Sorensen rules hilly stage; big guns retain top 3 posts

VITTEL, France – Nicki Sorensen won the 12th stage of the Tour de France on Thursday by breaking away and finishing well ahead of Laurent Lefevre, and Rinaldo Nocentini of Italy kept the yellow jersey.

Sorensen was part of a small group of seven riders that finished several minutes ahead of the main pack after foraging ahead unchallenged during the 211.5-kilometer trek from Tonnerre to Vittel, which featured six small hills.

The Danish veteran, after years as a support rider in Bjarne Riis’ team, finally earned his first career stage win on the three-week race, and finished 48 seconds ahead of Lefevre.

“I’m 34 years old now and it’s a big thing for me to perform at this level at this age,” Sorensen said. “I started bike racing when I was 19 and I always hoped that I could maybe go on for many years and I think it shows today that it is possible.”

The chasing pack, including Nocentini, seven-time champion Lance Armstrong and Alberto Contador, finished nearly six minutes behind. Contador remained in second place overall, with Armstrong in third.

“We let the breakaway go after four minutes,” Nocentini said. “It’s a tough stage tomorrow but I’m already really happy and I will do my best to keep the yellow jersey tomorrow.”

Astana rider Levi Leipheimer fell off his bike about three kilometers from the line in a crash involving two-time Tour runner-up Cadel Evans. Leipheimer had cuts and bruises on his right wrist, shoulder and back. He hopes to resume on Friday.

“My wrist hurts, but surprisingly it’s OK. It could have been a lot worse,” Leipheimer said. “I was a bit surprised by a left corner ... my tire was sliding and I couldn’t quite save my bike from sliding out.”

Earlier, seven riders managed to get away after about 65 kilometers, including Egoi Martinez, Franco Pellizotti, Remi Pauriol, Sylvain Calzati and Markus Fothen.

The main pack sat up and let the breakaway go, with Mark Cavendish’s Team Columbia-Highroad teammates not chasing. Cavendish has been the best sprinter at this year’s Tour with four stage wins, including on Tuesday and Wednesday.     (AP)