Stage Twelve

The big news at the start of stage 12 was that Saunier Duval-Scott rider Ricardo Ricco tested positive for EPO on stage six and was expelled from the race.

Lavelanet - Narbonne, 168.5km

The big news at the start of stage 12 was that Saunier Duval-Scott rider Ricardo Ricco tested positive for EPO on stage six and was expelled from the race. Because of this, the entire team did not take the start line and have now gone home. This was a shame as the Saunier Duval-Scott riders had provided some entertaining racing. On the plus side, it’s good to see these cheats get caught and expelled immediately.

Windy conditions greeted the riders at the beginning of the stage, but fortunately it was at their backs. Bad news for the Aussies though, as Baden Cooke crashed out of the Tour 16km into the stage. This left Barloworld with only four men. With Ricco and David De La Fuente gone, Sebastian Lang (Gerolsteiner) found himself by default in the polka dot jersey. Oscar Pereiro and Thor Hushovd continued their battle for the malliot vert.

With this stage being made for the sprinters, there was to be no 16 minute breakaways. Two riders Arnaud Gérard (Francaise des Jeux) and Samuël Dumoulin (Cofidis) spent a lot of time in front of the main peloton but never got more than three minutes up the road. With Credit Agricole and Team Columbia driving the bunch they were held at one minute for around 50 kilometres. This meant that once again that Silence-Lotto were relieved of the duty of chasing a breakaway.

They were caught with nine km to go after being joined by Euskaltel rider J.J. Oroz. This was the signal for the sprinters teams to begin their attacks. Not for the first time, Cadel Evans was completely left on his own by his team and had to work to keep up with Frank Schleck, as CSC were all supporting their riders.

Columbia were driving well but a counter attack came from Milram. The sprint was very messy on the long straight and all the big names were there including Robbie McEwen. But no one could beat Cavendish. He took his third Tour de France stage and in doing so, became the first British rider to win three stages in one Tour. “It was a perfect sprint. I am the first [rider] who has won three times in this Tour. The team has done great work,” he said.

Cadel Evans was also right up the front as was Frank Schleck. So once again, there was no change to the leader board.

Results