NICOLAS ROCHE paid for his exertions on Thursday when he came in over 25 minutes down on stage winner Pierre Rolland (Europcar) on yesterday’s gruelling 109 kilometre stage 19 of the Tour de France from Modane to the ski station at Alpe d’Huez in the French Alps.

Andy Schleck made his claim for Tour de France victory with a solo surge to win at the highest summit finish in the race’s history today, but Thomas Voeckler retained the yellow jersey for a 10th day with another resilient performance.

Organisers of the Tour de France today unveiled the route for the 2011 race with six mountain stages awaiting the riders.

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.

COLOMBIAN Juan Mauricio Soler Hernandez has won stage nine of the Tour de France from Val d’Isere to Briancon.

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.

Dane Michael Rasmussen claimed today's 16th stage of the Tour De France – the toughest of the race so far - and with it, the King of the Mountains jersey.

WITH the Alps now behind him, Lance Armstrong remains in command of the Tour de France after yesterday’s 11th stage honours went to Alexander Vinokourov of Kazakhstan.

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.