Thor thunders to victory again

NICOLAS ROCHE slipped back four places to 22nd on the overall general classification after yesterday’s 16th stage of the Tour de France from St Paul Trois Châteaux to Gap in the south east of the country.

The Irish Ag2R La Mondiale rider crossed the line in 75th place, almost nine minutes behind stage winner Thor Hushovd (Team Garmin Transitions) following a rain-drenched 163-kilometre trek that saw some of the big name contenders’ hopes of wearing the maillot jaune into Paris next Sunday take a serious blow.

Following Monday’s rest day, the race had been expected to be a fairly controlled affair with a break expected to get away early on and battle it out for the stage win.