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The Cobra strikes on the first real mountain stage of the 2008 Tour de France

by VeloNews.com

• July 13, 2008
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Vande Velde moves into third overall

• Photos
• Results

Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval-Scott) won the ninth stage of the Tour de France on Sunday in a bold solo assault, while Kim Kirchen (Team Columbia) finished safely with the bunch to retain the overall lead.

It was the second stage win of the 95th Tour for the young Italian, who leapt away from the bunch on the Col d’Aspin and held a slim lead on the 26km run in to the finish. His first came on stage 6 to Super-Besse, where he sprinted to victory ahead of overall contenders Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) and Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d’Epargne).

“I never thought I would have the condition to win a big mountain stage of the Tour,” said Ricco. “It was an attack of improvisation. I just went. I put everything into the legs on the descent to keep the gap to the finale. it was really hard because I knew they were chasing.

The 224km race from Toulouse to Bagneres-de-Bigorre, the first major mountain stage of the 2008 Tour, featured seven categorized climbs. Leaving the city of Luchon, the peloton headed west into the high Pyrenees, crossing the Col de Peyresourde (5,147 feet) and Col d’Aspin (4,885 feet), both Cat. 1s with more than 12km of uphill work and 7-percent average grades before the mostly downhill and flat road to the finish in Bagneres-de-Bigorre.

The attacks started almost from the gun. After a couple of unsuccessful digs, a group of three riders left the main field at the 23km mark: Sebastian Lang (Gerolsteiner), 79th overall at 22:21; Nicolas Jalabert (Agritubel), 140th at 44:40; and 166. Aliaksandr Kuschynski (Liquigas), 166th at 52:11. At the 70km mark, the leaders were 13:40 ahead of the field.

With Lang the highest placed in the break, Columbia was content to let the trio go, leaving Euskaltel-Euskadi to manage the chase. At 82km, the margin was down to 11:20, and by the time the escapees reached the Cote de Mane they had lost another minute.

Evans suffered a bit of misfortune with 112km remaining — a tumble in the peloton saw him fall heavily, cracking his helmet and tearing his jersey. Silence-Lotto teammate Christophe Brandt was in front of Evans when he fell, and said he saw a bag caught in the Australian’s front wheel.

“He was in a bit of trouble; his head was not good. When you crash at this speed you can’t be good,” said the Belgian. “We tried to reassure him. Tomorrow is another day. I think it will be better.”

Both made it safely back to the bunch, and as the break hit the lower slopes of the Col de Peyresourde, Evans drifted back to the medical car.

“He’s got numerous scrapes on his elbow, thigh and hip, but they’re mostly superficial,” said race doctor Gerard Porte afterward. “He’s a bit worried about being able to climb properly. But medically his injuries, for us at least, are not too worrying.”

Euskaltel drove the chase to within 10 minutes of the break with 70km to race. Caisse d’Epargne then moved forward to lend a hand with the pursuit, as did Française des Jeux and Rabobank, stretching the peloton out in single file, spitting flatlanders out the back and chopping the break’s advantage to just over seven minutes.

Up front, the climb was taking its toll on the break; first Jalabert, then Kuschynski lost contact, leaving Lang to soldier on alone some six minutes ahead of the peloton. He summited some 40 seconds ahead of Kuschynski with Jalabert third at 1:15.

Mountains leader David de la Fuente (Saunier Duval-Scott) had a dig out of the bunch, apparently concerned that Lang had moved to within a handful of points of snatching the polka-dot jersey away from him, and went over the top 4:50 in arrears, holding a gap of 40 seconds on the peloton. Maxime Monfort (Cofidis) and Luis-Leon Sanchez (Caisse d’Epargne) also leapt away, and the three quickly overhauled Jalabert.

Ahead, as Lang tackled the Col d’Aspin, the Gerolsteiner man held a two-minute advantage on Kuschynski with the four-man chase at 4:50 and the peloton nearly six minutes behind. None of the top-10 overall contenders lost any ground, and the bunch began to swell as riders dropped on the ascent of the Peyresourde used the descent to catch back on.

Jalabert finally cracked for good and drifted back to the peloton as first Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) and then Ricco attacked the bunch. Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval-Scott) joined the party, as did Oscar Pereiro (Caisse d’Epargne), Bernard Kohl (Gerolsteiner), Roman Kreuziger (Liquigas), Eduardo Gonzolo (Agritubel), Tadej Valjavec (Ag2r) and Damiano Cunego (Lampre), and the peloton began crumbling under the pressure.

Five kilometers from the summit Lang clung to a lead of 3:50 as Ricco put in another powerful attack. He quickly reached Sanchez and Monfort, who had shed De la Fuente, and only Monfort could match his pace — for a few moments, anyway. Soon the Saunier Duval man was all alone and closing in on Lang like a heat-seeking missile.

Behind, all the favorites remained in a bunch — Kirchen, Evans, Valverde, Denis Menchov (Rabobank) Andy and Frank Schleck (CSC), and teammate Carlos Sastre. Caisse d’Epargne had five men on the front, among them 2006 Tour winner-by-fiat Pereiro, who had to restrain himself in order to lend Valverde a hand.

Just before the summit, Ricco rocketed past Lang, tackling the long, fast finish off the Col d’Aspin into Bagneres-de-Bigorre all alone. He had a half minute on Lang and more than a minute on the bunch; meanwhile, De la Fuente held onto his polka-dot kit by taking fourth at the summit.

With 20km to race Lang was back in the bunch and Ricco was looking good for the stage win as Rabobank and Liquigas moved to the front. Sandy Casar (Française des Jeux) and Mikel Astarloza (Euskaltel) tried a last-ditch effort, followed by Vladimir Efimkin (Ag2r), but the first two were quickly retrieved, though Efimkin kept pushing, hoping for second on the stage.

At the finish, it was Ricco crossing all alone, pointing to his chest in an “I’m the man” gesture that was tough to refute. Efimkin did hold on for the runner-up spot at 1:04, and the peloton containing the yellow jersey rolling in 13 seconds later.

Kirchen said afterward that he wasn’t on his best form.

“I didn’t feel great on the two climbs today,” said Kirchen. “It wasn’t easy for me to stay with the best. I was suffering but I was able to keep the maillot jaune. I hope I have better legs tomorrow. I will have to have better legs than i did today. It’s a hard course. I hope today was my bad day. People will be attacking and big differences will be made.”

As for Ricco, asked whether he considered himself a candidate for the overall after having taken a minute out of his deficit to Kirchen, he said that was “something a little far off.”

“I’m not a rider who came here with special preparation for the Tour,” he added. “I still say I came here to win a stage. Okay, now I’ve won two. I’m taking it day by day with respect to the GC. Tomorrow is an important stage, but i want to help Piepoli to win a stage. Tomorrow is perfect for a rider of his characteristics.”

While Ricco and Piepoli anticipate Monday’s monster mountain stage, Evans will be looking forward to the first rest day on Tuesday. The Aussie came over the finish line flanked by his bodyguard and crying out, “Make sure nobody touches my left shoulder!”

When asked about his crash, Evans gave his helmet – split open at the front left-hand corner – to a waiting reporter, former VeloNews scribe Rupert Guinness.

“There’s your interview,” he said.

The fact he managed to finish the stage will be a boost to his team, but Evans, who suffered scrapes on his hip, elbow, thigh and shoulder, will be worried about Monday’s stage in the Pyrenees.

Team manager Marc Sergeant admits that Tuesday’s rest day can not come soon enough.

“It would have been better for us if the rest day was tomorrow,” he said. “At the moment I’m not too worried. Cadel told me after the crash that it was nothing serious, just to keep going. Now we will get the doctor to check him over. He did hurt his collarbone but I believe it is not serious.”

Whether it is serious or not, Evans will have to remain vigilant during Monday’s stage, if Team CSC’s Bjarne Riis is on the mark with his prediction that the attacks will come early and often.

“Tomorrow, it will be the legs that make the difference and I don’t think everyone will wait until the Hautacam to attack,” he said. “I don’t know about other teams, but we wanted to keep everybody for tomorrow. If we can isolate a few of our rivals then that will give us chances.” —European correspondent Andrew Hood and Agence France Presse contributed to this story.

Stage 9: Top 10
1. Riccardo Ricco (I), Saunier Duval-Scott, 224km in 5:39:28. (39.591 km/h)
2. Vladimir Efimkin (Rus), Ag2r, at 1:04
3. Cyril Dessel (F), Ag2r, at 1:17
4. Dmitriy Fofonov (Kaz), Crédit Agricole, s.t.
5. Christian Knees (G), Milram, s.t.
6. Maxime Monfort (B), Cofidis, s.t.
7. Alejandro Valverde (Sp), Caisse d’Epargne, s.t.
8. Roman Kreuziger (Cze), Liquigas, s.t.
9. Damiano Cunego (I), Lampre, s.t.
10. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr), Silence-Lotto, s.t.

Overall
1. Kim Kirchen (Lux) Team Columbia, 38:07:19
2. Cadel Evans (Aus), Silence-Lotto, at 0:06
3. Christian Vande Velde (USA), Garmin-Chipotle, at 0:44
4. Stefan Schumacher (G), Gerolsteiner, at 0:56
5. Denis Menchov (Rus), Rabobank, at 1:03
6. Alejandro Valverde (Sp), Caisse d’Epargne, at 1:12
7. Stijn Devolder (B), Quick Step, at 1:21
8. Oscar Pereiro (Sp), Caisse d’Epargne, s.t.
9. Samuel Sanchez (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 1:27
10. Carlos Sastre (Sp), Team CSC, at 1:34

Photo Gallery

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Results

Results, Stage 9
1. Riccardo Ricco (ITA), Saunier Duval, 224km in 5:39:28 (39.591kph)
2. Vladimir Efimkin (RUS), Ag2r at 1:04
3. Cyril Dessel (FRA), Ag2r at 1:17
4. Dmitriy Fofonov (KAZ), Credit Agricole 1:17
5. Christian Knees (GER), Milram 1:17
6. Maxime Monfort (BEL), Cofidis 1:17
7. Alejandro Valverde (ESP), Caisse d’Epargne 1:17
8. Roman Kreuziger (CZE), Liquigas 1:17
9. Damiano Cunego (ITA), Lampre 1:17
10. Yaroslav Popovych (UKR), Silence-Lotto 1:17
11. Sebastian Lang (GER), Gerolsteiner 1:17
12. Kim Kirchen (LUX), Team Columbia 1:17
13. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA), Liquigas 1:17
14. Pierrick Fedrigo (FRA), Bouygues Telecom 1:17
15. Matteo Carrara (ITA), Quick Step 1:17
16. Frank Schleck (LUX), CSC 1:17
17. Eduardo Gonzalo (ESP), Agritubel 1:17
18. Sandy Casar (FRA), Francaise des Jeux 1:17
19. Moises Duenas (ESP), Barloworld 1:17
20. Christian Vande Velde (USA), Garmin-Chipotle 1:17
21. Tadej Valjavec (SLO), Ag2r 1:17
22. Oscar Pereiro (ESP), Caisse d’Epargne 1:17
23. Cadel Evans (AUS), Silence-Lotto 1:17
24. Mikel Astarloza (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi 1:17
25. Juan Jose Cobo (ESP), Saunier Duval 1:17
26. Remy Di Gregorio (FRA), Francaise des Jeux 1:17
27. Andy Schleck (LUX), CSC 1:17
28. Marzio Bruseghin (ITA), Lampre 1:17
29. Denis Menchov (RUS), Rabobank 1:17
30. Bernhard Kohl (AUT), Gerolsteiner 1:17
31. Stephane Goubert (FRA), Ag2r 1:17
32. Johann Tschopp (SUI), Bouygues Telecom 1:17
33. Kanstantsin Siutsou (BLR), Team Columbia 1:17
34. Stijn Devolder (BEL), Quick Step 1:17
35. Samuel Sanchez (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi 1:17
36. Carlos Sastre (ESP), CSC 1:17
37. Sylvester Szmyd (POL), Lampre 1:17
38. Laurens ten Dam (NED), Rabobank 1:17
39. Leonardo Piepoli (ITA), Saunier Duval 1:17
40. David Arroyo (ESP), Caisse d’Epargne 1:17
41. Stefan Schumacher (GER), Gerolsteiner at 1:57
42. Trent Lowe (AUS), Garmin-Chipotle 1:57
43. Luis Leon Sanchez (ESP), Caisse d’Epargne 1:57
44. Dario Cioni (ITA), Silence-Lotto 1:57
45. Peter Velits (SVK), Milram 1:57
46. Jesus Del Nero (ESP), Saunier Duval 1:57
47. Markus Fothen (GER), Gerolsteiner 1:57
48. David Lopez (ESP), Caisse d’Epargne 1:57
49. Alexandre Botcharov (RUS), Credit Agricole 1:57
50. Pieter Weening (NED), Rabobank 1:57
51. Chris Froome (GBR), Barloworld 1:57
52. Ama‘l Moinard (FRA), Cofidis 1:57
53. David De la Fuente (ESP), Saunier Duval at 2:14
54. Jerome Pineau (FRA), Bouygues Telecom at 4:34
55. David Millar (GBR), Garmin-Chipotle 4:34
56. Mario Aerts (BEL), Silence-Lotto 4:34
57. Koos Moerenhout (NED), Rabobank 4:34
58. Felix Cardenas (COL), Barloworld 4:34
59. Thomas Lovkvist (SWE), Team Columbia at 6:27
60. George Hincapie (USA), Team Columbia 6:27
61. Xavier Florencio (ESP), Bouygues Telecom 6:27
62. Volodymir Gustov (UKR), CSC 6:27
63. Egoi Martinez (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi at 9:04
64. Josep Jufre (ESP), Saunier Duval 9:04
65. Marco Velo (ITA), Milram 9:04
66. Jens Voigt (GER), CSC 9:04
67. Erik Zabel (GER), Milram 9:04
68. David Le Lay (FRA), Agritubel 9:04
69. Leonardo Duque (COL), Cofidis 9:04
70. Juan Antonio Flecha (ESP), Rabobank 9:04
71. Nicolas Vogondy (FRA), Agritubel 9:04
72. Haimar Zubeldia (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi 9:04
73. Hubert Dupont (FRA), Ag2r 9:04
74. Joost Posthuma (NED), Rabobank 9:04
75. Bram Tankink (NED), Rabobank 9:04
76. Paolo Tiralongo (ITA), Lampre 9:04
77. Marco Marzano (ITA), Lampre 9:04
78. Ryder Hesjedal (CAN), Garmin-Chipotle 9:04
79. Christophe Le Mevel (FRA), Credit Agricole 9:04
80. David Moncoutie (FRA), Cofidis 9:04
81. Carlos Barredo (ESP), Quick Step 9:04
82. Aliaksandr Kuschynski (BLR), Liquigas 9:04
83. Ivan Gutierrez (ESP), Caisse d’Epargne 9:04
84. Nicolas Portal (FRA), Caisse d’Epargne 9:04
85. Yoann Le Boulanger (FRA), Francaise des Jeux at 16:57
86. Matteo Tosatto (ITA), Quick Step 16:57
87. Amets Txurruka (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi 16:57
88. John-Lee Augustyn (RSA), Barloworld 16:57
89. Fabian Cancellara (SUI), CSC 16:57
90. Philippe Gilbert (BEL), Francaise des Jeux at 18:55
91. Filippo Pozzato (ITA), Liquigas 18:55
92. Sebastien Rosseler (BEL), Quick Step 18:55
93. Alessandro Ballan (ITA), Lampre 18:55
94. Heinrich Haussler (GER), Gerolsteiner 18:55
95. Jurgen Van de Walle (BEL), Quick Step 18:55
96. Nicki Sorensen (DEN), CSC 18:55
97. Oscar Freire (ESP), Rabobank 18:55
98. Jose Luis Arrieta (ESP), Ag2r 18:55
99. Stef Clement (NED), Bouygues Telecom 18:55
100. Murilo Fischer (BRA), Liquigas 18:55
101. Geoffroy Lequatre (FRA), Agritubel 18:55
102. Sven Krauss (GER), Gerolsteiner 18:55
103. Johan Van Summeren (BEL), Silence-Lotto 18:55
104. Niki Terpstra (NED), Milram 18:55
105. Bjorn Schroeder (GER), Milram 18:55
106. Sylvain Chavanel (FRA), Cofidis 18:55
107. Ronny Scholz (GER), Gerolsteiner 18:55
108. Martin Elmiger (SUI), Ag2r 18:55
109. Remi Pauriol (FRA), Credit Agricole 18:55
110. Daniele Righi (ITA), Lampre 18:55
111. Nicolas Jalabert (FRA), Agritubel 18:55
112. Kurt Asle Arvesen (NOR), CSC 18:55
113. Frederik Willems (BEL), Liquigas 18:55
114. Fabian Wegmann (GER), Gerolsteiner 18:55
115. Martin MŸller (GER), Milram 18:55
116. Gerald Ciolek (GER), Team Columbia 18:55
117. Robert Forster (GER), Gerolsteiner 18:55
118. Danny Pate (USA), Garmin-Chipotle 18:55
119. Adam Hansen (AUS), Team Columbia at 24:02
120. Christophe Brandt (BEL), Silence-Lotto 24:02
121. William Bonnet (FRA), Credit Agricole 24:02
122. Stuart O’Grady (AUS), CSC 24:02
123. Ruben Perez (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi 24:02
124. Gorka Verdugo (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi at 24:20
125. Paolo Longo (ITA), Barloworld at 28:11
126. Florent Brard (FRA), Cofidis 28:11
127. Matteo Bono (ITA), Lampre 28:11
128. Ralf Grabsch (GER), Milram 28:11
129. Mathieu Sprick (FRA), Bouygues Telecom 28:11
130. Rubens Bertogliati (SUI), Saunier Duval 28:11
131. Brett Lancaster (AUS), Milram 28:11
132. Mark Renshaw (AUS), Credit Agricole 28:11
133. Simon Gerrans (AUS), Credit Agricole 28:11
134. Romain Feillu (FRA), Agritubel 28:11
135. Francesco Chicchi (ITA), Liquigas 28:11
136. Sebastien Chavanel (FRA), Francaise des Jeux 28:11
137. Inaki Isasi (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi 28:11
138. Steven De Jongh (NED), Quick Step 28:11
139. Baden Cooke (AUS), Barloworld 28:11
140. Massimiliano Mori (ITA), Lampre 28:11
141. Arnaud Gerard (FRA), Francaise des Jeux 28:11
142. Will Frischkorn (USA), Garmin-Chipotle 28:11
143. Juan Jose Oroz (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi 28:11
144. Laurent Lefvre (FRA), Bouygues Telecom 28:11
145. Jeremy Roy (FRA), Francaise des Jeux 28:11
146. Robbie McEwen (AUS), Silence-Lotto 28:11
147. Julian Dean (NZL), Garmin-Chipotle 28:11
148. Marcus Burghardt (GER), Team Columbia 28:11
149. Robert Hunter (RSA), Barloworld 28:11
150. Mark Cavendish (GBR), Team Columbia 28:11
151. Giampaolo Cheula (ITA), Barloworld 28:11
152. Arnaud Coyot (FRA), Caisse d’Epargne 28:11
153. Yury Trofimov (RUS), Bouygues Telecom 28:11
154. Benoit Vaugrenard (FRA), Francaise des Jeux 28:11
155. Christophe Riblon (FRA), Ag2r 28:11
156. Samuel Dumoulin (FRA), Cofidis 28:11
157. Stephane Auge (FRA), Cofidis 28:11
158. Jimmy Engoulvent (FRA), Credit Agricole 28:11
159. Thomas Voeckler (FRA), Bouygues Telecom 28:11
160. Manuel Quinziato (ITA), Liquigas 28:11
161. Martijn Maaskant (NED), Garmin-Chipotle 28:11
162. Gert Steegmans (BEL), Quick Step 28:11
163. Vicente Garcia Acosta (ESP), Caisse d’Epargne 28:11
164. Sebastian Langeveld (NED), Rabobank 28:11
165. Leif Hoste (BEL), Silence-Lotto 28:11
166. Wim Vansevenant (BEL), Silence-Lotto 28:11
167. Thor Hushovd (NOR), Credit Agricole 28:11
168. Freddy Bichot (FRA), Agritubel 28:11
169. Bernhard Eisel (AUT), Team Columbia at 31:23
170. Jimmy Casper (FRA), Agritubel 31:23

Overall Standings
1. Kim Kirchen (LUX), Team Columbia at 38:07:19
2. Cadel Evans (AUS), Silence-Lotto at 0:06
3. Christian Vande Velde (USA), Garmin-Chipotle at 0:44
4. Stefan Schumacher (GER), Gerolsteiner at 0:56
5. Denis Menchov (RUS), Rabobank at 1:03
6. Alejandro Valverde (ESP), Caisse d’Epargne at 1:12
7. Stijn Devolder (BEL), Quick Step at 1:21
8. Oscar Pereiro (ESP), Caisse d’Epargne 1:21
9. Samuel Sanchez (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi at 1:27
10. Carlos Sastre (ESP), CSC at 1:34
11. Frank Schleck (LUX), CSC at 1:56
12. Andy Schleck (LUX), CSC at 1:58
13. Bernhard Kohl (AUT), Gerolsteiner at 2:03
14. Maxime Monfort (BEL), Cofidis at 2:07
15. Damiano Cunego (ITA), Lampre at 2:09
16. Mikel Astarloza (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi at 2:16
17. Tadej Valjavec (SLO), Ag2r at 2:19
18. Roman Kreuziger (CZE), Liquigas at 2:20
19. Christian Knees (GER), Milram at 2:31
20. Marzio Bruseghin (ITA), Lampre at 2:33
21. Riccardo Ricco (ITA), Saunier Duval at 2:35
22. Vladimir Efimkin (RUS), Ag2r at 2:50
23. Matteo Carrara (ITA), Quick Step at 2:55
24. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA), Liquigas at 3:01
25. David Millar (GBR), Garmin-Chipotle at 4:31
26. Juan Jose Cobo (ESP), Saunier Duval at 4:33
27. Yaroslav Popovych (UKR), Silence-Lotto at 4:34
28. Laurens ten Dam (NED), Rabobank at 5:17
29. Cyril Dessel (FRA), Ag2r at 6:00
30. Thomas Lovkvist (SWE), Team Columbia at 6:31
31. Dmitriy Fofonov (KAZ), Credit Agricole at 6:36
32. Alexandre Botcharov (RUS), Credit Agricole at 6:39
33. Moises Duenas (ESP), Barloworld 6:39
34. Eduardo Gonzalo (ESP), Agritubel at 7:24
35. Markus Fothen (GER), Gerolsteiner at 7:43
36. Jerome Pineau (FRA), Bouygues Telecom at 7:49
37. Sandy Casar (FRA), Francaise des Jeux at 8:42
38. Jesus Del Nero (ESP), Saunier Duval at 9:53
39. Kanstantsin Siutsou (BLR), Team Columbia at 10:51
40. Haimar Zubeldia (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi at 11:47
41. Ivan Gutierrez (ESP), Caisse d’Epargne at 12:44
42. Felix Cardenas (COL), Barloworld at 13:16
43. Volodymir Gustov (UKR), CSC at 13:36
44. Leonardo Piepoli (ITA), Saunier Duval at 13:50
45. Sylvester Szmyd (POL), Lampre at 14:13
46. Koos Moerenhout (NED), Rabobank at 14:22
47. Pierrick Fedrigo (FRA), Bouygues Telecom 14:22
48. Luis Leon Sanchez (ESP), Caisse d’Epargne at 14:33
49. Bram Tankink (NED), Rabobank at 15:05
50. Jens Voigt (GER), CSC at 15:18
51. Ama‘l Moinard (FRA), Cofidis 15:18
52. Dario Cioni (ITA), Silence-Lotto at 15:29
53. Erik Zabel (GER), Milram at 16:05
54. Mario Aerts (BEL), Silence-Lotto at 17:03
55. George Hincapie (USA), Team Columbia at 17:46
56. Juan Antonio Flecha (ESP), Rabobank at 18:04
57. Marco Velo (ITA), Milram at 18:14
58. Stephane Goubert (FRA), Ag2r at 19:44
59. Christophe Le Mevel (FRA), Credit Agricole at 20:07
60. David Arroyo (ESP), Caisse d’Epargne at 21:18
61. David Lopez (ESP), Caisse d’Epargne at 21:49
62. Sebastian Lang (GER), Gerolsteiner at 22:21
63. Paolo Tiralongo (ITA), Lampre at 25:26
64. Filippo Pozzato (ITA), Liquigas at 26:30
65. Egoi Martinez (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi at 27:27
66. Josep Jufre (ESP), Saunier Duval at 28:01
67. David De la Fuente (ESP), Saunier Duval at 30:19
68. Yury Trofimov (RUS), Bouygues Telecom at 30:35
69. Trent Lowe (AUS), Garmin-Chipotle at 30:53
70. Nicolas Portal (FRA), Caisse d’Epargne at 31:09
71. Joost Posthuma (NED), Rabobank at 31:23
72. Murilo Fischer (BRA), Liquigas at 31:31
73. Peter Velits (SVK), Milram at 32:18
74. Remy Di Gregorio (FRA), Francaise des Jeux at 32:29
75. Johann Tschopp (SUI), Bouygues Telecom at 33:06
76. Gorka Verdugo (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi at 35:04
77. Oscar Freire (ESP), Rabobank at 35:27
78. Simon Gerrans (AUS), Credit Agricole at 35:47
79. Leonardo Duque (COL), Cofidis at 35:58
80. Matteo Tosatto (ITA), Quick Step at 36:37
81. Yoann Le Boulanger (FRA), Francaise des Jeux at 36:51
82. Ryder Hesjedal (CAN), Garmin-Chipotle at 37:30
83. Geoffroy Lequatre (FRA), Agritubel at 38:05
84. Chris Froome (GBR), Barloworld at 38:07
85. Fabian Wegmann (GER), Gerolsteiner at 39:45
86. Martin MŸller (GER), Milram at 39:48
87. Fabian Cancellara (SUI), CSC at 40:02
88. Ronny Scholz (GER), Gerolsteiner at 40:31
89. David Moncoutie (FRA), Cofidis at 41:57
90. John-Lee Augustyn (RSA), Barloworld at 42:21
91. Hubert Dupont (FRA), Ag2r at 43:23
92. David Le Lay (FRA), Agritubel at 44:38
93. William Bonnet (FRA), Credit Agricole at 44:47
94. Marco Marzano (ITA), Lampre at 44:52
95. Inaki Isasi (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi at 45:39
96. Sylvain Chavanel (FRA), Cofidis at 46:07
97. Carlos Barredo (ESP), Quick Step at 46:34
98. Jose Luis Arrieta (ESP), Ag2r at 47:27
99. Johan Van Summeren (BEL), Silence-Lotto at 47:28
100. Pieter Weening (NED), Rabobank at 47:37
101. Kurt Asle Arvesen (NOR), CSC at 48:25
102. Thor Hushovd (NOR), Credit Agricole at 48:27
103. Amets Txurruka (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi at 49:17
104. Xavier Florencio (ESP), Bouygues Telecom at 50:17
105. Baden Cooke (AUS), Barloworld at 50:33
106. Paolo Longo (ITA), Barloworld at 50:50
107. Benoit Vaugrenard (FRA), Francaise des Jeux at 51:23
108. Gerald Ciolek (GER), Team Columbia at 51:31
109. Jurgen Van de Walle (BEL), Quick Step at 51:35
110. Sebastien Rosseler (BEL), Quick Step at 51:48
111. Stef Clement (NED), Bouygues Telecom at 53:06
112. Nicolas Vogondy (FRA), Agritubel at 54:16
113. Ruben Perez (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi at 54:17
114. Robert Hunter (RSA), Barloworld at 54:29
115. Danny Pate (USA), Garmin-Chipotle at 54:35
116. Robert Forster (GER), Gerolsteiner at 55:24
117. Stuart O’Grady (AUS), CSC at 55:57
118. Alessandro Ballan (ITA), Lampre at 55:59
119. Thomas Voeckler (FRA), Bouygues Telecom at 56:14
120. Martin Elmiger (SUI), Ag2r at 56:49
121. Rubens Bertogliati (SUI), Saunier Duval at 57:02
122. Bjorn Schroeder (GER), Milram at 57:22
123. Juan Jose Oroz (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi at 57:39
124. Julian Dean (NZL), Garmin-Chipotle at 59:34
125. Aliaksandr Kuschynski (BLR), Liquigas at 59:58
126. Robbie McEwen (AUS), Silence-Lotto at 1:00:55
127. Nicki Sorensen (DEN), CSC at 1:01:05
128. Adam Hansen (AUS), Team Columbia at 1:01:35
129. Niki Terpstra (NED), Milram at 1:02:05
130. Nicolas Jalabert (FRA), Agritubel at 1:02:18
131. Remi Pauriol (FRA), Credit Agricole at 1:02:28
132. Ralf Grabsch (GER), Milram at 1:03:06
133. Arnaud Coyot (FRA), Caisse d’Epargne at 1:03:08
134. Matteo Bono (ITA), Lampre at 1:03:14
135. Gert Steegmans (BEL), Quick Step at 1:03:36
136. Philippe Gilbert (BEL), Francaise des Jeux at 1:04:06
137. Massimiliano Mori (ITA), Lampre at 1:04:07
138. Daniele Righi (ITA), Lampre at 1:04:31
139. Frederik Willems (BEL), Liquigas at 1:04:41
140. Christophe Brandt (BEL), Silence-Lotto at 1:04:55
141. Laurent Lefvre (FRA), Bouygues Telecom at 1:05:01
142. Manuel Quinziato (ITA), Liquigas at 1:05:54
143. Sven Krauss (GER), Gerolsteiner at 1:06:39
144. Leif Hoste (BEL), Silence-Lotto at 1:06:56
145. Heinrich Haussler (GER), Gerolsteiner at 1:08:27
146. Romain Feillu (FRA), Agritubel at 1:09:18
147. Will Frischkorn (USA), Garmin-Chipotle at 1:10:02
148. Steven De Jongh (NED), Quick Step at 1:10:47
149. Martijn Maaskant (NED), Garmin-Chipotle at 1:10:59
150. Marcus Burghardt (GER), Team Columbia at 1:11:01
151. Mark Cavendish (GBR), Team Columbia at 1:12:09
152. Mark Renshaw (AUS), Credit Agricole at 1:12:11
153. Sebastian Langeveld (NED), Rabobank at 1:12:27
154. Sebastien Chavanel (FRA), Francaise des Jeux at 1:12:40
155. Florent Brard (FRA), Cofidis at 1:13:07
156. Samuel Dumoulin (FRA), Cofidis at 1:13:15
157. Freddy Bichot (FRA), Agritubel at 1:14:20
158. Giampaolo Cheula (ITA), Barloworld at 1:14:37
159. Brett Lancaster (AUS), Milram at 1:14:44
160. Vicente Garcia Acosta (ESP), Caisse d’Epargne at 1:15:07
161. Jimmy Engoulvent (FRA), Credit Agricole at 1:15:32
162. Bernhard Eisel (AUT), Team Columbia at 1:16:01
163. Jimmy Casper (FRA), Agritubel at 1:16:13
164. Arnaud Gerard (FRA), Francaise des Jeux at 1:16:55
165. Francesco Chicchi (ITA), Liquigas at 1:17:11
166. Christophe Riblon (FRA), Ag2r at 1:18:56
167. Jeremy Roy (FRA), Francaise des Jeux at 1:21:58
168. Stephane Auge (FRA), Cofidis at 1:22:19
169. Mathieu Sprick (FRA), Bouygues Telecom at 1:24:06
170. Wim Vansevenant (BEL), Silence-Lotto at 1:25:48

Points, after Stage 9
1. Kim Kirchen TEAM COLUMBIA 123 pts
2. Oscar Freire RABOBANK 119 pts
3. Thor Hushovd CREDIT AGRICOLE 105 pts
4. Alejandro Valverde CAISSE D’EPARGNE 96 pts
5. Erik Zabel TEAM MILRAM 92 pts
6. Mark Cavendish TEAM COLUMBIA 86 pts
7. Robert Hunter BARLOWORLD 82 pts
8. Riccardo Ricco SAUNIER DUVAL – SCOTT 75 pts
9. Romain Feillu AGRITUBEL 64 pts
10. Cadel Evans SILENCE – LOTTO 62 pts
11. Robbie Mc Ewen SILENCE – LOTTO 60 pts
12. Gerald Ciolek TEAM COLUMBIA 56 pts
13. Jimmy Casper AGRITUBEL 55 pts
14. Leonardo Duque COFIDIS CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE 54 pts
15. Robert FÖrster GEROLSTEINER 54 pts
16. Jérôme Pineau BOUYGUES TELECOM 48 pts
17. Stefan Schumacher GEROLSTEINER 46 pts
18. Oscar Pereiro Sio CAISSE D’EPARGNE 45 pts
19. Samuel Dumoulin COFIDIS CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE 43 pts
20. Frank Schleck TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 42 pts
21. Samuel Sanchez EUSKALTEL – EUSKADI 40 pts
22. Filippo Pozzato LIQUIGAS 40 pts
23. William Frischkorn GARMIN CHIPOTLE 38 pts
24. Gert Steegmans QUICK STEP 38 pts
25. Francesco Chicchi LIQUIGAS 38 pts
26. Juan Jose Cobo Acebo SAUNIER DUVAL – SCOTT 37 pts
27. Paolo Longo Borghini BARLOWORLD 34 pts
28. Inaki Isasi EUSKALTEL – EUSKADI 34 pts
29. Sébastien Chavanel FRANCAISE DES JEUX 34 pts
30. Vladimir Efimkin AG2R-LA MONDIALE 33 pts
31. Philippe Gilbert FRANCAISE DES JEUX 32 pts
32. Julian Dean GARMIN CHIPOTLE 30 pts
33. Sylvain Chavanel COFIDIS CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE 28 pts
34. Carlos Sastre TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 28 pts
35. Andy Schleck TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 27 pts
36. Matteo Carrara QUICK STEP 27 pts
37. David Millar GARMIN CHIPOTLE 26 pts
38. Luis-leon Sanchez CAISSE D’EPARGNE 25 pts
39. Christian Vandevelde GARMIN CHIPOTLE 25 pts
40. Yury Trofimov BOUYGUES TELECOM 25 pts
41. Martin Elmiger AG2R-LA MONDIALE 25 pts
42. Denis Menchov RABOBANK 23 pts
43. Roman Kreuziger LIQUIGAS 23 pts
44. Dmitriy Fofonov CREDIT AGRICOLE 23 pts
45. Ruben Perez EUSKALTEL – EUSKADI 23 pts
46. Baden Cooke BARLOWORLD 22 pts
47. Martijn Maaskant GARMIN CHIPOTLE 21 pts
48. Josep Jufre Pou SAUNIER DUVAL – SCOTT 19 pts
49. Nicolas Vogondy AGRITUBEL 19 pts
50. Geoffroy Lequatre AGRITUBEL 18 pts
51. Laurent Lefevre BOUYGUES TELECOM 16 pts
52. Mikel Astarloza EUSKALTEL – EUSKADI 16 pts
53. Fabian Cancellara TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 16 pts
54. Cyril Dessel AG2R-LA MONDIALE 15 pts
55. Benoît Vaugrenard FRANCAISE DES JEUX 14 pts
56. Christian Knees TEAM MILRAM 14 pts
57. Moises Duenas Nevado BARLOWORLD 14 pts
58. Mark Renshaw CREDIT AGRICOLE 14 pts
59. Florent Brard COFIDIS CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE 12 pts
60. Freddy Bichot AGRITUBEL 12 pts
61. Maxime Monfort COFIDIS CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE 12 pts
62. Damiano Cunego LAMPRE 12 pts
63. Sebastian Lang GEROLSTEINER 12 pts
64. Thomas Voeckler BOUYGUES TELECOM 12 pts
65. Stijn Devolder QUICK STEP 11 pts
66. Tadej Valjavec AG2R-LA MONDIALE 11 pts
67. Leonardo Piepoli SAUNIER DUVAL – SCOTT 11 pts
68. Aleksandr Kuschynski LIQUIGAS 10 pts
69. Nicolas Jalabert AGRITUBEL 10 pts
70. Amets Txurruka EUSKALTEL – EUSKADI 10 pts
71. Heinrich Haussler GEROLSTEINER 10 pts
72. Vincenzo Nibali LIQUIGAS 9 pts
73. Christophe Riblon AG2R-LA MONDIALE 8 pts
74. Xavier Florencio BOUYGUES TELECOM 8 pts
75. George Hincapie TEAM COLUMBIA 7 pts
76. Antonio Flecha Juan RABOBANK 7 pts
77. Yaroslav Popovych SILENCE – LOTTO 6 pts
78. Thomas LÖvkvist TEAM COLUMBIA 6 pts
79. Sven Krauss GEROLSTEINER 6 pts
80. Sebastian Langeveld RABOBANK 5 pts
81. Jens Voigt TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 4 pts
82. John-lee Augustyn BARLOWORLD 4 pts
83. Stéphane Auge COFIDIS CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE 4 pts
84. Carlos Barredo QUICK STEP 3 pts
85. Volodymir Gustov TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 2 pts
86. Pierrick Fedrigo BOUYGUES TELECOM 2 pts
87. Fuente David De La SAUNIER DUVAL – SCOTT 2 pts
88. David Lelay AGRITUBEL 2 pts
89. Bernhard Kohl GEROLSTEINER 1 pts
90. Daniel Lancaster Brett TEAM MILRAM 1 pts
91. Dario Cioni SILENCE – LOTTO -5 pts
92. Egoi Martinez EUSKALTEL – EUSKADI -5 pts
93. Marcus Burghardt TEAM COLUMBIA -5 pts

King of the Mountains, after Stage 9
1. Fuente David De La SAUNIER DUVAL – SCOTT 61 pts
2. Sebastian Lang GEROLSTEINER 57 pts
3. Riccardo Ricco SAUNIER DUVAL – SCOTT 50 pts
4. Luis-leon Sanchez CAISSE D’EPARGNE 31 pts
5. Vincenzo Nibali LIQUIGAS 30 pts
6. Sylvain Chavanel COFIDIS CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE 27 pts
7. Thomas Voeckler BOUYGUES TELECOM 27 pts
8. Bernhard Kohl GEROLSTEINER 22 pts
9. Aleksandr Kuschynski LIQUIGAS 22 pts
10. Nicolas Jalabert AGRITUBEL 19 pts
11. Alejandro Valverde CAISSE D’EPARGNE 18 pts
12. Josep Jufre Pou SAUNIER DUVAL – SCOTT 18 pts
13. Cadel Evans SILENCE – LOTTO 16 pts
14. Oscar Pereiro Sio CAISSE D’EPARGNE 16 pts
15. Frank Schleck TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 14 pts
16. Kim Kirchen TEAM COLUMBIA 12 pts
17. Denis Menchov RABOBANK 12 pts
18. Mikel Astarloza EUSKALTEL – EUSKADI 12 pts
19. Freddy Bichot AGRITUBEL 12 pts
20. Laurent Lefevre BOUYGUES TELECOM 11 pts
21. Sandy Casar FRANCAISE DES JEUX 11 pts
22. Samuel Sanchez EUSKALTEL – EUSKADI 10 pts
23. Roman Kreuziger LIQUIGAS 10 pts
24. Konstantsin Siutsou TEAM COLUMBIA 10 pts
25. Björn SchrÖder TEAM MILRAM 9 pts
26. Maxime Monfort COFIDIS CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE 8 pts
27. Christophe Le Mevel CREDIT AGRICOLE 6 pts
28. Gorka Verdugo EUSKALTEL – EUSKADI 6 pts
29. David Millar GARMIN CHIPOTLE 5 pts
30. Matteo Carrara QUICK STEP 5 pts
31. Amets Txurruka EUSKALTEL – EUSKADI 5 pts
32. Jens Voigt TEAM CSC SAXO BANK 3 pts
33. Benoît Vaugrenard FRANCAISE DES JEUX 3 pts
34. Jérôme Pineau BOUYGUES TELECOM 2 pts
35. Simon Gerrans CREDIT AGRICOLE 2 pts
36. Yoann Le Boulanger FRANCAISE DES JEUX 2 pts
37. Ronny Scholz GEROLSTEINER 2 pts
38. David Moncoutie COFIDIS CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE 2 pts
39. Christophe Riblon AG2R-LA MONDIALE 2 pts
40. Leonardo Piepoli SAUNIER DUVAL – SCOTT 1 pts
41. Bram Tankink RABOBANK 1 pts
42. David Arroyo CAISSE D’EPARGNE 1 pts
43. Egoi Martinez EUSKALTEL – EUSKADI 1 pts
44. Geoffroy Lequatre AGRITUBEL 1 pts
45. David Lelay AGRITUBEL 1 pts
46. Samuel Dumoulin COFIDIS CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE 1 pts

Young Rider, after Stage 9
1. Andy Schleck TEAM CSC SAXO BANK in 38:09:17
2. Maxime Monfort COFIDIS CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE in 38:09:26 at 00:09
3. Roman Kreuziger LIQUIGAS in 38:09:39 at 00:22
4. Riccardo Ricco SAUNIER DUVAL – SCOTT in 38:09:54 at 00:37
5. Vincenzo Nibali LIQUIGAS in 38:10:20 at 01:03
6. Thomas LÖvkvist TEAM COLUMBIA in 38:13:50 at 04:33
7. Eduardo Gonzalo Ramirez AGRITUBEL in 38:14:43 at 05:26
8. Luis-leon Sanchez CAISSE D’EPARGNE in 38:21:52 at 12:35
9. Yury Trofimov BOUYGUES TELECOM in 38:37:54 at 28:37
10. Trent Lowe GARMIN CHIPOTLE in 38:38:12 at 28:55
11. Peter Velits TEAM MILRAM in 38:39:37 at 30:20
12. Rémy Di Gregorio FRANCAISE DES JEUX in 38:39:48 at 30:31
13. Christopher Froome BARLOWORLD in 38:45:26 at 36:09
14. John-lee Augustyn BARLOWORLD in 38:49:40 at 40:23
15. Gerald Ciolek TEAM COLUMBIA in 38:58:50 at 49:33
16. Niki Terpstra TEAM MILRAM in 39:09:24 at 1:00:07
17. Matteo Bono LAMPRE in 39:10:33 at 1:01:16
18. Sven Krauss GEROLSTEINER in 39:13:58 at 1:04:41
19. Heinrich Haussler GEROLSTEINER in 39:15:46 at 1:06:29
20. Romain Feillu AGRITUBEL in 39:16:37 at 1:07:20
21. Martijn Maaskant GARMIN CHIPOTLE in 39:18:18 at 1:09:01
22. Marcus Burghardt TEAM COLUMBIA in 39:18:20 at 1:09:03
23. Mark Cavendish TEAM COLUMBIA in 39:19:28 at 1:10:11
24. Sebastian Langeveld RABOBANK in 39:19:46 at 1:10:29
25. Arnaud Gerard FRANCAISE DES JEUX in 39:24:14 at 1:14:57
26. Jérémy Roy FRANCAISE DES JEUX in 39:29:17 at 1:20:00

Teams, after Stage 9
1. TEAM CSC SAXO BANK in 114:24:23
2. CAISSE D’EPARGNE in 114:27:52 at 03:29
3. SAUNIER DUVAL – SCOTT in 114:29:10 at 04:47
4. GEROLSTEINER in 114:29:44 at 05:21
5. AG2R-LA MONDIALE in 114:30:35 at 06:12
6. TEAM COLUMBIA in 114:32:25 at 08:02
7. RABOBANK in 114:32:35 at 08:12
8. LAMPRE in 114:33:51 at 09:28
9. BARLOWORLD in 114:34:52 at 10:29
10. LIQUIGAS in 114:36:00 at 11:37
11. SILENCE – LOTTO in 114:36:30 at 12:07
12. EUSKALTEL – EUSKADI in 114:37:02 at 12:39
13. BOUYGUES TELECOM in 114:37:53 at 13:30
14. GARMIN CHIPOTLE in 114:39:19 at 14:56
15. CREDIT AGRICOLE in 114:41:46 at 17:23
16. QUICK STEP in 114:44:13 at 19:50
17. TEAM MILRAM in 114:49:59 at 25:36
18. FRANCAISE DES JEUX in 115:00:11 at 35:48
19. COFIDIS CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE in 115:02:33 at 38:10
20. AGRITUBEL in 115:09:39 at 45:16