It was nearly 120km of flat ground before the climbs kicked in. Photo: WATSON
It was nearly 120km of flat ground before the climbs kicked in.
The break formed at the 2km mark and it took nearly 200km to catch the last of `em.
Cavendish scored 9 points at the intermediate sprint and then rode in with the gruppetto.
Geraint Thomas was aggressive all day and even came close to taking over the white jersey before fading on the final climb.
The Leopard team ramped up the pace on the final climb.
Arnold Jeannesson riding with Geraint Thomas.
Leopard but the work horses at the front and put the hurt on most of the peloton.
Tom Danielson says he’s in the shape of his life … and is now 9th on GC.
Sky’s Thomas Geraint was an animator all day, but couldn’t hold-off the chase on the final climb.
American Tejay Van Garderen had a tough introduction to the Pyrenees.
Leipheimer lost time near the top of Luz Ardiden, but well ahead of his ailing teammate, Andreas Kloden.
Sanchez and Vanendert timed their move perfectly, slipping off the front while the GC guys were necessarily focused on each other.
Evans and Basso put a serious effort into reeling in Frank Schleck and soon dropped Contador.
After slipping away on the Tourmalet descent, Sanchez was brilliant on the final climb.
