Popovych goes alone

Ukrainian Yaroslav Popovych won stage 12 of the Tour de France from Luchon to Carcassonne as the country celebrated Bastille Day.

The Discovery Channel rider had been part of a breakaway quartet for over 100 kilometres and made a decisive solo break three kilometres from home to finish 27 seconds clear.

Alessandro Ballan of Lampre and Rabobank’s Oscar Freire followed second and third, while the remaining member of the long-time leading group, Credit Agricole’s Christophe le Mevel, trailed in in fourth.

American Floyd Landis retaied the yellow jersey and his eight-second lead over France’s Cyril Dessel.