Pineau attacks, Reda abandons in stage 18
The almost complete flat 18th stage to Bordeaux was one with mixed feeling for Team Quick Step. Jerome Pineau was in the day`s breakaway, while Francesco Reda had to abandon with Paris in sight. The Italian rider was very dizzy and he looked livid. The doctor couldn`t find the exact reason immediately, so Reda was tranferred to the hospital for further examination. When there is more known about his situation, this will be announced at this website.
Pineau, Breschel, Oss and Vaugrenard dominated a big part of the stage. They attacked from the peloton after only a few kilometres, an attempt of Carlos Barredo didn`t succeed earlier in the stage. The escapees established a gap of maximum 4 minutes, which meant the sprinters` teams were aiming for another bunch sprint. In the streets of Bordeaux Mark Cavendish took his fourth stage win in this Tour beating Dean and Petacchi.
Result stage 18
1. Mark Cavendish (GB)
2. Julian Dean (NZl)
3. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita)
25. Kevin de Weert (Bel)
39. Kevin Seeldraeyers (Bel)
111. Carlos Barredo (Esp)
134. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra)
139. Maarten Wynants (Bel)
157. Jurgen van de Walle (Bel) 1.41
159. Dries Devenyns (Bel)
164. Jerome Pineau (Fra)
DNF Francesco Reda (Ita)
Overall classification after stage 18
1. Alberto Contador (Esp)
2. Andy Schleck (Lux) 0.08
3. Samuel Sanchez (Esp) 3.32
19. Kevin de Weert (Bel) 20.03
32. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) 58.22
43. Carlos Barredo (Esp) 1:20.06
64. Jurgen van de Walle (Bel) 1:51.26
66. Jerome Pineau (Fra) 1:54.57
117. Maarten Wynants (Bel) 3:14.13
131. Kevin Seeldraeyers (Bel) 3:25.12
145. Dries Devenyns (Bel) 3:38.36
Points classification after stage 18
1. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) 213 points
2. Thor Hushovd (Noo) 203
3. Mark Cavendish (GB) 197
19. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) 73
44. Carlos Barredo (Esp) 34
64. Jurgen van de Walle (Bel) 23
66. Dries Devenyns (Bel) 22
68. Kevin de Weert (Bel) 19
91. Maarten Wynants (Bel) 12
98. Jerome Pineau (Fra) 10
Mountain classification after stage 18
1. Anthony Charteau (Fra) 143 points
2. Christophe Moreau (Fra) 128
3. Andy Schleck (Lux) 116
8. Jerome Pineau (Fra) 92
22. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) 47
24. Jurgen van de Walle (Bel) 42
28. Carlos Barredo (Esp) 38
38. Dries Devenyns (Bel) 29
Youth classification after stage 18
1. Andy Schleck (Lux)
2. Robert Gesink (Ned) 6.33
3. Roman Kreuziger (Cze) 10.04
26. Kevin Seeldraeyers (Bel) 3:25.04
Team classification after stage 18
1. Radioshack
2. Caisse d`Epargne 8.30
3. Rabobank 33.39
7. Team Quick Step 1:05.07