Riccardo Ricco produced a stunning final 30 kilometres in the Pyrenees to claim his second Tour de France stage victory and underline his reputation as one of the best climbers in the sport.

LUIS LEON SANCHEZ’S enterprise paid off with a flying solo escape in the final five kilometres to win the seventh stage of the Tour de France from Brioude to Aurillac yesterday.

Norwegian Thor Hushovd won stage two of the Tour de France with a fantastic sprint finish in the final 300 metres between Auray and Saint Brieuc today.

Spain’s Alejandro Valverde won the opening stage of the 95th Tour de France after a storming finish in the final kilometre.

NORWAY’S Thor Hushovd claimed his first stage victory of this year’s Tour de France as a chaotic closing 10 kilometres climaxed in a thrilling uphill sprint in Quimper.