Nibali Wins Tour De France Stage Ten

Last updated : 14 July 2014 By Covsupport News Service

Astana's Vincenzo Nibali took control with victory on the tenth stage of the Tour De France, which put him back in the yellow jersey

On Bastille Day, a Frenchman in Tony Gallopin was in the lead of the race which left Mulhouse and set off on the 161km stage for the mountain resort in the Haut Saone of  La Planche des Belles Filles, a venue which when last used in the Tour De France saw a victory for Chris Froome.

Lieuwe Westra, Visconti, Moinard, Irizar, Tommy Voeckler, Gerard and Christophe Riblon got away followed by points leader Peter Sagan, Joaquim Rodriguz and Jan Barta of Team Net App.

They were 1.50 ahead of IAM Cycling's Jermone Pineau and 2.50 ahead of the peloton heading towards the first climb of the day on the Col Du Firstplan in the rain.

With 135.2kms left, the seven out front became ten when Sagan's group joined a group which was over four and a half minutes ahead of the peloton.

That dropped to 2.59 as Tommy Voeckler outsprinted Joaquim Rodriquez on the Col du Firstplan climb. Nine kilometres later was the sprint which Peter Sagan took.

Onto the category one 1.163m Petit Ballon climb and Edward King of Cannondale abandoned. Westra, Voeckler, Rodriquez and Moinard were on the front and were joined by Gianni Visconti. They were 1.22 of a group containing Michal Kwaitkowski and King of the Mountains leader Tony Martin and four minutes ahead of the yellow jersey group.

Rodriquez took the climb and the ten points followed by Voeckler and Moinard and took the Col du Platzerwasel.

Alberto Contador was one of those who crashed and lost time before abandoning as the riders went through the feedzone and the category two Col d'Oderen which Rodriquez took again as Tony Martin brought up Michael Kwiatkowski.

Onto the Col Des Croix and Rodriquez again lead Voeckler over the summit with a lead of 2.43 over the peloton.

In to the Haut-Saone Department and on the D133 heading for the penultimate climb of the category one Col Des Cheveres which had gradients of 18% which had riders suffering and riders spread out all over the road.

Martin dropped back to the peloton who were 2.06 behind having done his job as Kwiatkowski and Rodriquez neared the summit.

Rodriquez took the points to ensure he will wear the King Of The Mountain jersey when racing restarts on Wednesday, with a lead of 3.03 back to the yellow jersey and was well clear of Visconti and the Polish rider from Omega Pharma Quick Step and 1.38 ahead of a group containing Nibali.

There was a crash with 14kms left which saw an Astana rider go over a hay bale.

On the descent, Kwiatkowski was flying down the descent at 75km/h and was clear going into the final ten kilometres, whilst Contador was having xrays on his right knee which had seen him abandon.

Rodriquez caught up to Kwiatkowski as they headed towards the finish at La Planche Des Belles Filles which had gradients of 20%.

With 2.5kms remaining, Nibali, in the Italia Champion shirt, went on the attack and went round Kwiatkowski and stormed towards the crossroads in persuit of Joaquim Rodriquez who was fifteen seconds ahead.

Nibali passed Rodriquez with 1.2kms to go as Richie Porte pushed his group along some 1.15 back down the road.

Under the flam rouge on the flat secttion, Nibali and Rodriquez went over together. Nibali took off and he was not to be caught and won in 4.27.28 to take over the yellow jersey yet again.

Rodriquez blew up on the final climb and finished fifty seconds down on Nibali who was followed home by Thibaut Pinot, Valverde, Peraud and Bardet with Richie Porte in seventh.

Nibali leads by 2.23 from Richie Porte and 2.47 from Valverde.