In the finishing sprint, Cavendish enjoyed a fine lead-out from his HTC-Highroad squad across the Place de la Concorde.

Cadel Evans has become the first Australian to capture cycling’s most prestigious title.

The 34-year-old Evans crossed the finish line on the Champs-Elysee at the end of the largely ceremonial final stage. He had virtually secured the title with his ride in the time trial in Grenoble a day earlier.

Andy Schleck of Luxembourg finished second overall for the third straight year, with brother Frank Schleck in third.

Evans’ triumph avoided heaping yet more controversy on cycling, for had pre-race favourite Contador won, the result would have been decided by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Mark Cavendish’s fifth stage win of this Tour affords him his first ever victory in the points classification, a prize that had eluded him in his three previous participations in the race.

The polka-dot jersey – awarded to the best climber – went to Olympic champion Samuel Sanchez of Spain, while the best young rider was Pierre Rolland of France.

Post race interview with Mark Cavendish:

Final GC standings after Stage 21:

1. Cadel Evans (AUS/BMC) 86h12min 22sec – winner
2. Andy Schleck (LUX/LEO) at 1:34.
3. Frank Schleck (LUX/LEO) 2:30.
4. Thomas Voeckler (FRA/EUC) 3:20.
5. Alberto Contador (ESP/SAX) 3:57.
6. Samuel Sanchez (ESP/EUS) 4:55.
7. Damiano Cunego (ITA/LAM) 6:05.
8. Ivan Basso (ITA/LIQ) 7:23.
9. Tom Danielson (USA/GRM) 8:15.
10. Jean Christophe Peraud (FRA/ALM) 10:11.
11. Pierre Rolland (FRA/EUC) 10:43.
12. Rein Taaramae (EST/COF) 11:29.
13. Kevin De Weert (BEL/QST) 16:29.
14. Jrome Coppel (FRA/SAU) 18:36.
15. Arnold Jeannesson (FRA/FDJ) 21:20.
16. Haimar Zubeldia (ESP/RSH) 26:23.
17. Christian Vande Velde (USA/GRM) 27:12.
18. Ryder Hesjedal (CAN/GRM) 27:14.
19. Peter Velits (SVK/HTC) 28:54.
20. Jelle Vanendert (BEL/OLO) 32:41.
21. Rob Ruijgh (NED/VAC) 33:04.
22. Hubert Dupont (FRA/ALM) 36:54.
23. Vladimir Gusev (RUS/KAT) 42:26.
24. Rigoberto Uran (COL/SKY) 42:48.
25. Gorka Verdugo (ESP/EUS) 43:06.
26. Nicolas Roche (IRL/ALM) 46:23.
27. Sandy Casar (FRA/FDJ) 50:28.
28. Vladimir Karpets (RUS/KAT) 52:25.
29. Maxime Monfort (BEL/LEO) 53:16.
30. Yury Trofimov (RUS/KAT) 56:46.
31. Geraint Thomas (GBR/SKY) 1h00:48.
32. Levi Leipheimer (USA/RSH) 1h03:58.
33. Robert Gesink (NED/RAB) 1h05:09.
34. Egoi Martinez (ESP/EUS) 1h08:28.
35. Carlos Barredo (ESP/RAB) 1h12:58.
36. David Arroyo (ESP/MOV) 1h14:40.
37. Chris Anker Srensen (DEN/SAX) 1h14:42.
38. Philippe Gilbert (BEL/OLO) 1h14:51.
39. Remy Di Gregorio (FRA/AST) 1h22:04.
40. Julien El Fars (FRA/COF) 1h24:21.
41. David Moncouti (FRA/COF) 1h25:25.
42. Sylvester Szmyd (POL/LIQ) 1h25:37.
43. Cyril Gautier (FRA/EUC) 1h27:43.
44. Tony Martin (GER/HTC) 1h30:56.
45. Andrej Zeits (KAZ/AST) 1h31:48.
46. Dries Devenyns (BEL/QST) 1h34:06.
47. Yannick Talabardon (FRA/SAU) 1h34:51.
48. Xavier Zandio (ESP/SKY) 1h35:18.
49. Steve Morabito (SUI/BMC) 1h37:57.
50. Jakob Diemer Fuglsang (DEN/LEO) 1h39:58.
51. Christophe Riblon (FRA/ALM) 1h43:47.
52. Anthony Charteau (FRA/EUC) 1h43:49.
53. Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR/SKY) 1h44:39.
54. Jrme Pineau (FRA/QST) 1h44:41.
55. Maxime Bouet (FRA/ALM) 1h44:45.
56. George Hincapie (USA/BMC) 1h45:16.
57. Luis Leon Sanchez (ESP/RAB) 1h46:09.
58. Laurens ten Dam (NED/RAB) 1h47:02.
59. David Loosli (SUI/LAM) 1h51:08.
60. Linus Gerdemann (GER/LEO) 1h51:19.
61. Sylvain Chavanel (FRA/QST) 1h52:21.
62. Daniel Navarro (ESP/SAX) 1h53:22.
63. Thomas DE GEN (BEL/VAC) 1h54:11.
64. Christian Knees (GER/SKY) 1h56:12.
65. Amal Moinard (FRA/BMC) 1h58:43.
66. Gorka Izagirre (ESP/EUS) 1h59:47.
67. Jens Voigt (GER/LEO) 1h59:56.
68. Thor Hushovd (NOR/GRM) 2h03:15.
69. Maciej Paterski (POL/LIQ) 2h03:56.
70. Bauke Mollema (NED/RAB) 2h06:35.
71. Grischa Niermann (GER/RAB) 2h07:26.
72. Richie Porte (AUS/SAX) 2h09:24.
73. Egor Silin (RUS/KAT) 2h10:05.
74. Johnny Hoogerland (NED/VAC) 2h11:51.
75. Ruben Perez Moreno (ESP/EUS) 2h12:28.
76. David Millar (GBR/GRM) 2h14:56.
77. Gianni Meersman (BEL/FDJ) 2h17:27.
78. Stuart O’Grady (AUS/LEO) 2h17:58.
79. Tony Gallopin (FRA/COF) 2h18:19.
80. Jos Joaquin Rojas (ESP/MOV) 2h22:54.
81. Sergio Paulinho (POR/RSH) 2h24:29.
82. Tejay Van Garderen (USA/HTC) 2h25:49.
83. Ivan Santaromita (ITA/BMC) 2h27:12.
84. Markel Irizar (ESP/RSH) 2h27:13.
85. Jrgen Roelandts (BEL/OLO) 2h27:28.
86. Jeremy Roy (FRA/FDJ) 2h28:27.
87. Kristjan Koren (SLO/LIQ) 2h29:24.
88. Imanol Erviti (ESP/MOV) 2h29:47.
89. Marco Marcato (ITA/VAC) 2h30:09.
90. Rui Costa (POR/MOV) 2h31:34.
91. Adriano Malori (ITA/LAM) 2h31:47.
92. Jesus Hernandez (ESP/SAX) 2h32:00.
93. Matteo Bono (ITA/LAM) 2h35:45.
94. Alan Perez Lezaun (ESP/EUS) 2h36:14.
95. Nicki Srensen (DEN/SAX) 2h36:26.
96. Simon Gerrans (AUS/SKY) 2h37:25.
97. Jonathan Hivert (FRA/SAU) 2h37:37.
98. Juan Antonio Flecha (ESP/SKY) 2h41:04.
99. Maartens Tjallingii (NED/RAB) 2h41:41.
100. Daniel Oss (ITA/LIQ) 2h47:07.
101. Anthony Roux (FRA/FDJ) 2h47:49.
102. Ivan Gutierrez (ESP/MOV) 2h49:23.
103. Michael Schr (SUI/BMC) 2h49:37.
104. Arthur Vichot (FRA/FDJ) 2h49:49.
105. Maxim Iglinskiy (KAZ/AST) 2h53:50.
106. Dmitriy Fofonov (KAZ/AST) 2h53:59.
107. Alessandro Petacchi (ITA/LAM) 2h54:20.
108. Joost Posthuma (NED/LEO) 2h55:25.
109. Danilo Hondo (GER/LAM) 3h00:00.
110. Sbastien Minard (FRA/ALM) 3h00:04.
111. Sbastien Hinault (FRA/ALM) 3h00:44.
112. Roman Kreuziger (CZE/AST) 3h00:59.
113. Sebastian Lang (GER/OLO) 3h01:51.
114. Brent Bookwalter (USA/BMC) 3h03:47.
115. Manuel Quinziato (ITA/BMC) 3h04:47.
116. Benjamin Noval (ESP/SAX) 3h06:29.
117. Blel Kadri (FRA/ALM) 3h07:07.
118. Tristan Valentin (FRA/COF) 3h07:10.
119. Fabian Cancellara (SUI/LEO) 3h07:31.
120. Sbastien Turgot (FRA/EUC) 3h08:34.
121. Fabio-Leonardo Duque (COL/COF) 3h08:41.
122. Laurent Mangel (FRA/SAU) 3h10:19.
123. Matteo Tosatto (ITA/SAX) 3h10:36.
124. Fabrice Jeandesboz (FRA/SAU) 3h11:47.
125. Brian Vandborg (DEN/SAX) 3h13:43.
126. Paolo Longo Borghini (ITA/LIQ) 3h13:44.
127. Grega Bole (SLO/LAM) 3h14:15.
128. Lieuwe Westra (NED/VAC) 3h14:15.
129. Dmitry Muravyev (KAZ/RSH) 3h14:29.
130. Mark Cavendish (GBR/HTC) 3h15:05.
131. Michael Buffaz (FRA/COF) 3h15:12.
132. Mickael Delage (FRA/FDJ) 3h15:39.
133. Alessandro Vanotti (ITA/LIQ) 3h16:00.
134. Niki Terpstra (NED/QST) 3h16:38.
135. Anthony Delaplace (FRA/SAU) 3h16:58.
136. Borut Božic (SLO/VAC) 3h17:11.
137. Ben Swift (ENG/SKY) 3h18:07.
138. Jeremie Galland (FRA/SAU) 3h19:46.
139. Francisco Ventoso (ESP/MOV) 3h20:02.
140. Tomas Vaitkus (LTU/AST) 3h20:07.
141. Marcel Sieberg (GER/OLO) 3h21:39.
142. Matthew Goss (AUS/HTC) 3h22:32.
143. Maciej Bodnar (POL/LIQ) 3h23:30.
144. Andriy Grivko (UKR/AST) 3h26:22.
145. Julian Dean (NZL/GRM) 3h28:00.
146. Addy Engels (NED/QST) 3h29:04.
147. Mikhail Ignatiev (RUS/KAT) 3h29:07.
148. Arnaud Coyot (FRA/SAU) 3h29:20.
149. Pablo Urtasun (ESP/EUS) 3h30:17.
150. Gerald Ciolek (GER/QST) 3h30:22.
151. Perrig Quemeneur (FRA/EUC) 3h30:35.
152. Romain Zingle (BEL/COF) 3h31:30.
153. Denys Kostyuk (UKR/LAM) 3h31:42.
154. Lars Ytting Bak (DEN/HTC) 3h33:25.
155. Vincent Jrme (FRA/EUC) 3h34:37.
156. Andr Greipel (GER/OLO) 3h35:04.
157. Ramunas Navardauskas (LTU/GRM) 3h36:53.
158. Yohann Gene (FRA/EUC) 3h38:13.
159. Tyler Farrar (USA/GRM) 3h38:32.
160. Jimmy Engoulvent (FRA/SAU) 3h38:34.
161. Bernhard Eisel (AUT/HTC) 3h39:56.
162. Samuel Dumoulin (FRA/COF) 3h43:17.
163. Mark Renshaw (AUS/HTC) 3h44:00.
164. Marcus Burghardt (GER/BMC) 3h44:08.
165. Danny Pate (USA/HTC) 3h45:26.
166. Audrey Amador (CRC/MOV) 3h54:35.
167. Fabio Sabatini (ITA/LIQ) 3h57:43.

“We have developed our new team, aiming for a fresh and innovative style”, general manager Brian Nygaard told a news conference in Luxembourg.

“With riders on the roster who can win from the first race of the season to the final, we are looking to be competitive in a lots of races,” said Nygaard.

Team kit looks very slick, no leopard spots!

2011 Team Leopard Trek Madone road bike

Full team roster:
Daniele Bennati (ITA) (age 30)
Fabian Cancellara (SUI) (age 29)
Will Clarke (AUS) (age 25)
Stefan Denifl (AUT) (age 23)
Brice Feillu (FRA) (age 25)
Jakob Fuglsang (DEN) (age 25)
Linus Gerdemann (GER) (age 28)
Dominic Klemme (GER) (age 24)
Anders Lund (DEN) (age 25)
Maxime Monfort (BEL) (age 27)
Martin Mortensen (DEN) (age 26)
Giacomo Nizzolo (ITA) (age 21)
Stuart O’Grady (AUS) (age 37)
Martin Pedersen (DEN) (age 27)
Joost Posthuma (NED) (age 29)
Andy Schleck (LUX) (age 25)
Fränk Schleck (LUX) (age 30)
Tom Stamsnijder (NED) (age 25)
Bruno Pires (POR) (age 29)
Davide Viganò (ITA) (age 26)
Jens Voigt (GER) (age 39)
Robert Wagner (GER) (age 27)
Fabian Wegmann (GER) (age 30)
Wouter Weylandt (BEL) (age 26)
Oliver Zaugg (SUI) (age 29)

I cant wait to watch this team ride this year, the Tour sure is going to be interesting. The team makes it first appearance at the Tour Down Under next week.

The 30-year-old from Canberra, a three-time world time trial champion, brings a wealth of stage-racing experience as a veteran of nine Grand Tours.

Sports director Sean Yates is delighted to have Rogers on board and feels he can be a great role model for the younger riders on the team.

He said: “Michael is a consummate professional and great addition to the team. He has proven himself in big races right throughout his career and that experience will be an invaluable asset to us.

Rogers is excited to begin this new chapter of his career at Team Sky and has no qualms about taking a central role within the squad.

He said: “I like the direction and general outlook of the team and am delighted to be here. Having ridden against them this year it was clear to see the team were learning and improving all the time and I expect that to continue next season.

“I’ve been lucky enough to ride with some great riders in the past and have learned a lot from them. If they want me to, I am more than happy to pass some of that experience along and I will do whatever I can to help the team’s progression.”

In other news, seasoned Tour de France campaigner Stuart O’Grady has confirmed his departure from Saxo Bank by signing with the Luxembourg Cycling Project being led by Schleck brothers Andy and Frank.

The Schlecks caused a minor upset recently by quitting Saxo Bank, owned and managed by former Tour de France winner Bjarne Riis, and many of their former team-mates have followed suit.

O’Grady, a former winner of the gruelling Paris-Roubaix one-day classic, has also been instrumental in Saxo Bank’s successes on the Tour de France in recent years, displaying leadership qualities in his role as road captain.

Looks like its going to be a potent team.

“It’s official that we will not be riding with  Bjarne  next season,” Andy Schleck said.  “We are going to leave at the end of the year,” he added.

Both brothers have had good seasons so far with Andy finishing 2nd overall in this years Tour with Frank winning this years Tour of Switzerland. Unfortunately for Frank he crashed out of the Tour sustaining a broken collar bone.

With Saxo Bank set to leave the sport at the end of 2010, many rumours have been flying around as to where they will end up. Both brothers firmly believe that they need to race in the same team meaning there would need to be space for two riders in whichever team they choose.

“We’re not going to stay. We’re going to leave at the end of the year. All the doubts and news about us racing in the same team as (Tour de France champion Alberto) Contador are now finished. We’re not going to continue.”

Both brothers have spent a long time with Riis. Andy has spent five years and Frank eight years. Riis admits that he has known about the brothers move for a while , “I can not imagine a new Luxembourg team without Frank and Andy Schleck in it.”

The Schlecks confirmed as much when they said: “We can’t say where we’re going but of course there’s a team in Luxembourg coming up … we made our mind up and Bjarne knows.”

Saxo Bank announced last year that they would end their funding of Riis’s outfit at the end of 2010.

And after a long drawn-out search Riis, who two years ago admitted to taking performance-enhancing products to win the world’s biggest bike race in 1996, appears to have found a replacement in Sungard.

Sungard is an information technology (IT) company which is already one of the team’s several sponsors and their arrival means Riis’s team are guaranteed “another two-years” of survival.

“Sungard are ready to step up, and they will be a very important sponsor for us for next year – as a co-title sponsor. We have made an agreement with another company, as a co-title sponsor,” said Riis.

“I cannot announce the name right now, because of the business strategy for this company. This has to be done later.”

Schleck, who is rumored to be leaving Saxo Bank with his brother Frank for an as yet unnamed team to be run by former Saxo Bank sports director Kim Andersen, said he would not speculate on such a move.

“I’m happy for Bjarne, but I’m not here to speculate on my future,” said the Luxemburger.

Andy Schleck’s brother Frank crashed out of the race on stage three.

France

Nicolas Vogondy of Bbox Bouygues Telecom took his first national time trial title, ahead of Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step) and Laszlo Bodrogi (Katusha). Vogondy, who has twice won the road title, missed much of the season due to a heart arrhythmia problem.

“I am maybe in the best shape of my career,” said Vogondy, who won a mountain stage at the Dauphiné earlier this month. “I came here for a podium placing and I’m very happy to have the best place.”

Jeannie Longo-Ciprelli took her 57th national title, and her ninth time trial title. The 51-year-old covered the24.7 kilometres over a minute faster than her closest competitors, Edwige Pitel and Christel Ferrier-Bruneau.

“I’ve trained hard for this since December. That was my main goal,” she said.

The elite men's podium (l-r): Sylvain Chavanel, Nicolas Vogondy and Laszlo Bodrogi. Photo: © Fabrice Lambert/sportbreizh.com

Denmark

It was all Team Saxo Bank at the Danish time trial, as teammates Jakob Fuglsang, Alex Rasmussen and Michael Mørkøv filled the podium. “Naturally, I’m happy and proud to be able to fill the podium with our riders,” said Riis. “Alex and Jakob are going strong as expected and they really delivered a great performance today.”

“But it is truly remarkable to see Michael (Mørkøv) is now among the three best riders in the country. He did a great job and it only confirms that our work with the riders pays off,” he added.

On the women’s side, Annika Langvad finished nearly two minutes ahead of Trine Schmidt and Maria Grandt Petersen on the 25km course.

Podium (L-R): Alex Rasmussen (Team Saxo Bank), Jakob Fuglsang (Team Saxo Bank), and Michael Mørkøv (Team Saxo Bank). Photo: © Frank Rud Jensen

Sweden

Sweden was also in Saxo Bank’s hands, as Gustav Erik Larsson blasted his way to his third title. He finished over two and a half minutes ahead of his nearest rival, Sebastian Balck, with Frederik Kessiakof of Garmin-Transitions only seconds back in third.

HTC-Columbia’s Emila Fahlin claimed her third national time trial title at the tender age of 21. Second and third places went to Emma Johansson and Sara Mustonen.

Switzerland

With Fabian Cancellara not participating, the way was left open for Rubens Bertogliati to take the Swiss time trial championship. He finished 21 seconds ahead of Alexander Aeschbach, with AG2R’s Martin Elmiger one minute back in third.

Pascale Schnider of bike-import.ch won her first national time trial title. She beat Cervelo’s Patricia Schwager by just one second. Marielle Saer-Guinchard was third.
Norway

Edvald Boasson Hagen continued to dominate the Norwegian time trial scene, winning his fourth consecutive title. Reidar Bohlin Borgersen was second, at 0:52, and Stian Saugstad third at 1:10.
Netherlands

Rabobank took the top steps of the Dutch podium, with Jos Van Emden winning the time trial title in 1:00:42, with teammate Koos Moerenhout finishing second 50 seconds later. Lieuwe Westra of Vacansoleil was third, at 53 seconds.

It was the third time trial win in recent weeks for van Emden, as he won the prologues at both the Delta Tour Zealand and the Ster Elektrotoer.

Marianne Vos won one of the few titles that had previously eluded her. The 23-year-old has won three road championships, but finally claimed the time trial title as well. She defeated defending champion Regina Bruins and Kirsten Wild, both of Cervelo.

Vos surprised herself with the win. “Time trailing has never been my thing. I did not expect a victory or even a medal. “

Luxembourg

The only real question in this race was which Andy brother would take the title, and younger bother Andy had the upper hand. He beat older brother and Saxo Bank teammate Fränk by 56 seconds. Christian Poos (Continental Team Differdange) was third at 1:43.

“I must say, that I had sort of aimed at winning the individual time trial,” Andy Schleck told the Luxembourger website Tageblatt.lu. “It really hurt and I wanted to use it as a little test for the Tour de France.”

There were only four riders in the race, and Ben Gastauer of AG2R) was the unlucky one to miss out on the podium, finishing 3:10 back.
Others

Saxo Bank claimed another title, as Jaroslaw Marycz won in Poland. HTC-Columbia took two national time trial titles, Frantisek Rabon in the Czech Republic and Martin Velits in Slovakia. Andrey Mizourov won in Kazakhstan, Peter Kusztor in Hungary and David McCann in Ireland.

Courtesy Susan Westemeyer

The Rabobank climbing specialist attacked late on the third and final climb, crested the summit alone and raced the remaining 10km downhill to finish well ahead of an eight-man group of chasers.

Rigoberto Uran led the pursuit group, which included Lance Armstrong, over the finish line 42 seconds in arrears.

Gesink now holds a 29-second lead on Uran, of Caisse d’Epargne, with Swiss rider Steve Morabito at 36 and Franck Schleck at 38.

The sixth stage was a 213 km ride from Meiringen and La Punt and with two hors categorie climbs ─  the Sustenpass and Albulapass ─ and one category one climb, the Oberalppass, a change of race leader was a distinct possibility.

Germany’s Tony Martin began the day with a 01-second lead on defending champion Fabian Cancellara of Saxo Bank, however the Swiss was never in contention on the long, sapping climbs of the Swiss Alps.

Martin’s HTC-Columbia team tried to provide as much support as possible on the long climb over the Albulapass however a series of attacks and counter-attacks upset the German’s plans and he eventually trailed in over two minutes behind.

Klöden and Armstrong on the final climb

A convincing attack by Tour de France runner-up Andy Schleck appeared to set him up to take command of the race however the Luxemburger inexplicably ran out of steam. Gesink had closed the gap to Schleck and, sniffing an opportunity, he raced away from Schleck to go on and forge a win that could well prove key to him winning the race overall.

Armstrong, who is sitting seventh overall, 55 seconds behind the winner, said he was satisfied with his performance in the mountains.

“It was a tough day. To be honest, I suffered at the beginning of the Albula climb. It was hard to find my rhythm,” said the seven-time Tour de France winner. “But overall I’m quite happy. It was a long day that was also a good test.

“Team RadioShack is ready for the Tour de France” he added.

Friday’s seventh stage is another hilly affair but the 204.1 km ride from Savognin to Wetzikon will be far easier than the sixth stage.

The race ends with an individual time trial on Sunday.

Top-10, Stage 6

1. Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank, 6:20:53
2. Rigoberto Uran (Col) Caisse d’Epargne, at 0:42
3. Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Katusha, at 0:42
4. Oliver Zaugg (Swi) Liquigas-Doimo, at 0:42
5. Lance Armstrong (USA) Radioshack, at 0:42
6. Matteo Carrara (Ita) Vacansoleil, at 0:42
7. Steve Morabito (Swi) BMC Racing, at 0:42
8. Fränk Schleck (Lux) Saxo Bank, at 0:42
9. Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas-Doimo, at 0:42
10. Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Saxo Bank, at 1:20

Overall Standings, after Stage 6

1. Robert Gesink (Ned), Rabobank, 25:18:57
2. Rigoberto Uran (Col), Caisse d’Epargne, at 0:29
3. Steve Morabito (Swi), BMC, at 0:36
4. Fränk Schleck (Lux), Saxo Bank, at 0:38
5. Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver (Spa), Katusha, at 0:42
6. Matteo Carrara (Ita), Vacansoleil, at 0:54
7. Lance Armstrong (USA), Radioshack, at 0:55
8. Oliver Zaugg (Swi), Liquigas-Doimo, at 1:01
9. Jakob Fuglsang (Den), Saxo Bank, at 1:17
10. Thomas Lövkvist (Swe), Sky, at 1:38

Courtesy www.velonews.com
Images courtesy Graham Watson

The severe weather conditions caused the race jury to nullify the stage for the overall rankings. Fränk Schleck (Saxo Bank) was thus second overall and Lance Armstrong (RadioShack) filled out the podium in third place. Armstrong had fallen about three minutes back on the closing laps to avoid any risk.

“When I took the lead on Friday, I knew our team was strong enough to defend the lead,” Carrara said. “Standing on the podium beside Fränk Schleck and Lance Armstrong is something to be proud of.”

Schleck thus lost his title from 2009 by one second. “I am 100 percent satisfied, since I can stand on the podium in front of the Luxembourg public,” he said.

103 riders took to the start in Mersch, and as in the previous stages, an early break group got away. Jonathan Catroviejo (Euskaltel), Pawel Brutt (Katusha) and Vataustas Kaupas (CT Differdange)  were soon joined by Mitchell Docker (Skil Shimano), Sebastien Turgot (Bbox) and Jorge Martin Montenegro (Andalucia- Cajasur).  However the field kept them on a short line, holding the gap at three minutes.

Four members of the group were caught as the race started the five 7.7km finishing circuits around the city of Luxembourg. It started raining, too and eventually the final two breakaway riders were caught.

Then the weather took control. Thunder, lightening, torrential rain and flooded roads transformed the race, with multiple crashes emphasising how unsafe the situation had become. The organisers quickly decided to cut the last two laps of the circuit.

Four riders escaped on the last lap: race leader Matteo Carrara, Gorka Izaguirre (Euskaltel), Yokihiro Doi (Skil-Shimano) and Serguei Ivanov (Katusha).  Izaguirre opened the sprint, just as the sun came out, and took the win ahead of Ivanonv and Houanard.

Stage

1. Gorka Izaguirre (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 135km in 3:01:23.
2. Serguei Ivanov (RUS), s.t..
3. Matteo Carrara (ITA), s.t..
4. Steve Houanard (FRA), s.t..
5. Jimmy Engoulvent (FRA), s.t..
6. Tiago Machado (POR), s.t..
7. Saïd Haddou (FRA), s.t..
8. Juan Antoni Flecha (ESP), s.t..
9. Eduard Vorganov (RUS, s.t..
10. Simon Gerrans (AUS), s.t.

Overall

1. Matteo Carrara (ITA), Vacansoleil, 14:41:58.
2. Frank Schleck (LUX), at 0:01
3. Lance Armstrong (USA), at 0:30
4. Juan Antonio Flecha (ESP, at 0:34
5. Serguei Ivanov (RUS), same time
6. Bjorn Leukemans (BEL), at 0:35
7. Alexandre Geniez (FRA), at 0:39
8. Andreas Klöden (GER, at 0:50
9. Grégory Rast (SUI) , at 0:51
10. Sandy Casar (FRA), at 0:52

Courtesy Susan Westemeyer

Carrara and defending champion Schleck peeled away from the chasing pack 10 kilometers from the finish and the Luxemburger just won their race for the line, finish 35 seconds ahead of Sky’s Juan Antonio Flecha, who came in third.

Carrara now has a one-second advantage over Schleck and a 30-second lead over third-placed Lance Armstrong, who came in sixth on the day after a 203km race from Schifflange to Differdange.

Before the racers left Schifflange for the start Armstrong’s sporting director Johan Bruyneel praised the form of the former Tour de France champion.

“Lance is really in very good condition. He is finding his strength and this Tour of Luxembourg is perfect for him to to get his rhythm,” said Bruyneel.

Saturday’s penultimate stage is a 191km ride from Eschweiller to Diekirch.

Frank Schleck wins

Daryl Impey and Lance Armstrong

Stage 2 – Top 10

1. Frank SCHLECK (LUX) Team Saxo Bank, 5:10:38
2. Matteo CARRARA (ITA) Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team at 0
3. Juan Antonio FLECHA GIANNONI (ESP) Team Sky at 35
4. Serguei IVANOV (RUS) Team Katusha at 35
5. Björn LEUKEMANS (BEL) Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team at 36
6. Lance ARMSTRONG (USA) Team RadioShack at 36
7. Alexandre GENIEZ (FRA) Skil-Shimano at 36
8. Sergey LAGUTIN (UZB) Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team at 53
9. Patrik SINKEWITZ (GER) ISD-Neri at 53
10. Serge PAUWELS (BEL) Team Sky at 53

Overall – Top 10

1. Matteo CARRARA (Italy) Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team, 9:44:30
2. Frank SCHLECK (Luxembourg) Team Saxo Bank at 1
3. Lance ARMSTRONG (United States) Team RadioShack at 30
4. Juan Antonio FLECHA GIANNONI (Spain) Team Sky at 34
5. Serguei IVANOV (Russia) Team Katusha at 34
6. Björn LEUKEMANS (Belgium) Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team at 35
7. Alexandre GENIEZ (France) Skil-Shimano at 39
8. Andreas KLÖDEN (Germany) Team RadioShack at 50
9. Cyril LEMOINE (France) Saur-Sojasun at 51
10. Grégory RAST (Switzerland) Team RadioShack at 51

Courtesy www.velonews.com