Tour de France Stage 13 Heinrich Haussler Crosses First

by Barbara McPherson | July 17, 2009 at 08:21 am

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Stage 13 of the Tour de France saw Heinrich Haussler, Team Cervelo, cross the finish line first. He was followed in order by Amets Txerruka, Euskatel-Euscadi and Brice Feillu, Agritubel. They were part of an early breakaway on the route from Vittel to Colmar, a distance of 200 km through the mountains. Heinrich Haussler expanded his lead over the others by 4 minutes at the last climb of the day.

The King of the Mountains jersey changed hands going to Franco Pellizoti, Liquigas.

The Green Jersey for most sprint points also changes hands. Thor Hushovd, Cervelo takes it away from Mark Cavendish, Columbia.

The overall standings in the Tour change today because of the withdrawal of Levi Leipheimer, Astana due to a broken wrist. His crash yesterday in the final 2 km looked like a minor one and he completed the race, holding his fourth place. Unfortunately, it looks like surgery for Levi Leipheimer and he is out of the Tour for this year.

First - Rinaldo Nocentini, AG2R

Second - Alberto Contador, Astana

Third - Lance Armstrong, Astana

Fourth - Bradley Wiggins, Garmin-Slipstream

Fifth - Andreas Kloden, Astana

Many eyes were focussed on Lance Armstrong today to see if his 37 year old legs could compare with the youngsters. He was tested and passed. Team Astana set the pace for much of Stage 13 and managed to split the peloton on the steep climbs.

The road continues to exact its toll. After nearly two weeks of racing the field has been shaved down from 180 to 164 riders. Along with Levi Leipheimer, Peter Wrolich, Milram and Romain Feillu, Agrutubel have also abandoned the Tour.

Stage 14 of the Tour is a relatively flat course of 199 km from Colmar to Besancon.