Stage 20 - Sunday, July 29: Marcoussis - Paris Champs-Élysées, 146km

Alberto Contador on the top step in Paris. That makes 8 out of 9 tours for Trek and the Discovery Channel/Postal Service.
Italian sprinter Daniele Bennati celebrates his second stage victory.
Contador and Hincapie sip champagne on the way to Paris.
Evans, Contador and Leipheimer on the final podium in Paris.
The Discovery Channel squads celebrates their first ever team classification.

Daniele Bennati made the most of the Tour de France by adding a sprinters' dream win on the Champs-Élysées to his first stage win in Castelsarrasin on the final stage of the 2007 Tour de France. 'Benna' took the lead in the sprint early but was able to hold off a strong charge from Thor Hushovd (Crédit Agricole) and Erik Zabel (Milram).

The 26 year-old Italian followed the Quick.Step-Innergetic lead-out train down the Rue de Rivoli to the Avenue des Champs Élysées, and was left in the best position possible behind Tom Boonen's lead-out man Sébastien Rosseler. The Belgian pulled off with 300 metres to go, but Bennati was able to hold his acceleration to distance Hushovd and Zabel. Barloworld's Robert Hunter made an impressive acceleration to take fourth place, salvaging his second in the points classification with the 24 points gained.

"I still don't believe that I have won this great sprint," said Bennati after crossing the line. "As far as I am concerned it is a dream. As soon as I raised my arms I saw the Arc de Triomphe ahead of me, I had goose bumps right away. There were tears... It was the most beautiful win for me.
"It was long and hard for me to conquer. The 200 metres were so long over the cobbles but I had a huge sprint."

Alberto 'Kid' Contador of Discovery Channel enjoyed the cloudy and damp Parisian day riding in the maillot jaune which he easily kept after ending yesterday's time trial with 23 seconds on Cadel Evans (Predictor-Lotto) and 31 seconds on team-mate Levi Leipheimer. The 24 year-old Spaniard rode into Paris without a final challenge from Cadel Evans' Predictor-Lotto team to his small GC advantage; it was a gap that proved enough for him to be crowned king of the world's largest bike race.

"I want to celebrate it and to have parties, then go on holidays, enjoying this first win," commented Contador on the overall win. He came back from a near-death brain clot to capture the greatest cycle race. "I could not image when I was there [in the hospital] that today I would be here with all these people watching me and with these results."
Not only did Contador take home the prize of best overall rider after 3,569.9 kilometres of racing but also he showed he will be around for a few years by winning the maillot blanc of the best young rider. The next best rider was Soler at 16 minutes back. Bruyneel suggested before the Tour started that he should go for the young rider classification but he proved that he was out for more with his response.

"A week before the Tour I scanned the rivals for the Tour's white jersey and sent him an e-mail with names like Gerdemann and Dekker," explained Discovery Team Manager Bruyneel. "He answered, 'I hope my rivals will be Valverde and Evans.'"

Stage 20

1. Daniele Bennati (I), Lampre-Fondital

2. Thor Hushovd (N), Crédit Agricole

3. Erik Zabel (G), Milram

4. Robbie Hunter (RSA), Barloworld

5. Tom Boonen (B), Quick Step-Innergetic

Overall
1. Alberto aContador (Sp), Discovery Channel, 91:00:26

2. Cadel Evans (Aus), Predictor-Lotto, at 00:23

3. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Discovery Channel, at 00:31

4. Carlos Sastre (Sp), CSC, at 07:08

5. Haimar Zubeldia (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 08:17

Points

1. Tom Boonen (B), Quick Step-Innergetic, 256 pts

2. Robert Hunter (RSA), Barloworld, 234

3. Erik Zabel (G), Milram, 232
4. Thor Hushovd (N), Crédit Agricole, 186
5. Sébastien Chavanel (F), Française des Jeux, 181

KOM
1. Juan Mauricio Soler Hernandez (Col), Barloworld, 206 pts
2. Alberto Contador (Sp), Discovery Channel, 128
3. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr), Discovery Channel, 104
4. Cadel Evans (Aus), Predictor-Lotto, 92
5. Laurent Lefevre (F), Bouygues Telecom, 85

Team
1. Discovery Channel , 273:12:52
2. Caisse d'Epargne, at 19:36
3. CSC, 22:10
4. Rabobank, 36:24
5. Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 46:46

Best young rider
1. Alberto Contador (Sp), Discovery Channel, 91:00:26
2. Mauricio Soler (Col), Barloworld, at 16:51
3. Amets Txurruka (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 49:34
4. Bernhard Kohl (A), Gerolsteiner, at 1:13:27
5. Kanstantsin Siutsou (Blr), Barloworld, at 1:15:16

No Drop "End of Tour Ride"

Despite the rain this morning we still have Phil and Paul on the TV bring us Stage 20. We have plenty of beautiful pastries, juice, and hot coffee. Please feel free to stop by and enjoy, if enough show up for a rain ride we will be happy to go.

Stage 19 - Saturday, July 28: Cognac - Angoulême, 55.5km

Maillot jersey Alberto Contador guts it out in the time trial to finish 4th and keep his overall lead by 23 seconds
Levi Leiphemier in full flight as he storms to the TT win. Leiphemier is 3rd at 31 seconds.
Cadel Evans failed to take the yellow jersey from Contador.
Yaroslav Popovych finishes in 4th in the Time Trial.

Alberto Contador has conquered the 94th Tour de France with a race-saving time trial ride from Cognac to Angoulême. The 24 year-old Spaniard finished 2'18" behind stage winner, Levi Leipheimer, and fought hard to hold off a superb effort by Aussie Cadel Evans to maintain his maillot jaune. The American of Discovery Channel nearly stole the show by covering the 55.5-kilometre parcours in Western France with a time of one hour, two minutes and 44 seconds. Predictor-Lotto's Evans finished 51 seconds behind Leipheimer and will remain in second overall 23 seconds behind 'Kid Contador.'

A tight finish concluded the Tour's second time trial through the French department of Charente and most likely the 2007 Tour de France as Contador now leads the overall classification by 23 seconds on Evans. The 30 year-old Australian acknowledged that taking bonus seconds in the final stage to Paris is unlikely but wasn't discounting the possibility. His Predictor-Lotto team may try to pull off an upset since it is within reach of grabbing the world's biggest Grand Tour.

Stage 19

1. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel, 1:02:44

2. Cadel Evans (Aus), Predictor-Lotto, at 0:51

3. Vladimir Karpets (Rus), Caisse d'Epargne, at 0:56

4. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr), Discovery Channel, at 2:01

5. Alberto Contador (Sp), Discovery Channel, at 2:18

Overall

1. Alberto Contador (Sp), Discovery Channel, 87:09:18

2. Cadel Evans (Aus), Predictor-Lotto, at 0:23

3. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Discovery Channel, at 0:31

4. Carlos Sastre (Sp) CSC, at 7:08

5. Haimar Zubeldia (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 8:17

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Stage 18 - Friday, July 27: Cahors - Angoulême, 211km

Frenchman Sandy Casar takes the stage ahead of his breakaway compatriots.

Sandy Casar handed Française Des Jeux its premier win of the 2007 Tour de France in a dog eat dog day to Angoulême that was marked by an escape of four. The 28 year-old Frenchman took his first win in two years and his first in the Tour by going free in an escape at kilometre 23 after being knocked off his bike due to a dog crossing the road. With his right backside showing blood through torn shorts he shot free four hundred metres to the line on Avenue Jean Mermoz and left Axel Merckx (T-Mobile), Laurent Lefèvere (Bouygues Telecom) and Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) chasing behind for second to fourth.

Alberto Contador (Discovery Channel) spent his first full day in the leader's maillot jaune at a relaxed pace while the GC-favourites concentrated on tomorrows race-deciding time trial. The 24 year-old Spaniard trailed into Angoulême 8'35" back of Casar in the peloton led home by the sprint of maillot vert Tom Boonen (Quickstep-Innergetic), but a small cut in the field meant a loss of three seconds in the overall against Cadel Evans, who was very close to the front.
Casar said afterwards that he saw the dog very late and for a split second thought he could get around it, but eventually went down. "I was hurting everywhere. Merckx set up and waited, that was very sporting. In the end there was a small gap and I gave it all I had."

Stage 18
1 Sandy Casar (Fra) Française des Jeux 5.13.31 (40.38 km/h)
2 Axel Merckx (Bel) T-Mobile Team 0.01
3 Laurent Lefevre (Fra) Bouygues Telecom
4 Michael Boogerd (Ned) Rabobank
5 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 8.34
6 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld
7 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram
8 Sébastien Chavanel (Fra) Française des Jeux
9 Bernhard Eisel (Aut) T-Mobile Team
10 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole

Overall
1 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 86.04.16
2 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 1.50
3 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 2.49
4 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC 6.02
5 Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 6.29
6 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 10.18
7 Kim Kirchen (Lux) T-Mobile Team 11.36
8 Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 12.47
9 Mauricio Soler (Col) Barloworld 13.31
10 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel 13.42

Stage 17 - Thursday, July 26: Pau - Castelsarrasin, 188.5km

24 year old Spaniard Alberto Contador looks pensive as he dons his first yellow jersey.
Italian sprinter Daniele Bennati wins the stage from the breakaway.
Discovery Channel looks poised to make it 8 out of 9 straight tours.

Italian sprinter Daniel Bennati has beaten the likes of Alessandro Petacchi, but has never achieved a victory in the world's largest cycling race until today in Castelsarrasin. The 26 year-old Tuscan entered into an early escape of eight and then made the final selection of four with 19 kilometres remaining. The sprinter from Lampre then made easy work of beating Markus Fothen (Gerolsteiner) to the line. Martin Elmiger (Ag2r Prévoyance) and Jens Voigt (Team CSC) finished in third and fourth.

Alberto Contador (Discovery Channel) spent his first day ever in the race leadership of the Tour but he was strangely not wearing the coveted maillot jaune. Tour de France organisers decided this morning that no-one would wear the yellow jersey after its former wearer Michael Rasmussen left the Tour in disgrace after being fired by his Rabobank team for lying about his whereabouts leading up to the Tour. Contador wore the maillot blanc of best young rider, a competition he also leads, and he was awarded his first maillot jaune following the stage.

Stage 17
1. Daniele Bennati (I), Lampre, 188.5km in 4:14:04
2. Marcus Fothen (G), Gerolsteiner
3. Martin Elmiger (G), Ag2r
4. Jens Voigt (G), CSC, same time
5. David Millar (GB), Saunier Duval-Prodir, at 2:41
6. Matteo Tosatto (I), Quick Step-Innergetic, at 2:43
7. Manuel Quinziato (I), Liquigas, at 3:20
8. Daniele Righi (I), Lampre-Fondital, s.t.
9. Tom Boonen (B), Quick Step-Innergetic, at 9:37
10. Sebastien Chavanel (F), Française des Jeux, s.t.

Overall
1. Alberto Contador (Sp), Discovery Channel, 80:42:08
2. Cadel Evans (Aus), Predictor-Lotto, at 1:53
3. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Discovery Channel, at 2:49
4. Carlos Sastre (Sp), CSC, at 6:02
5. Haimar Zubeldia (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 6:29
6. Alejandro Valverde (Sp), Caisse D'Epargne, at 10:18
7. Kim Kirchen (Lux), T-Mobile, at 11:36
8. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr), Discovery Channel, at 12:50
9. Juan Mauricio Soler (Col), Barloworld, at 13:31
10. Mikel Astarloza (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 13:42

Stage 16 - Wednesday, July 25: Orthez - Gourette - Col d’Aubisque, 218.5km

Results - Stage 16 (Orthez Gourette - Col D’aubisque)
1. Michael Rasmussen (Dk), Rabobank, 6:23:21
2. Levi Leipheimer (Usa), Discovery Channel , at 00:26
3. Alberto Contador (Sp), Discovery Channel, at 00:35
4. Cadel Evans (Aus), Predictor - Lotto, at 00:43
5. Mauricio Soler Hernandez Juan (Col), Barloworld, at 01:25
6. Haimar Zubeldia (Esp), Euskaltel - Euskadi, at 01:52
7. Jose Cobo Acebo Juan (Sp), Saunier Duval - Prodir, at 01:54
8. Carlos Sastre (Sp), CSC, at 02:12
9. Oscar Pereiro Sio (Sp), Caisse d’Epargne, at 02:27
10. Alejandro Valverde (Sp), Caisse d’Epargne, at 02:27




Overall, After Stage 16
1. Michael Rasmussen (Dk), Rabobank, 76:15:15
2. Alberto Contador (Sp), Discovery Channel, at 03:10
3. Cadel Evans (Aus), Predictor - Lotto, at 05:03
4. Levi Leipheimer (Usa), Discovery Channel , at 05:59
5. Carlos Sastre (Sp), CSC, at 09:12
6. Haimar Zubeldia (Esp), Euskaltel - Euskadi, at 09:39
7. Alejandro Valverde (Sp), Caisse d'Epargne, at 13:28
8. Kim Kirchen (Lux), T-Mobile, at 14:46
9. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr), Discovery Channel, at 16:00
10. Mauricio Soler Hernandez Juan (Col), Barloworld, at 16:41

In the last mountain stage of the 2007 Tour de France maillot jaune Michael Rasmussen withstood the Discovery Channel attacks of Alberto Contador and Levi Leipheimer to deliver a punch of his own, surging at 900 metres remaining to take the stage and add 47 seconds to his overall lead. American Leipheimer finished second to gain time on Cadel Evans in the fight for a podium spot while 'Kid Contador' placed third.

"This is a great victory since winning in the yellow jersey is very hard," Rasmussen said with a grin. "Nevertheless, the overall victory is more important than a stage win.

"Two days ago I noticed I could not follow the accelerations of Discovery Channel's Contador, so today I used a different tactic. I maintained my own pace and apparently Contador got tired, I used this advantage in the last kilometre."

Rasmussen responded amazingly after the Tour's second rest day and a bombardment of doping allegations, proving his abilities on the Aubisque and showing he has a strong chance to win the overall in four days. Contador remains in second in the general classification, now at 3'10".

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Stage 15 - Monday, July 23: Foix - Loudenvielle - Le Louron, 196km

Two stage wins in three days Vino has shown the sever ups and downs of the tour but he continues to battle on. His show of heart and determination is what cycling is all about.
Spaniard Alberto Contador looks like he is enjoying his tour and most of all inflicting pain on all the other riders.
American Levi lost a little more time today, but still remains 4th overall. Can he contend for a podium spot?

Barring catastrophe on the bike or unforeseen events off it, the 2007 Tour de France has become a two-man race with five stages to go. The combatants are yellow-jersey holder Michael Rasmussen and rising star Alberto Contador, who for the second day in a row waged an epic battle on the steep slopes of the Pyrénées.

Neither rider was a player in the final outcome of Monday's stage-15 run from Foix to Loudenvielle. That glory went to Astana's Alexander Vinokourov, who rose from the dead to take his fifth career Tour victory, and second in three days, just 24 hours removed from an epic collapse that saw him lose 28:50 to the GC leaders.

But Rasmussen and Contador did increase their advantage over the rest of the yellow-jersey contenders, following a one-on-one slugfest that saw Rasmussen (Rabobank) survive a half-dozen attacks from Discovery Channel's Spanish phenom on the cat. 1 Col du Peyresourde, the last of the 196km stage's five rated climbs.

"I attacked Rasmussen to try to challenge him," said Contador. "I saw that he was a little worse than yesterday, but he was able to follow me. On Wednesday, I am going to play for it all. Second place doesn't matter. I am going to risk all to win. If I end up in sixth, it doesn't matter."

Stage 15
1. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kz), Astana, 5:34:28
2. Kim Kirchen (Lux), T-Mobile, 0:51
3. Haimar Zubeldia (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 0:51
4. Juan Jose Cobo Acebo (Sp), Saunier Duval-Prodir, 0:58
5. Manuel Juan Manuel (Sp), Quick Step-Innergetic, 2:14
6. David Arroyo (Sp), Caisse D'Wpargne, 3:23
7. Bernhard Kohl (A), Gerolsteiner, 4:25
8. Christian Vande Velde (USA), CSC, 4:25
9. Ludovic Turpin (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, 5:16
10. Alberto Contador (Sp), Discovery Channel, 5:31

Overall
1. Michael Rasmussen (Dk), Rabobank, 69:52:14
2. Alberto Contador (Sp), Discovery Channel, at 2:23
3. Cadel Evans (Aus), Predictor-Lotto, at 4:00
4. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Discovery Channel, at 5:25
5. Andreas Kloden (G), Astana, at 5:34
6. Carlos Sastre (Sp), CSC, at 6:46
7. Haimar Zubeldia (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 7:27
8. Andrey Kashechkin (Kz), Astana, at 7:54
9. Kim Kirchen (Lx), T-Mobile, at 8:24
10. Mikel Astarloza (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 9:21

Stage 14 - Sunday, July 22: Mazamet - Plateau-de-Beille, 197km

Alberto Contador showed shades of Lance Armstrong in his attack of the favorites today, especially Dane Michael Rasmussen. Contador now sits in 2nd place overall and could contend for the Tour de France title at just 24 years of age.
Amazing scenery on the way to Plateua-de-Beille.
Popo set amazing tempo on the front to propel Contador to the stage win.
A winner the previous day Vino fell off the back and is completely out of Tour contention.

The sorting out continued at the Tour de France on Sunday as Alberto Contador and Michael Rasmussen emerged as the race's most serious contenders, finishing one-two atop the Plateau de Beille at the end of a dramatic 197km stage from Mazamet.

On the Tour's first foray into the Pyrénées, it was Discovery's Contador, the leader in the best young rider competition, who proved the only man capable of staying with race leader Rasmussen of Rabobank. While finishing second on the stage, Rasmussen more than doubled his advantage in the overall standings, placing himself in a comfortable position as the Tour heads to two more days in the Pyrénées.

Contador, the winner of this year's Paris-Nice stage race, claimed his first Tour de France stage win after easily countering Rasmussen's final acceleration in the last 300 meters of a brutally difficult stage that featured two hor categorie climbs over the final 68km.

Stage 14
1. Alberto Contador (Sp), Discovery Channel, 197km in 5:25:48
2. Michael Rasmussen (Dk), Rabobank, s.t.
3. Juan Mauricio Soler (Sp), Barloworld, at 0:37
4. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Discovery Channel, at 0:40
5. Carlos Sastre (Sp), CSC, at 0:53
6. Andréas Klöden (G), Astana, at 1:52
7. Cadel Evans (Aus), Predictor-Lotto, s.t.
8. Antonio Colom (Sp), Astana, at 2:23
9. Andrey Kashechkin (Kz), Astana, s.t.
10. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr), Discovery Channel, at 3:06

Overall
1. Michael Rasmussen (Dk), Rabobank, 64:12:15
2. Alberto Contador (Sp), Discovery Channel, at 2:23
3. Cadel Evans (Aus), Predictor-Lotto, at 3:04
4. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Discovery Channel, at 4:29
5. Andreas Kloden (G), Astana, at 4:38
6. Carlos Sastre (Sp), CSC, at 5:50
7. Andrey Kashechkin (Kz), Astana, at 6:58
8. Mikel Astarloza (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 8:25
9. Alejandro Valverde (Sp), Caisse d'Epargne, at 9:45
10. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr), Discovery Channel, at 10:55

Stage 13 - Saturday, July 21: Albi - Albi, 54km

Alexander Vinokourov, stitches and all, wins the first individual time trial of the Tour.
Dane Michael Rasmussen did well enough to retain his overall lead by 1 minute over Aussie Cadel Evans.
Spainard Alberto Contador did extremly well to move into 3rd place overall.
Levi is still in contention while he finished 2:39 down on Vino.

Today was an amazing day in the 2007 edition of the Tour de France. A few favorites such as Alejandro Valverde cracked and lost serious amounts of time. Michael Rasmussen pulled off the time trial of his life to keep his yellow jersey by 1 minute. The greatest spectacle of the day was Kazakh Alexander Vinokourov and his time trial. Vino has been riding with 50 stitches in his knees and trying to keep himself in overall contention. All that seem bleak on the roads of the Alps last week, where Vino lost serious amounts of time. However, this morning he produced something great and destroyed the rest of the field with an amazing show of strength, courage, and determination. Do not rule this man out over the next week. He may be down 5 minutes, but he is an attacking rider and the Pyrenees will bring out the best, or worst, in everyone. It is still a very much wide open tour. Do not miss a stage.

Stage 13

1. Alexander Vinokourov (Kz), Astana, 54km in 1:06:35
2. Cadel Evans (Aus), Predictor-Lotto, at 1:14
3. Andréas Klöden (G), Astana, at 1:39
4. Andrey Kashechkin (Kz), Astana, at 1:44
5. Bradley Wiggins (GB), Cofidis, at 2:146
. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr), Discovery Channel, 2:16
7. Alberto Contador (Sp), Discovery Channel, 2:18
8. Sylvain Chavanel (F), Cofidis, 2:38
9. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Discovery Channel, 2:39
10. Mikel Astarloza (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 2:42

Overall after 13 stages
1. Michael Rasmussen (Dk), Rabobank, 58:46:39
2. Cadel Evans (Aus), Predictor-Lotto, at 1:00
3. Alberto Contador (Sp), Discovery, at 2:31
4. Andréas Klöden (G), Astana, at 2:34
5. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Discovery Channel, at 3:37
6. Andrey Kashechkin (Kz), Astana, at 4:23
7. Carlos Sastre (Sp), CSC, at 4:45
8. Mikel Astarloza (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 5:07
9. Alexander Vinokourov (Kz), Astana, at 5:10
10. Kim Kirchen (Lux), T-Mobile, at 5:29

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Stage 12 - Friday, July 20: Montpellier - Castres, 178.5km

'Tornado' Tom Boonen takes the sprint ahead of Erik Zabel and Robbie Hunter.
A fan runs with the breakaway. The tour is never at a loss for colorful fans. Perhaps the devil will make his appearance soon.
Popo, Hincapie, and Gusev finished in the lead group today.

A relatively easy day for the peloton today. With only a 2nd category climb about 40km from the finish all the favorites finished with the same time. Also with tomorrow being the first long individual time trial all the favorites were saving themselves for the 'Race of Truth' tomorrow. Tune in to see how the rest of the tour shapes itself.

Stage 12

1. Tom Boonen (B) Quick Step, 178.5km in 4:25:32

2. Erik Zabel (G), Milram

3. Robert Hunter (RSA), Barloworld

4. Daniele Bennati (I), Lampre-Fondital

5. Thor Hushovd (N), Crédit Agricole

6. Bernhard Eisel (A), T-Mobile

7. Sebastien Chavanel (F), Française des Jeux

8. Nicolas Jalabert (F), Agritubel

9. Robert Forster (G), Gerolsteiner

10. Andrey Kashechkin (Kz), Astana, all s.t.

Overall

1. Michael Rasmussen (Dk), Rabobank, 57:37:10

2. Alejandro Valverde (Sp), Caisse d'Epargne, 2:35

3. Iban Mayo (Sp), Saunier Duval-Prodir, 2:39

4. Cadel Evans (Aus), Predictor-Lotto, 2:41

5. Alberto Contador (Sp), Discovery Channel, 3:08

6. Carlos Sastre (Sp), CSC, 3:39

7. Andréas Klöden (G), Astana, 3:50

8. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Discovery Channel, 3:53

9. Kim Kirchen (Lux), T-Mobile, 5:06

10. Mikel Astarloza (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 5:20

Stage 11 - Thursday, July 19: Marseille - Montpellier, 182.5km

South African Robbie Hunter is elated at finally getting the stage victory that has eluded him.
French national champion, Christophe Moreau, is clearly disappointed at losing over three minutes.
Just a little bit of scenery on the way to Montpellier.
American champion George Hincapie turns the screws to the rest of the peloton.

Robert Hunter stomped the remaining sprint competitors in the finale of stage 11 to Montpellier and in the process has given South Africa its first ever stage win and Barloworld its second in the Tour de France. The 30 year-old rider kept on top of the bunch out of the final right hander on Avenue d'Heidelberg to claim glory over Fabian Cancellara (Team CSC) and Murilo Fischer (Liquigas) while super-sprinter Tom Boonen was left behind in a crash at 800 metres to go. Michael Rasmussen (Rabobank) continues to hold the Maillot Jaune after a tough and hot transitional stage that saw overall-favourite Christophe Moreau (Ag2r Prévoyance) lose over three minutes due to echelons formed at 72 kilometres out.

Stage 11
1. Robert Hunter (RSA), Barloworld, 182.5km in 3:47:50
2. Fabian Cancellara (Swi), CSC, same time
3. Murilo Fischer (Brz), Liquigas, s.t.
4. Filippo Pozzato (I), Liquigas, s.t.
5. Allesandro Ballan (I), Lampre-Fondital, all s.t.
6. Paolo Bossoni (I), Lampre-Fondital, s.t.
7. Claudio Corioni (I), Lampre-Fondital), s.t.
8. Philippe Gilbert (B), Française des Jeux, s.t.
9. William Bonnet (F), Crédit Agricole, s.t.
10. Kim Kirchen (Lux), T-Mobile, s.t.

Overall
1. Michael Rasmussen (Dk), Rabobank, 53:11:38
2. Alejandro Valverde (Sp), Caisse D'Epargne, 2:35
3. Iban Mayo (Sp), Saunier Duval-Prodir, 2:39
4. Cadel Evans (Aus), Predictor-Lotto, 2:41
5. Alberto Contador (Sp), Discovery Channel, 3:08
6. Carlos Sastre (Sp), Team CSC, 3:39
7. Andréas Klöden (G), Astana, 3:50
8. Levi Leipheimer (Usa), Discovery Channel, 3:53
9. Kim Kirchen (Lux), T-Mobile, 5:06
10. Mikel Astarloza (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 5:20

Stage 10 - Wednesday, July 18: Tallard - Marseille, 229.5km

Frenchman Cedric Vasseur takes one for the home crowd in Marseille
Fan and Peloton favorite Jens Voight leads the break.
Some nice scenery heading into Marseille.

A decade after his first Tour de France stage win, 36-year-old Frenchman Cedric Vasseur gave the host country something to cheer about on Wednesday, taking the 10th stage of the 2007 Tour, a 229.5km rolling run from Tallard to Marseille.

Vasseur (Quick Step-Innergetic) shot out the right side of a five-man breakaway 200 meters from the finish, narrowly holding off countryman Sandy Casar (Française des Jeux); the difference at the line barely more than a tire width. It was the first victory by a Frenchman at the Tour since Pierrick Fedrigo took stage 14 into Gap a year ago.

Stage 10
1. Cedric Vasseur (F) Quick Step-Innergetic, 5:20:24
2. Sandy Casar (F), Française des Jeux
3. Michal Albasini (I), Liquigas
4. Patrice Halgand (F), Crédit Agricole
5. Jens Voigt (G), CSC, all s.t.
6. Staf Scheirlinx (B), Cofidis, at 0:36
7. Paolo Bossini (I), Lampre, s.t.
8. Marcus Burghardt (G), T-Mobile, at 1:01
9. Aleksandr Kuschynski (Blr), Liquigas, 2:34
10. Antonio Juan Antonio Flecha(Sp), Rabobank, 2:34



Overall, after Stage 10
1. Michael Rasmussen (Dk), Rabobank, 49:23:48
2. Alejandro Valverde (Sp), Caisse D'Epargne, 2:35
3. Iban Mayo (Sp), Saunier Duval-Prodir, 2:39
4. Cadel Evans (Aus), Predictor-Lotto, 2:41
5. Alberto Contador (Sp), Discovery Channel, 3:08
6. Christophe Moreau (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, 3:18
7. Carlos Sastre (Sp), Team CSC, 3:39
8. Andréas Klöden (G), Astana, 3:50
9. Levi Leipheimer (Usa), Discovery Channel, 3:53
10. Kim Kirchen (Lux), T-Mobile, 5:06

Join us for our first annual
No Drop Tour Finale ride!

Sunday July 29th 2007
8am ride leave Highgear at 8:15am

We will return just in time to watch the final stage of the tour and enjoy refreshments.

Questions please e-mail jill@highgearomaha.com

Stage 9 - Tuesday, July 17: Val-d’Isère - Briançon, 159.5km

Colombian Juan Mauricio Soler(Barloworld) celebrates his first stage victory at the tender age of 24. Barloworld was a wildcard team that barely made it into the Tour de France, and their invite has paid huge dividends to the sponsors. Dane Michael Rasmussen defended his yellow jersey ahead of American Levi Leipheimer and the other contendors.
Alberto Contador and Yaroslave Popovich descend the Galibier in front of the chasing favorites.

Tour de France, Stage 9
1. Juan Mauricio Soler (Col), Barloworld, 4:14:24
2. Alejandro Valverde (Sp), Caisse d'Épargne, at 0:38
3. Cadel Evans (Aus), Predictor-Lotto, same time
4. Alberto Contador (Sp), Discovery, at 0:40
5. Iban Mayo (Sp), Saunier Duval, at 0:42
6. Michael Rasmussen (Dk), Rabobank, s.t.
7. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Discovery, at 0:42
8. Kim Kirchen (Lx), T-Mobile, at 0:46
9. Andreas Klöden (G), Astana, s.t., s.t.
10. Carlos Sastre (Sp), CSC, s.t.

Overall
1. Michael Rasmussen (Dk), Rabobank, 43:52:48
2. Alejandro Valverde (Sp), Caisse d'Épargne, at 2:35
3. Iban Mayo (Sp), Saunier Duval, at 2:39
4. Cadel Evans (Aus), Predictor-Lotto, at 2:41
5. Alberto Contador (Sp), Discovery, at 3:08
6. Christophe Moreau (F), Ag2r, at 3:18
7. Carlos Sastre (Sp), CSC, at 3:39
8. Andreas Klöden (G), Astana, at 3:50
9. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Discovery Channel, at 3:53
10. Kim Kirchen (Sp), T-Mobile, at 5:06

Stage 8 - Le Grand-Bornand - Tignes

Dane Michael Rasmussen on his way to taking the stage and the yellow jersey.
Aussie Michael Rogers had to abandon after hitting a guardrail and separating his shoulder.
Kazakh Alexander Vinokourov is still struggling with the injuries of his crash and was nursed to the finish line by teammate Andreas Kloden

American Levi Leipheimer continues to look strong in the mountains and is steadily coming into form for his battle in the Pyrenees.

Stage 8 - Results
1. Michael Rasmussen (Dk), Rabobank 4:49:40
2. Iban Mayo (Sp) Saunier Duval - Prodir, at 02:47
3. Alejandro Valverde (Sp) Caisse D'epargne, at 03:12
4. Christophe Moreau (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, at 03:13
5. Frank Schleck (Lux), Team CSC, at 03:13
6. Cadel Evans (Aus), Predictor - Lotto, at 03:13
7. Andrey Kashechkin (Kz) Astana, at 03:13
8. Alberto Contador (Sp), Discovery Channel Team, at 03:31
9. Denis Menchov (Rus), Rabobank, at 03:35
10. Carlos Sastre (Sp), Team CSC, at 03:35
11. Haimar Zubeldia (Sp), Euskaltel Euskadi, at 3:59
12. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Discovery Channel Team, at 03:59

Overall Standings, after 8 stages
1. Michael Rasmussen (Dk), Rabobank 15:37:42
2. Linus Gerdemann (G), T-Mobile Team, at 00:43
3. Iban Mayo (Sp) Saunier Duval - Prodir, at 02:39
4. Alejandro Valverde (Sp) Caisse D'epargne, at 02:51
5. Andrey Kashechkin (Kz) Astana, at 02:52
6. Cadel Evans (Aus), Predictor - Lotto, at 02:53
7. Christophe Moreau (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, at 03:06
8. Alberto Contador (Sp), Discovery Channel Team, at 03:10
9. Frank Schleck (Lux), Team CSC, at 03:14
10. Denis Menchov (Rus), Rabobank, at 03:19
11. Carlos Sastre (Sp), Team CSC, at 03:35
12. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Discovery Channel Team, at 03:43

Stage 7 - Bourg-en-Bresse - Le Grand-Bornand

George Hincapie chases down Linus Gerdemann
An elated Linus Gerdemann of T-Mobile celebrates his win.

A mountain stage today that saw German rider Linus Gerdemann took the overall race lead and the stage into Le Grand-Bornand. With tomorrow being a high-mountain stage look for the overall to become a little more sorted out and the favorites to hit the front.

Stage 7

1. Linus Gerdemann (G), T-Mobile, 4:53:13

2. Inigo Landaluze (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 0:40

3. David De La Fuente (Sp), Saunier Duval-Prodir, at 1:39

4. Juan Mauricio Hernandez Soler (Col), Barloworld, at 2:14

5. Laurent Lefevre (F), Bouygues Telecom, at 2:21

Overall

1. Linus Gerdemann (G), T-Mobile, 10:43:40

2. Inigo Landaluze (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 1:24

3. David De La Fuente (Sp), Saunier Duval-Prodir, at 2:45

4. Laurent Lefevre (F), Bouygues Telecom, at 2:55

5. Juan Hernandez Mauricio Soler (Col), Barloworld, at 3:05