PLATEAU de BEILLE, France — Belgium’s Jelle Venendert won the 14th stage of the Tour de France on Saturday as Thomas Voeckler produced another strong performance in the Pyrenees to hold on to the leader’s yellow jersey.
Omega Pharma-Lotto rider Venendert was the first to reach the mountaintop finish at Plateau de Beille, completing the 168.5-kilometer ride from Saint-Gaudens in a time of 5 hours, 13 minutes and 25 seconds.
Olympic champion Samuel Sanchez, who won Friday’s stage, had to settle for second place this time around, coming home 21 seconds behind the winner.
Andy Schleck broke away from a group containing brother Frank Schleck, Voeckler, defending champion Alberto Contador and Cadel Evans to take third, but gained just two seconds on his main rivals.
Europcar’s Voeckler continues to lead Frank Schleck by 1:49 in the overall standings with Evans 2:06 adrift, and now just nine seconds clear of Andy Schleck. Contador stays seventh, four minutes behind Voeckler.
The Tour continues Sunday with the 192.5km-long 15th stage from Limoux to Montpellier that has just one category four climb to negotiate for the race’s remaining riders.
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