In a stunning display of what is needed to move from the ranks of sprinting speedsters to the strongmen of the GC contenders, Thor Hushovd showed the cycling world why he is World Champion taking the win after a spectacular game of cat and mouse with French rider Jeremy Roy.
Leaving Roy behind as he kicked in the final 2km of the stage from Pau to Lourdes, Hushovd turned around and shook his head in disbelief several times before zipping up his jersey to cross the line triumphant after a long day in the saddle as part of a 10 man breakaway.
28-year-old Francaise des Jeux rider Roy dominated much of the stage leading the breakaway from 50km into the stage. Maintaining his lead over the Aubisque, Hushovd and Montcoutie charged down the descent after him. Appearing almost broken as he crossed the line in 3rd place, Roy, who has cycled more kilometres as an escapee than any other rider, seemed to apologise to the French crowds in Catholicism's most visited site of pilgrimage for not taking the stage win.
The only consolation for Roy was taking the King of the Mountains jersey with his impressive solo climb 1,649m to the summit of the Pyrenean peak of Col d'Aubisque for 20 points, overtaking previous incumbent Samuel Sanchez by five.
Tomorrow the last of the Pyrenean stages sees six tough tests: the Col de Portet-d’Aspet, the Col de la Core, the Col de Latrape, the Col d’Agnes, the Port de Lers and the finish at the Plateau de Beille. The 168km stage is short, the climbs culmative. Attacks will come thick, fast and right from the start as the GC start to unleash their power.
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