French Rider Keeps Yellow On Bastille Day

The nation of France got a nice present for Bastille Day (their equivalent of the American Independence Day holiday). France's Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) started stage 12 in the yellow jersey of the race leader, and although he did lose some time to the contenders for this year's crown, he was able to stay close enough to the stage winners (finishing in 9th place) to keep the overall lead and stay in the yellow jersey for another day. Somehow that seems fitting for Bastille Day.

Stage 12, a 211 kilometer run from Cugnaux to Luz-Ardiden, was the first high mountain stage of this year's race. It had a difficult category 1 climb and then finished with two incredibly difficult unrated climbs. It was Spain's Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) who was first across the finish line. He finished 7 seconds ahead of Belgian Jelle Vanendert (Omega-Lotto) and 10 seconds ahead of Luxembourg's Frank Schleck (Leopard-Trek).

The next two days will also be run in the high mountains of the Pyrenees. Tomorrow's stage 13 is a 152.5 kilometer ride from Pau to Lourdes. It starts with a category 3 and a category 4 climb, and then it goes into the very difficult unrated climb of the Col d' Abisque. Although the last part of the race is downhill, the unrated climb should assure it will be another day for the strongest climbers.

Here are the current standings:

YELLOW JERSEY (INDIVIDUAL LEADER)
1. Thomas Voeckler, France (Europcar)
2. Frank Schleck, Luxembourg (Leopard-Trek)..........1' 49"
3. Cadel Evans, Australia (BMC Racing)..........2' 06"
4. Andy Schleck, Luxembourg (leopard-Trek)..........2' 17"
5. Ivan Basso, Italy (Liquigas)..........3' 16"
6. Damiano Cunego, Italy (Lampre)..........3' 22"
7. Alberto Contador, Spain (Saxo Bank)..........4' 00"
8. Samuel Sanchez, Spain (Euskaltel-Euskadi)..........4' 11"
9. Tom Danielson, USA (Garmin-Cervelo)..........4' 35"
10. Nicolas Roche, Ireland (AG2R)..........4' 57"
17. Levi Leipheimer, USA (Radio Shack)..........7' 51"


GREEN JERSEY (SPRINTERS)
1. Mark Cavendish, Great Britain (HTC-Highroad)........260 pts
2. Jose Joaquin Rojas, Spain (Movistar)........242 pts
3. Philippe Gilbert, Belgium (Omega-Lotto)........234 pts
4. Andre Greipel, Germany (Omega-Lotto)........164 pts
5. Thor Hushovd, Norway (Garmin-Cervelo)........163 pts


POLKA DOT JERSEY (CLIMBERS)
1. Samuel Sanchez, Spain (Euskaltel-Euskadi)..........40 pts
2. Jelle Vanendert, Belgium (Omega-Lotto)..........32 pts
3. Jeremy Roy, France (FDJ)..........24 pts
4. Frank Schleck, Luxembourg (Leopard-Trek)..........24 pts
5. Johnny Hoogerland, Netherlands (Vacansoleil)..........22 pts


TEAM STANDINGS
1. Leopard-Trek (Luxembourg)
2. Europcar (France)..........1' 05"
3. AG2R (France)..........2' 21"
4. Radio Shack (USA)..........4' 08"
5. Katusha (Russia)..........5' 03"
6. Garmin-Cervelo (USA)..........7' 32"