Van de Walle attacks in first Pyrenees stage
The peloton headed into the Pyrenees today. The peloton headed to Ax-3-Domaines and covered 185 kilometres. Jurgen van de Walle was in an early breakaway, which established a 10 minute lead in the first flat part of the stage. With the first climb Port de Pailheres in sight the peloton increased their tempo, so the gap dropped to 7 minutes. On the first climb the lead group splintered. Van de Walle kept his position in the lead with Riblon and Moinard, the other escapees dropped. Just before the summit of the Port de Pailheres Van de Walle had to let the other two French riders go. In the descent Valls, Sastre, Kiryienka and Cunego bridged the gap with Van de Walle.
In the first metres of the Ax-3-Domaines Van de Walle had to let go his new companions, while Riblon kept his position in the front. He impressed and kept his advantage till the line. Behind the lonely escapee the major contenders battled with each other. Kevin de Weert had to let go at some kilometres from the summit and lost 2 minutes on the major contenders. He finished 26th, 10 seconds behind his team mate Sylvain Chavanel who ended in 25th place.
Result stage 14
1. Christophe Riblon (Fra)
2. Denis Menchov (Rus) 0.54
3. Samuel Sanchez (Esp)
25. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) 2.51
26. Kevin de Weert (Bel) 3.01
34. Carlos Barredo (Esp) 4.12
40. Jurgen van de Walle (Bel) 5.39
48. Kevin Seeldraeyers (Bel) 10.49
61. Jerome Pineau (Fra) 15.14
145. Maarten Wynants (Bel) 36.56
148. Dries Devenyns (Bel)
158. Francesco Reda (Ita)
Overall classification after stage 14
1. Andy Schleck (Lux)
2. Alberto Contador (Esp) 0.31
3. Samuel Sanchez (Esp) 2.31
22. Kevin de Weert (Bel) 13.20
28. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) 27.46
49. Carlos Barredo (Esp) 59.24
57. Jerome Pineau (Fra) 1:09.07
66. Jurgen van de Walle (Bel) 1:16.53
115. Kevin Seeldraeyers (Bel) 2:03.40
127. Maarten Wynants (Bel) 2:09.44
145. Dries Devenyns (Bel) 2:20.02
168. Francesco Reda (Ita) 2:44.30
Points classification after stage 14
1. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) 187 points
2. Thor Hushovd (Noo) 185
3. Mark Cavendish (GB) 162
16. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) 73
58. Dries Devenyns (Bel) 22
61. Kevin de Weert (Bel) 19
76. Carlos Barredo (Esp) 15
85. Maarten Wynants (Bel) 12
87. Jurgen van de Walle (Bel) 10
126. Jerome Pineau (Fra) 2
149. Francesco Reda (Ita) 2
Mountain classification after stage 14
1. Anthony Charteau (Fra) 115 points
2. Jerome Pineau (Fra) 92
3. Andy Scheck (Lux) 76
12. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) 47
21. Dries Devenyns (Bel) 29
25. Jurgen van de Walle (Bel) 22
39. Carlos Barredo (Esp) 12
Youth classification after stage 14
1. Andy Schleck (Lux)
2. Robert Gesink (Ned) 4.27
3. Roman Kreuziger (Cze) 7.11
21. Kevin Seeldraeyers (Bel) 2:03.40
Team classification after stage 14
1. Caisse d`Epargne
2. Radioshack 0.08
3. Rabobank 17.13
9. Team Quick Step 52.15