Frenchman Retains Yellow In Stage 14

As the stage 14 profile above shows, this is probably the most difficult stage so far in this year's Tour de France. The 168.5 kilometer ride from Saint-Gaudens to Plateau de Beille had one difficult climb after another and finished with an incredibly difficult unrated climb. It was expected to be a battle of the race's real contenders, and that's exactly what it was. But while all the contenders repeatedly attacked one another, especially on the last climb, none of them was able to separate himself from the others.

Since this was the last stage of the Pyrenees, it now looks like the race winner will be determined next week in the Alps. Probably the biggest surprise is the continuing strength of French rider Thomas Voeckler (Europcar). He was not expected to retain the yellow jersey all the way through the Pyrenees, but the race favorites have been unable to shake him or cut into his lead very much. He now has to be considered among the favorites to finish atop the podium in Paris, and that prospect has to have the French excited. It's been a long time since a Frenchman won the Tour.

Today's stage winner was rookie rider Jelle Vanendert, Belgium (Omega-Lotto). This was his first win as a professional, and it had to be very exciting for him to get that win in a difficult stage of the Tour de France. Spanish rider Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) finished in second place, and Luxembourg's Andy Schleck (leopard-Trek) took third place.

Tomorrow's stage 15 will be a much easier ride. It is a much flatter course with only one small category 4 climb, and is expected to be another day for the sprinters vying for the green jersey. Stage 15 is a 193 kilometer ride from Limoux to Montpellier.

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' 15"
5. Ivan Basso, Italy (Liquigas)..........3' 16"
6. Samuel Sanchez, Spain (Euskaltel-Euskadi)..........3' 44"
7. Alberto Contador, Spain (Saxo Bank)..........4' 00"
8. Damiano Cunego, Italy (Lampre)..........4' 01"
9. Tom Danielson, USA (Garmin-Cervelo)..........5' 46"
10. Kevin De Weert, Belgium (Quickstep)..........6' 18"


GREEN JERSEY (SPRINTERS)
1. Mark Cavendish, Great Britain (HTC-Highroad)........264 pts
2. Jose Joaquin Rojas, Spain (Movistar)........251
3. Philippe Gilbert, Belgium (Omega-Lotto)........240 pts
4. Thor Hushovd, Norway (Garmin-Cervelo)........192 pts
5. Andre Greipel, Germany (Omega-Lotto)........164 pts


POLKA DOT JERSEY (CLIMBERS)
1. Jelle Vanendert, Belgium (Omega-Lotto)..........74 pts
2. Samuel Sanchez, Spain (Euskaltel-Euskadi)..........72 pts
3. Jeremy Roy, France (FDJ)..........45 pts
4. Andy Schleck, Luxembourg (Leopard-Trek)..........28 pts
5. Cadel Evans, Australia (BMC Racing)..........26 pts


TEAM STANDINGS
1. Leopard-Trek (Luxembourg)
2. Europcar (France)..........06"
3. AG2R (France)..........2' 32"
4. Garmin-Cervelo (USA)..........3' 43"
5. Katusha (Russia)..........8' 31"