Green Changes Hands Again In Stage 18

There were no surprises in stage 18 of this year's Tour de France. It was expected to be another leg of the Tour for the sprinters to fight it out for the Green Jersey, and that's exactly what it turned out to be. There was a breakaway of four riders but the teams of the Green Jersey contenders took control of the peloton and never let them get very far away.

The peloton caught the last breakaway rider a little less than four kilometers from the finish line and then the sprinters began jockeying to get into position for the final sprint to the finish line. Once again, British rider Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia) was the strongest sprinter of the day and he won the stage pulling away from the other riders. This brings Cavendish within striking distance of the two Green Jersey leaders and if he wins the sprint in Paris (stage 20) it is possible he could snatch the Green Jersey away from them.

Julian Dean, New Zealand (Garmin-Transitions) was the second place finisher in stage 18 and third place went to Alessandro Petacchi, Italy (Lampre-Farnese). Thor Hushovd, Norway (Cervelo) finished 14th and that was not good enough to keep him wearing green. Alessandro Petacchi has once again got the Green Jersey. The battle for the Green Jersey has been a very hard fought one this year and this year's winner will not be determined until the final stage in Paris.

Since the peloton finished as a group in stage 18, there was no change in the overall standings. Alberto Contador, Spain (Astana) still maintains an 8 second lead over Andy Schleck, Luxembourg (Saxo Bank). Tomorrow's time trial will be the last chance for Schleck to catch Contador. It won't be easy because Contador is generally thought to be the better time-trialer, but stranger things have happened and it should be exciting to watch. America's Radio Shack team maintains its lead in the team competition.

Stage 19 is a 52 kilometer ride from Bordeaux to Pauillac. It is a rather flat time trial (which means the riders start individually and ride against the clock instead of starting and racing together). Here are the current standings:

YELLOW JERSEY (Overall Leaders)

1. Alberto Contador, Spain (Astana)

2. Andy Schleck, Luxembourg (Saxo Bank).....0' 08"

3. Samuel Sanchez, Spain (Euskaltel-Euskadi).....3' 32"

4. Denis Menchov, Russia (Rabobank).....3' 53"

5. Jurgen Van Den Broeck, Belgium (Omega-Lotto).....5' 27"

6. Robert Gesink, Netherlands (Rabobank).....6' 41"

7. Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver, Spain (Katusha).....7' 03"

8. Ryder Hesjedal, Canada (Garmin-Transitions).....9' 18"

9. Roman Kreuziger, Czech Rep. (Liquigas-Doimo).....10'12"

10. Christopher Horner, USA (Radio Shack).....10' 37"

13. Levi Leipheimer, USA (Radio Shack).....14' 24"

23. Lance Armstrong, USA (Radio Shack).....37' 58"

GREEN JERSEY (Sprinters)

1. Alessandro Petacchi, Italy (Lampre-Farnese).....213 pts

2. Thor Hushovd, Norway (Cervelo).....203 pts

3. Mark Cavendish, Great Britain (HTC-Columbia).....197 pts

4. Jose Joaquin Rojas, Spain (Caisse D'Epargne).....167 pts

5. Robbie McEwen, Australia (Katusha).....162 pts

6. Edvald Boasson Hagen, Norway (Sky Pro).....152 pts

POLKA DOT JERSEY (Climbers)

1. Anthony Charteau, France (Bouygues Telecom).....143 pts

2. Christophe Moreau, France (Caisse D'Epargne).....128 pts

3. Andy Schleck, Luxembourg (Saxo Bank).....116 pts

TEAM STANDINGS

1. Radio Shack

2. Caisse D'Epargne.......8' 30"

3. Rabobank.......33' 39"

4. AG2R La Mondiale.......37' 58"

5. Omega-Lotto.......50' 16"