Leonardo Piepoli wins Tour stage and Alejandro Valverde says goodbye

Yesterday we said that the two Pyrenees stages would, if not to determine the winner of the Tour (it is extremely ready for it), yes to dismiss a Favorite facing the final triumph.

Then that favorite has a name: Alejandro Valverde. The Murcia virtually came six minutes from the stage winner, Leonardo Piepoli, over three and half minutes of Menchov, Sastre and Evans, new yellow jersey.

But not so fast to criticize Alejandro Valverde to stay out of the struggle for the general. The Murcia has already made clear that it is a great runner. But the careers of three weeks just did not catch the trick, despite his two podiums in the Tour of Spain. Cycling is not only great racing three weeks. Still, if Alejandro Valverde is ready, give more war in the Tour ahead of the general as single stage and has proven to be the largest.

Head to the stage of the day, which has been a resounding success of the Saunier Duval team. First, David de la Fuente is got, as always, in the break not to leave the mountain jersey in the hands of others. In the ascent of the Tourmalet, Remy Di Gregorio was just trying to conclude a feat that hovers on a French national holiday of France. But no luck.

Still on the rise, Alejandro Valverde fell short. Damiano Cunego also, whereas he has been a constant in this Tour. The CSC, with many riders in the yellow jersey group on the breakout, got to work and descent and the flat stretch between the two ports would not let him enter this group.

The ascent of Hautacam began as it should begin, like crazy. Carlos Sastre, Frank Schleck, Ricardo Ricco ... All Favorites tried to star in a change of pace that undermine the forces of others. Finally, Frank Schleck, Luxembourg champion, pulled forward with two Saunier Duval's Leonardo Piepoli and Juanjo Cobo, who later prove to be stronger than the corridor of the CSC. Leonardo Piepoli won a stage in the Tour de France, the last that remained of the great tours, and Juanjo Cobo was exalted in the gala round.

Frank Schleck was a huge blow to Cadel Evans used his pace meterle group (formed by Carlos Sastre, Denis Menchov and Vandevelde and Moises Duenas) and get the yellow jersey. He succeeded for a second.

Alejandro Valverde fell behind immersed in a hellish slut, losing more than three and half minutes on Cadel Evans. Kim Kirchen lost the yellow jersey. Riccardo Ricco took the mountain jersey, Oscar Freire follows with regularity.

The classification is left with Cadel Evans first. Frank Schleck is one second, Vandevelde at 38 seconds. The first Spanish Carlos Sastre is sixth minute and a half.