With television coverage focused solely on the battle for final podium places, audiences would miss two more outstanding performances by the riders that animated the 97th Tour de France Prologue.

Tony Martin (HTC-Columbia), the young German who sat in the hot seat for hours before Cancellara bested his time in the Prologue, had the benefit of the later start time on the 52km Stage 19 Individual Time Trial. Martin would set the fastest time at the first intermediate checkpoint, but he was unable to match the World Champion for the remainder of the race. But, he was not alone.

Fabian Cancellara (Team Saxo Bank) sat comfortably on the leader's perch all day after seeing Martin's finish as no one would even pose a serious threat to his time of 1:00:56. Ultimately, Martin would finish in second, while teammate Bert Grabsch, another early starter, finished in third.

Stage 19 Results
1. Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank
2. Tony Martin (Ger) Team HTC - Columbia
3. Bert Grabsch (Ger) Team HTC - Columbia

The battle for podium places went relatively as expected. Andy Schleck (Team Saxo Bank) fought valiantly, but was unable to make up the 8 second gap to Alberto Contador (Team Astana) to reclaim the maillot jaune. The Luxembourger would lose thirty-one seconds to Contador, which coincidentally was the gap between the two when a mechanical felled Schleck in the mountains.

Denis Menchov (Rabobank) proved to be the better time trialist between he and Samuel Sanchez (Euskatel-Euskadi). The quiet Russian easily made up the 21 second gap to Sanchez, who had an off-day, to take the final podium spot in Paris.

General Classification After Stage 19
1. Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana
2. Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank - 0:00:39
3. Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank - 0:02:01
4. Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi - 0:03:40
5. Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto - 0:06:54
6. Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank - 0:09:31
7. Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Transitions - 0:10:15
8. Joaquin Rodriguez (Spa) Team Katusha - 0:11:37
9. Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas-Doimo - 0:11:54
10. Christopher Horner (USA) Team Radioshack - 0:12:02

Jersey Leaders After Stage 19
maillot jaune - Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana
maillot vert - Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini
maillot à pois rouges - Anthony Charteau (Fra) Bbox Bouygues Telecom
maillot blanc - Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank

Next: Stage 20 -Longjumeau to Paris (102.5km)
The final stage and promenade in Paris...

Photo: Lionel Bonaventure/AFP/Getty Images

After several long days slogging up mountains, the sprinters finally had another opportunity to show their wares.

Despite a break of four — Matti Breschel (Saxo Bank), Jerome Pineau (Quick Step), Benoit Vaugrenard (FDJ) and Daniel Oss (Liquigas) — getting off the front early on the stage and Oss' unwillingness to relent in the closing kilometers, the 198km Stage 18 from Salies-de-Bearn to Bordeaux ended in a bunch sprint, or at least it started out that way.

Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia) was simply untouchable in the run-up into the line. The Isle of Man rider would have the opportunity to look back three times in the closing meters to assess his would be competition before celebrating his fourth victory in this year's Tour and 14th overall in his young career.

Julian Dean (Garmin - Transitions) and Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-Farnese Vini) finished in second and third, respectively. By virtue of his third place finish, Petacchi reclaimed ownership of the maillot vert from Thor Hushovd (Cervelo Test Team).

Stage 18 Results
1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team HTC - Columbia
2. Julian Dean (NZl) Garmin - Transitions
3. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini

General Classification After Stage 18
1. Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana
2. Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank - 0:00:08
3. Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi - 0:03:32
4. Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank - 0:03:53
5. Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto - 0:05:27
6. Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank - 0:06:41
7. Joaquin Rodriguez (Spa) Team Katusha - 0:07:03
8. Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Transitions - 0:09:18
9. Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas-Doimo - 0:10:12
10. Christopher Horner (USA) Team Radioshack - 0:10:37

Jersey Leaders After Stage 18
maillot jaune - Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana
maillot vert - Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank
maillot à pois rouges - Anthony Charteau (Fra) Bbox Bouygues Telecom
maillot blanc - Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank

Next: Stage 19 -Bordeaux to Pauillac (52km)

Photo: Pascal Pavani/AFP/Getty Images

The final, and perhaps decisive, mountain stage of the 97th Tour de France was billed as the dual on the Tourmalet.

With the steep inclines and foggy weather serving as the background, this year's top two riders, Alberto Contador (Astana) and Andy Schleck (Team Saxo Bank) stood toe-to-toe on the fabled mountain pass as thousands of crazed cycling fans and even a herd of sheep tuned in in hopes of a memorable spectacle.

What ensued was a battle reminiscent of Greg Lemond and Bernard Hinault in 1986 as maillot jaune wearer, Contador, metered every twitch and refused to cede a single second to Schleck. Though Schleck could never be confused with the Badger, or Contador for Lemond for that matter, Schleck worked relentlessly to shake the Spaniard from his wheel. The Luxembourger never laid down a massive attack, such as the one that saw him drop his chain on Stage 15, which might have disappointed some fans, but he would nonetheless garner his second stage win in this year's Tour.

Joaquin Rodriguez (Team Katusha) rounded out the day's podium in third.

Stage 17 Results
1. Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank
2. Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana
3. Joaquin Rodriguez (Spa) Team Katusha

Tooting His Own Horn

Those who envisioned Chris Horner in the top ten of the General Classification as well as being the highest placed Team RadioShack rider by Tour's end certainly have cause to celebrate.

The 38-year old, who was left off of last year's Tour de France squad, solidified his place on the GC by finishing 1:45 in arrears to Schleck and Contador.

General Classification After Stage 17
1. Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana
2. Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank - 0:00:08
3. Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi - 0:03:32
4. Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank - 0:03:53
5. Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto - 0:05:27
6. Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank - 0:06:41
7. Joaquin Rodriguez (Spa) Team Katusha - 0:07:03
8. Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Transitions - 0:09:18
9. Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas-Doimo - 0:10:12
10. Christopher Horner (USA) Team Radioshack - 0:10:37

Jersey Leaders After Stage 17
maillot jaune - Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana
maillot vert - Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team
maillot à pois rouges - Anthony Charteau (Fra) Bbox Bouygues Telecom
maillot blanc - Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank

Next: Stage 18 -Salies-de-Béarn to Bordeaux (198km)The sprinters will finally be able to stretch their legs after biding their time in the comfort of the autobus.

Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

On undoubtedly the hardest climbing stage of the 97th Tour de France, which featured the infamous "Circle of Death" in the Col de Peyresourde, Col d'Aspin, Col du Tourmalet and Col d'Aubisque, the finale came down to a bunch sprint among nine gamely but tired breakaway companions.

Frenchman Pierrick Fedrigo (Bbox Bouygues Telecom) proved to be the fastest at day's end, but sentiments were certainly with the former 7-time Tour champion, Lance Armstrong (Team RadioShack), who looked to push the sun back up into the sky just one more time in his illustrious cycling career.

The winning selection, which included Sandy Casar (Française des Jeux), Ruben Plaza Molina and Christophe Moreau (Caisse d'Epargne), Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Farnese Vini), Christopher Horner and Armstrong (Team Radioshack), Quick Step teammates, Carlos Barredo Llamazales and Jurgen Van De Walle, and Fedrigo formed shortly before the ascent of the Tourmalet, although Armstrong, Horner and Barredo were among the the day's initial escapees at the 5km mark.

After the group cleared the final climb of the day, the Col d'Aubisque, Barredo attempted to go solo. Ultimately 44km proved too great a distance as the Quick Step rider was caught within the final 5km and did not contest the sprint finish. The move; however, forced Team RadioShack and Caisse d'Epargne to expend more energy than they had hoped for in the chase.

Inside the flamme rouge, Armstrong was one of the first to take out the sprint. But after seeing Fedrigo fly by and finding his own tank empty, a disappointed Armstrong sat up to take in the finale of what would most likely be his final attempt at Tour glory.

Fedrigo would pip countryman Casar and Spaniard Molina at the line to win the epic and claim his third Tour de France victory of his career.

Stage 16 Results
1. Pierrick Fedrigo (Fra) Bbox Bouygues Telecom
2. Sandy Casar (Fra) Française des Jeux
3. Ruben Plaza Molina (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne

General Classification After Stage 16
1. Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana
2. Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank - 0:00:08
3. Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi - 0:02:00
4. Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank - 0:02:13
5. Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto - 0:03:39
6. Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank - 0:05:01
7. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Team Radioshack - 0:05:25
8. Joaquin Rodriguez (Spa) Team Katusha - 0:05:45
9. Alexander Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana - 0:07:12
10. Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Transitions - 0:07:51

Jersey Leaders After Stage 16
maillot jaune - Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana
maillot vert - Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team
maillot à pois rouges - Anthony Charteau (Fra) Bbox Bouygues Telecom
maillot blanc - Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank

Next: Rest Day #2; Thrusday - Stage 17 -Pau to Col du Tourmalet (174km)

Sprinting is a rough and tumble business. It is not for the faint of heart nor is it for those who lack intestinal fortitude.

Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia), Tyler Farrar (Team Garmin-Transitions), Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-Farnese Vini), Thor Hushovd (Cervelo Test Team) and Robbie McEwen (Omega-Pharma Lotto), among others are first to come to mind when searching for that type of swashbuckling mentality in the professional peloton.

But there are also those sprinters like Mark Renshaw (HTC-Columbia) and Julian Dean (Garmin-Transitions) who carry as much bravado, but are rarely seen because of their roles as lead-out men.

Though Cavendish would garner all the well deserved accolades after taking the eleventh stage in the 97th edition of the Tour de France, his third win of this year's race and 13th overall in his career, the more significant story of the day lay in how he got to the podium.

In the chaotic build-up to the sprint finish, Renshaw broke out the kitchen sink to ensure his sprint leader's safe passage to the line. The relatively unseen and quiet Renshaw would throw a haymaker of a headbutt in the direction of Dean to prevent the Garmin-Transitions' rider from impeding his path. The scuffle ultimately opened up the hole to which Cavendish slid through, but it also left HTC-Columbia without a valuable piece in the lead-outs and in the hills as Renshaw was thrown out of the race for his actions.

Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-Farnese Vini) would take second and Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Transitions) third.

Stage 11 Results
1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team HTC - Columbia
2. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini
3. Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - Transitions

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General Classification After Stage 11
1. Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank
2. Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana - 0:00:41
3. Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi - 0:02:45
4. Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank - 0:02:58
5. Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto - 0:03:31
6. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Team Radioshack - 0:03:59
7. Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank - 0:04:22
8. Luis León Sánchez Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne - 0:04:41
9. Joaquin Rodriguez (Spa) Team Katusha - 0:05:08
10. Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-Doimo - 0:05:09

Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-Farnese Vini) climbs back into the lead of the maillot vert , while Jérôme Pineau (Quick Step) reclaimed the maillot pois-a-rouges.

Jersey Leaders After Stage 11
maillot jaune - Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank
maillot vert - Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini
maillot à pois rouges - Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Quick Step
maillot blanc - Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank

Next: Stage 12 -Bourge-de-Péage to Mende (210.5km)
Another hilly day. Follow our LIVE Tour de France coverage on LIVESTRONG.com

This post sponsored by Bing

Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

To say that Team Radioshack has had a less than stellar performance at the 97th Tour de France, may be a bit of an understatement. With Lance Armstrong's role roughly reduced to a supporting one and with Levi Leipheimer losing more time to Andy Schleck (Team Saxo Bank) and former teammate, Alberto Contador (Astana), the American squad has had little, if anything, to cheer about.

However, that all changed on Wednesday as Sergio Paulinho took the two-up sprint victory over Vasili Kiryienka (Caisse d'Epargne) and won the 179km Stage 10 from Chambery to Gap.

Involved in a six-man break that the peloton was more than content to let go, Paulinho, Kiryienka, Dries Devenyns (Quick Step), Pierre Rolland (Bbox Bouygues Telecom), Mario Aerts (Omega Pharma-Lotto), and Maxime Bouet (AG2R La Mondiale) built a lead that breached the 11 minute mark at one point in the race.

As the group neared the finale in Gap, the hopes of a French victory on Bastille Day were quickly dashed as first Bouet and then Rolland finally cracked. Belarus' Kiryienka; however, proved to be a tougher nut to crack. The Caisse d'Epargne rider would stay with Paulinho to the bitter end before he too succumbed and was outmaneuvered by the Portuguese rider.

With thumb entrenched firmly in mouth, Paulinho cruised easily across the line for a much needed stage win.

"This is a victory we've been looking for for a while, after all the bad luck we had in the first week," said Paulinho afterward. "I hope this victory gives morale back to our team."

Stage 10 Results
1. Sergio Paulinho (Por) Team Radioshack
2. Vasili Kiryienka (Blr) Caisse d'Epargne
3. Dries Devenyns (Bel) Quick Step

No real movement in the top end of the General Classification, but Robbie Hunter (Team Garmin-Transitions) crashed during Stage 10 of the 2010 Tour de France. He was examined at a local hospital and x-rays show that he sustained a small radial head fracture to his elbow. He plans to start Stage 11.

General Classification After Stage 10
1. Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank
2. Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana - 0:00:41
3. Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi - 0:02:45
4. Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank - 0:02:58
5. Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto - 0:03:31
6. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Team Radioshack - 0:03:59
7. Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank - 0:04:22
8. Luis León Sánchez Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne - 0:04:41
9. Joaquin Rodriguez (Spa) Team Katusha - 0:05:08
10. Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-Doimo - 0:05:09

Jerome Pineau (Quick Step) reclaims the polka-dot mountains jersey, while Thor Hushovd (Cervelo Test Team) holds onto the green points jersey by a slim margin.

Jersey Leaders After Stage 10
maillot jaune - Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank
maillot vert - Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team
maillot à pois rouges - Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Quick Step
maillot blanc - Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank

Next: Stage 11 - Sisteron to Bourg-lès-Valence (184.5km
After several days of climbing, the sprinters will once again have their day in the sun. Follow our LIVE Tour de France coverage on LIVESTRONG.com.

Photo: Lionel Bonaventure/AFP/Getty Images

Française des Jeux's Sandy Casar won the ninth stage of the 97th Tour de France from Morzine-Avoriaz to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, but his victory was not without some anxious moments as a show of strength by the top two contenders almost ruined the 31-year old Frenchman's day.

A group of 10 including current mountains and points jersey leaders, Jerome Pineau (Quick Step) and Thor Hushovd (Cervelo Test Team), Jens Voigt (Saxo Bank), Cyril Gautier (Bbox Bouygues Telecom), Luis Leon Sanchez (Caisse d'Epargne), José Ivan Gutierrez (Caisse d'Epargne), Christophe Moreau (Caisse d'Epargne), Rinaldo Nocentini (Ag2r-La Mondiale), Anthony Charteau (Bbox Bouygues Telecom), Johannes Frohlinger (Milram), formed the day's initial selection early during the 204.5km stage. The group was later joined by Rein Taaramae (Cofidis) and Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Farnese Vini) to make it a dirty dozen.

But with difficult passes of the Col de la Colombière, Col des Aravis, Col des Saises, and Col de la Madeleine still remaining along the route, the group eventually whittled down to the fabulous five of Casar, Caisse d'Epargne teammates León Sánchez and Moreau, Cunego, and Charteau.

The quintet worked well together and nearly make it to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne alone to contest for the day's placing, but vicious attacks by Andy Schleck (Team Saxo Bank), Samuel Sanchez (Euskatel-Euskadi) and Alberto Contador (Astana), not only relegated other would be contenders farther behind, but also enabled the trio to bridge the gap to the leaders.

The Olympic champion, Sanchez, was the first to make contact. He would help drive the break and put Moreau into serious difficulty, leaving the Frenchman in no-man's land. But with Contador and Schleck closing fast behind, Moreau found new life and company to help shepherd him to the finish line.

In the closing meters, the quintet surprisingly grew into an octet before Casar, Leon Sanchez, and Cunego finally restored some order and took the top three placings.

Stage 9 Results
1. Sandy Casar (Fra) Française des Jeux
2. Luis León Sánchez Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
3. Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini

For all of his aggression in the high mountains, Schleck displaced a pained Cadel Evans (BMC Racing), who gamely dealt with a fractured left elbow, atop the General Classification.

General Classification After Stage 9
1. Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank
2. Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana - 0:00:41
3. Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi - 0:02:45
4. Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank - 0:02:58
5. Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto - 0:03:31
6. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Team Radioshack - 0:03:59
7. Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank - 0:04:22
8. Luis León Sánchez Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne - 0:04:41
9. Joaquin Rodriguez (Spa) Team Katusha - 0:05:08
10. Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-Doimo - 0:05:09

Despite being in a tie with Jerome Pineau for the mountains competition, Anthony Charteau will wear the maillot pois-a-rouges on Stage 10.

Jersey Leaders After Stage 9
maillot jaune - Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank
maillot vert - Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team
maillot à pois rouges - Anthony Charteau (Fra) Bbox Bouygues Telecom
maillot blanc - Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank

Next: Stage 10 -Chambéry to Gap (179km)
A medium mountain stage could once again favor a breakaway or even bring out the sprinters. Follow our LIVE Tour de France coverage on LIVESTRONG.com.

Photo: Pascal Pavani/AFP/Getty Images

Although Andy Schleck (Team Saxo Bank) has been one of the more prominent figures in the Tour de France the past few years - finishing second overall last year to Alberto Contador (Astana) - he had never won a stage, that is until now.

The 25-year old Luxembourger broke away late on the difficult 189km Stage 8, which featured a mountain top finish at Morzine-Avoriaz, and pipped Olympic champion Samuel Sanchez (Euskatel-Euskadi) at the line to claim the first Grand Tour stage victory in his young career. Robert Gesink (Rabobank) would finish in third by holding off an elite group that featured current Tour de France champion, Contador, Gesink's teammate, Denis Menchov, Cadel Evans (BMC Racing), the Liquigas pair of Ivan Basso and Roman Kreuzinger and Levi Leipheimer (Team Radio Shack), among others.

The first real vetting of the contenders to the overall certainly lived up to expectations. An early break would once again make the race, but as we have seen time and time again in the sport of cycling, those that make the race are not often to ones who end up winning it.

The unlucky seven of Mario Aerts (Omega Pharma-Lotto), Koos Moernhout (Rabobank), Benoit Vagrenard (Française des Jeux), Christophe Riblon (AG2R La Mondiale), Imanol Erviti (Caisse d'Epargne), and Cofidis teammates Sebastien Minard and Amael Moinard would be the ones left out in the cold on this day as the contenders decided to flex their climbing muscles.

Team Sky and their leader, Bradley Wiggins were the first to have a go. On the penultimate climb up the Col de la Ramaz, the British team set a wicked tempo up front to make the day's first selection. But their day in the limelight was short-lived as Astana's Daniel Navarro took up the pace-making and shed all, including Wiggins, but an elite group of 13.

In the finale, Sánchez looked to be the beneficiary of the infighting between Contador and Schleck, who looked to cover each others' moves. But Schleck was finally able to outmaneuver a seemingly tired Contador and come around Sánchez in the closing meters to take the win.

Meanwhile, Cadel Evans climbed into the yellow jersey as the race leader for the first time since he wore it in 2008.

Stage 8 Results
1. Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank
2. Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
3. Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank

Requiem For A Cyclist

Notably missing from the elite pack of riders who contested for the Stage 8 win was Lance Armstrong (Team Radio Shack). Fortune, which seven times before had smiled brightly upon the face of the Texan, had now become a foreigner.

Armstrong was involved in three separate incidents out on the roadways that taken in combination effectively took away any chances he might have had in securing an eighth Tour victory. This time there was no riding through a field to stay upright and continue racing [well maybe a little bit of that, but not as significant or as timely as in 2003], there was no spring coiled return to action after being felled by a child's musette bag, or even a recovery from slipping off his pedals in the high mountains. In this case, the karma-tic umpire had called three strikes and signaled for an out.

While we would all like our heroes and champions to leave their respective sports victorious, we must remember that life does not always offer up a Hollywood ending, and that Lance's final victory really came to fruition at this same time last year, when he decided to return to cycling to raise awareness for cancer and possibly give one of its victims a chance at his or her own happy ending.

General Classification After Stage 8
1. Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team
2. Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank - 0:00:20
3. Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana - 0:01:01
4. Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto - 0:01:03
5. Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank - 0:01:10
6. Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Transitions - 0:01:11
7. Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas-Doimo - 0:01:45
8. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Team Radioshack - 0:02:14
9. Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi - 0:02:15
10. Michael Rogers (Aus) Team HTC - Columbia - 0:02:31

Jersey Leaders After Stage 8
maillot jaune - Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team
maillot vert - Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team
maillot à pois rouges - Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Quick Step
maillot blanc - Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank

Next: First Rest Day; Tuesday, July 13 - Stage 9 - Morzine-Avoriaz to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne (204.5km)
After a needed rest day, the riders tackle another tough day in the mountains. Follow our LIVE Tour de France coverage on LIVESTRONG.com.

Photo: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

On Saturday, the roads ticked significantly upwards for the first time in the 97th edition of the Tour de France. The 165.5km Stage 7 from Tournus to Station des Rousses featured six categorized climbs, including three long Category 2 climbs to cap the day.

As expected, the attacks came early and often from the riders who have seen mostly flat roads for the past three days. A group of five riders including the current mountain jersey wearer, Jerome Pineau (Quick Step), Christian Knees (Milram), Danilo Hondo (Lampre), Ruben Perez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Samuel Dumoulin (Cofidis) drove the race early. But several attacks out of the peloton late on the final three mountain passes ultimately provided the day's final selection.

The most significant attack came from Stage 2 winner, Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step). After collecting his first ever maillot jaune for his efforts on the stage into Spa, Chavanel seemed hell bent on reacquiring the yellow tunic that he wore for only one day. On a scathingly hot day in the mountains, the Frenchman was relentless in his attack, first picking off remnants of the break, then bridging up to his teammate Pineau before putting in one final and decisive surge forward.

Behind, Bbox Bouygues Telecom was setting a surprisingly torrid pace in an effort to launch their own missive from the peloton. The combination of the heat and the fast pace left the peloton in tatters along these early slopes of the 2010 Tour de France. Fabian Cancellara (Team Saxo Bank), the maillot jaune wearer, was clearly the most significant, among a large group of riders to be unceremoniously dropped off the pace.

At day's end, Chavanel soloed to take his second Tour victory and reclaimed his spot at the top of the General Classification. Rafael Valls (Footon-Servetto) hung on to second, and Juan Manuel Garate (Rabobank) claimed third.

Stage 7 Results
1. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Quick Step
2. Rafael Valls Ferri (Spa) Footon-Servetto
3. Juan Manuel Gárate Cepa (Spa) Rabobank

Have You Tried Bing's Twitter Map?

On Tuesday, July 6th, "Bing Maps launched its 2010 Tour de France map app for cycling enthusiasts around the world today. It allows users to preview the course, view the race in progress and check the standings of participating teams." Read more...

General Classification After Stage 7
1. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Quick Step
2. Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team - 0:01:25
3. Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Transitions - 0:01:32
4. Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank - 0:01:55
5. Alexander Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana - 0:02:17
6. Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana - 0:02:26
7. Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto - 0:02:28
8. Nicolas Roche (Irl) AG2R La Mondiale - 0:02:28
9. Johan Van Summeren (Bel) Garmin - Transitions - 0:02:33
10. Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank - 0:02:35

Jersey Leaders After Stage 7
maillot jaune - Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Quick Step
maillot vert - Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team
maillot à pois rouges - Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Quick Step
maillot blanc - Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank

Next: Stage 8 - Station des Rousses to Morzine-Avoriaz (189km)
The first real vetting of the contenders? Follow our LIVE commentary on LIVESTRONG.com.

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Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

For the second day in a row, Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia) proved, once again, that he is currently the fastest man on two wheels. The 25-year old sprinter from the Isle of Man took his second stage in as many days when he won the 227.5km Stage 6 from Montargis to Gueugnon.

Three intermediate sprints and four categorized climbs highlighted the longest stage of the 97th Tour de France, in what many expected to be the final play day for the sprinters for sometime as the race would soon turn toward the mountains. At the very outset, the trio of Sebastian Lang (Omega Pharma-Lotto), Ruben Perez Moreno (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Mathieu Perget (Caisse d’Epargne) went out on what has been the customary suicidal effort the past few days and quickly built a lead of over 8 minutes. The three exchanged blows over the course of the day, contesting each of the sprints out on the road as well as three of the four climbs.

The breakaway was joined late in the stage by Dmitri Champion (AG2R La Mondiale), who contested the day's final climb, and then by Anthony Charteau (BBox Bouygues Telecom). These latter two moves; however, only seemed to agitate the angry peloton, which was already positioning itself for the run into the finish in Gueugnon.

The catch inevitably came with ten kilometers left to go. After a few precarious turns in the final three kilometers, the sprinters lined up for the drag race into the finish. Mark Renshaw (HTC-Columbia) would once again take out the sprint in the closing meters with teammate Cavendish closely on his wheel. Left out front, Cavendish sealed the deal in dominating fashion, leaving the next two closest riders, Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Transitions) and Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-Farnese Vini), simply grasping at air.

Recap - As It Happened

Stage 6 Results
1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team HTC - Columbia
2. Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - Transitions
3. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini

And So It Begins

With the mountains no longer looming but directly in front of the peloton, the battle for the overall will finally begin. The unfortunate circumstances on Stage 3 sent a number of contenders reeling, most notably Lance Armstrong (Team Radio Shack), who currently sits in 18th place 2'30" in arrears.

A brutal third week may make the contenders to the Tour de France crown wary of attacking too soon, but if the hopes of those like Armstrong or Michael Rogers (HTC-Columbia) are to be buoyed at all, each should look to put these early mountain stages to good use.

General Classification After Stage 6
1. Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank
2. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Professional Cycling Team - 0:00:23
3. Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team - 0:00:39
4. Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Transitions - 0:00:46
5. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Quick Step - 0:01:01
6. Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank - 0:01:09
7. Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team - 0:01:19
8. Alexander Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana - 0:01:31
9. Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana - 0:01:40
10. Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto - 0:01:42

Jersey Leaders After Stage 6
maillot jaune - Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank
maillot vert - Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team
maillot à pois rouges - Jerome Pineau (Fra) Quick Step
maillot blanc - Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Professional Cycling Team

Next: Stage 7 - Tournus to Station des Rousses (165.5km)
The 97th Tour de France heads into the mountains. Will Lance Armstrong (Team Radio Shack), who currently sits in 18th place, begin his assault on the maillot jaune? Follow our LIVE Tour de France commentary on LIVESTRONG.com.