Alexandre Vinokourov, who is returning to the Tour de France after a doping ban, won the 13th stage today, while Andy Schleck of Luxembourg kept the yellow jersey. Vinokourov led a solo breakaway at the end and was followed British star Mark Cavendish and Italian Alessandro Petacchi of Italy, who finished 13 seconds behind Vinokourov. "It was a beautiful victory, a beautiful reward," Vinokourov said. This was Vinokourov fourth Tour stage win in his career.
Vinokourov, 36, won the Tour of Spain in 2006 but was barred from competing in the 2007 Tour de France for blood doping. Meanwhile, Schleck kept pace with two-time Tour champion Alberto Contador, who is trailing Schleck by 31 seconds. "It was a good day for my team. We didn't have to work. ... Today was calm — tomorrow is the battle. We're going to have a nice stage tomorrow," said Schleck, the Saxo Bank leader. Spanish rider Samuel Sanchez is at third place.
Astana rider Vinokourov completed the 122-mile course from Rodez in 4 hours, 26 minutes, 26 seconds and hugged teammate Contador after the finish. Vinokourov took the lead within the last 6 miles, overtaking Italy's Alessandro Ballan and then maintained the lead to win the stage.
Seven-time Tour champion American Lance Armstrong finished 4:35 back in 100th place. The 38-year-old American, who is at 36th place, admitted that his victory hopes are finished. The race is scheduled to enter the Pyrenees tomorrow. The Pyrenees is an important stage because it marks the beginning of the first of four days of punishing climbs in the mountains. The three-week race is scheduled to conclude on July 25 in Paris.
