Stage 11 Results

Stage 11 traveled into Spain today. The stage was 206.5km (128 miles) from Tarbes to Val d'Aran - Pla-de-Beret. Stage 11 had five climbs: Col du Tourmalet (‘hors category’ – 18.3km with an average gradient of 7.7% at 75km); Col d’Aspin (category-one – 12.4km, 5.1% at 105km), Col de Peyresourde (category-one – 9.7km, 6.8% at 136km), Col du Portillon (category-one, 8.0km, 7.9% at 161km) and Pla-de-Beret (13km, 5.5% at 204.5km). There were only two intermediate sprints at Arcizac-ez-Angles (at 17.5km) and Luchon (at 151.0km). It was great race day. In the end it was left to 3 guys, Menchov, Leipheimer, and Landis. Leipheimer did great today. He has moved up from 58th to 13th in the GC. At the end of the day, the yellow jersey changed hands again for the 6th time in this year's Tour. An American is in yellow again, Floyd Landis.
After the stage some of the riders chose to ride down the descent and return to the team hotels in the valley. On the way down, Paolo Savoldelli of Team Discovery was struck by a spectator on his right eyebow, which caused he to crash. He received 15 stitches. I am sure there will be more details tomorrow.

The top five for this stage
1. MENCHOV, Denis (RUS, RAB) 06:06:25
2. LEIPHEIMER, Levi (USA, GST)
3. LANDIS, Floyd (USA, PHO)
4. EVANS, Cadel (AUS, DVL) 00:17
5. SASTRE, Carlos (ESP, CSC) 00:17

Overall standings (top 5)
1 LANDIS, Floyd (USA, PHO) 49:18:07
2 DESSEL, Cyril (FRA, A2R) 00:08
3 MENCHOV, Denis (RUS, RAB) 01:01
4 EVANS, Cadel (AUS, DVL) 01:17
5 SASTRE, Carlos (ESP, CSC) 01:52

Stage Map

(From www.olntv.com)

Stage Topography

(From www.olntv.com)