Cavendish collects 3rd stage win; Evans keeps yellow

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Columbia’s Mark Cavendish collects his third stage win of the 2008 Tour de France.

Photo: AFP

Mark Cavendish (Team Columbia) won the 12th stage of the 95th edition of the Tour de France — his third stage of this year’s race — as Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) retained the leader’s yellow jersey.

2008 Tour de France, stage 12: Evans on the podium once more.

Photo: Graham Watson

“I’m a bit tired now but I was still fastest across the line,” said a weary Cavendish with a chuckle. “I’m glad I could do that for my teammates. It’s just so nice to get another one.”

Evans also praised his team for its efforts on a hot, windy stage.

“The team did a great job today to defend the jersey. They kept me out of trouble and we got some collaboration from the sprinter teams today, so it worked out well for me,” he said.

The big news of the day, however, was the announcement that Riccardo Riccò had tested positive for a new variant of the blood booster EPO following the stage 4 time trial at Cholet. The sample contained metabolites of a new substance, CERA (Continuous Erythropoiesis Receptor Activator). Gendarmes took Riccò away for questioning and his Saunier Duval-Scott team abandoned the Tour.

2008 Tour de France, stage 12: Gerard and Dumoulin were away together for most of the day, but never built up much of a lead.

Photo: Graham Watson

Out on the road, meanwhile, the 158 riders who remained in the race faced a 168.5km stage through the foothills of the Pyrenees, from Lavelanet to Narbonne. The first 75km brought a few easy climbs, followed by 50km of rolling roads just inland from the Mediterranean coast before taking a straight shot across the plains for the final 25km into the ancient city of Narbonne for a downtown finish on the Avenue General Leclerc.

Long, fast and flat in the final kilometers, the course had a sweeping right-hander with 1km to go, but it was straight into the finish from there, though some brisk cross-headwinds were likely to complicate the finale for anyone hoping to go long.

Nevertheless, the sprinters were champing at the bit before the stage began, grateful for a rare shot at a mass dash in this climbing-heavy Tour.

“Today is a good opportunity,” said Rabobank’s Oscar Freire. “The legs are slowly feeling better. I can usually do pretty well in the sprints in the second half of the Tour. There aren’t many sprints this year, so we cannot miss the opportunity if it’s there. I will keep plugging away at the green-jersey points.”

Columbia director Rolf Aldag, meanwhile, was tipping Cavendish for the stage.

“He’s tired after the mountains, but when he sees the 1km flag, he comes back to life,” said Aldag. “I think if it comes down to a sprint today, he can win again. It’s long and straight, just his kind of finish. He’s won but such big margins before that even if he’s not 100 percent, he can win again.”

The usual flurry of early attacks were launched and snuffed out before a pair of Frenchmen — Arnaud Gerard (Française des Jeux) and Samuel Dumoulin (Cofidis) — finally escaped and built a lead of more than one minute by the 40km mark. Ten kilometers later, their advantage was 3:40.

Team Columbia, Silence-Lotto, Crédit Agricole and Quick Step then began sending riders to the front and set about gradually taking time back. And true to his word, green-jersey Freire took the third-place points at the first sprint, followed by Crédit Agricole’s Thor Hushovd, who sat third in the points standings behind Freire and Columbia’s Kim Kirchen.

2008 Tour de France, stage 12: The peloton approaches the finish, with three men still off the front.

Photo: Graham Watson

Past the feed zone the gap was coming down rapidly, and Juan Jose Oroz (Euskaltel-Euskadi) took the opportunity to bridge to the break. He tried to ride right past the leaders, but didn’t get the job done, and after some discussion the threesome settled down and began to rebuild their margin. As they passed through the Villesque des Corbieres with about 39km to go, the gap was back out to 90 seconds.

Then Silence-Lotto took a hand and the chase began nibbling away at the break once again. As the second sprint loomed, the escapees held just half a minute on the peloton. Dumoulin took the top points ahead of Gerard with Oroz third.

With 20km to go, the break was clinging to a lead of 40 seconds as the peloton got serious about arranging a bunch sprint. Quick Step was massing at the front, hoping to set up Gert Steegmans. Liquigas was moving forward too, for Filippo Pozzatto. Columbia was there for Cavendish along with Milram for Erik Zabel.

2008 Tour de France, stage 12: Liquigas and Quick Step lead the chase.

Photo: Graham Watson

As the catch came with less than 9km to go, CSC-Saxo Bank rolled to the front — whether they were hoping to find a second or two for overall runner-up Frank Schleck or thinking about springing Stuart O’Grady to the stage win was anybody’s guess. O’Grady himself shut down a brief last-ditch dig by Dumoulin.

Six kilometers out, Columbia was trying to get its train lined up for Cavendish, while race leader Evans appeared to be on his own. Milram then moved forward at 3km, and with 1km to go, the Quick Step guys began lining it out for Steegmans. Robbie Hunter (Barloworld) got into the mix, too, hoping to reclaim some small piece of glory for his decimated squad.

2008 Tour de France, stage 12: Garmin’s Pate and Vande Velde

Photo: Graham Watson

But it was useless. Steegmans jumped left, Hushovd went up the middle, and Cavendish gave it the gas and smartly collected his third stage win of this year’s Tour. Sebastien Chavanel (Française des Jeux) took second with Steegmans third

“I was seeing how hard my team worked,” said Cavendish, who now becomes Britain’s record holder for the number of stage wins in a single edition, surpassing former British great Barry Hoban, who has a record eight stage wins, scoring doubles in 1969 and 1973.

“We worked so good. They dropped me off on the perfect wheel and I was able to win again. I wasn’t able to win by the gaps that I’ve won the two previous times, and that shows that I’m really tired, but I am really happy to win again.”

—European correspondent Andrew Hood and Agence France Presse contributed to this report.

Tour de France, Stage 12: Top 10
1. Mark Cavendish (GB), Columbia, 3:40:52
2. Sebastien Chavanel (F), Française des Jeux, same time
3. Gert Steegmans (B), Quick Step, s.t.
4. Erik Zabel (G), Milram, s.t.
5. Oscar Freire (Sp), Rabobank, s.t.
6. Francesco Chicchi (I), Liquigas, s.t.
7. Thor Hushovd (Nor), Crédit Agricole, s.t..
8. Fabio-Leonardo Duque (Col), Cofidis, s.t.
9. Julian Dean (NZ), Garmin-Chipotle, s.t.
10. Heinrich Haussler (G), Gerolsteiner, s.t.

Overall
1. Cadel Evans (Aus), Silence-Lotto, 50:23:05
2. Frank Schleck (Lux), CSC-Saxo Bank, at 0:01.
3. Christian Vande Velde (USA), Garmin-Chipotle, at 0:38.
4. Bernhard Kohl (A), Gerolsteiner, at 0:46.
5. Denis Menchov (Rus), Rabobank, at 0:57.
6. Carlos Sastre (Sp), CSC-Saxo Bank, at 1:28.
7. Kim Kirchen (Lux), Columbia, at 1:56.
8. Vladimir Efimkin (Rus), Ag2r, at 2:32.
9. Mikel Astarloza (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 3:51.
10. Vincenzo Nibali (I), Liquigas, at 4:18.

Photo Gallery

Results

Stage 12
1. Mark Cavendish (IDM), Team Columbia 3h40min 52sec
2. Sebastien Chavanel (FRA), Francaise des Jeux at 0:00.
3. Gert Steegmans (BEL), Quick Step 0:00.
4. Erik Zabel (GER), Milram 0:00.
5. Oscar Freire (ESP), Rabobank 0:00.
6. Francesco Chicchi (ITA), Liquigas 0:00.
7. Thor Hushovd (NOR), Credit Agricole 0:00.
8. Fabio-Leonardo Duque (COL), Cofidis 0:00.
9. Julian Dean (NZL), Garmin-Chipotle 0:00.
10. Heinrich Haussler (GER), Gerolsteiner 0:00.
11. Robbie McEwen (AUS), Silence-Lotto 0:00.
12. Jimmy Casper (FRA), Agritubel 0:00.
13. Robert Hunter (RSA), Barloworld 0:00.
14. Martin Elmiger (SUI), Ag2r 0:00.
15. Alessandro Ballan (ITA), Lampre 0:00.
16. Kim Kirchen (LUX), Team Columbia 0:00.
17. Kanstantsin Siutsou (BLR), Team Columbia 0:00.
18. Xavier Florencio (ESP), Bouygues Telecom 0:00.
19. Robert Forster (GER), Gerolsteiner 0:00.
20. Cadel Evans (AUS), Silence-Lotto 0:00.
21. Eduardo Gonzalo (ESP), Agritubel 0:00.
22. Martijn Maaskant (NED), Garmin-Chipotle 0:00.
23. Ruben Perez (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi 0:00.
24. Steven De Jongh (NED), Quick Step 0:00.
25. Yaroslav Popovych (UKR), Silence-Lotto 0:00.
26. Fabian Cancellara (SUI), CSC 0:00.
27. Roman Kreuziger (CZE), Liquigas 0:00.
28. Frank Schleck (LUX), CSC 0:00.
29. Christian Vande Velde (USA), Garmin-Chipotle 0:00.
30. Daniele Righi (ITA), Lampre 0:00.
31. Arnaud Coyot (FRA), Caisse d’Epargne 0:00.
32. Samuel Sanchez (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi 0:00.
33. Oscar Pereiro (ESP), Caisse d’Epargne 0:00.
34. Massimiliano Mori (ITA), Lampre 0:00.
35. Damiano Cunego (ITA), Lampre 0:00.
36. Mark Renshaw (AUS), Credit Agricole 0:00.
37. Denis Menchov (RUS), Rabobank 0:00.
38. Jens Voigt (GER), CSC 0:00.
39. Filippo Pozzato (ITA), Liquigas 0:00.
40. Carlos Sastre (ESP), CSC 0:00.
41. Murilo Fischer (BRA), Liquigas 0:00.
42. Matteo Carrara (ITA), Quick Step 0:00.
43. Juan Antonio Flecha (ESP), Rabobank 0:00.
44. Bram Tankink (NED), Rabobank 0:00.
45. Sven Krauss (GER), Gerolsteiner 0:00.
46. Tadej Valjavec (SLO), Ag2r 0:00.
47. Bernhard Kohl (AUT), Gerolsteiner 0:00.
48. Ivan Gutierrez (ESP), Caisse d’Epargne 0:00.
49. David Millar (GBR), Garmin-Chipotle 0:00.
50. Sylvain Chavanel (FRA), Cofidis 0:00.
51. Inaki Isasi (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi 0:00.
52. Koos Moerenhout (NED), Rabobank 0:00.
53. Christian Knees (GER), Milram 0:00.
54. Carlos Barredo (ESP), Quick Step 0:00.
55. John-Lee Augustyn (RSA), Barloworld 0:00.
56. Mikel Astarloza (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi 0:00.
57. George Hincapie (USA), Team Columbia 0:00.
58. Andy Schleck (LUX), CSC 0:00.
59. Gerald Ciolek (GER), Team Columbia 0:00.
60. Stuart O’Grady (AUS), CSC 0:00.
61. Paolo Tiralongo (ITA), Lampre 0:00.
62. Maxime Monfort (BEL), Cofidis 0:00.
63. Sebastian Langeveld (NED), Rabobank 0:00.
64. Markus Fothen (GER), Gerolsteiner 0:00.
65. Joost Posthuma (NED), Rabobank 0:00.
66. Vladimir Efimkin (RUS), Ag2r 0:00.
67. Sandy Casar (FRA), Francaise des Jeux 0:00.
68. Simon Gerrans (AUS), Credit Agricole 0:00.
69. Alexander Botcharov (RUS), Credit Agricole 0:00.
70. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA), Liquigas 0:00.
71. Stefan Schumacher (GER), Gerolsteiner 0:00.
72. Jose Luis Arrieta (ESP), Ag2r 0:00.
73. Marzio Bruseghin (ITA), Lampre 0:00.
74. Volodomir Gustov (UKR), CSC 0:00.
75. Laurens ten Dam (NED), Rabobank 0:00.
76. Sebastian Lang (GER), Gerolsteiner 0:00.
77. Peter Velits (SVK), Milram 0:00.
78. Haimar Zubeldia (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi 0:00.
79. Christophe Brandt (BEL), Silence-Lotto 0:00.
80. Egoi Martinez (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi 0:00.
81. Chris Froome (GBR), Barloworld 0:00.
82. Will Frischkorn (USA), Garmin-Chipotle 0:00.
83. Manuel Quinziato (ITA), Liquigas 0:00.
84. Bjoern Schroeder (GER), Milram 0:00.
85. Nicki Sorensen (DEN), CSC 0:00.
86. Pierrick Fedrigo (FRA), Bouygues Telecom 0:00.
87. Florent Brard (FRA), Cofidis 0:00.
88. Jer™me Pineau (FRA), Bouygues Telecom 0:00.
89. Cyril Dessel (FRA), Ag2r 0:00.
90. Marco Velo (ITA), Milram 0:00.
91. Ralf Grabsch (GER), Milram 0:00.
92. Hubert Dupont (FRA), Ag2r 0:00.
93. Nicolas Jalabert (FRA), Agritubel 0:00.
94. Frederik Willems (BEL), Liquigas 0:00.
95. Alejandro Valverde (ESP), Caisse d’Epargne 0:00.
96. Stef Clement (NED), Bouygues Telecom 0:00.
97. Luis Leon Sanchez (ESP), Caisse d’Epargne 0:00.
98. Dmitriy Fofonov (KAZ), Credit Agricole 0:00.
99. Beno”t Vaugrenard (FRA), Francaise des Jeux 0:00.
100. Stijn Devolder (BEL), Quick Step 0:00.
101. Pieter Weening (NED), Rabobank 0:00.
102. Fabian Wegmann (GER), Gerolsteiner 0:00.
103. Stephane Goubert (FRA), Ag2r 0:00.
104. Freddy Bichot (FRA), Agritubel 0:00.
105. Marco Marzano (ITA), Lampre 0:00.
106. Matteo Bono (ITA), Lampre 0:00.
107. Mario Aerts (BEL), Silence-Lotto 0:00.
108. Jurgen Vandewalle (BEL), Quick Step 0:00.
109. Mathieu Sprick (FRA), Bouygues Telecom 0:00.
110. David Arroyo (ESP), Caisse d’Epargne 0:00.
111. Nicolas Vogondy (FRA), Agritubel 0:00.
112. Juan Jose Oroz (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi 0:00.
113. Dario Cioni (ITA), Silence-Lotto 0:00.
114. Sylvester Szmyd (POL), Lampre 0:00.
115. Jimmy Engoulvent (FRA), Credit Agricole 0:00.
116. Christophe Le Mevel (FRA), Credit Agricole 0:00.
117. Geoffroy Lequatre (FRA), Agritubel 0:00.
118. Romain Feillu (FRA), Agritubel 0:00.
119. Niki Terpstra (NED), Milram 0:00.
120. Trent Lowe (AUS), Garmin-Chipotle 0:00.
121. Ama‘l Moinard (FRA), Cofidis 0:00.
122. Remy Di Gregorio (FRA), Francaise des Jeux 0:00.
123. Laurent Lefevre (FRA), Bouygues Telecom 0:00.
124. Christophe Riblon (FRA), Ag2r 0:00.
125. Ryder Hesjedal (CAN), Garmin-Chipotle 0:00.
126. Jeremy Roy (FRA), Francaise des Jeux 0:00.
127. Giampaolo Cheula (ITA), Barloworld 0:00.
128. Thomas Voeckler (FRA), Bouygues Telecom 0:00.
129. Adam Hansen (AUS), Team Columbia 0:00.
130. Matteo Tosatto (ITA), Quick Step at 0:20.
131. Sebastien Rosseler (BEL), Quick Step 0:20.
132. William Bonnet (FRA), Credit Agricole at 0:21.
133. Brett Lancaster (AUS), Milram 0:21.
134. Martin Mueller (GER), Milram at 0:29.
135. Amets Txurruka (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi at 0:56.
136. Bernhard Eisel (AUT), Team Columbia at 1:13.
137. Marcus Burghardt (GER), Team Columbia 1:13.
138. David Moncoutie (FRA), Cofidis at 1:15.
139. Stephane Auge (FRA), Cofidis 1:15.
140. David Le Lay (FRA), Agritubel 1:15.
141. Aliaksandr Kuschynski (BLR), Liquigas at 1:17.
142. David Lopez (ESP), Caisse d’Epargne 1:17.
143. Ronny Scholz (GER), Gerolsteiner 1:17.
144. Danny Pate (USA), Garmin-Chipotle 1:17.
145. Thomas Lovkvist (SWE), Team Columbia 1:17.
146. Johan Van Summeren (BEL), Silence-Lotto 1:17.
147. Vicente Garcia Acosta (ESP), Caisse d’Epargne 1:17.
148. Johann Tschopp (SUI), Bouygues Telecom 1:17.
149. Nicolas Portal (FRA), Caisse d’Epargne 1:17.
150. Kurt Asle Arvesen (NOR), CSC 1:17.
151. Leif Hoste (BEL), Silence-Lotto 1:17.
152. Yoann Le Boulanger (FRA), Francaise des Jeux at 1:49.
153. Philippe Gilbert (BEL), Francaise des Jeux 1:49.
154. Remi Pauriol (FRA), Credit Agricole 1:49.
155. Wim Vansevenant (BEL), Silence-Lotto at 2:12.
156. Arnaud Gerard (FRA), Francaise des Jeux at 2:40.
157. Samuel Dumoulin (FRA), Cofidis 2:40.
158. Gorka Verdugo (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi at 4:06.
. Leonardo Piepoli (ITA), Saunier Duval at Wit:drawn
. Josep Jufre (ESP), Saunier Duval Withdrawn
. Rubens Bertogliati (SUI), Saunier Duval Withdrawn
. David De la Fuente (ESP), Saunier Duval Withdrawn
. Riccardo Ricco (ITA), Saunier Duval Withdrawn
. Juan Jose Cobo Acebo (ESP), Saunier Duval Withdrawn
. Jesus Del Nero (ESP), Saunier Duval Withdrawn
. Baden Cooke (AUS), Barloworld at Retired