American Claims Yellow Jersey In Tour

Riders have just finished the hardest stage so far of the Tour de France this year. The ride had four catagory 1 climbs and another climb so difficult that it was beyond the rating system. The stage win went to Denis Menchov [Russia-Rabobank] after he took off from his group with about 250 yards remaining. Second place was grabbed by Levi Leipheimer [USA-Gerolsteiner] and Floyd Landis [USA-Phonak] rode into third place for the day. Finally, some of the American riders have made a move toward the top of the standings. Due to the time bonus for finishing third, Landis has now taken the tour lead, and will be wearing the Yellow Jersey tomorrow. These are the current overall standings:

1. Landis [USA-Phonak]
2. Dessel [France-AG2R]..........0.08
3. Menchov [Russia-Rabobank]..........1:01
4. Evans [Australia-Lotto]..........1:17
5. Sastre [Spain-CSC]..........1:52
6. Kloden [Germany-Tmobile]..........2:29
7. Rogers [Australia-Tmobile]..........3:22
8. Mercado [Spain-Agritubel]..........3:33
9. Moreau [France-AG2R]..........3:44
10. Fothen [Germany-Gerolsteiner]..........4:17

13. Leipheimer [USA-Gerolsteiner]..........5:39
18. Azevedo [Portugal-Discovery]..........7:27
23. Popovych [Ukraine-Discovery]..........9:00
28. Vandevelde [USA-CSC]..........13:41
40. Hincapie [USA-Discovery]..........23:01
41. Savoldelli [Italy-Discovery]..........24:22
52. Martinez [Spain-Discovery]..........31:26
71. Zabriskie [USA-CSC]..........41:33
72. Gonzales [Spain-Discovery]..........42:19
76. Padrnos [Czech-Discovery]..........44:14
87. Rubiera [Spain-Discovery]..........47:15
102. Horner [USA-Lotto]..........55:47
111. Ekimov [Russia-Discovery]..........59:14

Discovery has fallen again in the team standings, and is now in 10th place overall:

1. T-mobile
2. Gerolsteiner..........0:46
3. AG2R..........5:00
4. CSC..........7:52
5. Rabobank..........9:17
6. Saunier..........16:03
7. Balears..........23:07
8. Lampre..........24:57
9. Phonak..........24:58
10. Discovery..........27:05

The point standings for the Polka-Dot Jersey is as follows:

1. De La Fuente [Spain-Saunier]..........80 points
2. Dessel [France-AG2R]..........62 points
3. Wegmann [Germany-Gerolsteiner]..........61 points
4. Rasmussen [Denmark-Rabobank]..........49 points
5. Mercado [Spain-Agritubel]..........45 points
6. Boogerd [Netherlands-Rabobank]..........41 points

The point standings for the Green Jersey is as follows:

1. McEwen [Australia-Lotto]..........217 points
2. Boonen [Belgium-Quickstep]..........188 points
3. Freire [Spain-Rabobank]..........181 points
4. Bennati [Italy-Lampre]..........165 points
5. Zabel [Germany-Milram]..........143 points
6. Hushovd [Norway-Agricole]..........134 points

Stage 12 is not as difficult as today's stage. It has a catagory 2 climb and three catagory 4 climbs. The stage starts in Luchon and goes for 211.5 kilometers [132 miles] until it finishes in Carcassonne. There are now just nine stages to go.