Tour de France 2011 Photos; Stage 16: Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux → Gap, 163 km
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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		share this photo
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.		share this photo
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		share this photo
Thomas Voeckler followed Alberto Contador's move		share this photo
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?		share this photo
Meanwhile, Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin–Cervelo) was leading the treacherous descent to the finish		share this photo
... Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin–Cervelo) was followed closely by Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky) and teammate Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo)		share this photo
Garmin–Cervelo teammates Ryder Hesjedal and Thor Hushovd had the upper hand in the three man finish		share this photo
Several minutes later, Cadel Evans was gapping Spaniards Alberto Contador and Samuel Sanchez		share this photo
You don't normally see Samuel Sanchez getting dropped on a descent. Doesn't like damp roads?		share this photo
Alberto Contador trying to catch Cadel Evans		share this photo
Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) fighting valiantly in his pursuit of the Evans-Contador-Sanchez group		share this photo
Frank Schleck descending		share this photo
Ivan Basso, not known as a good descender, said he had bike troubles today		share this photo
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.		share this photo
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.		share this photo
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.		share this photo
Thor Hushovd wins a very fast stage (average speed was 46.1 kmh)		share this photo
Being a big part of his teammate's win, Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin–Cervelo) threw up a victory salute as well		share this photo
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		share this photo
Alberto Contador and Samuel Sanchez lost 3 seconds to Cadel Evans but gained on all the other GC contenders		share this photo
The Yellow Jersey, Thomas Voeckler (Europcar), and Frank Schleck (Leopard-Trek) crossed 21 seconds behind Cadel Evans		share this photo
Andy Schleck (Leopard-Trek) lost over one minute on the final short descent		share this photo
Your stage 16 winner, the world champ Thor Hushovd with his ninth (or tenth?) career Tour de France stage win		share this photo
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.		share this photo
Tour de France 2011 Photos; Stage 16: Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux → Gap, 163 km
« Stage 15 photos	return to: Tour de France 2011 Dashboard: Results, Photos, Video  |  Tour de France 2011 photo gallery	Stage 17 photos »