Romain Feillu used his sprinting abilities to win the stage by a huge margin and take almost every category along with it. Feillu hit the "after-burners" on the final stretch and put some massive distance between himself and the field in a very short time. He got such a big advantage that he was actually able to coast to the finish while turning around and looking at the people behind him sprint for 2nd. (Steve Chaniel won the 2nd place sprint) Feillu will hold his lead in the General Classification as well as assume the points lead and was the major factor that propelled his Vacansoleil team into the lead for the team competition. Thomas Voeckler joined an escape group that was doomed from the start and lost over 5 minutes for the stage. This all but ended the French champion's chances and was not a very good move in retrospect. Stage Results
1. Romain Feillu
2. Steve Chaniel
3. Tony Gallopin
General Classification
1. Romain Feillu
2. Tony Gallopin -12
3. Haimar Zubeldia -15
4. Wilco Kelderman -15
5. Greg Van Avermaet -16
6. Matthieu Boulo -16
7. Moreno Hofland -17
8. Stephane Poulhies -17
9. Tejay Van Garderen -17
10. Steve Morabito -18
21. Karsten Kroon -22
31. Christophe Le Mevel -26
37. John Gadret -28
39. Brice Feillu -28
Points
1. Romain Feillu 47
2. Stephane Poulhies 34
3. Tony Gallopin 21
King of the Mountains
1. Geoffrey Soupe 10
2. Julien Loubet 7
3. Wouter Poels 5
Young Rider
1. Tony Gallopin
2. Wilco Kelderman -3
3. Matthieu Boulo -4
Team Standings
1. Vacansoleil PCT
2. HTC Columbia -s.t
3. BMC Racing -4
Tomorrow's penultimate stage will likely be the defining stage of the Tour. It is flat for the first 2/3 and then it gets really difficult. The finishing kilometers will feature one really difficult climb followed by a tricky descent and 2 more small climbs before a slight summit finish. This will be the day for Gadret, Le Mevel, Zubeldia, and the other main contenders to stake their claim on the race.
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