Races Road Voeckler wins from breakaway in Bellegarde-sur-Valserine By Pete Cossins published 11 July 2012 Five riders contest finale Comments Race Home Stages Prologue 6.4km | Liège (ITT) - Stage 1 198km | Liège - Seraing Stage 2 207.5km | Visé - Tournai Stage 3 197km | Orchies - Boulogne-sur-Mer Stage 4 214.5km | Abbeville - Rouen Stage 5 196.5km | Rouen - Saint-Quentin Stage 6 207.5km | Épernay - Metz Stage 7 199km | Tomblaine - La Planche des Belles Filles Stage 8 157.5km | Belfort - Porrentruy Stage 9 41.5km | Arc-et-Senans - Besançon (ITT) Rest Day 1 - Stage 10 194.5km | Mâcon - Bellegarde-sur-Valserine Stage 11 148km | Albertville - La Toussuire - Les Sybelles Stage 12 226km | Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne - Annonay Davézieux Stage 13 217km | Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux - Le Cap d’Agde Stage 14 191km | Limoux - Foix Stage 15 158.5km | Samatan - Pau Rest Day 2 - Stage 16 197km | Pau - Bagnères-de-Luchon Stage 17 143.5km | Bagnères-de-Luchon - Peyragudes Stage 18 222.5km | Blagnac - Brive-la-Gaillarde Stage 19 53.5km | Bonneval - Chartres (ITT) Stage 20 120km | Rambouillet - Paris Champs-Élysées View all Stages Race history Contenders Start list Image 1 of 96Bradley Wiggins (Sky) is ready to resume defense of his yellow jersey following the first rest day.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Bradley Wiggins (Sky) at the finish line of stage 10 in Bellegarde-sur-Valserine.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Luis Leon Sanchez (Rabobank) crosses the finish line in fourth place, 23 seconds down on stage winner Thomas Voeckler.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Michele Scarponi (Lampre-ISD) finished in second place on stage 10, three seconds behind winner Thomas Voeckler.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) celebrates his win on stage 10 of the 2012 Tour de France(Image credit: AFP Photo)Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale) tried to gain time on his GC rivals, but was caught and finished in the maillot jaune group.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) glances over his shoulder to make sure victory is his on stage 10.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale) attacked the maillot jaune group and has caught Andriy Grivko (Astana), a member of the early 25-man break that was dropped on the Grand Colombier.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Richie Porte sets tempo for Sky leader and maillot jaune wearer Bradley Wiggins.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Team Sky in control of the peloton for maillot jaune Bradley Wiggins.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Bradley Wiggins looks back while crossing the finish line in Bellegarde-sur-Valserine in a gesture that GC rival Vincenzo Nibali felt was directed at him as an insult.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Points leader Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale) was one of the instigators of the early break in stage 10.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Denis Menchov (Katusha) remains in the hunt for a final podium position in Paris.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Garmin-Sharp's David Millar and David Zabriskie were part of the 25-man break which formed early in stage 10.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)A television helicopter keeps tabs on the maillot jaune during stage 10.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Luis Leon Sanchez (Rabobank) (Image credit: Bettini Photo)Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) celebrates his victory in stage 10 of the Tour de France.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) gets some help from Bernard Hinault with the mountains classification jersey.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Relief for Thomas Voeckler as the Europcar Frenchman has won stage 10 of the Tour de France.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)You think Thomas Voeckler's happy about his stage win?(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) came up big for his team in stage 10.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Stage 10 winner and mountains classification leader Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) was also named most combative rider of stage 10.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Stage 10 winner Thomas Voeckler (Europcar)(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Michele Scarponi (Lampre-ISD) after his second place finish in stage 10.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Dmitriy Fofonov (Astana) crosses the finish line in 10th place.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Bradley Wiggins (Sky) on the podium to receive the yellow jersey.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale) confers with his directeur sportif.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Michele Scarponi (Lampre-ISD), Luis Leon Sanchez (Rabobank), Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) and Dries Devenyns (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) in the lead during the finale of stage 10.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Michele Scarponi (Lampre-ISD) leads the four survivors of the early break late in stage 10.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) dug deep to win stage 10.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Points classification leader Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale)(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Michele Scarponi (Lampre-ISD) after his second place finish in stage 10.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Points classification leader Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale) and Ukraine champion Andriy Grivko (Astana) on the attack early in stage 10.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Stunning scenery during stage 10 between Mâcon and Bellegarde-sur-Valserine.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Tour leader Bradley Wiggins (Sky) in action during stage 10.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Peter Sagan (Liquuigas-Cannondale) spent much of stage 10 out on the attack in a large breakaway.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)The Tour peloton awaits the start of stage 10 in Mâcon(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) signs autographs prior to the start of stage 10.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale) dropped his GC rivals on the descent of the Grand Colombier and has caught Andriy Grivko (Astana), one of the members of the day's big escape.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Tour de France leader Bradley Wiggins (Sky) on the podium after stage 10.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale) makes his way to the podium after stage 10.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)How sweet it is. Thomas Voeckler's mere participation in the Tour was in doubt, yet despite his knee problems the Frenchman rode to victory on stage 10 after being on the attack nearly the entire stage.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)An ecstatic Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) on the podium after his stage win.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)In addition to winning stage 10, Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) now leads the mountains classification.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Tejay van Garderen (BMC) remains on top of the best young rider classification.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)World champion Mark Cavendish on domestique duty for his Sky teammates.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)An exhausted Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) at the finish line in Bellegarde-sur-Valserine.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Ukraine champion Andriy Grivko (Astana)(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Points classification leader Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale) and Ukraine champion Andriy Grivko (Astana) initiated the early break which soon ballooned to 25 riders.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Yukiya Arashiro (Europcar) was part of the 25-man break which formed early in stage 10.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Tejay van Garderen (BMC) lost contact with the yellow jersey group in the closing kilometres of stage 10 and finished alone in 27th place.(Image credit: Sirotti)Stage 10 winner Thomas Voeckler (Europcar)(Image credit: Sirotti)Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) is presented with his trophy for winning stage 10.(Image credit: Sirotti)Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) is the new leader of the mountains classification.(Image credit: Sirotti)Tour de France leader Bradley Wiggins (Sky) approaches the finish line in Bellegarde-sur-Valserine.(Image credit: Sirotti)Kisses for Peta Todd by boyfriend Mark Cavendish(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Cadel Evans (BMC) approaches the finish line at the head of the yellow jersey group.(Image credit: Sirotti)Mark Cavendish gets a visit from the family(Image credit: Bettini Photo)A big crowd for the start of stage 10 of the Tour de France(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) soaks up the applause on the podium for his victory in stage 10.(Image credit: Sirotti)Bradley Wiggins (Sky) remains in the yellow jersey.(Image credit: Sirotti)Bradley Wiggins (Sky) continues to lead the Tour de France after stage 10.(Image credit: Sirotti)Bradley Wiggins (Sky) crosses the finish line of stage 10.(Image credit: Sirotti)Bradley Wiggins (Sky) takes a look at where his GC rivals are at the finish line in Bellegarde-sur-Valserine.(Image credit: Sirotti)Sandy Casar (FDJ-BigMat) was part of the early 25-man break and leads in a group for sixth place.(Image credit: Sirotti)Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale) adds another green jersey to his collection.(Image credit: Sirotti)Team Sky signs in for stage 10 of the Tour de France(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Points classification leader Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale)(Image credit: Sirotti)Tejay van Garderen (BMC) lost some time to his closest white jersey rival Rein Taaramae in the stage 10 finale, but the American remains in the young riders classification lead.(Image credit: Sirotti)Tejay van Garderen (BMC) continues to lead the young riders classification.(Image credit: Sirotti)Tour de France leader Bradley Wiggins shakes hands with Bernard Hinault after stepping off the podium.(Image credit: Sirotti)Jens Voigt (RadioShack-Nissan) tries to bring Voeckler back(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Luis Leon Sanchez (Rabobank) goes after Voeckler in the finale of stage 10(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Best climber Fredrik Kessiakoff and his polka dot helmet(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Mark Cavendish greeted by British fans(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Cavendish's little daughter gets a kiss(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Best young rider Tejay van Garderen(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Wiggins gets a yellow bar and saddle colorway(Image credit: Bettini Photo)British flags fly over Mark Cavendish as he is greeted by girlfriend Peta Todd and baby Delilah(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Bradley Wiggins before the start of stage 10 in the Tour de Frnace(Image credit: Bettini Photo)Jens Voigt off in pursuit of the stage winner(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Thomas Voeckler picks up the pace en route to his stage win(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Voeckler distances his breakaway companions in the closing kilometer(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Scarponi puts in an acceleration(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Voeckler solos to victory(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Michele Scarponi leads the chase group home(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Voeckler helped across the line after winning stage 10 of the Tour de France(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Michele Scarponi (Lampre-ISD) finished second behind Voeckler(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)Jens Voigt (RadioShack-Nissan) came third on the stage after being in the breakaway