Jelle Vanendert wins the 14th stage and Thomas Voeckler retains overall lead in 2011 Tour de France
Omega Pharma-Lotto team’s Jelle Vanendert won the 14th stage of 2011 Tour de France on Saturday, July 16. Thomas Voeckler maintained his overall leader’s yellow jersey.
The race started in Saint-Gaudens and ended in Plateau de Beille. The 26-year-old Belgian cyclist took a total of 5 hours, 13 minutes and 25 seconds to cover the distance of 168 kilometres.
Recently, Vanendert took the second place in 12th stage of Tour de France and grabbed the sixth place in La Fleche Wallonne. He also took first place in Vlaamse Pijl in 2007.
Samuel Sanchez of Euskaltel-Euskadi was the runner-up with a difference of 21 seconds and Andy Schleck of Leopard Trek finished third with 46 seconds behind Jelle.
Cadel Evans (BMC Racing), Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank-Sungard), race leader Thomas Voeckler, Frank Schleck (Leopard Trek) and Ivan Basso finished the line with a difference of 48 seconds.
With a few kilometres to go, Millar lost his pace and went back, while Casar and El Fares were joined by the other nine cyclists, Riblon, Di Gregorio, Voigt, Charteau, Silin, Zandio, Chavanel, Izagirre and Gerdemann.
With 11 kilometres to go, Andy Schleck made the right move in front of the field, but was quickly cleared by the Alberto Contador. Casar still took advantage of 1 minute and 22 second, but Andy again launched the attack and was followed by the two riders,
Vanendert and Evans.
However, Vanendert had 24 seconds over Sanchez in the final kilometres and he managed to hold his lead. Vanendert crossed the finish-line ahead of other cyclists.
Sandy Casar (FDJ) took the title of most aggressive rider. Thomas Voeckler retained overall lead with a timing of 61 hours, 4 minutes and 10 seconds.
Thomas Voeckler told the media, “The yellow jersey has given me great confidence but I’m really surprised to keep it. We’ll try and keep it as long as possible well. But as I’ve said, we’ll take things one day at a time. We’ll have to be careful even on
the stage to Montpellier because it can be windy down there.”
Fränk Schleck (Leopard Trek) was in the second place with 1 minute and 49 second behind the Frenchmen. Cadel Evans (BMC Racing Team) finished in the third spot with a difference of 2 minutes and 6 seconds.
The next stage will start in Limoux and end in Montpellier. All the cyclists will cover the distance of 187 kilometres.
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