8km into todays stage, there was an 11 man breakaway that gained an 18” lead. The group was formed from an elite bunch of riders, including: Gilbert (BMC), Voigt (RNT), Millar (GRS), Sanchez (RAB), Costa (MOV), Sorensen (STB) and Chavanel (OPQ). After this group was caught, the only rider not to sit up was Voigt who led solo over the first 2 climbs of the day. The peloton refused to let any other chasers get away. The fast pace caused by attempted breaks caused numerous riders to lose contact with the yellow jersey's group and the first big casualty of this was Gesink (RAB) who was dropped after only 30km of racing.
The oldest rider in the race was the only man who could stay ahead of the peloton for the first 40km but Kruiswijk (RAB) was able to catch Voigt on the third climb of the stage. Then came an attack from a 24 strong group – including Valverde and Casar catching the 2 leaders at 47km. At 56km there was a crash that involved Valverde (MOV) and Sanchez (EUS); the defending olympic champion broke his collarbone and had to abandon the race.
On the descent of the 4th peak of the day, Kessiakoff and Roy sped ahead of all the other escapees. On the fifth climb the Swedish Astana rider left the Frenchman behind and began a long solo journey towards Porrentruy.At the intermediate sprint point he was 1'05” ahead of a group of 14: Gallopin, Kern, Nerz, Kadri, Moncoutie, Hoogerland, Pinot, Roy, Kruiswijk, Mollema, Ten Dam, Sorensen, Kiserlovski and De Weert. At the start of the final climb of the day, the youngest rider in the race (Pinot) dropped all riders behind him and set off at a fast pace, aiming to catch the Astana rider.
Pinot raced into the lead of the stage with 17km to go. He caught and immediately raced past Kessiakoff near the top of the final climb and he wouldn't be seen by another rider until after the finish. Behind the 2 riders out front there was just an elite selection of nine men remaining: Wiggins, Froome, Evans, Menchov, Nibali, Zubeldia, Schleck, van den Broeck and Horner. Van den Broeck attacked the yellow jersey with around 2km to go, this prompted a brief kick from Cadel Evans but Wiggins always seemed to have them covered. The defending champion of the Tour would finished second in the stage for a second successive day but he gained no time on his main rival in the race for the maillot jaune. As Pinot approached the line he gave a thumbs up to his team car, where there was great jubilation, and then simply raised his arms above his head for a much deserved stage win.
Kessiakoff became the new leader in the climbing classification and Taaramae only just defended his white jersey and Wiggins, in fourth place, did all he needed to do to give him the best possible placing to start tomorrows time trial stage.
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Top 5 Today
1. T. PINOT (FDJ) 3H 56' 10"
2. C. EVANS (BMC) 0' 26"
3. T. GALLOPIN (RNT) 0' 26"
4. B. WIGGINS (SKY) 0' 26"
5. V. NIBALI (LIQ) 0' 26"
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