Frenchman Pierre Rolland claimed an epic 11th stage victory on the Tour de France yesterday as race leader Bradley Wiggins of Britain took another step towards overall victory
Rolland soloed over the finish line after an epic day of racing to claim his second victory in the race a year after his maiden win at Alpe d’Huez to hand Europcar their second win in as many days.
Kiss of joy: Frenchman Pierre Rolland celebrates while crossing the finish line at the end of the 11th stage of the Tour de France at La Toussuire yesterday. Pic/AFP
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The yellow jersey group of Wiggins came over the finish line of the 148 km stage from Albertville 57sec later. It included Italian contender Vincenzo Nibali and Belgian Jurgen van den Broeck. Wiggins came under attack several times on the final 18km climb to La Toussuire — notably by Nibali and Van den Broeck.
“It was another great day for the team,” said Wiggins. “It certainly lived up to its reputation as the hardest stage. Once Cadel had got dropped and we were in that little group the sense of relief was overwhelming really. Taking more time off Cadel, I don’t think we really expected that this morning,” he said.
Cancellara pulls out of Tour de France
Switzerland’s Fabian Cancellara pulled out of the Tour de France before the 11th stage yesterday to be with his expectant wife, his RadioShack team announced.
Cancellara wore the yellow jersey for a week after winning the opening prologue on June 30, but with his wife expecting to give birth in the coming days the Swiss decided to end his campaign early. “The decision to go back home is harder than you might expect,” said Cancellara in a team statement.
“I am also a husband and father with another baby on the way. It is my personal wish to be present when my wife Stefanie gives birth to our second child,” he said.u00a0
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