Cycling:Olympic champion Samuel Sanchez salvaged Spanish pride by winning the 211-km 12th stage of the Tour de France on Thursday which saw compatriot Alberto Contador lose ground in Luz-Ardiden.
Despite losing time on the leading riders, Ireland’s Nicolas Roche finished in 17th spot and moved up from 13th to 10th position in the overall standings and lies just under five minutes behind race leader Thomas Voeckler.
The Frenchman crossed the line 50 seconds behind Sanchez to retain his yellow jersey and he now leads Frank Schleck by one minute and 49 seconds and Cadel Evans by 2:06. Contador lies seventh, four minutes adrift.
The first mountain stage of this edition exposed Contador’s weaknesses as he struggles with a knee injury, with the three-times champion finishing 43 seconds behind the winner.
Euskaltel team leader Sanchez won the first stage in the Pyrenees seven seconds ahead of Belgian Jelle Vanendert, with whom he had attacked in the last of three climbs on the day's course.
Luxembourg's Frank Schleck finished third, 10 seconds behind, proving he might be the one out of the two Schleck brothers to watch out for on this Tour.
Three of the leading contenders for final victory, Italy's Ivan Basso, Australia's Cadel Evans and Andy Schleck, finished 20 seconds further back.
Contador, dropped in the finale, had to settle for eighth place, a further 13 seconds off the pace.