By Betphoenix

Sprinter Thor Huschovd caught a group of 20 escapees on the descent of the 1st climb Cormet de Roseland (1st cat.) of the day and jumped ahead to go in front at the top of the 2nd first cat.climb Col des Saissies 56 km into the stage and of 2nd cat. Cote de Arâches 115 km from the start.Surprising to see this type of rider in front on a mountain stage but the norvegian who is wearing the green jersey with a small lead over Mark Cavendish proved to be the smartest and the strongest as he picked up another 12 points at two intermediate sprints and almost guarantees he will keep it in Paris.Great show from the Cervelo Test Team rider who stayed in front alone for over 100 km,he was voted the most aggressive of the stage for his efforts.

Huschovd was caught with 38 km to go by Barredo,a chasing group of 20 riders at 20” and the peloton at 1’55” as they began the toughest ascent of the day the Col de Romme,1st cat. with % from 10 to more than 12%.Sastre attacked immediatly but failed to build a lead and then it was Andy Schleck who jumped out and made a big gap on a group of 11 elite riders,followed only by yellow jersey Alberto Contador. His brother Frank was able to join him with Andreas Kloden in his wheel. They swallowed Van Den Broecke,the last of the escapees, 4.5 km the top and at the summit two Saxo Bank,Andy and Frank Shleck and two Astana,Contador and Kloden had a 1’05” lead over Bradley Wiggins,Lance Armstrong,Christian Vande Velde and Vincenzo Nibali.

The Schleck brothers vs Contador and Kloden,the Tour de France could be define in the last climb of the day,the Col de la Colombière(1st cat.). Andy Schleck was riding very hard but it was clear that Contador couldn’t be shaken off,in fact the yellow jersey attacked close to the top but only managed to lose his team-mate Andreas Kloden who was caught 1 km from the finish by Armstrong and Nibali. Armstrong had left behind Wiggins,Vande Velde and Nibali at the end of the climb but the italien rider put on a show in the descent to join the american. However they couldn’t come back on the 3 leaders who made a gentlmen’s agreement.Contador, the fastest of the three, let Frank Schleck take the stage with Andy in 3rd place.Well deserved victory as the Schleck brothers produced all the efforts in the last two climbs.

Vincenzo Nibali finished 4th at 2’18”,Armstrong 5th in the same time and Andreas Kloden 6th at 2’27”. The bigest loser of the day was Bradley Wiggins in 7th place 3’07” behind the Schleck brothers and Contador,dropping from 3rd to 6th place in the overall standings.

Part of the objectives pursued by Andy and Frank Schleck in this stage were obtained as they now stand in 2nd and 3rd place of the overall standings and Frank got his second victory in the Alps after he won at the Alpe d’Huez in 2006.

However the main goal is a victory in Paris and it looks more and more unlikely as Contador has a 2’25” lead on Andy and 3’35” on Frank.Their last chance resides Saturday on the ascent of the famous Mont Ventoux in the 20th stage of the Tour.

Lance Armstrong is 4th at 3’55”, Andreas Kloden,who might not be very happy with the turn of events on the last climb, 5th at 4’44”

Franco Pellizotti widened the gap for the climber’s polka-dot jersey, save an accident he will take it to Paris.

Tomorrow Thursday the 18th stage,Annecy-Annecy around the lake, is a 40.5 km individual time-trial,advantage Contador,Armstrong,Kloden and Wiggins overAndy-Frank Schleck.

Fabien Cancellara has another opportunity to prove he is the world’s best in that discipline.

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