Stage 12 Results

Stage 12 was 211.5km (131 miles) from Luchon to Carcassonne. This stage had four climbs: Col des Ares (category-2 at the 27km mark), Cote de Pujos (cat-4 at 47.5km), Cote de Paul de Pailhes (cat-4 at 126.0km) and the Cote de Pamiers (cat-4 at 136.0km). Also two intermediate sprints: in Caumont (at 76.0km) and Mirepoix (162.0km). The Discovery Channel did not have a good start to today. Paolo Savoldelli abandoned at 43 kilometers into the stage, followed later by Benjamin Noval. Yaroslav Popovych of Team Discovery Channel got into a break away and stayed away to the end. With 7 kilometers to ride, Popovych started launching strong attacks against the break away. On the 5th attack he was successful and took the lead and kept it to win the stage. Popovych move from 23rd place to 10th.

The top five for this stage
1. POPOVYCH, Yaroslav (UKR, DSC) 04:34:58
2. BALLAN, Alessandro (ITA, LAM) 00:27
3. FREIRE, Oscar (ESP, RAB) 00:29
4. LE MEVEL, Christophe (FRA, C.A) 00:35
5. BOONEN, Tom (BEL, QSI) 04:25

Overall standings (top 5)
1. LANDIS, Floyd (USA, PHO) 53:57:30
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)