Welcome to live coverage of the Tour de France. Today is stage 10, Andorra to Sabadell, a very moderate stage after three days of mountains.
Commentary today by Walt Armstrong and Janna Trevisanut.
A very fast race so far today as six men are in a break: Cristian Moreni (Alessio), Gorka Gonzalez (Euskaltel), Oscar Sevilla (Kelme), Juan Miguel Mercado (Banesto), Fabian Jeker (Milaneza) and Fabrizio Guidi (Bianchi). These escapees have just over 3 minutes on the peloton at the 126 km mark. The average speed of the first hour of racing was 49.2 km/h.
Gorka Gonzalez was an animator in yesterday's stage as one of the riders in the break over a long distance.
Angel Casero, the 2001 winner, has an injury of his knee that he said at the signing in is bothering him and Nozal said this morning that despite his happiness at being the race leader, he is very tired.
Fassa and the ever-present ONCE are working at the front of the peloton, Fassa undoubtedly for Petacchi and ONCE to continue its control of the race. The riders are approaching the Cat 3 climb of the day; after that will be a quick run in to the finish.
Petacchi was one of a group of 16 who briefly got away earlier in the race. At the intermediate sprint at Cerdanya, it was Petacchi, Perdiguero and Constantino Zaballa of Kelme who took the sprint points, respectively. Just after this intermediate sprint, at about the 40 km mark, the 16 were caught by the peloton.
Jose Azevedo of ONCE abandoned about 20 km into the stage today. One hundred seventy two riders started this morning, so now with Azevedo, the race has been pared down by 27 riders - two surprises yesterday were Virenque and Sergio Perez, whom race officials disqualified from the race for holding onto the team car.
6:30 am PDT. 133 km covered. The front six are over the Alto de Calders climb. The six have been away for almost 50 kms but the bunch is cutting the gap down. At the last time check the gap was 2:42.
Fassa still leading the peloton with ONCE.
Intermediate climb of Alto de Calders: 1. Cristian Moreni, 2. Fabrizio Guidi, 2. Fabian Jeker, 4. Oscar Sevilla. The peloton is 2:36 behind.
Felix Cardenas led the Mountains Classification at the start today with 132 points; second is Aitor Osa with 106.
6:44 am PDT.The break's lead is dwindling, as expected. It is now down to about a minute twenty as the riders are nearly through this last climb.
6:55 am PDT. 40k to go. The break has come down to 50 seconds as the Fassa Bortolo team is sensing a victory for Petacchi. They are working hard on the front of the peloton.
Kroon, Petacchi and De Los Angeles take the next sprint in that order as the breakaway is caught. Petacchi is close to taking over the Points lead with what he's gained today, and if he takes the sprint today.
Kroon has opened a gap as he takes first in the next sprint.
7:05 am PDT. 31km to go. Karsten Kroon is still dangling off the front. He has about 100 metres in front of the Fassa boys. It will be a fast run-in today - earlier in the stage the riders were a full 20 minutes ahead of the race schedule.
30 km to go. A little descent here with plenty of corners. Two riders have joined Kroon, one from Rabobank and one from the Labarca team. They are hiding in front of the peloton on this curvy descent.
26 km to go. It is in fact Beat Zberg who has joined his Rabobank compatriot.
The Labarca rider is Caesar Garcia Calvo.
Tempo is being done by ONCE and Fassa now as they try to reel in the 20 seconds the breakaways have.
Speeds are reaching 60km. It is amazing that the breakaways can eke out some time on the glory hunting Fassa team.
They really benefited from the serpentine descent to sneak away from the pack.
7:19 am PDT. They are still holding onto 19 seconds even as the peloton reaches a top speed of 72 km/h!
ONCE is on the front now. Probably trying to keep their leaders out of trouble. Less than 20 km to go.
17km to go. The break has turned into a town and a headwind, with the peloton hot on their tail.
The boys in the break will find it harder than the peloton to keep up this high speed in this headwind. On the flat now.
7:27 am PDT. 14km to go. Fassa have disappeared from the front and are letting ONCE handle the pace. Fassa must feel that they can reel in the 15 seconds anytime they want. But they are running out of time.
The three breakaways are working well together. The La Barca rider is a good sprinter and must like his chances even against two teammates.
7:31 am PDT. 10km to go. Still 14 seconds between the break and the ONCE-led peloton.
The US Postal make a showing near the front. Could they be setting up a sprint for George Hincapie?
If George could make an appearance on the podium, the hearts of half the cycling fans will melt...
8km to go. Zberg has left his break companions to be swallowed by the pack. ONCE has given up control and now the breaks are coming thick and fast.
7:36 am PDT. 7km to go. A break of ten is catching up to Zberg. Luis Perez is in this break along with Astarloa.
Lots of attacking on this course that has more curves than the podium girls.
Fassa are on the front but are having trouble controlling on this last course. Is Hincapie winding up here?
George Hincapie has broken out of the pack to bridge to the front 10 riders.
9 leaders off the front, following by George and 3 others.
2km to go and Zaballa and Luttenberger are off the front of the break. Look out - Lombardi is in the front break.
George has reached the front break! However the peloton has the break in their sights! 1km to go and the breakaway has held!
Here comes Fassa, Petacchi, Lombardi...here goes Petacchi! Zabel goes!
Petacchi had no lead out man. He has to lead it out himself and the cagey veteran Zabel is on his wheel. Zabel comes around Petacchi and wins!
Petacchi takes second. He faded right at the end as he had no leadout man in this chaotic sprint. Zabel had the strength to come around and take him by at least a bike.
Guidi is third. And we miss a cool podium strut by Freddie Rodriguez by only 1 place, as he comes in fourth.
Provisional top ten:
1º 201 Erik Zabel TEL 4:10:51
'' 6 Alessandro Petacchi FAS mt.
'' 184 Fabrizio Guidi TBI mt.
'' 219 Fred Rodriguez VIN mt.
'' 152 Tom Boonen QSD mt.
'' 98 Alejandro Valverde KEL mt.
'' 126 Angel Edo MIL mt.
'' 138 Carlos Torrent ALM mt.
'' 149 Alexandre Usov PHO mt.
10º 147 Oscar Pereiro PHO a 3
Petacchi takes over the Points jersey - Valverde in second and Zabel in third. The General Classification is Nozal still in first, Galdeano second and Beltran in third.
Thanks for reading today, and please join us Wednesday for Stage 11. Tuesday the riders take their first rest and transfer day.
Stage 10 Results
1º Zabel, Erik Ger Tel 4:10:51
2º Petacchi, Alessandro Ita Fas m.t.
3º Guidi, Fabrizio Ita Tbi m.t.
4º Rodriguez, Fred Usa Vin m.t.
5º Boonen, Tom Bel Qsd m.t.
6º Valverde, Alejandro Esp Kel m.t.
7º Edo, Angel Esp Mil m.t.
8º Torrent, Carlos Esp Alm m.t.
9º Usov, Alexandre Blr Pho m.t.
10º Pereiro, Oscar Esp Pho a 3
11º Gerrikagoitia, Gorka Esp Eus m.t.
12º Osa, Unai Esp Ban m.t.
13º Mondini, Gianpaolo Ita Dve m.t.
14º Lastras, Pablo Esp Ban m.t.
15º Herrero, Ivan Esp L2c m.t.
16º Rasmussen, Michael Den Rab m.t.
17º Zaballa, Constantino Esp Kel m.t.
18º Perez, Luis Esp Cof m.t.
19º Piccoli, Mariano Ita Lam m.t.
20º Ivanov, Serguei Rus Fas m.t.
21º Nozal, Isidro Esp One m.t.
22º Frigo, Dario Ita Fas m.t.
23º Martinez, Alberto Esp Eus m.t.
24º Glez. Galdeano, Igor Esp One m.t.
25º Beltran, Manuel Esp Usp m.t.
26º Mancebo, Francisco Esp Ban m.t.
27º Gonzalez, Gorka Esp Eus m.t.
28º Gonzalez, Aitor Esp Fas m.t.
29º Righi, Daniele Ita Lam m.t.
30º Burgos, Nacor Esp Crf m.t.
31º Furlan, Angelo Ita Als m.t.
32º Gonzalez, Santos Esp Dve m.t.
33º Ferrio, Jorge Esp Alm m.t.
34º Hincapie, George Usa Usp m.t.
35º Cardenas, Felix Col L2c m.t.
36º Lunghi, Denis Ita Als m.t.
37º Heras, Roberto Esp Usp m.t.
38º Calcagni, Patrick Sui Vin m.t.
39º Perez, Santiago Esp Pho m.t.
40º Sanchez, Domingo Esp Alm m.t.
41º Osa, Aitor Esp Ban m.t.
42º Lombardi, Giovanni Ita Dve m.t.
43º Scarponi, Michele Ita Dve m.t.
44º Sevilla, Oscar Esp Kel m.t.
45º Martin Perdiguero, Miguel Esp Dve m.t.
46º Arrieta, José Luis Esp Ban m.t.
47º Serrano, Marcos Esp One m.t.
48º Del Olmo, Txema Esp Mil m.t.
49º White, Matthew Aus Usp m.t.
50º Amorim, Gonçalo Por Mil m.t.
...
53º Noval, Benjamín Esp Crf m.t.
57º Rodriguez, Joaquin Esp One m.t.
58º Barry ,Michael Can Usp m.t.
60º Landis, Floyd Usa Usp m.t.
63º Garate, Juan Manuel Esp Lam m.t.
64º Sastre, Carlos Esp Csc m.t.
77º Vicioso, Angel Esp One a 17
93º Zberg, Beat Sui Rab a 1:13
145º Casero, Angel Esp Tbi a 2:40
146º Leipheimer, Levy Usa Rab m.t.
148º Rubiera, José Luis Esp Usp m.t.
159º Millar, David Gbr Cof a 3:55
169º Masciarelli, Simone Ita Vin a 11:36
170º Montgomery, Sven Sui Fas m.t.
Retirements
Azevedo, José Por One Retired
Bucciero, Antonio Ita Sae Retired
General Classification after Stage 10
1º Nozal, Isidro Esp One 33:57:41
2º Glez. Galdeano, Igor Esp One a 1:48
3º Beltran, Manuel Esp Usp a 2:01
4º Frigo, Dario Ita Fas a 3:05
5º Heras, Roberto Esp Usp a 3:28
6º Mancebo, Francisco Esp Ban a 3:40
7º Valverde, Alejandro Esp Kel a 3:57
8º Gonzalez, Aitor Esp Fas a 4:00
9º Rasmussen, Michael Den Rab a 4:04
10º Osa, Unai Esp Ban a 4:14
11º Perez, Luis Esp Cof a 4:25
12º Scarponi, Michele Ita Dve a 5:52
13º Cardenas, Felix Col L2c a 6:21
14º Gonzalez, Santos Esp Dve a 8:56
15º Serrano, Marcos Esp One a 9:10
16º Del Olmo, Txema Esp Mil a 9:18
17º Garcia Casas, Félix Esp Tbi a 9:18
18º Flores, Iker Esp Eus a 10:02
19º Sevilla, Oscar Esp Kel a 10:40
20º Pereiro, Oscar Esp Pho a 13:00
21º Trentin, Guido Ita Cof a 13:20
22º Jufre, José Esp Crf a 20:10
23º Cuesta, Iñigo Esp Cof a 25:26
24º Piepoli, Leonardo Ita Ban a 25:54
25º Calvente, Manuel Esp Csc a 26:18
...
28º Rodriguez, Joaquin Esp One a 32:32
29º Sastre, Carlos Esp Csc a 34:29
33º Horrach, Joan Esp Mil a 38:15
34º Osa, Aitor Esp Ban a 39:41
38º Van Goolen, Jurgen Bel Qsd a 44:30
39º Pospyeyev, Kyryl Ukr Dve a 45:39
40º Gonzalez, Gorka Esp Eus a 47:25
45º Martin Perdiguero, Miguel Esp Dve a 54:51
46º Möller, Klaus Den Mil a 55:45
47º Garate, Juan Manuel Esp Lam a 56:27
Points Classification after Stage 10
1º Petacchi, Alessandro Ita Fas 76
2º Valverde, Alejandro Esp Kel 67
3º Zabel, Erik Ger Tel 67
4º Nozal, Isidro Esp One 59
5º Rodriguez, Joaquin Esp One 57
6º Perez, Luis Esp Cof 55
7º Etxebarria, Unai Ven Eus 53
8º Cardenas, Felix Col L2c 51
9º Glez. Galdeano, Igor Esp One 49
10º Rasmussen, Michael Den Rab 46
11º Frigo, Dario Ita Fas 44
12º Etxebarria, David Esp Eus 40
13º Edo, Angel Esp Mil 39
14º Osa, Unai Esp Ban 37
15º Zaballa, Constantino Esp Kel 36
16º Beltran, Manuel Esp Usp 34
17º Hruska, Jan Cze One 32
18º Boonen, Tom Bel Qsd 29
19º Osa, Aitor Esp Ban 24
20º Guidi, Fabrizio Ita Tbi 23
Climbing Classification after Stage 10
1º Cardenas, Felix Col L2c 132
2º Osa, Aitor Esp Ban 106
3º Horrach, Joan Esp Mil 97
4º Perez, Luis Esp Cof 62
5º Jufre, José Esp Crf 55
6º Rodriguez, Joaquin Esp One 49
7º Valverde, Alejandro Esp Kel 42
8º Rasmussen, Michael Den Rab 37
9º Osa, Unai Esp Ban 36
10º Zaballa, Constantino Esp Kel 34
11º Etxebarria, Unai Ven Eus 31
12º Nozal, Isidro Esp One 31
13º Jeker, Fabian Sui Mil 30
14º Frigo, Dario Ita Fas 29
15º Piepoli, Leonardo Ita Ban 27
16º Jimenez, Eladio Esp Ban 22
17º Heras, Roberto Esp Usp 21
18º Mancebo, Francisco Esp Ban 18
19º Etxebarria, David Esp Eus 17
20º Lunghi, Denis Ita Als 17
Teams Classification after Stage 10
1º ONCE - Eroski ONE 101:56:58
2º IBanesto.com BAN a 3:01
3º Kelme - Costa Blanca KEL a 16:14
4º Euskaltel - Euskadi EUS a 20:39
5º Cofidis, le credit par telephone COF a 24:21
6º Milaneza - MSS MIL a 34:18
7º Fassa Bortolo FAS a 42:36
8º Domina Vacanze-Elitron-RDZ DVE a 49:02
9º US Postal Service Berry Floor USP a 1:01:57
10º Quick Step - Davitamon QSD a 1:40:43
11º Team CSC CSC a 1:54:27
12º Labarca-2 Cafe Baque L2C a 2:01:13
13º Paternina - Costa de Almeria ALM a 2:03:12
14º Team Bianchi TBI a 2:09:16
15º Colchon Relax - Fuenlabrada CRF a 2:13:08
16º Rabobank RAB a 2:28:56
17º Lampre LAM a 2:31:39
18º Phonak Hearing Systems PHO a 2:51:06
19º Team Telekom TEL a 3:03:57
20º Alessio ALS a 3:46:51
21º Saeco - Longoni Sport SAE a 4:39:07
22º Saunier Duval - Vini Caldirola VIN a 4:50:03 | 
