MARCUS BURGHARDT — best remembered for being knocked off his bike by a dog in last year’s event — profited from a transitional day in the Tour de France to escape to victory on the 18th stage from Bourg d’Oisans to St Etienne.

Marcus Burghardt profited from a transitional day in the Tour de France to escape to victory on the 18th stage from Bourg d’Oisans to St Etienne.

FRANK SCHLECK surrendered the yellow jersey to team-mate Carlos Sastre as the Spaniard kicked away to a convincing victory on Alpe d’Huez in the 17th stage of the Tour de France.

CYRIL DESSEL’S masterly descent of the Col de la Bonette-Restefond clinched the prestigious 16th stage of the Tour de France from Cuneo to Jausiers as Frank Schleck retained the yellow jersey.

TOUR de France leader Frank Schleck has vowed to continue to use the strength and experience of his CSC team to tighten his grip on the yellow jersey.

SPAIN‘S Alberto Contador won the 14th stage of the Tour de France yesterday, pipping Denmark’s Michael Rasmussen who retains the leader’s yellow jersey.

Spain‘s Alberto Contador won the 14th stage of the Tour de France today, pipping Denmark’s Michael Rasmussen who retains the leader’s yellow jersey.

FLOYD LANDIS staged a remarkable recovery to put himself back in Tour de France contention with a dramatic solo win in Morzine.

Floyd Landis staged a remarkable recovery to put himself back in Tour de France contention with a dramatic solo win in Morzine.

OSCAR Pereiro reclaimed the race leader’s yellow jersey on stage 16 of the Tour de France after American rider Floyd Landis fell apart under a succession of attacks from his rivals for overall victory.

FLOYD LANDIS reclaimed the yellow jersey in the Tour de France with fourth place in stage 15, L’Alpe d’Huez.

Floyd Landis reclaimed the yellow jersey in the Tour de France with fourth place in stage 15, L’Alpe d’Huez.

Jan Ullrich of Germany made further inroads into the overall leadership of Lance Armstrong in a centenary Tour de France which is shaping up to be one of the closest in history.

THE last time Michael Boogerd won a stage in the Tour de France, it was the last day Lance Armstrong would ride in the Tour before being diagnosed with cancer.