Contador makes up time while Joaquim Rodriguez wins stage 12
Joaquim Rodriguez has won stage 12 of the Tour de France at Mende.
The Katusha rider collected his first Grand Tour stage win and came just ahead of last year’s Tour winner Alberto Contador, who made up time on current yellow jersey holder Andy Schleck.
Thor Hushovd riding for Team Cervelo regained the green jersey from Alessandro Petacchi and now has a six point lead over him.
With 2.2 kilometres to go, Contador attacked hard and dropped Schleck, who was unable to match the Spaniard for pace. Contador was able to take 10 seconds out of Schleck’s lead.
It wasn’t as much time as the Astana rider had hoped to gain on Schleck, but nonetheless he showed the Team Saxo Bank rider that he was able to cut down the time.
Stage 12 provided a stark contrast to yesterday’s flat stage. Contador was on familiar ground and knew he would be able to gain time on Schleck.
The distance of 210.5 kilometres from Bourg-de-Péage to Mende provided a tough climb at Suc de Montivernoux, and then an even tougher climb with less than three kilometres to go at Côte de la Croix-Neuve, where Contador was able to make up time on Schleck.
Meanwhile, American Tyler Farrar pulled out of the Tour. The Garmin Transitions rider was suffering from a broken wrist since crashing during the second stage to Spa in Belgium.
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