Mountain man Roche ready to attack

NICOLAS ROCHE consolidated his overnight position of 13th place in the Tour de France after he finished safely in the main bunch of yesterday’s rain-hit 167-kilometre journey from Blaye-les-Mines to Lavaur.

The Ag2r la Mondiale rider crossed the line in 45th position in the same time as stage winner Mark Cavendish — who claimed his third win of this year’s Tour ahead of André Greipel (Omega Pharma-Lotto) and Tyler Farrar (Team Garmin-Transitions).

The Irishman still lies three minutes and 45 seconds behind race leader Thomas Voeckler — but today should see a seismic shift in the overall general classification as the race hits the high mountains of the Pyrénées.