Andre Greipel beat Mark Cavendish in the tenth stage of 2011 Tour De France
Omega Pharma-Lotto team’s Andre Greipel won the thrilling sprint finish of the tenth stage of 2011 Tour de France on Tuesday, July 12. Thomas Voeckler maintained his overall leader’s yellow jersey.
The race started in Aurillac and ended in Carmaux. The 28-year-old Andre took a total of 3 hours, 31 minutes and 21 seconds to cover the distance of 161 kilometres.
After winning the stage, Andre said, "It's the moment I've been waiting for all year. It's the most beautiful race in the world and the most famous. To win here is sensational. He's the best sprinter on the Tour de France, and to be able to beat him is a
big moment for me."
Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) was the runner-up and Jose Joaquin Rojas came in the third spot.
Jelle Vanendert tried his best to catch the 81 riders but was unable to hold his pace and grabbed the 82nd place with a difference of 22 seconds ahead of Xabier Zandio.
After 11 kilometres to go, the two riders, Fabian Cancellara and Levi Leipheimer, were held up in a minor crash.
A group of six riders was formed, which included Marco Marcato (Vacansoleil), Arthur Vichot (FDJ), Sebastien Minard (Ag2r-La Mondiale), Anthony Delaplace (Saur-Sojasun), Julien El Fares (Cofidis) and Remy Di Gregorio (Astana). All of them build a gap of
40 seconds over the peloton.
With 5 kilometres to go, five cyclists were caught by the Leopard Trek group and Gilbert got his chance. The two cyclists, Blel Kadri and Rob Ruijgh, made another move, but both of them failed to gain a lead. In the last kilometres, HTC-Highroad team was
able to control their rider, Mark Cavendish. Martin gained a lead, but Cavendish was isolated however, Greipel took the advantage of few seconds and easily beat Cavendish and crossed the finish line first.
Cavendish told the media, "I went early but it wasn't too early on this type of finish, but I didn't commit enough."
Robert Gesink of Rabobank Cycling took the title of overall best young rider standing ahead of Rein Taaramae and Arnold Jeannesson. Johnny Hoogerland took the King of Mountain title with 22 points ahead of Thomas Voeckler.
Thomas Voeckler of Europcar took the overall lead with a timing of 42 hours, 6 minutes and 32 seconds. Luis Leon Sanchez was the runner-up with 1 minute and 49 seconds, while Cadel Evans finished third with 2 minutes and 26 seconds behind Thomas.
The next stage will start in Blaye-les-Mines and end in Lavaur. All the riders will cover the distance of 168 kilometres.
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