Post-Race Show! Stage 13: Narbonne-Nîmes
Here are today's stage results and the current general classification.
Sprinters' Day. Today's flat stage unfolded in the usual pattern. Niki Terpstra of Milram and Florent Brard of Cofidis comprised the break, and spent a long day together in the wind. Behind, the bunch picked its desultory way across the sun-baked valley. Terpstra found time to flip off a spectator, who must have said something nasty.
Inside 10 km to go, Sylvain Chavanel of Cofidis made a play for the stage win, but fell a few traffic circles short of the finish. With Chavanel back in the field, it turned to the sprinters' teams to line it up. Team Columbia again showed their skill and speed, delivering Mark Cavendish to his fourth stage win of the Tour. Robbie McEwen finished second, followed by Romain Feillu of Agritubel, Heinrich Haussler of Gerosteiner, and Oscar Freire of Rabobank.
Classifications. The classifications remain unchanged today. Cadel Evans rides again in the Yellow Jersey of race leader, while Sebastien Lang retains the spotted jersey of mountains leader and Vincenzo Nibali wears white as best young rider. Though Oscar Freire still leads the points classification with 184, Mark Cavendish moves into second with 156 after his stage win today. Thor Hushovd is third, tied on points with Cavendish, with the British sprinter's stage wins acting as the tie breaker.