Astana rider Lance Armstrong of the United States (R) cycles with Cervelo Test Team rider Thor Hushovd of Norway during the 11th stage of the 96th Tour de France between Vatan and Saint Fargeau on Wednesday.SD-Agencies
MARK CAVENDISH won the 11th stage of the Tour de France on Wednesday, Rinaldo Nocentini of Italy held onto the yellow jersey and Lance Armstrong remained third overall.
Armstrong finished safely in the main pack, with his Astana teammate Alberto Contador narrowly ahead of him in second place overall after Wednesday’s trek from Vatan to Saint-Fargeau.
Nocentini leads Contador by six seconds and Armstrong trails by eight.
“I feel in very good shape,” Nocentini said. “I hope to keep the yellow jersey.”
Nocentini was among the riders who fell in two early crashes, giving Belgian rider Johan Van Summeren and Marcin Sapa of Poland the opportunity to break away after 30 kilometers. “I was in a fall, but nothing too serious. I didn’t hurt myself,” Nocentini said. “I managed to get back up and finish calmly.”
Cavendish sealed his second straight stage win and fourth of the Tour. The British cyclist finished about half a bike length ahead of American Tyler Farrar in a sprint finish on a flat stage. The 24-year-old Cavendish finished in 4 hours, 17 minutes, 55 seconds.
Armstrong, who did not stop for reporters after the stage, finished in 54th place. Contador was 43rd.
“Fast start, crashes a plenty, then a breakaway,” Armstrong wrote on his Twitter feed. “Ended up being pretty relaxed. Cav wins again. (No.) 4 for him. Congrats to him.”
Cavendish took the green jersey from Thor Hushovd of Norway, who finished fifth, and equaled British rider Barry Hoban’s tally of eight Tour stage wins.
Armstrong’s rivalry with Contador could be reignited Friday, with a small opportunity for an attack on one tough climb up the Col du Platzerwasel.
(SD-Agencies)