THE RACE LIVE

The overall leader after nine stages finished the 11th stage in 168th position. Jens Voigt was the second-last rider in the stage to Briancon. Although he fought hard to stay within the time limit which is calculated on a percentage on the winning time, he has been eliminated from the Tour.

Armstrong’s sixth place in the 11th stage means he will wear the yellow jersey again tomorrow. He leads Rasmussen by 38".
The top 10 after the 11th stage is:
1. Lance Armstrong (USA) DSC - 1,859km in 41h51’57" (43.902km/h)
2. Mickael Rasmussen (Den) RAB - at 38"
3. Christophe Moreau (Fra) C.A - at 2’34"
4. Ivan Basso (Ita) CSC - at 2’40"
5. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) IBA - at 3’16"
6. Santiago Botero (Col) PHO - at 3’48"
7. Levi Leipheimer (USA) GST - at 3’58"
8. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) IBA - at 4’00"
9. Jan Ullrich (Ger) TMO - at 4’02"
10. Andreas Kloden (Ger) TMO - at 4’16"

Alexandre Vinokourov has won his second Tour de France stage. The first was in Gap in 2003. The top 10 in the stage to Briancon today is:
1. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) TMO -
2. Santiago Botero (Col) PHO - at same time
3. Christophe Moreau (Fra) C.A - at 1’15"
4. Bobby Julich (USA) CSC - at same time
5. Eddy Mazzoleni (Ita) LAM - at same time
6. Lance Armstrong (USA) DSC - at same time
7. Cadel Evans (Aus) DVL - at same time
8. Levi Leipheimer (USA) GST - at same time
9. Mickael Rasmussen (Den) RAB - at same time
10. Georg Totschnig (Aut) GSt - at same time

The Discovery Channel team is setting up a sprint for Armstrong. The yellow jersey had to take on Christophe Moreau in the final 100m and decided it wasn’t worth the bother. Moreau has claimed 3rd place.

Alexandre Vinokourov has won the 11th stage of the 2005 Tour de France. He easily beat Botero in the sprint in Briancon.

Vinokourov is content to follow Botero in the final kilometer. No one has started the sprint yet but Vino is primed to start his sprint with 300m to go.

The peloton was 1’35" behind Botero and Vinokourov with 2km to go. The two stage leaders are about to contest the sprint for stage honours. They are in the final kilometer of the stage and Botero is in the lead.

Botero and Vinokourov are 2km from the finish of the 173km stage. Vinokourov led for the last 500m but now it’s Botero’s turn to ride in the wind.

Botero and Vinokourov are now less than 4km from the finish of the stage. They are still going extremely fast although the road flattens out for the last 3km... they are 1’35" ahead of the peloton.

The stage will be won by either Vinokourov or Botero. These two have been swapping off together since the 135km mark. They are now less than 5km from the finish. They have been stretching their legs and adjusting their shoes for the past five kilometers to ensure everything is just right for the sprint. They are 1’40" ahead of the peloton.

The yellow jersey’s peloton has just passed the site of the 2nd intermediate sprint (at the 162km mark) it was 1’52" behind Botero and Vino.
The points were won by:
1. Santiago Botero (PHO) 6pts
2. Alexandre Vinokourov (TMO) 4pts
3. Jose Azevedo (DSC) 2pts

The rider who won the Souvenir Henri Desgrange has also been voted the Most Aggressive Rider in stage 11. This is a classification that’s sponsored by Brandt and is voted for by a panel of judges which includes people from the race organisation, former riders and journalists.
Vinokourov began his attack today at the 28km mark. He is now less than 10km from the finish.

The peloton is now 2’10" behind the two stage leaders.

The sensor that is attached to Vinokourov bike (to record his time) has come lose during the stage. He is perilously close to his spokes but the team mechanic has just come up with a high-speed repair solution: cut it off...!

Botero and Vino are now 15km from the finish of the 11th stage. They are 2’15" ahead of the peloton that’s now being led by Azevedo of the Discovery Channel team.

The peloton is closing in on the two stage leaders. The time check at the 20km to go banner had the yellow jersey’s bunch 2’20" behind Vinokourov and Botero.

The two riders at the front of the 11th stage have both won stages of the Tour before.
Santiago Botero’s first stage victory was in Briancon in 2000. It was a 249.5km stage from Draguignan.

Botero and Vinokourov are now less than 20km from the finish of the 11th stage.

The peloton has just passed under the 25km to go banner. It is 2’30" behind Vinokourov and Botero.

Vino and Botero are now less than 25km from the finish. All of this is downhill. They are being rapidly pursued by the yellow jersey’s peloton. Armstrong’s group is being led by Popovych, Savoldelli and Hincapie.

Heras has just reached the summit of the Galibier with a deficit of over 12 minutes to the stage leader.

There are five Discovery riders at the front of the peloton that’s now 2’30" behind Vinokourov and Botero. The yellow jersey’s peloton now has about 25 riders in it, including yesterday’s stage winner Valverde who was being cautious early on the descent.

Guerini and Rogers are some riders who have returned to the yellow jersey’s peloton on the descent of the Col du Galibier.

Botero has caught up with Vinokourov at the front of the stage. We have no time check on the descent of the Galibier.

Alejandro Valverde said that he was afraid of the Col du Galibier after he saw it during a reconnaisance ride earlier this year. The winner of yesterday’s stage is now dropping behind the yellow jersey’s peloton on the descent.

At the summit of the Col du Galibier the points were won by:
1. Vinokourov (TMO) 40pts
2. Botero (PHO) 36pts - at 42"
3. Rasmussen (RAB) 32pts - at 2’25"
4. Moreau (C.A) 28pts - at 2’40"
5. Azevedo (DSC) 26pts
6. Savoldelli (DSC) 18pts
7. Popovych (DSC) 16pts
8. Armstrong (DSC) 14pts
9. Jaksche (LSW) 12pts
10. Evans (DVL) 10pts

At the top of the Galibier mountain, Rasmussen was 2’25" behind Vinokourov.

At the top of the Col du Galibier, Botero was 42" behind Vinokourov. The Colombian has claimed a total of 71 climbing points today.

Alexandre Vinokourov is now on the descent. He has claimed the 5,000 Euros for the Souvenir Henri Desgrange and 40 points for the climbing classification.

The rider in second overall has attacked the peloton. He has put a good gap between himself and the peloton in the final kilometer of the Galibier climb.

Vinokourov is almost at the top of the climb. He has increased his lead on the peloton that’s being led by five riders from the Discovery Channel team. With 300m to climb, Vino’s advantage over Botero is 48" and 3’00" on the peloton.

Vinokourov has 1,000m to ride before claiming the 40 points for first place over the Col du Galibier.

There are nine riders in Armstrong’s group that’s now 2’50" behind Vinokourov who is 1.2km from the summit of the Galibier climb.

The stage leader has about 1.7km to climb to the summit of the Col du Galibier. Vinokourov is 45" ahead of Botero.

The yellow jersey’s peloton is currently 2’50" behind Vinokourov. The riders in this group are:
Armstrong, Azevedo, Hincapie, Popovych, Savoldelli (Discovery Channel)
Ullrich (T-Mobile)
Basso, Julich, Sastre (CSC)
Mancebo, Valverde (Illes Balears)
Rasmussen (Rabobank)
Evans (Davitamon-Lotto)
Landis (Phonak)
Piepoli (Saunier Duval)
Jaksche (Liberty-Wurth)
Moreau (Credit Agricole)
Mazzoleni (Lampre-Caffita)
Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner)

Guerini, Kloden, Kaschechkin, Landaluze, Casar are some riders who have just been dropped by the yellow jersey’s peloton.

Armstrong, Azevedo, Savoldelli, Hincapie, Popovych, Valverde, Totschnig, Jaksche, Leipheimer, Rogers, Ullrich, Kloden, Rasmussen, Landis, Basso, Evans, Mazzoleni, Moreau are some of the riders in the yellow jersey’s peloton that is hovering about three minutes behind Vinokourov.
This group is now 5km from the Galibier’s summit.

Vinokourov has 5km to go before he reaches the summit of the Col du Galibier. He currently leads Botero by 36" and the peloton by 3’05".

The stage continues to be led by Alexandre Vinokourov (TMO). He is 36" ahead of Botero and 3’08" ahead of the peloton. Pereiro is paying the price for his long escape today. He has been spat out the back of the main pack with about 5km to climb.

Chris Horner has been dropped by the yellow jersey’s peloton.

The peloton has caught Pereiro (PHO) who has been on the attack since the 27km mark.

There are now five Discovery riders at the head of the peloton as Jose Luis Rubiera has been dropped after a 3km stint on the front.

The first rider over the Col du Galibier not only earns 40 points in the climbing classification, he will also pocket 5,000 Euro as the winner of the ’Souvenir Henri Desgrange’. This is a special prize awarded to the first rider over the highest pass of the Tour de France and is named after the founder of the race.

Vinokourov is now 7km away from the summit of the highest pass in the 2005 Tour de France. He leads Botero by 25", Pereiro by 2’20" and the peloton by 2’50".

The peloton is now 2’55" behind Vinokourov.

Vinokourov is increasing his advantage at the front of the stage. He is now 25" ahead of the rider in second place, Botero.

Garzelli, Goubert, Joly, Contador and Boogerd are some of the riders who have recently been dropped by the yellow jersey’s peloton which is being led by six Discovery Channel riders.

Vinokourov is increasing his lead over Botero. The current check has the Colombian 15" behind the rider was stage leader. Pereiro is 1’30" behind ’Vino’.

After leading the yellow jersey’s peloton for the first 8km of the Col du Galibier, Beltran has been dropped.

Vinokourov has dropped Botero at the front of the stage. The Kazak champion has a lead of about 100m on the Colombia Phonak rider.

Santiago Botero and Alexandre Vinokourov lead the peloton by 3’15" with 10km to climb. Botero began the stage in 12th place in the mountains classification with 17pts.
He has already won 35pts today and there are double points on offer at the top of the ’HC’ Col du Galibier - that’s 40pts for first place...

Vinokourov and Botero lead Pereiro by 45" and the peloton by 3’05". The bunch is at the 119km mark and the leaders are 10km from the summit of the Galibier.
The ’grupetto’ that includes the green jersey is now 20 minutes behind the yellow jersey’s peloton.

Iban Mayo did rejoin the peloton for a few kilometers on the Col du Galibier but he has been dropped again.

Vinokourov and Botero are 20" ahead of Pereiro and 3’10" ahead of the peloton.

Botero and Vinokourov have dropped Pereiro. The two leaders are 3’10" ahead of the peloton which is now at the 117km mark.

The peloton continues to be led by Manuel ’Triki’ Beltran of the Discovery team. This group is at the 116km mark and is 3’10" behind Vinokourov, Botero and Pereiro.

The peloton is now 3’15" behind Vino’s group. The latest rider to be spat out the back of the yellow jersey’s peloton is Iban Mayo.

The peloton is beginning to close in on the leading trio... ever-so-slightly. The advantage of Vinokourov, Botero and Pereiro is now 3’20".
The pace of the peloton is being set by Beltran (DSC). The rapid tempo on the steep climb has caused Caucchioli and Martinez to be dropped.

Vinokourov, Botero and Pereiro are now 3’30" ahead of the peloton which is now in Valloire. The bunch is now 18km from the Galibier summit.

The leading trio are 18km from the summit of the brutal Col du Galibier. They have a lead of 3’00" over the peloton.

The points of the cat-one Col du Telegraphe were won by:
1. Botero 15pts
2. Vinokourov 13pts
3. Pereiro 11pts – at 5”
4. Moreau 9pts – at 3’00"
5. Rasmussen 8pts
6. Rubiera 7pts
7. Beltran 6pts
8. Savoldelli 5pts

The first place points for the Col du Telegraphe have been won by Botero. In second was Vinokourov. Pereiro didn’t try to follow this pair as they accelerated near the summit; he rolled over for third place on the second climb of the stage.

The peloton is being controlled by the ’Disco’ boys. Right now Beltran is setting a pace that’s fast enough to ward off any attacks from others in the yellow jersey’s group, but not fast enough to close in on the three leaders.
Vinokourov, Botero and Pereiro are now 2’50" ahead.

The leaders are in the final 2km of the Col du Telegraphe climb. They are 2’45" ahead of the peloton.

The peloton continues to be led by riders from the Discovery Channel team. With 2km to climb the bunch is 2’15" behind Vinokourov, Botero and Pereiro.

The peloton has just caught Martinez. There are now just three riders ahead of the yellow jersey’s peloton that’s 2’00" behind Vinokourov Botero and Pereiro.

Stefano Zanini of the Quickstep team is the third rider to quit the Tour in the 11th stage. There are now 169 riders still in the race.

Martinez is now just 10" ahead of the peloton. There are about 3km to go to the top of the Col du Telegraphe.

There are six Discovery team members along with Armstrong at the head of the peloton that is now 2’20" behind Vinokourov Botero and Pereiro.

The Fassa Bortolo team is now down to six riders. The latest rider to quit the Tour is Kim Kirchen. There are now 170 riders still in the race.

The peloton has 5km to go to the top of the Telegraphe climb. It is 1’50" behind Vinokourov Botero and Pereiro.
In between these two group is Egoi Martinez (1’40" behind the stage leaders).

The leading trio are 5km away from the summit of the Col du Telegraphe.

Vinokourov, Botero and Pereiro are 1’20" ahead of Martinez and 1’40" ahead of the peloton.

Botero has caught up with the two stage leaders, Vinokourov and Pereiro. This trio are 1’45" ahead of the peloton with about 6km to climb to the top of the Col du Telegraphe.

Botero is coming back at the two riders in the lead of the stage. Vinokourov and Pereiro are now just 8" ahead of the Colombian who won the stage to Briancon in 2000.

The peloton continues to be led by riders from the Discovery Channel team. Valverde is coming forward and the pace is increasing. The current deficit of the yellow jersey’s bunch to the two stage leaders is 1’40".

Vinokourov and Pereiro are now 20" ahead of Botero and 35" ahead of Martinez.

At the 99km mark, the peloton is 2’00" behind Vinokourov and Pereiro.

Vinokourov and Pereiro lead Botero by 12" and Martinez by 29" at the 99km mark.

Pereiro (PHO) and Vinokourov (TMO) are now in the lead of the stage. Botero has been dropped because of the pace being set by the T-Mobile rider. The peloton is 2’05" behind at the 98km mark.

Martinez is the first rider to be dropped from the front group.

The peloton is 2’00" behind the leading quartet at the start of the Col du Telegraphe.
Here is a reminder of who is in the yellow jersey’s peloton: Armstrong, Azevedo, Beltran, Hincapie, Popovych, Rubiero, Noval (DSC); Ullrich, Guerini, Kessler, Kloden (TMO); Basso, Julich, Sastre (CSC); Mancebo, Valverde, Zandio (IBA); Evans (DVL); Boogerd, Rasmussen (RAB); Landis (PHO); Horner, Piepoli (SDV); Contador, Jaksche (LSW); Moreau, Caucchioli, Joly, Kashechkin (C.A); Garzelli (LIQ); Rogers (QST); Mazzoleni (LAM); Totschnig, Leipheimer, Zberg (GST); Casar, Mourey (FDJ); Mayo, Zubeldia (EUS); Goubert, Turpin (A2R).

The first rider to be dropped on the climb of the Col du Telegraphe is Thor Hushovd.

The peloton is 2’00" behind Pereiro, Botero, Martinez and Vinokourov at the site of the first intermediate sprint.

The points for the sprint in St-Michel-de-Maurienne were won by:
1. Vinokourov (TMO) 6pts
2. Martinez (EUS) 4pts
3. Pereiro (PHO) 2pts

Pereiro, Botero, Martinez and Vinokourov are in St-Michel-de-Maurienne and are about to claim the points for the first intermediate sprint.

The peloton is currently at the 93km mark. It is 1’50" behind Vino’s group of four.

Pereiro, Botero, Martinez and Vinokourov are currently 1’44" ahead of the yellow jersey’s peloton. There are 4km to go before the first intermediate sprint of the 11th stage.

Race radio has just confirmed the riders in the yellow jersey’s peloton. There are 42 riders in the group. They are:
Armstrong, Azevedo, Beltran, Hincapie, Popovych, Rubiero, Noval (DSC)
Ullrich, Guerini, Kessler, Kloden (TMO)
Basso, Julich, Sastre (CSC)
Mancebo, Valverde, Zandio (IBA)
Evans (DVL)
Boogerd, Rasmussen (RAB)
Landis (PHO)
Horner, Piepoli (SDV)
Contador, Jaksche (LSW)
Moreau, Caucchioli, Hushovd, Joly, Kashechkin (C.A)
Garzelli (LIQ)
Rogers (QST)
Mazzoleni (LAM)
Totschnig, Leipheimer, Zberg (GST0
Casar, Mourey (FDJ)
Mayo, Zubeldia (EUS)
Goubert, Turpin (A2R)

Pereiro, Botero, Martinez and Vinokourov are now 1’50" ahead of the peloton.

The last time the Tour visited the Col du Telegraphe was in 2003. The rider who claimed first-place points at the cat-1 summit was Pierrick Fedrigo, the reigning French road race champion.

The next challenge in the stage is the Col du Telegraphe - a 12km climb that has an average gradient of 6.7 per cent.
Today will be the 35th time that this climb has been a feature of the Tour. The first ascent of the 1,566m high mountain was in 1911 when Emile Georget was first over the summit.

The peloton has been 1’30" behind the four escapees since the feedzone. The Discovery Channel team has been at the head of the peloton for most of the stage.

The yellow jersey’s peloton is at the 83km mark, 1’30" behind Pereiro, Botero, Martinez and Vinokourov. There are 90km to go in the stage.

Pereiro, Botero, Martinez and Vinokourov are now 1’35" ahead of the peloton.

The Discovery Channel team is at the head of the peloton. The yellow jersey has been seen stretching his back on the exit of the feedzone.
The yellow jersey has also just removed his left shoe to adjust his inner-sole.

The best-placed of the four escapees in the general classification after 10 stages is Santiago Botero. The Colombian was 11th overall at the start of today. He was 5’20" behind Armstrong.

The peloton has reached the feedzone (75km) with a deficit of 1’20" on the four stage leaders.

Pereiro, Botero, Martinez and Vinokourov are at the 75km mark. They are currently riding through the feedzone of the 11th stage with an advantage on the peloton of 1’15".

The peloton is currently 1’13" behind Pereiro, Botero, Martinez and Vinokourov.

Vinokourov is back in the lead group. The four escapees are now 1’00" ahead of the peloton.

Vino is currently in fourth place. He’s riding about 50 meters behind Botero, Pereiro and Martinez on the descent.

Martinez has caught up with Pereiro, Botero and Vinokourov. There are now four riders at the front of the stage. The peloton is at 55".

Pereiro, Botero and Vinokourov are now 55" ahead of the peloton.

The points for the first ’Hors Category’ climb of the 92nd Tour were won by:
1. Botero (PHO) 20pts
2. Vinokourov (TMO) 18pts
3. Pereiro Sio (PHO) 16pts
4. Martinez (EUS) 14pts
5. Moreau (C.A) 12pts
6. Rasmussen (RAB) 10pts
7. Beltran (DSC) 8pts
8. Rubiera (DSC) 7pts
9. Azevedo (DSC) 6pts
10. Hincapie (DSC) 5pts

After the recent lapse in concentration which saw Pereiro go off the road, we can report that the Spanish Phonak team is back on his bike and in pursuit of the two stage leaders.

Pereiro has just ridden off the side of the road. The stage is being led by his team-mate Botero and then ’Vino’. We’re waiting to find out what happened to the rider who simply overshot a right turn.

Moreau has led the peloton over the summit about 47" behind Botero. He was 4th over the summit and when he attacked Rasmussen in the closing meters of the climb, the leader of the mountains classification didn’t even flinch. His expression seemed to ask: why bother worrying about a rider who is 70pts behind me...?

The points for first place at the top of the Col de la Madeleine were won by Botero. In second place at the first ’Hors Category’ mountain of the 2005 Tour was Vinokourov.

The Colombian who is in the lead of the stage at the moment has previously won a stage in the city which hosts today’s finish. Botero won the stage to Europe’s highest city back in 2000.

Botero has just caught up with Pereiro and ’Vino’ with 1km to climb.

Botero has just dropped out of the leading group. The stage is now being led by Vinokourov and Pereiro with 1.3km to climb before the top of the Col de la Madeleine.

There are now three riders at the front of the stage. Vinokourov, Botero and Pereiro have just dropped Martinez. The peloton is 25" behind the leading trio.

The allocation of points for ’Hors Category’ climbs is as follows:
1st - 20pts
2nd - 18pts
3rd - 16pts
4th - 14pts
5th - 12pts
6th - 10pts
7th - 8pts
8th - 7pts
9th - 6pts
10 - 5pts

At the last time check the leading quarter is 28" ahead of the peloton.

Vinokourov, Martinez, Pereiro and Botero are now at the front of the stage. They have about 3.5km to climb and have just dropped Horner and Mancebo.

The peloton is being led by Beltran (DSC) and has just caught the early escapee, Hushovd.

There are now six riders in the lead of the stage. They are: Vinokourov (TMO), Pereiro and Botero (PHO), Mancebo (IBA), Martinez (EUS) and Horner (SDV). They have just dropped Hushovd and have 4km to go before reaching the summit of the Col de la Madeleine.

There are 5km to climb to the Madeleine’s summit. The peloton is 50" behind the seven stage leaders. One of the riders who was dropped early on the climb, Joseba Beloki, has just rejoined the peloton.

The yellow jersey’s peloton is now just 40" behind Vino’s group at the 47km mark. One of the riders who was involved in the escape that attacked the peloton at the 28km mark - Heras - has been caught and dropped by the bunch.

Stefano Garzelli has been dropped by the peloton that continues to be led by the Discovery Channel team.

A group of six riders is about to catch up with the stage leader, Hushovd. The riders involved in the counter attack are: Vinokourov (TMO), Pereiro and Botero (PHO), Mancebo (IBA), Martinez (EUS) and Horner (SDV).

The eight riders who are now in between the stage leader, Hushovd and the peloton are:
Vinokourov (TMO), Mancebo (IBA), Botero (PHO), Pereiro (PHO), Horner (SDV), Caucchioli (C.A), Martinez (EUS)... Heras (LSW) has recently been dropped by this group that is now 55" behind Hushovd.

The peloton is thinning out rapidly now. Some of the latest riders to be dropped are Moncoutie, Fedrigo, Sorensen... Sevilla is also out the back. We’ve been reporting that the Spanish T-Mobile rider was in the group that is now in pursuit of Hushovd. Clearly this is incorrect. Sorry for any confusion caused.

The group of counter-attacking riders is 1’20" behind Hushovd at the 44km mark. They have just dropped Heras.

Vinokourov, Mancebo, Caucchioli, Pereiro, Martinez, Sevilla, Arrieta, Botero, Horner and Heras have just caught Dumoulin. This group is now 1’40" behind Hushovd.

Valverde is back in the peloton after his visit to the doctor.

The rider in the white jersey as leader of the youth classification is currently consulting the race doctor, Gerard Porte. Alejandro Valverde has been given a tablet, taken a quick swig of water and he’s had his left knee sprayed... and now he’s racing back to the peloton and flying past the riders who are being spat out the back of the bunch.

The peloton is now 3’20" behind Hushovd.

The winner of yesterday’s stage, Alejandro Valverde, has just come to the back of the peloton. He is calling for the race doctor.

Joseba Beloki is one of the riders who has been dropped by the peloton on the Col de la Madeleine.

The peloton is 3’40" behind Hushovd at the 41km mark.

Hushovd is currently 1’30" ahead of Dumoulin. Alas, we don’t have information about what kilometer these two riders are current at. We can report, however, that the 10 chasers - Vinokourov, Mancebo, Caucchioli, Pereiro, Martinez, Sevilla, Arrieta, Botero, Horner and Heras - are 3’05" behind Hushovd.

Vinokourov, Mancebo, Caucchioli, Pereiro, Martinez, Sevilla, Arrieta, Botero, Horner and Heras are now 3’30" behind Hushovd.

Hushovd has a lead of 1’05" on the rider in second place, Dumoulin.

Vinokourov, Mancebo, Caucchioli, Pereiro, Martinez, Sevilla, Arrieta, Botero, Horner and Heras are now 3’50" behind Hushovd. The peloton is 4’30" behind the stage leader.

The two riders who escaped on the descent from Courchevel are still well ahead of the peloton. Hushovd is currently 55" ahead of Dumoulin.

The riders who are now 4’55" behind Hushovd (and 28" ahead of the peloton) consists of the following riders:
Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz - TMO), Francisco Mancebo (Sp - IBA), Egoi Martinez (Sp - EUS), Oscar Sevilla (Sp - TMO), Jose Luis Arrieta (Sp - IBA), Santiago Botero (Col - PHO), Chris Horner (US - SDV), Roberto Heras (Sp - LSW), Pietro Caucchioli (It - C.A) and Oscar Pereiro (Sp - PHO).

The leader of the AG2R team Jean-Patrick Nazon has just retired from the Tour de France. He was second last at the finish yesterday and was in 172nd place in the general classification after 10 stages.

The group of 10 that is now slighly ahead of the main peloton consists of:
Vinokourov, Mancebo, Martinez, Sevilla, Arrieta, Botero, Horner, Heras, Pereiro and Caucchioli. They are 30" ahead of the peloton.

With 22km to climb, Hushovd leads the stage. In second place is Dumoulin. Then comes a group of seven riders that’s 5’45" behind. We don’t have the names of all the riders in this group but can confirm that both Alexandre Vinokourov and Francisco Mancebo are present.
The peloton is at 6’05".

There is a group of seven riders - including Vinokourov - with a lead of 15" on the peloton.

Samuel Dumoulin has been dropped by Hushovd at the front of the stage with 22km to climb to the Madeleine summit.

Caucchioli has caught up with Pereiro. These two are about 15" ahead of the peloton.

Pietro Caucchioli (C.A) is now about 50 meters behind Pereiro. The advantage of the Spaniard on the peloton is 12".

There has been an attack from Pereiro of the Phonak team. He was involved in a long escape yesterday along with Jaksche yesterday but finished 37th at Courchevel.

At the 26km mark the deficit of the peloton to the two riders on the attack is 6’48".

Today is the 21st time that the Col de la Madeleine has been a feature of the Tour de France’s itinerary. The recent winners of the ’Hors Category’ points at the 2,000m high summit are:
Gilberto Simoni (Italy) in 2004
Michael Boogerd (Netherlands) in 2002
Laurent Roux (France) in 2001
Massimiliano Lelli (Italy) in 2000
Jan Ullrich (Germany) in 1998
Richard Virenque (France) in both 1995 and 1996
Piotr Ugrumov (Latvia) in 1994
Thierry Claveyrolat (France) in 1990

The ascent of the Col de la Madeleine drags on for 25.4km. The beginning of this climb is at the 29.6km mark of today’s stage. The average gradient of the first ’Hors Category’ col of this year’s Tour is 6.1 per cent. There are, however, sections which are as steep as 9.5 per cent.

The peloton was at the 22km mark when the last time check was taken. The bunch is now being led by riders from the Discovery Channel team and is 4’10" behind Dumoulin and Hushovd.

Dumoulin and Hushovd are now 4’10" ahead of the peloton. Robbie McEwen is at the front of the peloton but there doesn’t appear to be much interest in pursuing the pair which escaped at the 6km mark.

Tom Boonen caught the peloton after a 15km chase following his crash at the 6km mark.

Samuel Dumoulin is currently leading Hushovd in the escape today. The Frenchman is the shortest rider in the 92nd Tour de France. He is 158cm tall.

The two escapees have increased their advantage over the peloton. With the bunch in Moutiers, Dumoulin and Hushovd had a lead of 2’10".

Tom Boonen is receiving treatment from Dr Gerard Porte after his fall. It appears as though he’s hurt his right knee. He is currently 3’00" behind the two escapees.

Dumoulin and Hushovd are now 1’25" ahead of the peloton which is being led by Carlos Da Cruz (FDJ).

After his fall around the 6km mark of the stage, Boonen is still well behind the peloton. He is being supported by his Quickstep team-mate Trenti and is now riding through the convoy that follows the peloton.

After 14.5km of racing the peloton is 55" behind Dumoulin and Hushovd.

Hushovd and Dumoulin are really attacking the descent. They are tucked in an aero position and have pushed their advantage on the peloton up to 37". They began their escape around the 9km mark of today’s 173km stage.

Dumoulin and Hushovd are 17" ahead of the peloton at the 14km mark.

Guido Trenti has waited for his team-mate, Tom Boonen, who crashed at the 7km mark. The leader of the points classification is back on his bike and in pursuit of the peloton.

Dumoulin is the AG2R rider who is leading the stage with Hushovd.

Boonen has been involved in a fall. He is getting treatment on his right knee at the moment and is clearly in a lot of pain.

There are now two riders in the lead of the stage. Thor Hushovd (C.A) is setting a rapid pace on the descent from Courchevel. He has been joined by an AG2R rider.

The escape attemt by Ludewig, Voeckler and Garate didn’t get far. The peloton is now strung out in one long line of rider and Hushovd is in first place.

There are now four riders with a slight lead on the peloton. They are attempting to establish an escape group on the descent to Moutiers but the peloton has been quick to react.

At the 5km mark Jorg Ludewig (DOM) and Thomas Voeckler (BTL) have attacked the peloton.

There have been no early attacks in the 11th stage. The peloton is being led by Juan Manuel Garate (SDV) and Salvatore Commesso. These two appear more interested in getting their faces on television than anything else.
Also present at the head of the bunch are three of the classification leaders - Lance Armstrong in the yellow jersey, Tom Boonen in green and Mickael Rasmussen in a polka-dot outfit.

The 92nd Tour de France began with 189 riders from 28 countries. There are now 172 riders from 27 countries present. The breakdown is listed below:
31 - Spain (Constantino Zaballa abandoned during stage five; Isaac Galvez abandoned during stage eight; Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano and Jose Angel Gomez both abandoned with injuries sustained in crashes in stage nine).
28 - France (Mengin did not start stage eight; Sylvain Calzati abandoned during stage eight)
25 - Italy (Claudio Corioni abandoned during stage six; Alessandro Spezialetti did not finish stage seven).
16 - Germany
11 - Belgium
10 - Australia
8 - USA (Dave Zabriskie abandoned during stage nine)
8 - The Netherlands (Van Bon Abandoned during stage eight)
6 – Switzerland (Steve Zampieri abandonded during stage seven).
4 - Ukraine (Honchar did not start start eight)
3 - Austria (Gerrit Glomser abandoned during stage 10)
3 – Kazakstahn and Sweden
2 – Denmark, Norway and Russia (Evgeni Petrov did not start stage 10).
1 – Estonian (Kirsipuu abandoned during stage nine); South Africa, Colombia, Finland, Hungary, Luxembourg, Uzbekstahn, Portugal, Czech Republic, Slovenia and Venezuela
0 – Brazil (Luciano Pagliarini abandoned during stage nine)

The official start of the 11th stage was at 12.21pm. There are 172 riders still in the 92nd Tour de France. Dario Frigo (FAS) was the one rider who didn’t turn up for the sign-on in Courchevel this morning.

The start of stage 11 is at an altitude of 1,374m. After a slight uphill section in Courchevel, there is a 19km descent which takes the peloton down to Moutiers (at an altitude of 516m).

The peloton has left the ’depart fictif’ and is currently rolling through the 2.3km neutral zone.

The temperature at the start in Courchevel is 24 degrees Celsius in the air and 31 degrees at road level. The peloton is currently at the ’depart fictif’ and the sun is shining. The forecast is for an essentially clear day although there is the chance of some cloud cover at the summit of the Madeleine and Galibier climbs.

There are two intermediate sprints during the 11th stage, one in Saint-Michel-De-Maurienne (at 97.5km) and one in Moulin-Baron (at 162km).
The first is in the village at the base of the Col du Telegraphe and the second only 11km from the stage finish in Briancon.

There is a total 54.9km of climbing in the 173km 11th stage. Today features three categorized mountains including the first ‘Hors Category’ cols of the 92nd Tour. Mountain points will be won at the ‘HC’ Col de la Madeleine at the 55km mark, the cat-1 Col du Telegraphe (at 110km) and the ‘HC’ Col du Galibier (at 133km).

There was a significant change to the general classification after the stage to Courchevel. Jens Voigt, the who wore the yellow jersey during stage 10, slipped down the rankings from first to 72nd after finishing 107th yesterday (31’29” behind the winner, Alejandro Valverde).
Lance Armstrong (DSC) is back in the yellow jersey as the overall race leader. The Texan leads the winner of stage nine, Mickael Rasmussen (RAB) by 38 seconds. Ivan Basso (CSC) is in third place in general classification 2’40” behind Armstrong.
Tom Boonen (QST) continues to lead the points classification. The Belgian has worn the green jersey since stage two and has 133 points to his name. His nearest rival after 10 stages is Thor Hushovd (C.A) who has 128pts. Third place in this classification is Stuart O’Grady (COF) with 109pts.
Mickael Rasmussen (RAB) wears the polka-dot jersey for the third day. The Danish rider who is also second overall is dominating the climbing classification with 110pts. His nearest rival is Christophe Moreau (C.A) with 40pts. In third place is Jens Voigt with 37pts.
Alejandro Valverde (IBA) wears the white jersey as the leader of the youth classification. The winner of the stage to Courchevel is fifth overall and has a lead of 3’09” on the former Best Young Rider, Yaroslav Popovych (DSC) who crashed on the descent of the Cormet-de-Roseland in stage 10. Third place in the youth classification is held by Andrey Kashechkin (C.A) who is 3’16” behind Valverde.

The 173km 11th stage from Courchevel to Briancon is scheduled to begin at 12.15pm. There is a 2.3km neutral zone before the peloton reaches the site of the official start.
The stage boasts the first ’Hors Category’ climbs of the 2005 Tour, the 2,000m high Col de la Madeleine (at the 55km mark) and the highest mountain in the 92nd edition of the Tour, the 2,645m Col du Galibier (at the 133km mark).
The other climb today is the cat-one Col du Telegraphe (at the 110km mark).
Racing is expected to begin at around 12.20pm.