American Team Loses Yellow Jersey

Kim Kirchen, who rides for America's Team Columbia, has worn the yellow jersey for several days in this year's Tour de France. But stages 9 and 10 entered the big mountains separating France and Spain. Kirchen survived stage 9 and kept the yellow jersey, but stage 10 (pictured above) proved too much for him and he wound up in seventh place overall.

But another American team rider has stepped up and placed himself among the leaders. Christian Vandevelde of Garmin Chipotle worked his way up to third place in stage 9. In stage 10, he was able to ride with the leaders and stayed in third place -- less than a minute out of the lead.

In the team competition, both of the American teams have dropped far behind now. Here are the standings:

Yellow Jersey (overall)

1. Evans (Lotto)

2. Schleck (CSC)..........00' 01"

3. Vandevelde (G. Chipotle).....00' 38"

4. Kohl (Gerolsteiner).....00' 46"

5. Menchov (Rabobank).....00' 57"

6. Sastre (CSC)..........01' 28"

7. Kirchen (Columbia).....01' 56"

8. Cobo Acedo (Saunier).....02' 10"

9. Ricco (Saunier)..........02' 29"

10. Efimkin (AG2R)..........02' 32"

Green Jersey (sprinters)

1. Freire (Rabobank).....131 pts.

2. Kirchen (Columbia).....124

3. Hushovd (Agricole).....105

4. Valverde (Caisse).....96

5. Zabel (Milram).....92

Polka Dot Jersey (climbers)

1. Ricco (Saunier).....77

2. De La Fuente (Saunier).....65

3. Lang (Gerolsteiner).....57

4. Kohl (Gerolsteiner).....56

5. Schleck (CSC).....46

Team Standings

1. Saunier

2. CSC..........04' 40"

3. AG2R..........09' 29"

4. Gerolsteiner.....19' 49"

5. Caisse..........22' 34"

10. Columbia.....37' 19"

14. Garmin Chipotle.....57' 13"