower leg to help his knee track correctly when pedalling.(Image credit: Anthony Tan/Cyclingnews.com)Green jersey leader Robbie McEwen will be looking to extend his lead in the points competition.(Image credit: Anthony Tan/Cyclingnews.com)Gerolsteiner's great American hope, Levi Leipheimer.(Image credit: Anthony Tan/Cyclingnews.com)Will Carlos Sastre be CSC's new leader? Time will tell.(Image credit: Anthony Tan/Cyclingnews.com)Tom Boonen needs to score a stage victory to boost his confidence in the battle for the maillot vert.(Image credit: Anthony Tan/Cyclingnews.com)Cedric Vasseur likes the Tour de France. The Tour de France likes Cedric Vasseur.(Image credit: Anthony Tan/Cyclingnews.com)It's important to keep hydrated on days like this and make plenty of trips to the Aquarel tent. This mademoiselle had nothing to do with it.(Image credit: Anthony Tan/Cyclingnews.com)