Tour de France: Hushovd wins stage 16th, Voeckler leads
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Play VideoTo cycling now and the 16th stage of the Tour de France began under glorious sunshine. But rain clouds loomed ominously over the foothills of the 162.5-kilometre stage.
Following several failed attempts, a group of ten riders - including Thor Hushovd managed to pull clear of the peloton after 100 kilometres. Most of the day's stage was uphill, but there was only one categorised climb - which came towards the end of the course. Mikhail Ignatyev attacked the lead group at the start of the climb and was soon joined by Ryder Hesjedal.
Not wanting to miss out on the chance of a stage win, Norwegian Hushovd and his compatriot Edvald Boasson Hagen also made an effort to bridge the gap.
But the real drama was unfolding back in the main group -- where Alberto Contador made a surprise attack.
Hesjedal eventually dropped Ignatyev before the summit, while Samuel Sanchez joined Contador's group, bringing the top six riders in the overall standing together.
However, that group wouldn't stay intact for long. Contador, went on the attack again and this time only Evans and Sanchez could stay on the defending champion's rear wheel.
Hesjedal was caught by fellow Garmin-Cervelo rider Hushovd and Sky's Boasson hagen on the descent into Gap, setting up a sprint finish. Under instrucions from his teammate, Hesjedal waited until the final few hundred metres to lead out Hushovd, who had too much power for Boasson Hagen and recorded a winning time of three hours, 31 minutes and 38 seconds.
The remaining seven members of the breakaway group crossed before Evans came into view. The Australian opened a gap ove! r Spania rd's Contador and Sanchez on the descent, but that advantage was trimmed to just three seconds at the line.
Still, Evans' effort saw him climb up into second place overall. Frenchman Voeckler remains top overall, though - one minute and 45 seconds ahead of the day's big winner Evans.
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