Stage 0: October Route/June Teams Presentations Full Results and Report
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As the sign says, this year's race starts in the Vendée region of western France | 
Alberto Contador arriving at the Saxo Bank pre-race press conference on Thursday the day of the Teams presentation | 
Alberto Contador and Bjarne Riis didn't enjoy fielding the expected doping questions. In the face of mixed public opinion, Contador continues to race while his doping case is unresolved. | 
The Team Sky press conference | 
Sky's Bradley Wiggins says his form has continued to improve since his Criterium du Dauphine win in mid-June | 
The Leopard-Trek press conference with team manager Brian Nygaard and Tour de France team leader Andy Schleck | 
Andy Schleck has had a flaky season so far so who really knows what to expect from him this month | 
Mark Cavendish looking lean and mean at the HTC-Highroad press conference | 
Phil Liggett interviewing the HTC-Highroad squad which is kitted up and ready to go | 
Team Garmin in their new kits ready to go into the Puy du Fou theme park for the teams presentation | 
The numerous uphill sprint finishes planned for this year's Tour has caused Mark Cavendish to slim down | 
The newly minted French National Champion Sylvain Chavanel (QuickStep) | 
Leopard-Trek's Andy Schleck and Fabian Cancellera, the new Swiss Road Race Champion | 
Inside the Puy du Fou theme park modeled after a Roman Coliseum where the teams presentation took place | 
While Lampre-ISD arrived in style... | 
BMC arrived in an old pickup and | 
Leopard_Trek arrived by horse and buggy | 
Omega-Pharma Lotto with new Belgian RR Champion Philippe Gilbert on the left arrived via the dungeon | 
RRRRRRRRRadioShack has the oldest average age of any team in this year's race | 
Alberto Contador and Saxo Bank were introduced to audible boos | 
Photos from the October route presentation: The hype surrounding this year's presentation was dampened by the uncertain outcome of three-time Tour winner, Alberto Contador, who tested positive for miniscule amounts of a banned drug at last summer's Tour (as revealed several weeks ago) | 
Ta da… the 2011 Tour de France route | 
Andy Schleck ponders a route that works in his favor; only 41k of individual time-trialing and some monster Alpine stages in 2011. Denis Menchov, left, on the other hand, looks stunned. | 
Brother Frank and the new world champ, Thor Hushovd, now doing some serious thinking | 
10 flat stages makes Mark Cavendish very happy while Andy Schleck should be pointing to the very tough mountain stages in the Alps in the third week. |
Stage 1: Passage du Gois → Mont des Alouettes, 192 km Full Results and Report
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The neutralized start on Passage du Gois (at low tide) to kick off the 2011 Tour de France | 
No 25 man pile-up like the last time the Tour passed through in 1999 | 
But, there were three crashes later on including two in the last 10 km | 
Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) counter-attacked Fabian Cancellara's (Leopard-Trek) move with 1 km to go on the uphill finish at Mont des Alouettes | 
The rest of the depleted peloton led by Cadel Evans (BMC), Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) and Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar) | 
Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) digging for the line | 
Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) kisses his new fresh Belgian National Champions RR jersey to celebrate his first Tour de France stage win | 
Philippe Gilbert's (Omega Pharma-Lotto) margin of victory over Cadel Evans (BMC) + 3s and Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) + 6s | 
2nd Cadel Evan (BMC) and best among the expected GC contenders | 
Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) won the bunch sprint for third over Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar) +6s | 
RadioShack's Andreas Kloden and Chris Horner made the split and finished 7th and 9th respectively + 6s | 
Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank) lost 1:20 today after he was caught behind the crash that occurred with 10 km to go | 
Andy Schleck (Leopard-Trek) was caught behind the crash with less than 3 km to go and was fortunate to be given an adjusted + 6s gap | 
Here, take a sip. Philippe Gilberto (Omega Pharma-Lotto) happy to final get his first Tour de France stage win in the books | 
Counting today's win, Philippe Gilbert has now won 12 of his last 16 race as noted by @joelindsey | 
Of course, winning the first day also gives Philippe Gilbert the first Yellow Jersey of this year's race |
Stage 2: Les Essarts 23 km TTT Full Results and Report
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Garmin-Cervelo set the best time on flat 23 km course around Les Essarts: 24:48 | 
Garmin-Cervelo getting it done much to the delight of the appreciative fans | 
U.S. TT Champ Dave Zabriskie bringing it home for Garmin-Cervelo | 
The surprise of the day. BMC Racing came through with the 2nd best time + 4s. | 
Cadel Evans leading the way for BMC Racing | 
3rd was Team Sky with the British and Norwegian TT Champs, also + 4s | 
A panoramic of Leopard-Trek on their way to 4th + 5s | 
Leopard-Trek's power men, including the World Champ Fabian Cancellara, at the front with the Schleck Brothers tucked in the rear | 
5th place HTC-Highroad usually wins or places higher in a TTT but Bernhard Eisel crashed in one of the first corners and was left behind | 
The first five riders of RadioShack led by Andreas Kloden and Janez Brajkovic looking very tight on their way to 6th + 10s | 
Rabobank with Spanish National TT Champ Luis Leon Sanchez set an early best time of 25 min flat but slipped down to 7th + 12s in the final results | 
Alberto Contador lost more time to his GC contenders today as Saxo Bank finished 8th + 28s | 
Race leader Philippe Gilbert will only spend one day in Yellow, Omega Pharma-Lotto finished 10th + 39s | 
Your Stage 2 winners, Garmin-Cervelo | 
As @EuroHoody tweeted, Jonathan Vaughter's Tour teams had scored 17 second and third places going into today's TTT. Bet they are glad to get the monkey off their back | 
The monkey on the backs of Garmin was replaced by Jonathan Vaughter today enjoying his first Tour win as a team manager | 
Garmin-Cervelo also won today's Yellow Jersey | 
Norway's Thor Hushovd (and yesterday's 3rd place finisher) is now in Yellow |
Stage 3: Olonne-sur-Mer → Redon, 198 km Full Results and Report
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The best young rider leader Geraint Thomas (Sky) signing in at the start in Olonne-sur-Mer | 
After just two days of racing, Alberto Contador (Saxo-Bank) has lost almost two minutes on his main GC rivals but don't count out the best climber in the race | 
Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) was the prohibitive favorite going into today's stage with a flat finish in Redon | 
The narrow start in Olonne-sur-Mer | 
Despite the relatively calm winds going over the St. Nazaire Bridge (a Cat 4 climb), splits in the peloton temporarily formed | 
The Garmin-Cervelo lead out of Julian Dean and Thor Hushovd peering over the backs of the lead sprinters with their man Tyler Farrar in the lead | 
A late charge on the left by Romain Feillu (Vacansoleil) wasn't enough | 
After the Garmin-Cervelo TTT win yesterday, Tyler Farrar gets Garmins and his first road stage win ahead of Romain Feillu (Vacansoleil) and Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar) | 
An American win on the 4th of July | 
Mark Cavendish became onhitched after a good early HTC-Highroad leadout and had to watch the victory salute from 5th place | 
There was also another special meaning with today's win... | 
"W" for the late Wouter Weylandt, Tyler Farrar's best friend who was killed on stage 3 of the Giro d'Italia in May | 
Your stage 3 winner, Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Cervelo) | 
Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Cervelo) celebrating his first Tour de France win | 
Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) gave a great leadout and... | 
retains the Yellow Jersey |
Stage 4: Lorient → Mûr-de-Bretagne, 173 km Full Results and Report
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Despite the rain at the start of the stage in Lorient, jersey leaders Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) and Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) were clearly in good spirits | 
With 10 km to go, Cadel Evans was caught behind a crashed moto, but after a bike change and some team help he quickly rejoined the peloton | 
A panoramic at the base of the finishing "wall", Mûr-de-Bretagne | 
The Flamme Rouge; fans waiting at the 1 km to go marker | 
Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank) was first of the stage favorites to show his cards on the steep 10% section with 1.5 km to go after BMC and Omega Pharma-Lotto kept the pace high leading up to the climb | 
The previous photo deserves a closer look. That's some intensity. | 
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When the climb started to level out to 4%, Cadel Evans (BMC) moved to the front | 
Cadel Evans (BMC) followed by Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank), Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto), Dries Devenyns (Quick Step), Frank Schleck (Leopard-Trek), Andreas Kloden (RadioShack) and Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana) | 
Rigoberto Uran (Sky) leading the next group ahead of... | 
Marco Marcato (Vacansoleil), Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) and Sammy Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) | 
Damiano Cunego (Lampre-ISD) leading the rest of the peloton | 
consisting Levi Leipheimer (RadioShack), Andy Scheck (Leopard-Trek) and Chris Horner (RadioShack) who flatted before the finishing climb | 
The race to the line with 50m to go | 
A climber's sprint finish always provides an opportunity to get off lots of shots... | 
This is going to be close | 
After a terrific uphill finish, it comes down to a bike throw photo finish between two climbers, Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank) and Cadel Evans (BMC) | 
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Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank) thinks his late charge to the line was successful, but Cadel Evans (BMC), in fact, held on for the win | 
Good job by race leader Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) to finish in the same time with the rest of the exhausted top 10 | 
Your stage 4 winner, Cadel Evans (BMC) was thrilled to win such an exciting finish | 
As noted by Cadel Evans, a key to his success today was the work of Marcus Burghardt in returning him to the peloton after his crash and the pacesetting work of George Hincapie leading up to the finishing climb | 
By finishing in the same time as the stage winner, Thor Hushovd is rewarded with his third Yellow Jersey and will take his slim 1s lead into stage 5. |
Stage 5: Carhaix → Cap Fréhel, 165 km Full Results and Report
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Cadel Evans (BMC) checking the official race newspaper in Carhaix to see who won yesterday's close finish at Mûr-de-Bretagne | 
Large, somewhat eccentric, Brittany crowds greeted the riders | 
Garmin-Cervelo's Dave Zabriskie was at the front much of the day driving the peloton along the twisty, windy Brittany roads | 
The crosswinds on the twisty roads caused numerous crashes. The worst involved RadioShack's Janez Brajkovic. | 
Janez Brajkovic's Tour is over; he suffered a concussion and fractured collorbone | 
Janez missed out on the scenery at the finish. These fans picked a great spot to watch the race. That lighthouse in the distance is today's destination... | 
Today's Stage 5 finished at picturesque Cap Fréhel | 
The weather forecast called for rain so fans came prepared | 
Ominous clouds rolled in by the time the race helicopter and peloton showed up | 
Little Tommy Voeckler (Europcar) put in a big dig along with Jeremy Roy (FDJ) as the race headed north to Cap Fréhel. But, the late break by these two renown escape artists was futile in the headwind. | 
Lampre-ISD driving the peloton through one of the final corners for Alessandro Petacchi. The twisty finish suited the modern day Petacchi, but he didn't have it today. | 
The final corner was just 150m from the slight uphill finish which race leader Thor Hushovd led through. The sprint finish coming at you with 50m to go. | 
The pure sprinter vs. puncheur... | 
Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) beat Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) | 
An exhausted Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) wins ahead of lunging Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) and 3rd Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar) | 
Mark Cavendish has "opened his account" at this year's race | 
Addy Engels (QuickStep) helping team leader Tom Boonen to the line and under the time limit after Boonen's serious crash with 60 km to go. No broken bones was the post-race update. | 
Mark Cavendish celebrates his 16th career Tour de France stage win at the young age 26 | 
World Champ Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) standing tall for the fourth straight day | 
Cadel Evans will have to settle for the Potka Dot Jersey... for now | 
So long from Cap Fréhel |
Stage 6: Dinan → Lisieux, 227 km Full Results and Report
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Each morning, there are posters of past champions at the start pavilion. Here's Lance Armstrong in Dinan for the start of stage 6. | 
The God of Thunder showed up in more ways than one today | 
Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) has been changing leader's jerseys all week. Today he's back in Green. (He's also worn the Potka Dot and Yellow Jerseys). He and race leader Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) have enjoyed the first week needless to say. | 
Today's main break of five with Leonardo Duque (COF) admiring Mont Saint-Michel, a famous old walled city just to the north of today's stage | 
Mont Saint-Michel, a famous old walled city just to the north of today's stage | 
The main break consisted of Johnny Hoogerland (VAC), Lieuwe Westra (VAC), Leonardo Duque (COF), Adriano Malori (LAM) and Anthony Roux (FDJ) | 
Despite the rain, big crowds showed up for the three minor categorized climbs | 
Anthony Roux (FDJ) leading the break down a descent | 
After the break was caught, Tommy Voeckler (Europcar) attempted to escape on the 1.5 km climb before the 1 km false flat to the finish. But, like yesterday's stage 5, he was unsuccessful. | 
The GC contenders/peloton in hot pursuit | 
Like the start, Philippe Gilbert and Thor Hushovd are next to each other, but the smiles have been replaced with grimaces. That's Alberto Contador on the far right. | 
RadioShack's Andreas Kloeden and Chris Horner were in the lead group, but not Levi Leipheimer. Leipheimer lost 1 minute and 5 seconds after crashing with 4 km to go | 
A power sprinters finish with a larger group then some people expected in Lisieux | 
1st Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor/Sky), 2nd Matthew Goss (Aus/HTC-Highroad) and 3rd Thor Hushovd (Nor/Garmin-Cervelo) | 
“I felt good yesterday but it went wrong [misjudged the finish line] and I really wanted to work hard to do well in today’s stage,” said Boasson Hagen. “Geraint Thomas did a good lead-out and it’s just fantastic to win a stage of the Tour.” That's leadout man Geraint Thomas celebrating as well in the background. | 
Like Tyler Farrar did several days ago, Sky's Edvald Boasson Hagen wins his first and his team's first road stage ever at the Tour de France. | 
It was a big day for Norway. While Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky) took the stage win... | 
Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) placed 3rd and continues his long run in Yellow | 
As the last surviving break member, Adriano Malori (LAM) was awarded the most combative rider today |
Stage 7: Le Mans → Châteauroux, 218 km Full Results and Report
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Bradley Wiggins (Sky) had reason to worry at the start in Le Mans. Today's stage was another demolition derby; Wiggins crashed out with 35 km to go with a broken collarbone. | 
The peloton rolling out for the flattest stage of this year's Tour | 
Today's main break rolling south through the central plains of France | 
Even a flat stage can be picturesque at the Tour; one of the great puffy cloud and farmland shots from today | 
This stage was destined to end in field sprint, the first of this year's race | 
André Greipel (Omega Pharma-Lotto) on the far left jumped first... | 
But, HTC-Highroad's great leadout paid off... | 
Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) holds off André Greipel (out of the picture) and Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre - ISD) | 
Not quite the margin of victory he had in 2008 in Chateauroux, but... | 
Mark Cavendish wins in Chateauroux three years after his first Tour win | 
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3rd André Greipel (Omega Pharma-Lotto), 1st Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) and 2nd Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre - ISD) | 
Chris Horner had no idea where he was when he crossed line (video). He was part of the same crash that took out Bradley Wiggins. @cycletard summarized today best: "Stage 7: Sky falls, hearts break. Heads bump and swell, so too anger and bile. Press on thru pain. Abandon seems to be the hardest word." | 
Mark Cavendish thanks Mark Renshaw for the final leadout. | 
Tony Martin was thrilled to be a part of the HTC-Highroad winning leadout as well | 
Three years and 16 Tour de France stage wins later, Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) returns to the podium in Châteauroux where it all started for him | 
Your stage 7 winner, Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad), the first rider with two wins this Tour | 
Race leader, Thor Hushovd has placed in the top 10 of every stage in the first week. By his own admission, his run in Yellow will likely end at the Super Besse ski resort on Saturday. | 
José Joaquín Rojas (Movistar) reclaimed the Green Jersey from Philippe Gilbert after finishing sixth in the day's intermediate sprint and ninth in Chateauroux |
Stage 8: Aigurande → Super Besse, 189 km Full Results and Report
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The final destination of today's stage 8 was Super Besse -- the ski resort, not the communications tower at the very top | 
BMC Racing did most of the chasing of the break today | 
Rui Costa (Movistar) attacked the four man break in Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise with 5 km of climbing to go | 
The peloton was gaining on Rui Costa (Movistar), but the end was near | 
After rolling off the peloton with 25 km to go, Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana) was unable to catch Costa and is about to be caught by the peloton. He finished 22nd + 15s with the GC contenders. | 
Alberto Contador put in a couple half-hearted digs to see if he could gain time on Andy Schleck and Cadel Evans | 
Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) then put in a formidable dig | 
Further back was Levi Leipheimer (RadioShack) followed by the Yellow and Green Jerseys | 
After eight stages, we have a successful break at this year's Tour. Portugal's Rui Costa (Movistar) wins at Super-Besse | 
Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) finished strong for 2nd + 12s | 
Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) looks back for the Green Jersey which he regained today | 
That hurt | 
Just like 2008, Cadel Evans (BMC) finishes 3rd at Super Besse, but notice the Yellow Jersey of Thor Hushovd's at the back of the train. He finished in the same time as Evans. | 
Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank) and Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) | 
Another tough day at the Tour: Peter Velits (Svk) HTC-Highroad, Fränk Schleck (Lux) Leopard Trek, Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Saxo Bank Sungard | 
At one point late in the stage, Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana) was the virtual leader on the road. He finished with neither the stage win nor the Yellow Jersey. | 
Gutted. Another impressive performance by the race leader Thor Hushovd. | 
The Yellow Jersey was expected to change hands today, but all Thor Hushovd gave Cadel Evans (BMC) was a handshake | 
The rest of the peloton finishing at a more leisurely pace | 
Your stage 8 winner, Rui Costa (Movistar) | 
Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) dons his seventh Yellow Jersey (in a row) at this year's Tour |
Stage 9: Issoire → Saint-Flour, 208 km Full Results and Report
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The day started off fine enough with some pleasant sunflower scenery | 
But there was intermittent rain and gratuitous watering | 
Garmin-Cervelo at the front early on for race leader Thor Hushovd on one of the eight catergorized climbs as part of this medium mountainous stage through the Massif Central. Garmin-Cervelo and Omega Pharma-Lotto overcooked a corner causing the upcoming crash. | 
The rest of the peloton on the way south to the finish in Saint-Flour | 
There was a big crash with 120 km to go involving more of the GC favorites. Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Omega Pharma-Lotto) was able to climb back to the road, but he shortly abandoned with a broken shoulder. Meanwhile, Team Astana attends to Alexandre Vinokourov who "flew over the low guardrail and was found wedged in a tree." | 
In his last season, Alexandre Vinokourov's (Astana) career is probably over after suffering a broken femur. | 
Garmin's Jonathan Vaughter's looks on as Dave Zabriskie's broken wrist is tended to. Frederik Willems (Omega Pharma-Lotto) behind him also abandoned. | 
Later in the stage, a French TV car swerved into the five man break up front sending Vacansoleil's Johnny Hoogerland somersaulting off the road and into a barbed wire fence | 
That's quite a flogging. Someday a clothing manufacturer will invent something more protective than Lycra for bike shorts. Hoogerland finished the stage, claimed his KOM Jersey on the podium and even did some interviews before getting 33 stitches to repair the damage. | 
After Johnny Hoogerland and Juan Antinio Flecha were removed from the break, it was down to Luis Leon Sanchez (Rabobank), Sandy Casar (FDJ) and Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) on the final climb to Saint Flour | 
Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) led most of the final climb since he was more interested in the Yellow Jersey | 
Luis Leon Sanchez (Rabobank) easily jumped his breakmates in the final 500m and moves up to second overall on GC | 
Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) crossing 2nd... | 
but, Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) was not unhappy... | 
Although he was second today, Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) is thrilled to be the new race leader finishing almost four minutes ahead of the peloton | 
Jelle Vanendert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) leading teammate Philippe Gilbert and the rest of the GC contenders | 
BMC doesn't want the Yellow Jersey quite yet. Cadel Evans followed by Andy Schleck. | 
After an earlier crash when Vladimir Karpets bumped him off the road, Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank) recovered to finish with the other GC contenders. He'll be thankful for the first rest day on Monday. | 
Philippe Gilbert gained more Green Jersey points on his rivals today | 
This was the last day in Yellow for Thor Hushovd who finished with Jens Voigt, David Millar and Stuart O'Grady + 6:47 | 
Your stage 9 winner, Luis Leon Sanchez (Rabobank) pointing to his deceased brother as he normally does when he wins | 
Little Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) looking tall on the podium. By the finish, he stretched out a 2:26 overall lead on Cadel Evans which should keep him in Yellow for at least a few stages. | 
Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) says the Yellow Jersey smells good even though Thor Hushovd wore it for seven straight days | 
While RadioShack's Chris Horner is out of hospital enjoying his favorite meal, teammate Andreas Kloeden was sent to hospital post stage 9 for x-rays which proved negative. Kloeden finished the stage but has slipped down to 8th place on GC. photos: @PhilippeMaertens |
Stage 10: Aurillac → Carmaux, 158 km Full Results and Report
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The morning sign-in in Aurillac. Despite 33 stitches and not being able to get out of bed on the rest day, Johnny Hoogerland (Vacansoleil), started and completed today's stage to keep the Polka Dot Jersey. He says walking is more painful than riding a bike. | 
Two of the best attackers in the sport (Thomas Voeckler and Philippe Gilbert) congratulate each other on their Leader's Jerseys before a joint attack later in the stage | 
Lots of twisty roads again today, but they were wider. Only one minor crash and it was near the beginning of the stage. | 
Europcar at the front for their man in Yellow, Thomas Voeckler | 
The peloton amidst the rolling farmlands that are common in this area of the Tarn | 
On the final of four modest climbs with 15 km to go, Omega Pharma-Lotto was driving the peloton... | 
Five men escaped over the top. Green Jersey leader Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) put his personal ambitions behind him and was joined in the break by race leader Thomas Voeckler and a reluctant HTC-Highroad's Tony Martin (talking on the team radio). The goal for Omega Pharma-Lotto was to tire/shed HTC-Highroad riders, namely, Mark Cavendish. | 
The high tempo and escapes by Omega Pharma-Lotto whittled the HTC-Highroad leadout down to just Tony Martin | 
Mark Cavendish was in the lead with 50m to go after jumping at the 150m marker | 
The sprint finish in Carmaux | 
but former teammate Andre Greipel is gaining on him | 
It comes down to Mark Cavendish and Andre Greipel in a thrilling finish in Carmaux | 
The big man, Andre Greipel (Omega Pharma-Lotto), finishes off a strong finish with a fine bike throw to beat Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) | 
Photo finish close-up | 
Andre Greipel (Omega Pharma-Lotto) celebrates his first Tour de France win while denying Mark Cavendish his 18th career Tour de France win | 
Andre Greipel (Omega Pharma-Lotto) came to the Tour de France with the simple goal of winning a stage and that's what he achieved today | 
As expected, Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) successfully defended his first day in Yellow | 
Robert Gesink (Rabobank) has been the best young rider since stage 7 so it's about time we posted a photo of him in White |
Stage 11: Blaye-les-Mines → Lavaur, 168 km Full Results and Report
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The rollout from Blaye-les-Mines through a corridor of trees typical for Southern France especially around Toulouse | 
The main break up the road plowing through the rain and farmlands | 
Lets get a closer look at this strong group of six that included Rabobank's Lars Boom in the center | 
Early in the race, Europcar was at the front before HTC-Highroad went through most of their team bringing back the break. Here's HTC-Highroads's Lars Bak at the front. | 
The Mark Cavendish leading the sprint finish in Lavaur in the pouring rain | 
Andre Greipel (Omega Pharma-Lotto) on Mark Cavendish's wheel | 
... but unlike yesterday and most sprints, no was able to come around Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) | 
1st Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) by more than a bike length, 2nd Andre Greipel (Omega Pharma-Lotto) and 3rd Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Cervelo) | 
Thomas Voeckler enjoying or possibly not enjoying his last day in Yellow | 
It's looking south for Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) in Yellow; south as in the French Pyrenees where we are headed for three consecutive mountains stages | 
Conversely, Alberto Contador should now be looking forward to the French Pyrenees where he'd like to put his 2011 Tour woes behind him | 
Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) congratulating "the guys" after this 18th career Tour de France stage win | 
Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) | 
Your stage 11 winner, Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) stepping up to acknowledge his 18th career Tour win since his first Tour in 2008 | 
Count on Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) to defend his Yellow Jersey with everything he has on first mountain stage (tomorrow) | 
Today's win puts Mark Cavendish in Green for the points lead | 
Mark Cavendish had to get a sniff before he got zipped up | 
The Green Jersey has changed hands so many times in 11 days, Mark Cavendish should enjoy his time in the lights | 
KOM leader Johnny Hoogerland (Vacansoleil) sans bandages which reveals some of his train tracks... 33 stitches in total, most of which are on his rear end | 
Tomorrow's stage to Luz-Ardiden is almost identical to the controversial stage that clinched Bernard Hinault's fifth and final title in 1985 (now he works for ASO), the first time Luz-Ardiden was used. This and more is all part of our stage 12 preview, this year's first mountain stage. |
Stage 12: Cugnaux → Luz Ardiden, 211 km Full Results and Report
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Thomas Voeckler (Europar) signing in at the start in Cugnaux. The last French rider to wear Yellow on Bastille Day was also Thomas Voeckler, back in 2004. | 
A picturesque shot of the region southwest of Toulouse | 
Leaving the rolling hills and sunflowers for the High Pyrenees | 
Jeremy Roy (FDJ) and Geraint Thomas (Sky) at the front of the race climbing the second of three difficult climbs on the day, Col du Tourmalet from the La Mongie side | 
On a clear day in 2005, this what the spectacular and very fast descent of Col du Tourmalet looks like | 
The lead group descending Col du Tourmalet | 
Fans waiting on the last of three big climbs: Luz Ardiden (13.1 km @ 7.4 %) | 
The media congestion at the top of the Luz-Ardiden ski resort where today's stage finished | 
Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Jelle Vanendert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) were at the front for much of the final climb | 
Frank Schleck (Leopard-Trek) attacked the GC contenders several times on the final climb and his move with 2.5 km to go stuck | 
Sammy Sanchez starting to drop Jelle Vanendert near the finish | 
Ivan Basso, Andy Shleck and Cadel Evans with Damiano Cunego in the distance. They finished 4th, 5th and 6th + 30s. | 
Alberto Contador was dropped over the final several km and finished 13s back of his GC contenders. He finished 8th +43s. | 
Thomas Voecker and Europcar teammate Pierre Rolland finished 9th and 10 + 50s | 
Tom Danielson (Garmin-Cervelo) finished 11th +1:03 | 
Rigoberto Uran Uran (Sky) with Levi Leipheimer on his wheel finished 13th +1:25 | 
Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) wins the first mountain stage of this year's race followed by Jelle Vanendert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) + 7s | 
This was also Sammy Sanchez' first Tour stage win | 
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Frank Scheck was 3rd + 10s and moves past Cadel Evans for second | 
A lot of questions were answered with Ivan Basso's (Liquigas) performance today and he looks pleased crossing the line | 
Pierre Rolland and Thomas Voeckler celebrate Europcar's unexpected successful defense of the Yellow Jersey while crossing the line | 
Andreas Kloeden suffered another crash today. A couple days ago, he was the only unscathed RadioShack rider. Since then he's crashed three times. | 
The rest of the peloton snaking their way up Luz Ardiden | 
Samuel Sanchez, your stage 12 winner | 
Samuel Sanchez | 
Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) remains in Yellow by 1:49 on Frank Schleck | 
Today's summit finish win vaults Samuel Sanchez to the top of the KOM standings | 
Geraint Thomas (Sky) survived some dodgy descending to take the most combative rider award |
Stage 13: Pau → Lourdes, 153 km Full Results and Report
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Ivan Basso (Liquigas) was all smiles this morning in Pau after his fine performance at Luz Ardiden. He was a question mark in most peoples mind before the race. | 
Cadel Evans (BMC) looking relaxed as well | 
Not so for Andreas Kloeden (RadioShack), who added road rash on the last stage to his back problems. He abandoned during today's stage leaving just five RadioShack riders. | 
Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) in Pau a stage host for the 64th time in Tour history | 
Jeremy Roy (FDJ) was the first man over Col d'Aubisque by several minutes, the only serious climb on the second mountain stage | 
David Moncoutie was next over the top | 
Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) was third over | 
The French TV helicopter and fans at the top | 
Not everyone was interested in today's action | 
The peloton cresting Col d'Aubisque | 
As is often the case, Col d'Aubisque was covered in clouds/fog today | 
Descending in low visibility | 
Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) caught David Moncoutie (Cofidis), who wasn't willing to help Hushovd chase his countryman | 
Some where saying a pray for Jeremy Roy (FDJ) in Lourdes, one of the top Catholic meccas in the world, who was making a solo bid to win France's first stage at this year's Tour | 
However, Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) easily passed Jeremy Roy (FDJ) with two km to go | 
Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) wins a "mountain stage" | 
Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) becomes the first World Champ since Oscar Freire in 2002 to win a Tour stage in the Rainbows | 
David Moncoutie (Cofidis) cross 2nd + 10s | 
Jeremy Roy (FDJ) was heartbroken to get caught near the finish after a long solo bid. He ended up 3rd + 26s. | 
Unlike yesterday, Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) had an easy day in Yellow with a pack finish | 
Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) adds a stage win to his seven Yellow Jerseys at this year's Tour | 
Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) has won nine Tour stages now, but never in Southern France | 
As expected, Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) retained the Yellow Jersey | 
Jeremy Roy (FDJ) didn't get the stage win, but he there were a few kisses... | 
and the Potka Dot Jersey as a consolation prize. Jeremy Roy (FDJ) is the new KOM leader. |
Stage 14: Saint-Gaudens → Plateau de Beille, 169 km Full Results and Report
| 
The early break on Col de la Core | 
The peloton snaking its way up Col de la Core | 
2005 photo: Looking down at the cat 2 Col de Latrape from part way up the cat 1 Col d'Agnes near the mid-point of the 2011 stage | 
2005 photo: It's also nice to cycle to the top of Col d'Agnes when nobody else is there | 
The race leader, Thomas Voeckler (Europcar), has picked a bad time for a snack. There were numerous crashes on the narrow, twisty descent of Port de Lers. | 
After Saxo Bank set the pace on Plateau de Beille, the final of six categorized climbs, Andy Schleck tried to get away. Alberto Contador wasn't at his best again today, but he was able to follow all the moves. | 
The GC contenders allowed Jelle Vanendert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) to go up the road | 
Jelle Vanendert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) | 
Samual Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi), winner of the Luz Ardiden stage, was also able to roll off the peloton even though he's still a GC threat | 
Samual Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) trying to reel in Jelle Vanendert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) just like he did several days ago on Luz Ardiden | 
Ivan Basso leading Cadel Evans | 
Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) held with the GC contenders again, followed by Andy Schleck, Alberto Contador and Frank Schleck | 
Tom Danielson (Garmin-Cervelo) was once again the best American climber today finishing 13th + 1:59 | 
Suffering and cheering can look the same. Kevin De Weert (Quickstep) was 14th + 1:59 | 
Some photographers made the climb longer. With four of his teammates out of the race and Levi Leipheimer way down the hill, Haimar Zubeldia was the best RadioShack finisher 18th + 3:01. | 
Egor Silin (Katusha) on this way to 29th + 5:26 | 
After pacing setting for Tom Danielson at the base, Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Cervelo) was urged onto 37th + 7:31 | 
A panoramic from the top of Plateau de Beille today | 
With one km to go, who expected Andy Schleck to be following Thomas Voeckler with Frank Schleck at the back and two riders up the road | 
Andy Schleck made one last move with 300m to go | 
Jelle Vanendert's (Omega Pharma-Lotto) solo move with 7 km to go was successful | 
As cyclingnews noted, Jurgen Van Den Broeck’s exit from this year’s Tour de France has allowed another Belgian sensation to take centre stage on the world’s biggest stage | 
Samuel Sanchez has the best runner-up expressions in cycling. 2nd + 21s. | 
Andy Schleck gained two seconds on the other GC contenders with his last move. He placed 3rd + 46s. | 
Cadel Evans was 4th (+ 48s) ... | 
... with Alberto Contador and Thomas Voeckler finishing in the same time | 
Who would have predicted that Thomas Voeckler would cross ahead of Frank Schleck today. Europcar even had a second man in this group, Pierre Rolland smiling in the background | 
What a great place to celebrate your first pro win, Jelle Vanendert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) on top of Plateau de Beille and the world. Vanendert is the third different Omega Pharma-Lotto winner this Tour. | 
As Jelle Vanendert was on the podium, teammate Philippe Gilbert rolled across the line. | 
Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) held onto the Yellow Jersey again today | 
In fact, Thomas Voeckler even looked more comfortable in Yellow today than the first mountain stage. | 
Jelle Vanendert is now the new KOM leader | 
With his solid 5th finish + 48s, Rigoberto Uran (Sky) is the new young rider leader | 
The scene at the top with team support vehicles and bikes after the race. That looks like Johann Bruyneel in the center. |
Stage 15: Limoux → Montpellier, 193 km Full Results and Report
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Thomas Voeckler buckling up for his sixth day in Yellow. He later said he was thankful today's stage wasn't a mountain stage because he felt tired. | 
Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) and his teammates setting the early pace as they ride past the Carcassonne castle | 
This flat stage from Limoux to Montpellier brought out the Mark Cavendish fans again | 
Two riders, Mikhail Ignatiev (Katusha) and Niki Terpstra (QuickStep) remained from the five man break that broke clear from the very start. They were caught with just 3 km to go. | 
Grega Bole (Lampre-ISD) at the front giving HTC-Highroad a hand in the sprint finish with teammate Alessandro Petacchi sits behind Mark Cavendish in Green | 
Gearing up for the sprint finish in Montpellier | 
Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Cervelo) and Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre - ISD) lunge to the line as Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) begins his victory salute | 
1st Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) by half a bike length over 2nd Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Cervelo) and 3rd Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre - ISD) | 
Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Cervelo), right, has joined a growing list of frustrated sprinters from this year's Giro and Tour who are skeptical of how Cavendish is making the time cut on mountain stages allowing him to continue with the rest of the race and further wins | 
Your stage 15 winner, Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) celebrating his 19th career Tour de France stage win | 
Thomas Voeckler gained the Yellow Jersey prior to the first rest day and now he'll take it into the final rest day as well | 
Another win has strengthened Mark Cavendish's hold on the Green Jersey |
Stage 16: Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux → Gap, 163 km Full Results and Report
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After torrential rain early in the morning, the start of the race was greeted with sunshine although ominous clouds still hovered in the area | 
This was a fast stage with little chance to enjoy the scenery as break after break failed. It wasn't until the latter half of the stage that a break got away. | 
With the break up the road, Alberto Contador preempted an attack by BMC's Cadel Evans on the cat 2 Col de Manse (9.5 km @ 5.2 %) with 15 km to go | 
Thomas Voeckler followed Alberto Contador's move | 
Going over the top before the descent to the finish, the GC contenders were whittled down to Cadel Evans (BMC), Alberto Contador (Saxo-Bank) and Samuel Sanchez (Euskatel-Euskadi). Could this be the order of the GC podium this weekend? | 
Meanwhile, Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin–Cervelo) was leading the treacherous descent to the finish | 
... Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin–Cervelo) was followed closely by Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky) and teammate Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) | 
Garmin–Cervelo teammates Ryder Hesjedal and Thor Hushovd had the upper hand in the three man finish | 
Several minutes later, Cadel Evans was gapping Spaniards Alberto Contador and Samuel Sanchez | 
You don't normally see Samuel Sanchez getting dropped on a descent. Doesn't like damp roads? | 
Alberto Contador trying to catch Cadel Evans | 
Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) fighting valiantly in his pursuit of the Evans-Contador-Sanchez group | 
Frank Schleck descending | 
Ivan Basso, not known as a good descender, said he had bike troubles today | 
Andy Schleck's eyes were full of rain and anger that a downhill finish would cost him over a minute to the GC contenders. If not for time-trialing, descending and climbs where you need to change gears, he could probably win the Tour de France. | 
The stage came down to a sprint between the only two Norwegians in the race, Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky) and Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo). Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin–Cervelo) has already declared the winner. | 
Amidst rain, the God of Thunder shines again. Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) gets his second stage win this Tour ahead of Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky) who has also won a stage this month. | 
Thor Hushovd wins a very fast stage (average speed was 46.1 kmh) | 
Being a big part of his teammate's win, Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin–Cervelo) threw up a victory salute as well | 
Cadel Evans (BMC) charging to the line as the first GC contender on the day while Alberto Contador and Samuel Sanchez (blurry in the background) work to narrow the time loss | 
Alberto Contador and Samuel Sanchez lost 3 seconds to Cadel Evans but gained on all the other GC contenders | 
The Yellow Jersey, Thomas Voeckler (Europcar), and Frank Schleck (Leopard-Trek) crossed 21 seconds behind Cadel Evans | 
Andy Schleck (Leopard-Trek) lost over one minute on the final short descent | 
Your stage 16 winner, the world champ Thor Hushovd with his ninth (or tenth?) career Tour de France stage win | 
Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) says he has zero chance of keeping the Yellow Jersey until the end. He should keep it for at least one more day. |
Stage 17: Gap → Pinerolo (IT), 179 km Full Results and Report
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The peloton on one of the earlier climbs | 
Leopard-Trek having a business meeting at the back | 
The peloton climbing the cat 1 Sestrières | 
The peloton descending Sestrières | 
Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky) was first among the fourteen man break to the top of the cat 2 Pra Martino, the last climb of the day | 
Sylvain Chavanel (QuickStep) being dropped by Boasson Hagen | 
Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky) was first down the technical descent to the finish | 
The peloton now climbing Pra Martino. Frank Schleck (Leopard-Trek) attacked and then looked around | 
Andy Schleck (Leopard-Trek) now on the attack along with Alberto Contador (Saxo-Bank) | 
Andy Schleck (Leopard-Trek) looked much better today | 
But, then he turned around to look for his brother or other riders | 
Samuel Sanchez (Euskatel-Euskadi) and Alberto Contador (Saxo-Bank) gapped the other GC contenders on the technical descent | 
Alberto Contador (Saxo-Bank) trying to use today's tricky finish to his advantage again today | 
Andy Schleck (Leopard-Trek) descended better today, but couldn't keep up with Contador and Sanchez | 
Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) was with Contador and Sanchez before taking a corner badly. He then ran off the road into a car park while descending with Cadel Evans (BMC) setting the race leader back even further | 
KOM leader Jelle Vanendert (QuickStep), Frank Schleck (Leopard-Trek) and Damiano Cunego (Lampre-ISD). It was another disappointing Tour de France stage for the Italians with Cuengo being the top Italian (18th) on today's stage finish in Italy. | 
Tom Danielson (Garmin-Cervelo) lost a little more time today to most of the other GC contenders but still sits 9th overall | 
The finish in Pinerolo Italy. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky) looks around one more time... | 
After missing out yesterday, Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky) celebrates his second stage win this Tour and the fourth for Norway. | 
Bauke Mollema (Rabobank) was 2nd + 40s | 
Sandy Casar (FDJ) beat Julien El Fares (Cofidis) for third followed by Sylvain Chavanel + 50s | 
Samuel Sanchez and Alberto Contador worked together on the flats but they could have used Thomas Voeckler or another rider... | 
Sanchez and Contador were caught at the line by many of the other GC contenders. | 
The Schlecks, Contador, Cunego, Evans, Sanchez crossed 17th + 4:26 | 
Usually a good descender, Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) lost ground (time) after running off the road twice on the final descent. He finished with Tom Danielson, Haimar Zubeldia, Ivan Basso 28th + 4:53 and 27s back of the Contador/Schecks/Evans group. | 
Despite a shaky finish, Thomas Voeckler stands tall for one more day. Including his run in Yellow in 2004, he's held the Yellow Jersey for 19 days in his career, the same number of days as Fausto Coppi. We should have a new race leader after this year's Queen Stage: Stage 18 Preview |
Stage 18: Pinerolo (IT) → Col du Galibier - Serre Chevalier, 201 km Full Results and Report
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HC climb #1: Col Agnel 23.7 km @ 6.5 % | 
HC climb #1: Col Agnel | 
HC climb #1: Col Agnel | 
HC climb #2: Col d'Izoard 14.1 km @ 7.3 % | 
Europcar at the front for Thomas Voeckler with a break up the road | 
Andy Schleck attacks on Col d'Izoard with 60k to go | 
Cadel Evans and Thomas Voeckler | 
Frank Schleck was able to sit back today | 
Alberto Contador showing signs he's in trouble | 
Cadel Evans, Thomas Voeckler and the GC group descending Col d'Izoard sans Andy Schleck | 
Alberto Contador at the front of the chase on Col du Lauteret | 
Alberto Contador and Cadel Evans at the front of the chase on Col du Lauteret | 
Suddenly, Alberto Contador dropped way back and left the chase up to Cadel Evans | 
After Leopard-Trek's Maxime Monfort help pull on Col du Lauteret, Andy Schleck (Leopard-Trek) was on his own at the base of Col du Galibier | 
With over a 4 minute advantage on the GC contenders at one moment, Andy Schleck was the virtual leader of the race | 
Maxime Iginsky (Astana) won the first two HC KOMs and was 2nd here before being caught by... | 
The other GC contenders (Cadel Evans and Thomas Voeckler) slowly whittled down the advantage of Andy Schleck | 
Alberto Contador (Saxo-Bank) lost contact with 5 km to go and is was to be passed Rein Taaramae (Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne), Tom Danielson (Garmin-Cervelo) and several others | 
Andy Schleck alone on Col du Galibier | 
Incredible, clear scenery to go along with the great racing | 
Andy Schleck took off the mask today | 
Earlier in the day, a panoramic of the flamme rouge on Col du Galibier | 
Andy Schleck in the hurt house with 200m to go as his lead was shrinking | 
The first ever finish on Col du Galibier caps off an epic stage | 
Andy Schleck completes his 60k attack with a solo win on Col du Galibier | 
Fist pump | 
With very little help, Cadel Evans clawed back two minutes on Col du Galibier while Andy's brother Frank sat and watched | 
Brother Frank Schleck nipped ahead of Evans in the final bend and crossed 2nd + 2:10 | 
Cadel Evans was 3rd + 2:15 followed by Ivan Basso + 2:18 | 
Thomas Voeckler was 5th + 2:21 | 
Thomas Voeckler stays in Yellow by 15s over Andy Schleck. Incredible. Suffering. | 
8th Rein Taaramae (Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne) + 3:22, the new young rider leader. That's Tom Danielson (Garmin-Cervelo) finishing 9th + 3:25 fitting for 9th overal. | 
The KOM leader Jelle Vanendert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto leading Alberto Contador across for 14th and 15th, + 3:50 | 
The other Spaniard in contention prior today, Samuel Sanchez (Euskatel-Euskadi), also suffered finishing 18th + 4:42 | 
Your stage 18 winner, Andy Schleck, celebrating his epic win and his third career Tour de France stage win | 
It's rare these days to see an Eddy Merckx performance; Andy Schleck receiving kudos from the legend of the 60s and 70s | 
Almost as remarkable as Andy Schleck's performance was the fact Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) maintained his Yellow Jersey. He's up by 15s on Andy and 1m18s on Frank. | 
Rein Taaramae (Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne) the new young rider leader by just 33s over Thomas Voeckler's Europcar domestique, Pierre Rolland | 
The gruppetto on Galibier | 
The other story line today was Jose Rojas (Movistar) finishing inside the time limit while Green Jersey leader Mark Cavendish didn't. Mark Cavendish stays in the race but is docked 20 pts so Rojas trails by just 15 pts. | 
So long from one of the most beautiful and thrilling Tour de France stages in memory. A fitting celebration to 100 years of Col du Galibier in the Tour de France. |
Stage 19: Modane → L'Alpe d'Huez, 210 km Full Results and Report
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"You going to make the time cut today?" is probably what the Schleck brothers and Fabian Cancellara joked about with the Green Jersey, Mark Cavendish at the start in Modane | 
Andy Schleck had good reason to smile this morning after his impressive solo win yesterday set him up for the Yellow Jersey today | 
Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank) attacked in the first 10 km when the climbing started on Col du Telegraphe which drew out the other favorites | 
Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck dropped Cadel Evans and Thomas Voeckler by the time the HC Col du Galibier started | 
Samuel Sanchez (Euskatel-Euskadi) on his way to catching Contador and Schleck on the descent of Col du Galibier, the side that the riders climbed yesterday | 
Cadel Evans chasing on the descent of Col du Galibier | 
The view from near the top of Alpe d'Huez, the final climb of the day. This is the 27th time the Tour has finished on Alpe d'Huez. | 
The road to Alpe d'Huez is known for its graffitti | 
One of the many switchbacks with the ski resorts in the distance | 
Luxembourg fans | 
The race came back together at the base of Alpe d'Huez before Alberto Contador (Saxo-Bank) launched another attack | 
Alberto Contador needed to make up at least two minutes on Cadel Evans so he was very aggressive today as were some of the fans | 
But, Alberto Contador was caught with 2 km to go... | 
Samuel Sanchez (Euskatel-Euskadi) dragged up Pierre Rolland (Europcar)... | 
Pierre Rolland (Europcar) immediately attacked on the inside of the switchback | 
Alberto Contador briefly followed Pierre Rolland's move | 
Meanwhile, Peter Velits (HTC-Highroad) and Thomas de Gendt (Vacansoleil) had rolled off the peloton with Damiano Cunego in the distance. | 
Cadel Evans following Frank Schleck (off picture left) with Andy Schleck and Tom Danielson in this group | 
We haven't seen much of Levi Leipheimer this Tour de France. Here he is on Ivan Basso's wheel further down. He finished 16th + 2:06 and is one hour back (32nd) on GC | 
Laurens Ten Dam (Rabobank) with his 38th place victory salute while near Dutch corner | 
With 1 km to go, Pierre Rolland (Europcar) had distanced Sanchez and Contador | 
Pierre Rolland trains on Alpe d'Huez frequently and knows every corner | 
Samuel Sanchez passed a fading Alberto Contador | 
Alberto Contador was fighting it over the final kms | 
Cadel Evans about one minute back of Pierre Rolland | 
Another fine performance by Tom Danielson finishing 11th + 1:15 and stays solidly in 9th place overall. Garmin-Cervelo teammate Ryder Hesjedal (right) finished 10th today, top Canadian needless to say (there is only one in the race). | 
Rein Taaramae (Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne) finished 14th + 2:06 with Ivan Basso and Levi Leipheimer behind him. He lost the white jersey to today's stage winner. | 
Arnold Jeannesson (FDJ) leading fellow Frenchman Thomas Voeckler who was well back today... | 
Race leader Thomas Voeckler struggled throughout the day. He rode with his heart today which got him in trouble early on... | 
Voeckler may have lost the Yellow Jersey today, but Europcar teammate Pierre Rolland was on his way to winning the stage | 
Pierre Rolland (Europcar) gets the first stage win for the French at this year's Tour de France | 
and Pierre Rolland (Europcar) becomes the first French winner on Alpe d'Huez since Bernard Hinault 25 years ago | 
2nd Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) + 0:14 and 3rd Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank Sungard) + 0:23 | 
Alberto Contador's string of six straight Grand Tour wins is over | 
While Peter Velits (HTC-Highroad) crosses 4th + 57s, the Schleck brothers sprint to catch Cadel Evans (BMC)... | 
But, everyone in this group finished in the same time | 
The biggest cheer at the finish was saved for little Tommy Voeckler who spent his 10th and final day in Yellow. He crossed 20th + 3:22 which drops him to 4th overall + 2:10 | 
Did I really just win on Alpe d'Huez? (rough French translation) | 
Damiano Cunego (Lampre-ISD) has quietly had a very good Tour, but no Italian has won a stage yet with just two remaining. He sits 5th overall + 3:31 and is headed for his best result. | 
The gruppetto once again finished outside the time limit so more points were docked. | 
Needless to say, Pierre Rolland (Europcar) was pretty thrilled with this win | 
Pierre Rolland (Europcar) your stage 19 and last mountain stage winner | 
Now that Thomas Voeckler finally cracked today, Andy Schleck is your new race leader | 
Andy Scheck will be looking for the wings usually accorded to the Yellow Jersey in the final TT | 
With no categorized climbs remaining, Samuel Sanchez (Euskatel-Euskadi) has won the King of the Mountains competition by 10 points over Andy Schleck. | 
The stage winner, Pierre Rolland (Europcar), is also the new young rider leader but he doesn't believe his 1:30 advantage is good enough heading into the TT | 
Not surprisingly, Alberto Contador (Saxo-Bank) was given the most combative rider award today | 
Alberto Contador went down fighting and was rewarded for his fine effort | 
Mark Cavendish finished outside the time limit for the second day in a row, but the race organizers still want him much to his delight. He leads the points competition despite being docked 40 pts in the last two day. | 
Andy and Frank's dad talks to the media while son... | 
... Andy Schleck (Leopard-Trek) heads to doping control. Wish him the best! |
Stage 20: Grenoble 43 km, ITT Full Results and Report
| 
Cadel Evans rode the entire course as part of his warm up... | 
... while the Schleck brothers "went part way by car and rode back chatting" according to our man on the scene | 
The Tour is almost over and this is just the first big photo of Didi the Devil | 
Tony Martin (HTC-Highroad) salvaged a personally disappointing Tour by winning the stage 20 individual time trial. Of course, he played a big part in Mark Cavendish's four sprint wins. | 
Just like the Criterium du Dauphine last month, Tony Martin was dialed in on this difficult course finishing in a time of 55:33 just 6s off his Dauphine time. | 
Tony Martin on his way to his first career Tour stage win | 
Cadel Evans was a blur today | 
Like Tony Martin, Cadel Evans knew this course well from the Criterium du Dauphine last month. But, Tony Martin didn't contend for the lead in two tough mountain stages prior to this TT. | 
Cadel Evans easily erased Andy Schleck's 57s advantage and then stretched out a lead | 
Much to the delight of Aussie fans around the world, Cadel Evans (BMC) brought it home in 55:40 just 7s shy of Tony Martin's winning and 2:31 faster than Andy Schleck. | 
After nearly falling off the start ramp due to an awkward start house release, Alberto Contador gathered himself | 
Alberto Contador moved up one GC spot with his very solid third place performance | 
Alberto Contador finished 3rd in 56:39 + 1:06 for fifth overall + 3:57 | 
Samuel Sanchez laid down an excellent ride while wearing the polka dots. He finished 7th + 1:37 for 6th overall + 4:55 | 
Early starter Fabian Cancellara encountered wet roads. The world champ finished 8th + 1:42 | 
The Estonian national TT champ, Rein Taaramae (Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne) was 10th + 2:03, the 2nd best young rider on the day after Thomas de Gendt | 
Tom Danielson had another solid result today finishing 11th + 2:08 for 9th overall + 8:15 | 
Thomas Voeckler had one more surprise for use this month with his 13th place TT performance which kept him 4th overall + 3:20. Did anyone predict he would finish higher than Alberto Contador? (Didn't think so) | 
Andy Schleck, the race leader by 57s, was looking for the "wings" traditionally according the Yellow Jersey in a final ITT | 
But, Andy Schleck looked slower than Cadel Evans along the entire route regardless of flats, climbs and descents | 
Andy Schleck finished 17th + 2:38, not nearly good enough to keep the Yellow Jersey | 
Andy Schleck in the final 200m | 
Andy Schleck missed a great opportunity this year because of the tough mountain stages in the final week and unusually little individual time-trialing suited him perfectly. He specifically devoted his season to the Tour while other riders like Cadel Evans and Alberto Contador won important races prior to July. Needless to say, for future Tours, Andy Schleck either needs to improve his time-trialing or gain more time in the mountains. | 
Brother Frank Schleck didn't light up the TT course either | 
Frank Schleck finished 20th + 2:41, good enough to keep the third podium spot | 
Yesterday's Alpe d'Huez winner, Pierre Rolland (Europcar), didn't think he would keep the white jersey for the best young rider... | 
But, Pierre Rolland finished 21st + 2:50 good enough to the keep the white jersey by 46s | 
Your stage 20 ITT winner, Tony Martin (HTC-Highroad), and his first career Tour stage win | 
Cadel Evans almost took the stage win to cap off an almost flawless Tour. | 
Most importantly, Cadel Evan's 2nd place performance today easily put him in Yellow before the final ceremonial stage. On Sunday, he'll become the first Aussie to win the Tour de France. A complete rider and a very worthy winner. | 
With no categorized climbs remaining, KOM leader Samuel Sanchez has nothing to worry about this weekend | 
Pierre Rolland kept the White Jersey today | 
The French will now have high future expectations for the Alpe d'Huez and Young Rider winner, Pierre Rolland |
Stage 21: Créteil → Paris Champs-Elysées, 95 km Full Results and Report
| 
Cadel Evans catching up on the morning sports news before flying to Paris for the final stage | 
Cadel Evans is stunned by the outpouring of support he's received since clinching his Tour victory on Saturday | 
Everyone present and accounted for at the start line in Créteil; the Jersey leaders (winners) congratulating each other after being introduced first | 
Moving ahead to the Champs-Elysées in Paris, BMC at the front protecting race leader Cadel Evans one final time | 
The peloton rolling through in front of a large crowd | 
Sergio Paulinho (RadioShack) and Lars Bak Ytting (HTC-Highroad) were part of a small, futile break | 
Cadel Evans biding his time | 
Cadel Evans passing by the Arc de Triomphe | 
As expected, Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) won the final day finish on the Champs-Elysées for the third time in his career | 
Mark Cavendish pointing out that he won the final stage while wearing the Green Jersey | 
Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) | 
George Hincapie, Cadel Evans and Marcus Burghardt embracing the team's biggest win | 
BMC celebrates after crossing the line | 
The media fighting for the right picture while some famous photographers were caught on the other side of the road waiting for the peloton to pass through | 
Amidst the BMC and Cadel Evans celebration | 
Mark Cavendish celebrates a final day win in Paris for the third time in this career. He now has 20 career Tour de France wins. | 
Your 2011 Tour de France winner, Cadel Evans (BMC), and Australia's first Tour winner. At 34 years and 7 months, he's the third oldest winner and the oldest since World War II. | 
The final podium: Andy Schleck (Leopard-Trek) 2nd + 1:57 and Frank Schleck (Leopard-Trek) 3rd + 2:30 salute each other and the winner. This is the first time two brothers have made the same podium in Tour history. | 
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Andy Schleck says he has no regrets after finishing second overall for the third straight year; however, there is no denying he missed a great opportunity this year | 
The Yellow Jersey wrapped in the Australia flag. But, Australia's PM rules out Cadel public holiday. | 
Winning the White Jersey for the best young rider will get you the babes; Pierre Rolland (Europcar) is officially the rising star of French cycling | 
The Jersey winners. Best Young Rider: Pierre Rolland (Europcar), King of Mountians Winner: Samuel Sanchez (Euskatel-Euskadi), Points Winner (Best Sprinter): Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) and the Overall Winner: Cadel Evans (BMC) | 
Garmin-Cervelo (with a cardboard cut out of Dave Zabriskie) celebrating their win of the teams classification |
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