Riccardo Ricco wins his second Tour stage

Italian Riccardo Ricco, Tour of Italy second, regained the day's stage in the Tour de France in a display of physical force in the last climb of the day.

Sebastian Lang of Gerolsteiner, led a breakaway of just under 200 miles. The leader both in the penultimate port left behind his fellow flight and faced the Col d'Aspin himself. Behind them, a selection of the best on the mountain which included all the big favorites for the Tour de France. He was also Cadel Evans, who suffered a fall on the stage, but that doctors said is not serious.

The ascent was a group of pursuers to Lang, which included the mountain jersey, David De la Fuente (Saunier Duval) and Luis Leon (Caisse Epargne, winner of a stage). Behind the other two strong men of the Saunier Duval Piepoli and Riccardo Ricco attacked, leaving in evidence the strong men of the peloton. A Cadel Evans is forgiven by the fall he had, but neither Kirchen, and Valverde, and Sastre, Menchov and managed to keep up strong Ricco. Oscar Pereiro did not want to let the good work of Caisse Epargne, possibly the best set of the bunch, it ruin and got link with Ricco and Piepoli, but in another arreón of Ricco left everyone behind and approached the summit alone, which was 1:18 minutes before the group.

Alejandro Valverde was in the background throughout the climb, even to be at the tail of the bunch.

On the descent, Ricco kept the difference and the group can not reach. There was even a moment's break, since no one decided to pull the group. In the end, the Italian pulled ahead with 1:17 to the finish, cutting some time in general, which suffers no major changes. Ricardo Ricco is 21 th at 2:35. Everything else being equal.

Tomorrow, big stage with the ascent of the Tourmalet and Hautacam.

Image: Marca.com