Schleck wins 18th with solo breakaway at Tour
Posted July 21, 2011 11:58 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
LE MONETIER-LES-BAINS, France — Andy Schleck won the 18th Stage of the Tour de France in a dazzling solo breakway attack in the Alps on Thursday as Thomas Voeckler of France clung barely to the overall leader’s yellow jersey.
The 26-year-old rider from Luxembourg attacked his main rivals on the second of three grueling climbs and held on all the way up to the highest-altitude finish in the race’s 108-year history, on the fabled Galibier pass.
Voeckler crossed more than two minutes behind Schleck but retained the race lead by a handful of seconds. Three-time champion Alberto Contador lost even more time in the title chase.
Victoria’s Ryder Hesjedal finished the stage in 10th place.
