Voeckler seizes yellow jersey from Armstrong

FRENCH champion Thomas Voeckler relieved Lance Armstrong of the yellow jersey after the 200 kilometre fifth stage of the Tour de France from Amiens to Chartres.

Voeckler was part of a five man breakaway group that had a 12-minute lead over the peloton as they reached Chartres. The stage itself was won by Australian sprinter Stuart O’Grady who beat Dane Jako Piil, France’s Sandy Casar and Voeckler on the line.

The major incident of the day was a massive pile-up halfway through the stage.

Four of five-time winner Armstrong’s team were involved in the crash - a far cry from the organised effort that allowed the American to take the overall lead yesterday.

Armstong would have been happy to know that Italian sprint ace Alessandro Petacchi and second stage winner Robbie McEwen also got caught up in the crash.

The incident led to a more cautious approach from the main bunch, as violent side winds and rain prevented them closing the gap on the breakaway group.

Unsurprisingly, given the conditions, there were more falls with Roberto Heras among those hitting the tarmac with around 90km to go.

The Spaniard, in contrast to compatriot Iban Mayo, who lost minutes in a fall on Monday, was fortunate that enough riders came down with him to take away the incentive for an attack by the rest of the peloton.

The Aussie contingent was reduced to seven with Brad McGee succumbing to the back pain which had plagued him since Sunday.

The former track world champion - winner of last year’s prologue - had come into the race with high hopes built on a fine performance in the Giro d’Italia in May.

But he will now turn his mind to the Olympics after a puncture added insult to his injury and left him labouring badly to get back on the peloton.

Sligo man Mark Scanlon was part of the peloton, which finished almost 12 minutes behind O’Grady and company.