Tour de France 2010 Photos July 3 - July 25

Tour de France 2010 Dashboard: Results, Photos, Video

HTC-Columbia's Tony Martin was the 11th rider out of the gate. He then had to wait three hours before his best time of 10:10, on the 8.9 km course, was finally beat.	It wasn't suppose to be a difficult course, but the course was especially slick for the early riders due to the first rain Rotterdam has had in awhile.	The course was wet for Garmin's David Millar but he went for it anyway posting a solid 3rd place (+ 0:20)
The recently crowned Luxembourg TT Champ and one of the race GC favorites, Andy Schleck, placed a disappointing 122nd (+ 1:09)	Despite a course that was drying out and lined by cheering fans, Euskaltel - Euskadi's only GC hope, Sammy Sanchez, could only manage 75th (0:56)	Lance Armstrong got his final Tour off to a good start...
Armstrong, along with the final riders, took advantage of the dryer roads. He placed 4th (+ 0:22)	The prohibitive favorite, Fabian Cancellara, came through with the best time of 10 minutes flat beating Tony Martin's early best time by 10s	The last rider and last year's overall winner, Alberto Contador, placed a respectable 6th (+ 0:27)
Just like the Tour de France start in London in 2007, Fabian Cancellara wins the prologue	Another Yellow Jersey for the guy that usually dominates it in the first week of the Tour	Photos from Thursday's teams presentation: No problem finding a crane to hoist the big race banner by the Erasmus bridge in the one of world's biggest ports
Legendary Dutch cyclists and former Tour de France champions, Joop Zoetemelk and Jan Janssen led in the riders	Looks like BBox's Thomas Voeckler has lost some weight since he won the French National RR Championships last weekend. The real jersey is on the way for Sunday's first road stage I guess.	Garmin-Transitions enjoying a nice evening's ride across the Erasmus bridge
The world champ Cadel Evans and his BMC team	RadioShack	It will take some getting use to the Schleck brothers now that they've swapped jerseys after the Luxembourg National RR Championships
Alberto Contador and Team Astana	Nicolas Roche leading Ag2R across the Erasmus bridge. The riders will cross it again during the Prologue and then again on Stage 1 while leaving Rotterdam	BMC again
The Erasmus bridge (Erasmusbrug) is a cable stayed bridge linking the north and south halves of Rotterdam	A good crowd on hand during a very pleasant evening	Luis Leon Sanchez being interviewed about his new role of Tour race leader during the Caisse d'Epargne presentation
Ivan Basso and the wise-cracking interviewers	Rabobank getting serious: Oscar Freire, Lars Boom and Denis Menchov	Lance Armstrong riding into position before being interviewed
Criterium du Dauphine winner, Janez Brajkovic thinking about his 1st Tour and Lance Armstrong thinking about his last	Astana riding up on stage as the last team presented	Alberto Contador looks pumped up and ready to go
Astana presentation panoramic

Stage 1:  Rotterdam - Brussels, 192 km   Full Results and Report

Massive crowds at the start in Rotterdam became even larger as the Tour moved into Belgium later in the day. Alberto Contador with his share of the attention prior to the start.	Fabian Cancellara's prologue win yesterday wasn't unexpected	Belgium's Tom Boonen reflecting on missing out riding the Tour through his home country, "almost a once in a lifetime experience... it passes through the region where I was born"
After two crashes inside 3 km and another one in the final 500m, Alessandro Petacchi was at the front flying home alone	It seemed odd for Oscar Freire, Mark Cavendish, Tyler Farrar (and Tom Boonen) to be out of the picture during the first sprint finish of the Tour	The stage was a bit of a yawner, but the twists and turns leading into Brussels were quite entertaining. 1st Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre), 2nd Mark Renshaw (HTC-Columbia), 3rd Thor Hushovd (Cervelo), 4th Robbie McEwen (Katusha)
Petacchi celebrates his first Tour win in six years. In fact, this is his first Tour in six years.	Tyler Farrar was pegged by many for the win today and when many of the contenders were eliminated in the corner crash with 2 km to go his chances looked even better. But, as the home stretch sprint swerved across the road, an Ag2R rider removed the derailleur from Farrar's bike as bikes overlapped causing the final crash	Eddy Merckx (middle) is still a larger than life figure in Belgium. Today's stage honoring his 65th birthday somewhat eclipsed today's winner who was also congratulated by the King of Belgium
Spartacus (Fabian Cancellara) has a lot of Yellow Jerseys now but nothing compared to the 92 Yellow Jerseys collected by the Cannibal in his day

Stage 2:  Brussels - Spa, 201 km  Full Results and Report

Eddy Merckx presented Lance Armstrong with #7 of his limited edition box set of something (artwork?) prior to the start	The start in Brussels. Many of these riders would be part of the "carnage" / "chaos" / "massacre" later on. No spa for them at the end of the day.	Jumping to the finish now. Sylvain Chavanel survived a 183 km break and was able to solo the final climb and finish due partly to the major crash on the Cote de Stockeu descent
A big win for his team on home soil and for him personally	Fabian Cancellara using both hands to prevent riders like Thor Hushovd (on his left) from contesting the sprint for second. Cyclingnews later reported: Hushovd furious as points neutralised in Spa.	Fabian Cancellara lived up to his nickname in a different way today. In Roman Times, Spartacus was "a Thracian slave and gladiator. He led a revolt against Rome in 73 BC". The peloton arriving to a chorus of boos.
The protest regarding the course conditions by the peloton did little to dampen the impressiveness of Chavanel's win. He called it "my most beautiful day on the bike". A first win back after a serious injury is often emotional as it was for him today.	Tomorrow will start in Belgium and finish in France with Chavanel wearing the Yellow Jersey... fitting for a Frenchman riding for a Belgian team. This is his first Yellow Jersey in any race.	Chavanel also collected the only 25 pts awarded today (for the win) moving him into the lead of the points competition.

Stage 3:  Wanze - Arenberg, 207 km  Full Results and Report

Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Transitions) was the last survivor of the eight man break seen here going over the last section of pavé with 10 km to go	Hesjedal was about to be caught by the Cancellara express	Andy Schleck was tucked behind his Saxo Bank teammate and the Paris-Roubaix champ most of the race with the World Champ, Cadel Evans, just behind him
Thor Hushovd (Cervelo) and Geraint Thomas (Sky) wearing their national champ jerseys tucked at the rear of the five-man chase	Chase group #2, less than a minute back, was driven by Denis Menchov (Rabobank) and Alexander Vinokourov (Astana). Alberto Contador (right) bridged up to this group after getting caught behind one of the earlier crashes.	A dusty Lance Armstrong working to catch onto the rear of chase group #3 after getting caught behind a crash and then later flatting
Thor Hushovd (Cervelo) poked his nose into the wind at the right time. 2nd Geraint Thomas (Sky), obscured and 3rd Cadel Evans (BMC) followed by the most aggressive rider winner, Ryder Hesjedal.	The chase group containing Bradley Wiggins, Jurgen Van Den Broeck, Alexander Vinokourov, Denis Menchov, Johan Van Summeren and Nicolas Roche crossed 53 seconds later	Albrerto Contador became unhitched from the chase group and wobbled across the line 20s later with a malfunctioning rear wheel. Still a good day for the GC favorite who isn't used to riding "the stones"
Fabian Cancellara is back in the Yellow Jersey due to his relentless work at the front of the race for teammate Andy Schleck and the mechanical woes of Sylvain Chavanel

Stage 4:  Cambrai - Reims, 154 km  Full Results and Report

A glorious morning in Cambrai as autograph seekers gather outside the Astana team bus to meet with Alberto Contador who exited the pavé relatively unscathed yesterday	The start line panoramic in Cambrai before an easy, uneventual day	Lampre's Alessandro Petacchi (far right) jumped from the 4th position of the Mark Cavendish leadout train with 200m to go
Close up of the sprint finish in Reims which has hosted the Tour ten times. No "carnage" or crash today.	Petacchi comes through with his second win of this year's Tour...	... proving that the crash marred stage 1 finish was no accident. 2nd Julien Dean (Garmin-Transitions), 3rd Edvald Boasson Hagen. Robbie McEwen, who won the Tour stage in Reims eight years ago, finished 4th today.
While Petacchi continues his victory salute, Garmin riders Robbie Hunter and Julien Dean emphasize their readiness to be first on a later stage	Not many predicted the 36 year-old Italian would be the number #1 sprinter at this year's Tour, but that's the way it's turning out	Petacchi basking in the glory... and the late afternoon sunshine
Cancellara did a little basking himself while donning another Yellow Jersey

Stage 5:  Epernay - Montargis, 187.5km  Full Results and Report

More Armstrong vs. Contador today off the road. Alberto Contador apparently went into the RadioShack bus this morning to give his former teammates watches for last year's Tour win as is the tradition, but Lance wouldn't meet with him. A news service article then came out, Armstrong not speaking to Contador... but what was Lance saying to Contador several days ago ()?	Garmin-Transitions disappeared off the front after leading the peloton over the final kms clearing the way for HTC-Columbia's two Marks (Renshaw and Cavendish) to finish it off	Mark Cavendish distancing his rivals and his critics
Mark Cavendish gets his first Tour stage win this July	New Generation finish: The Top 4 today were all under 26 years of age which is very rare. Cavendish was ecstatic with the win, 2nd Gerald Ciolek (Milram), 3rd Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky), 4th Jose Joaquin Rojas (Caisse d'Epargne)	Mark Cavendish hugs his teammate Kanstantsin Siutsou for his earlier work, but he could have equally thanked Team Garmin for stringing out the finish
José Ivan Gutierrez (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne was in the main break and was the last rabbit to be caught with 4 km to go. He was naturally rewarded with the most aggressive rider award.	Mark Cavendish's emotional rollercoaster this year may warrant some concern	Finally, a descent photo of the KOM podium girls and their "umbrella dresses." Quick Step's Jerome Pineau (Fra) has led the mountains classification since stage 2 although not many points have been awarded so far.

Stage 6:  Montargis - Gueugnon, 228km  Full Results and Report

Stage 7:  Tournus - Station des Rousses, 165.5km  Full Results and Report

Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step) soloing the 14km final climb, Cote de Lamoura, the final of six categorized climbs on a very hot day	In fact, it was so hot, the road became unglued which obviously made the cat 2 climb more difficult	Janez Brajkovic (Slo) of Team Radioshack leading the group of GC contenders
Unlike Stage 2, there will be no asterisk beside Sylvain Chavanel's second impressive solo win of this year's Tour	Unknown Footon-Servetto rider, Rafael Valls Ferri, crossed 2nd (+ 0:57)	Alberto Contador, Lance Armstrong and the rest of the GC contenders were content to wait until tomorrow's big mountain stage. This group of 35 riders crossed 7th (+ 1:57).
Although Jerome Pineau suffered on the last climb, the KOM leader had a good day in the main break crossing first over five of the six categorized climbs and was thrilled his Quick Step teammate won the stage	Post race, Sylvain Chavanel attributed his forced rest in May to his successful start to the Tour	Just like stage 2, his impressive solo stage win gives him the Yellow Jersey
Because Sky's Geraint Thomas had a bad day, Saxo Bank's Andy Schleck is the new Young Rider leader. But, he's not too excited about it and says he's hoping to exchange it for Yellow in the coming weeks. Only three riders have ever won both.

Stage 8:  Station des Rousses - Morzine-Avoriaz, 189 km  Full Results and Report

Sunflowers and the main break about to wilt in the heat	The chase carving down one of the treacherous descents before the final climb	Astana drove the pace over the last two climbs. Here's Alberto Contador's last domestique, Daniel Navarro, doing exceptional yeoman's work stringing out the GC contenders
Andy Schleck and Cadel Evans following Alberto Contador	Jurgen van den Broeck, Levi Leipheimer, Carlos Sastre, Michael Rogers and Samuel Sanchez following Ivan Basso among the GC contenders	Ryder Hesjedal finished +1:14 and sits smartly 6th overall. He's the third different Garmin rider in three years to be in the Tour GC hunt.
When it was clear Lance Armstrong's Tour was effectively over, he let his domestique, Chris Horner, ride on. Horner hammered the final climb and did quite well to finish 33rd +4:05	A battered Lance Armstrong and Janez Brajkovic enjoying the scenery and the support of these American fans on the final climb. Not.	Lance never recovered from his high speed solo crash () before the first of two cat 1 climbs
In the final km, Andy Schleck put in a dig that Alberto Contador couldn't match	Fans at the base of the Morzine-Avoriaz ski resort anticipating the first mountaintop finish of this year's Tour	Sammy Sanchez caught Andy Schleck, but Schleck regained the lead at the right time
Folks, we have a new killer in the peloton	Andy Schleck has come out swinging on the first mountain stage	Robert Gesink and Roman Kreuziger finishing just ahead of Alberto Contador for 3rd, 4th and 5th +0:10
Andy Schleck celebrates the first of what should be many Tour stage wins in the coming years	It is rare for the current World Champ to don the Yellow Jersey, but that's what new race leader Cadel Evans has achieved	Rest day: Cadel Evans' first day in Yellow was an easy one. Nothing but photo ops.
Rest day: Andy Schleck getting ready for a training ride. He'll be looking to flex his muscles again over the remaining mountain stages to get Cadel's jersey	Rest day: Alberto Contador also has something to celebrate. Spain won the World Cup after the stage.

Stage 9:  Morzine - Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne  Full Results and Report

Cadel Evans and Lance Armstrong possibly talking about the stage 8 crashes that helped eliminate Lance Armstrong from the GC battle on Sunday and Cadel Evans today. (It was reported post-race today that Cadel Evans suffered a fractured elbow in the first crash on stage 8)	Scabby Lance Armstrong was still stiff after street luging without a luge on stage 8	The peloton passing over a river in Flumet at km 80 near the base of the cat 1 Col des Saisies
The main break climbing Col des Saisies	Who is "JA" or is it simply Dutch for Yes.	Eventual stage winner, Sandy Casar, leading Jens Voigt and Luis Leon Sanchez and the rest of the break down Col des Saisies
Fans camping out on the final climb of the day, the 26 km 6.2% Col de la Madeleine at km 172 which has rarely been used so close to a finishing town	The four remaining riders in the break (Sandy Casar is obscured) blocking out everything	Luis Leon Sanchez (Caisse d'Epargne), Damiano Cunego (Lampre), Sandy Casar (FDJ), Anthony Charteau (Bbox) were first over the top of Col de la Madeleine before the 20 km descent and 10 km run to the finish in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne
Andy Schleck shattered the group of GC contenders up Col de la Madeleine and only Alberto Contador was able to follow him	Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador took turns stretching out the lead on their rivals. By the way, those are the names of 250 of Andy's fans on his bike.	Contador and Schleck went over 2:10 back and would catch the lead group on the flats who were soft pedaling before the sprint
Sammy Sanchez went over 40 seconds back of Schleck and Contador. He pulled back 30 seconds on the descent but lost more time on the flat 10 km run to the finish	The Yellow Jersey, Cadel Evans, in trouble well back of the GC contenders	FDJ's Sandy Casar won the corner bunch sprint in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne. "Why they have never finished in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne before, I will never know" — Phil Liggett.
The Frenchman judged the corner sprint better than the Spaniard Luis Leon Sanchez (2nd) and the Italian Damiano Cunego (3rd)	Cadel Evans lost eight minutes today crossing 42nd and slipped out of the Yellow Jersey (and the top 10)	The distraught erstwhile race leader is consoled by BMC teammate Mauro Santambrogio post race
FDJ's Sandy Casar has finished second enough to learn from his mistakes. This is the second Tour stage win for the 31 year old Frenchman	The Young Rider leader, Saxo Bank's Andy Schleck, dons the color he really wanted	He won the first mountain stage, scattered the GC contenders today and now has the White and Yellow Jerseys. Bobby Julich is right. Andy Schleck is a "cold blooded killer."

Stage 10:  Chambery - Gap, 179 km  Full Results and Report

How appropriate of Miss France 2010; Malika Menard was born on Bastelle Day	The jersey leaders and the peloton lining up in Chambery	Another hot day on the road and water would once again be on the riders' minds
A gorgeous day and route through the Alps for Bastille Day with the crowd and peloton on holiday	Some dam nice scenery as the peloton rides along Lac du Sauter at km 120	Big crowds including Didi the Devil welcomed the six man break on all the climbs
Despite appearances, Andy Schleck's first day in Yellow was a relatively easy one with a harmless break up the road	Climb panoramic	Saxo Bank exiting a tunnel at the front of the peloton content to let the break stay away
The break before the descent into Gap	The peloton descending the same switchbacks Napoleon would have taken down to Gap	Lots of postcard shots today
Caisse d'Epargne's Vasil Kiryienka (left) closed the gap on RadioShack's Sergio Paulinho who attacked the break with 9 km to go before the flat finish in Gap	The rest of the break (less Maxime Bouet) chasing. They would finish 1:29 back of their two former breakmates.	The two man photo finish
Close up: RadioShack's Sergio Paulinho (right) wins by less than half a wheel	Despite an excellent bike throw, Caisse d'Epargne's Vasil Kiryienka had to settle for 2nd. His slow reaction when Sergio Paulinho jumped from the rear position cost him the win in his first Tour de France	RadioShack finally gets something to celebrate at this year's Tour
Being a domestique, Sergio Paulinho doesn't get a chance to celebrate an individual win very often	The peloton rolling into town over 14 minutes later	A nice little move to pick up some GC time. Nicolas Roche rolled off the docile peloton near the finish and gained over 1:20 on his GC rivals moving up four positions to 13th overall.
No French winner on Bastille Day this year. Your stage 10 winner, Portugal's Sergio Paulinho.	Omega Pharma's Mario Aerts was presented the Most Aggressive Rider award by Miss France 2010	Nice to see a climber and Yellow Jersey wearer who is taller than the podium girls... in this case, by a wide margin

Stage 11:  Sisteron - Bourg-les-Valence, 184.5km  Full Results and Report

The start in Sisteron. Andy Scheck is offered a baby goat that has a striking body resemblance to that of our race leader's	The peloton isn't the only thing suffering during the heat wave	The token three man break getting the exposure it deserves
Andy Scheck comfortably in the peloton while the sprinter teams let the break dangle off the front	Unlike the peloton, this lavender field is thriving in the hot weather...	... so is this vineyard
Cameras waiting to capture the sprint finish action	After a controversial leadout by Mark Renshaw, Mark Cavendish jumped with 300m to go.	Cavendish leading Alessandro Petacchi and Tyler Farrar tucked behind him in 3rd
Mark Cavendish celebrates his third win at this year's Tour...	and his 13th career Tour win	Mark Cavendish hungs his lead out Mark Renshaw, who was later kicked out of the Tour for headbutting Garmin's Julien Dean and then cutting off Tyler Farrar in the sprint finish. Robbie McEwen tweeted the disqualification best: "1) History shows that a headbutt will get dq'd from stg result (mcewen2005,Zabel 97) 2) History also shows that looking over shoulder at rival then taking them to barriers will also get u dq'd from stg results. 3) History will now show that combining the 2 aforementioned tactics will get u sent home...greater than the sum of it's parts."
A video still of Mark Renshaw headbutting Julien Dean with Mark Cavendish behind them. In reality, Dean moved across into Renshaw's line. Cutting off Farrar later was more likely a bigger issue.	Mark Cavendish's win was overshadowed by Mark Renshaw's disqualification and his podium appearance was overshadowed by French rugby union player Sebastien Chabal	The inimitable Jeannie Longo Ciprelli was also part of the award ceremony
Andy Schleck should keep the Yellow Jersey for at least three more days	Alessandro Petacchi gets reacquainted with the Green Jersey he wore earlier in the race	Alessandro Petacchi's second place today gives him 161 points, four more than Thor Hushovd

Stage 12:  Bourge-de-Peage - Mende, 210 km  Full Results and Report

This was guaranteed to be an entertaining stage. The average speed was 49 kph in the first hour. When the main break consisting of a whooping 18 men got away, it was led by GC threats Alexander Vinokourov and Ryder Hesjedal.	A panoramic was needed to get the entire break into one shot	Saxo Bank and the Yellow Jersey were under pressure all day keeping the dangerous break within reach so they had little chance to enjoy the scenery
The break crossing an old Roman aqueduct	The peloton chasing on the twisty roads	Captain America (George Hincapie) looks like he's flying the French flag today
The helicopter is a sign that the race is approaching for the patiently waiting fans	Alexander Vinokourov nearing the plateau with 2 km to go after dropping his remaining breakmates on the 10% 3 km climb	With Vino, a GC threat up front, Saxo Bank was forced to chase all day
After Katusha's Joaquin Rodriguez jumped from the peloton on a steep section, Alberto Contador followed him. Unfortunately, Contador couldn't drop him and join bridge up to Vino on his own	Andy Schleck was either caught off guard by Contador's move or wasn't able to follow. He admitted pre-race that the punchy climb didn't suit him. Here he is following 4th place Jurgen Van Den Broeck.	Whether you're an amateur photographer or a professional like Graham Watson (right), camping out on a steep section is a good idea
The climb, admittingly, didn't suit Levi Leipheimer either, but he did place a respectable 11th (+0:17) seen here with Liquigas' Roman Kreuziger who finished 10th	Alberto Contador working hard to distance Andy Schleck and maybe drop Rodriguez	Rodriguez, the better sprinter, jumped Contador with 100m to go
The fans in the grandstand and along the entire route were treated to an exciting stage	Joaquin Rodriguez wins his first Tour de France stage in his first Tour de France	Alberto Contador was disappointed that neither Vino nor he got the win
... and so was Vino who crossed four seconds later. We'll never know what the Astana strategy was, but it had Saxo Bank under pressure all day. Ideally, Contador should have sat on Rodriguez' wheel allowing Vino to try and tag on, but it's clear the GC win trumps a potential stage win.	Andy Schleck crossed ten seconds later so Contador gained back the time he lost on the stage 3 pavé	Lance Armstrong has been biding his time since he was eliminated from the GC battle on the first mountain stage. Now you can bet he's eyeing a Pyrenees mountain stage win in the next week.
It may not look like it, but stage 12 winner Joaquin Rodriguez is standing on the top step of the podium	Needless to say, Alexander Vinokourov was hoping for the stage win, but he reluctantly accepted the Most Aggressive Rider award instead	Peace, two days in Yellow down and two days until the Pyrenees...
... and from a different angle at the same exact moment. A different perspective is always good.	Podium panoramic

Stage 13:  Rodez - Revel, 196km  Full Results and Report

Alberto Contador at the start in Rodez looking ahead to the Pyrénées stages that start tomorrow	A bee moving in on a healthy sunflower that has survived the heatwave quite nicely	Saxo Bank at the front as the peloton rolls through the farmlands that are typical of this area
Today's main break flew the coop at km 20: Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step), Juan Antonio Flecha (Team Sky) and Pierrick Fedrigo (Bbox Bouygues Telecom). All three riders have won Tour de France stages in past.	HTC-Columbia and Lampre chasing through the feedzone	A certain team leader was riding near the back today. Can you guess who?
Four of this year's big names all in one photo	Alexandre Vinokourov crushed it over the cat 3 climb, 6 km from the finish, attempting to thwart a sprint finish	Vino turns around to see his solo margin of victory as the stage finishes in Revel
The crowd and Vino reveling in the moment	After narrowly missing out yesterday, Vino gets his stage win today...
The sprint finish for the points competition (and second) was hotly contested...	Mark Cavendish 2nd and Alessandro Petacchi 3rd	Alberto Contador and Vinokourov embracing...
...before Vino goes off for obligatory post win drug-testing. His win today was similar to his dramatic wins before he tested positive in 2007. Keep your fingers crossed.	Your stage 13 winner, Alexandre Vinokourov. Now he will focus on the GC win for Alberto Contador	Alessandro Pettachi's 3rd place finish today and Thor Hushovd's 8th moves Pettachi back into the lead of the points competition (again)
Andy Schleck is very optimistic that he'll keep the Yellow Jersey as the race heads up into Pyrénées tomorrow

Stage 14:  Revel - Ax-3 Domaines 184.5km  Full Results and Report

Leaving the Sunflowers of Revel	One final sunflower shot as the peloton heads towards the gorges in the Aude region and the mountains of the Pyrenees	Gorges du St Georges in the Aude department before Port de Pailheres. Diverse landscape along the route
Recon shots of Port de Pailheres to give you some scope	Steep near the top	Very tight switchbacks near the top
Pailheres panoramic from the top	Here comes the peloton	The peloton on Pailheres
	Ag2R's Christophe Riblon off front in the break or solo for 168 km	Riblon on Ax-3 Domaines with 4 km to go
Alberto Contador tried to drop Andy Schleck a few times on Ax-3 Domaines but was unsuccessful		Jurgen Van Den Broeck surrounded by Robert Gesink, Denis Menchov and Sammy Sanchez
Riblon off the front by several minutes	Riblon	Denis Menchov breaking free of the GC contenders...
... followed by Sammy Sanchez	Robert Gesink	Schleck and Contador "playing chess" further back
Levi Leipheimer losing time near the top. He finished outside the top 10 today and dropped one GC position.	Lance Armstrong wasn't pushing it again today	Riblon nearing the top
Menchov about to be caught by Sanchez	Christophe Riblon solos Ax-3 Domaines	France gets their fourth win of this Tour
	Sanchez (3rd) caught up to Menchov (2nd) by the finish. They finished + 00'54" behind Riblon	The other GC contenders finished 14 seconds behind Sanchez and Menchov and + 01' 08" behind the winner
Damiano Cunego and Carlos Sastre finished 9th and 10th (+ 01' 49")	Lance Armstrong and George Hincapie finished + 15' 14"	Riblon was incredibly strong today, but according to his race director he was exhausted after the earlier stages and on the verge of quitting
Anthony Charteau of Bbox Bouygues Telecom remains the KOM leader	Surprising, there were no major changes in the top 10 of the general classification. Here's Andy Schleck donning his sixth Yellow Jersey.

Stage 15:  Pamiers - Bagneres-de-Luchon 187.5km  Full Results and Report

Heading south through the foothills of the Pyrenees		The peloton passing the Fabio Casartelli memorial on Col de Portet d'Aspet at km 105 where the main break of the day formed
Passing through the Mas d'Azil cave	Thomas Voeckler in the main break of the day	The attacks started early until this break finally stuck. This group of ten riders led by Alessandro Ballan and Johan Van Summeren broke free after 100 km of racing.
Thomas Voeckler of Bbox Bouygues Telecom about to solo the final climb, Port de Bales	The switchbacks lined with fans on Port de Bales	Fans literally camping out at the top waiting for the peloton to arrive
When you hear the helicopter, you know the race is approaching	Here comes the peloton	After Saxo Bank and Astana set tempo on the base, it was then up to their GC leaders. Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador climbing Port de Bales.
After Andy Schleck dropped his chain, Alberto Contador, Denis Menchov and Sammy Sanchez then carried on not quite certain what Schleck's problem was	Andy Schleck looking up at the gap that has now opened up after dropping and fumbling with his chain	Alberto Contador rounding the final switchbacks
Andy Schleck caught up with these riders before passing them near the top.	Alberto Contador, Denis Menchov and Sammy Sanchez going over the top with a 13 second lead on Andy Schleck. If Contador had just sat behind Menchov and Sanchez, there wouldn't be such an uproar.	Thomas Voeckler soloing the tricky Port de Bales descent. He almost hit a stone house going around one bend
Andy Schleck lost 26 seconds on the descent	Thomas Voeckler, the French National RR Champion, had time to celebrate his win on the flat run into Bagneres-de-Luchon.	Kissing his national champ's jersey
Alessandro Ballan (BMC) and Aitor Perez Arrieta (Footon-Servetto) then crossed 2nd and 3rd (+ 1:20)	After the Contador group crossed + 2:50 (sorry no photo), Andy Scheck, Jurgen Van Den Broeck and Alexander Vinokourov crossed 39 seconds later	With a career already punctuated by impressive solo wins, Thomas Voeckler enjoys the biggest win of them all...
... too bad it was overshadowed by the "chaingate" soap opera	Alberto Contador's move into the Yellow Jersey was greeted by some boos by those who thought he should have waited for Andy Schleck	Andy Schleck with a "stomach full of anger" is back in the White Jersey
Andy Schleck has had some good breaks up until now. Will the strength of his climbing skills overcome his relatively weak descending and TT skills in the remaining stages? Stay tuned.

Stage 16:  Bagneres-de-Luchon - Pau, 199.5km  Full Results and Report

Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador have kissed and made up. Now lets get on with the competition.	Attacks right out of the gate put the race twenty minutes ahead of the fastest estimated arrival time at one point	Lance Armstrong in an early break on Col d'Aspin
Armstrong in the shelter of a Tourmalet overhang	The mix of riders in the main break had changed by Col du Tourmalet, but Lance Armstrong was still there. Carlos Barredo and Damiano Cunego have bridged up.	The break and the craggy peaks of Col du Tourmalet
The GC contenders crossing Col du Tourmalet about six minutes later	Milram's Linus Gerdemann leads the next group over	Next up was Col du Soulor
It looked like a camper van dealership at the top of Soulor	The picturesque lush hillsides the Pyrenees are known for	Fans waiting for the riders
Lance Armstrong and Pierrick Fedrigo cresting Col du Soulor	Lance Armstrong on Col du Soulor	Chris Horner was also part of the break
Race leader Alberto Contador nestled in the next group	Contador and Schleck still riding next to each other	One of the most incredible cycling roads in the world, Corniche du Cirque de Litor with Col d'Aubisque in the upper-right
Corniche close up. Sheer beauty.	Alberto Contador descending Col du Soulor to Corniche du Cirque de Litor	The peloton reaching the top of Col d'Aubisque. A relatively nice day at the top since it is almost always foggy here.
The peloton and the route they took in the background	Alberto Contador flanked by Andy Schleck followed by Alexander Vinokourov going over the Aubisque	Lance Armstrong and Pierrick Fedrigo descending into Pau
Bbox Bouygues Telecom's Pierrick Fedrigo won the eight-man bunch sprint ahead of FDJ's Sandy Casar and Caisse d'Epargne's Ruban Plaza	The margin of victory	Pierrick Fedrigo won a similar stage and finish in Tarbes at last year's Tour
Quick Step's Carlos Barredo dejected post race. He was solo for the final hour before being caught with 1.5 km to go.	Pierrick Fedrigo gives BBox their second Pyrenees stage win in two days and the sixth stage win for France at this year's Tour	Pierrick Fedrigo also celebrating his 4th Tour career stage win
Thor Hushovd won the field sprint for 10th and moves back into Green in the see-saw battle for the points competitions title	Alberto Contador had a better reception for his second Yellow Jersey

Stage 17:  Pau - Col du Tourmalet, 174 km   Full Results and Report

French President (and bike racing fan) Nicolas Sarkozy rode the stage in the Tour de France race director's car	Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck early in the stage before for the cool, misty battle on Col du Tourmalet	The seven man break that was eventually reeled in up Col du Tourmalet
Alberto Contador surrounded by teammates and compatriots	The peloton crossing paths with sheep on Col du Soulor	It's not unusual to see livestock roaming the roads in the Pyrenees. Not much has changed in 100 years.
Jacob Fuglsang was the last Saxo Bank rider to drive the train at the base of Col du Tourmalet before Andy Schleck attacked with 11 km to go in Bareges	Levi Leipheimer in trouble along side Lance Armstrong. Levi lost 8' 59" today finishing 39th and now drops to 13th on GC.	Andy Schleck digging hard attempting to ride Alberto Contador off his wheel
Digging deep	After Andy Schleck led for 8 km, Alberto Contador made his one attempt for the stage win with 3 km to go	Andy Schleck reeling in Contador's failed attempt to drop him
Lots of overzealous fans along the way	Scheck looking and talking	30 minutes before the leaders arrived, the weather was improving
But, when the leaders arrived the fog moved back in	Aside from one attack from Alberto Contador, Andy Shleck led the final 11 km
150m to go on the steep 11% finish	Fans perched everywhere. Here's a group above the finish and the Geant du Tourmalet statute.	Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador riding in tandem to the finish.
Alberto Contador wasn't about to pip Schleck at the line		Andy Schleck wins his second mountain stage at this year's Tour, but he needed time on Contador to have a chance at winning the race
Mutual respect between this year's two best climbers	3rd Joaquin Rodriguez (Spa) Team Katusha and 4th Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Transitions would finish +1:18 and +1:27, respectively	Ryder Hesjedal would move up to 8th on GC, easily the best performance by a Canadian at the Tour since Steve Bauer's 4th overall in 1988
Rabobank teammates Robert Gesink and Denis Menchov finished 7th and 6th	After crashing earlier in the stage, Samual Sanchez recovered for 5th today +1:32, passing Denis Menchov in the final 100m to extend his 3rd place lead. Chris Horner, behind Sanchez, finished 8th +1:45 and moves up to 10th overall.	Nicolas Roche of AG2R La Mondiale in the hurt house making the 11% finish look even steeper. He finished 12th +3:26 and 9s ahead of "teammate" John Gadret
With poor visibility, there wasn't much of an opportunity for panoramics today	No changes at the top of the King of the Mountains standings today. Anthony Charteau (Fra) Bbox Bouygues Telecom is the winner now that the climbing is done at this year's Tour	Andy Schleck didn't quite accomplish what he wanted today, but it was an impressive attempt to shake...
... race leader, Alberto Contador who has all but cemented his third Tour win with three stages to go including a 50 ITT, his last chance to win a stage at this year's Tour. More BIG photos to come...	Col du Tourmalet photo report from a nice day (ie. not today)

Stage 18:  Salies-de-Béarn - Bordeaux, 190 km   Full Results and Report

The start in Salies-de-Béarn. Thor Hushovd getting ready for his last day in Green.	Tom Cruise was along for the ride today with movie co-star Cameron Diaz	The peloton cruising up the Atlantic coast under blue skies
The peloton whizzing by a guy on stilts	While a break dangled up the road, Andy Schleck and Lance Armstrong were chatting	Downtown Bordeaux
Fans at the finish in Bordeaux watching the action on the jumbotron	Mark Cavendish jumped into the lead with over 100m to go	Checking his margin of victory
Even without his lead out man, Mark Renshaw, HTC-Columbia's Mark Cavendish was an easy winner. Garmin's Julian Dean was second while Lampre's Alessandro Petacchi was 3rd.	Thor Hushovd (far left) finished well back in 14th (12 points) and loses the Green Jersey again to Petacchi who earned 26 points for 3rd	Despite being sick the last few days, Mark Cavendish celebrates his easiest win at this year's Tour
Alessandro Petacchi is back standing tall again in the the Green Jersey	The back and forth battle with Thor Hushovd is likely over with Petacchi moving 10 points ahead of Hushovd before the Paris sprint finale on Sunday. Cavendish is a further 16 points back.	Movie co-stars Cameron Diaz and Tom Cruise were on hand to present today's Yellow Jersey to Alberto Contador

Stage 19:  Bordeaux - Pauillac, 52 km (TT)  Full Results and Report

The 27th rider HTC-Columbia's Tony Martin posted a time of 1h 01' 13" but once again finished second to Fabian Cancellara (+ 00' 17")	The world champ Fabian Cancellara	Without officials or tv cameras around, these riders decided to "team" time trial
The only thing noteworthy about Edvald Boasson Hagen's performance was his funky national champs kit and the reflection in his visor. 151st place for a national champ wasn't so cool though. Maybe he's saving himself for the final day sprint.	Garmin's national champ, Dave Zabriskie, came through in 5th 1h03'56" (+ 03'00")	The early riders, like Fabian Cancellara had a favorable wind. Later riders were cycling into the wind.
Cancellara completed the 52 km course in just over 50 kph. The winning time was 1h00'56".	Taking time for a vineyards shot. Our photo correspondent, Colin Flockton, captured the early and final riders so he must have been out on the course for almost eight hours!	Lance Armstrong said he took it easy today. He finished 67th (+ 7'05")
Many were hoping Lance would light it up in his final time-trial performance	Now onto the later riders. Garmin's Johan van Summeren wasn't fully clipped in coming down the start ramp and wiped out...	... and never got on track after that finishing 139th (+ 09'29")
Garmin's Ryder Hesjedal out of the start gate focused on moving up the GC again today (and not wiping out like his teammate did)	Andy Schleck focused at the start thinking about the 8s he needed to make up on Alberto Contador	Ryder Hesjedal's 52nd place performance (+ 6'40") moved him ahead of Joaquin Rodriguez for 7th
Denis Menchov was the best late starter cutting through the wind for 11th (+ 03'51"), a clutch ride to take the final podium spot from Samuel Sanchez	Needless to say, Joaquin Rodriguez suffered miserably today finishing 154th (+ 10'14") but only gave up one GC spot (7th to 8th)	Sammy Sanchez didn't have a bad ride finishing 40th (+ 05' 51"), but he lost the 3rd podium spot to Denis Menchov
At one point Andy Schleck was actually ahead of Alberto Contador at an early checkpoint	Alberto Contador was all over his machine, but he was more aerodynamic than Andy Schleck. "At one point, I got information that I was five seconds behind him and I did think, 'Oh my God, this could be over for me'"	But, he settled in and started to stretch out his lead
The Yellow Jersey needed all the support he could get today	Fans watching on the split screen jumbotron	Andy Schleck lost 31s to Alberto Contador today and finished 44th (+ 06'14")
Contador finished 35th (+ 05' 43"), a decent time among the late starters and good enough for the overall win	Contador had quite a scare today. "I had to go through a lot of suffering. But I kept very focused and held it together."	Fabian Cancellara had never won the final TT at the Tour de France until today. With his early start time, he had to wait over five hours until it was official.
Pressure drop	Rarely seen podium emotions from Alberto Contador	With one more (ceremonial) stage to go, Alberto Contador is the race winner
Sometimes the toughest wins are the best wins	Fielding the important questions before most of the media skip the final stage

Stage 20:  Longjumeau - Champs-Elysées, 105 km  Full Results and Report

Vino breaks out the bubbly; Team Astana celebrates the GC win on the roll out from Longjumeau	The traditional ceremonial circuits on the Champs-Elysées	After 3620 km of racing, Alberto Contador just wanted to stay upright while nursing a 39s lead, one the slimmest margins in the race's history
Mark Cavendish easily coming around the Cervelo leadout with 100m to go	A five-finger salute for his five wins at this year's Tour making 15 wins in just 3 years	Alberto Contador safely crosses for the GC win
Team Astana supported him until the end	No stage wins, but he'll reflect fondly on his third Yellow Jersey	Alberto Contador sharing the win with his adoring fans
Andy Schleck was pretty popular too now that he's won the White Jersey for the third and last time	Like last year, Mark Cavendish celebrates his final stage win on the Champs-Elysées	Alessandro Petacchi's second place finish gave him the final Green Jersey, the first Italian in 40 years to win the Points Competition
Encore performance. Bbox Bouygues Telecom's Anthony Charteau and the fabulous KOM podium girls	Alberto Contador takes the stage one more time: "You cannot imagine how relieved I am because there was so much pressure and so much tension on my shoulders"	This looks like a Tour de France jukebox with a miniature GC podium
For the second year in row, Andy Scheck gets to look on with envy. He's so close to the top step now, he can taste it.	The GC podium: 2nd Andy Schleck (+ 0'39"), 1st Alberto Contador, 3rd Denis Menchov (+ 2'01")	Team RadioShack won the Team Classification