CYCLING:NICOLAS ROCHE appeared to move a step closer to his goal of a top-10 finish in the Tour de France when he moved into 10th overall after yesterday's first mountain stage. However, his three-place progression in the general classification gives him mixed feelings after finishing 17th on the stage.

He cracked on the final climb of Luz Ardiden and conceded time to many of the other general classification contenders. Aided in the drag up to the line by his Ag2r la Mondiale team-mate Hubert Dupont, he aimed to limit his losses to the riders who are also in the running for top-10 finishes.

"If I consider it was the first time I have been up such a big climb in racing since last year's Tour of Spain, it's okay," he told The Irish Times. "In the races I did this year, the climbs were nothing like that. But obviously I was disappointed to lose the time I did."

Roche finished two minutes two seconds behind the stage winner Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel Euskadi), and dropped one minute 32 to yellow jersey contenders Ivan Basso (Liquigas), Cadel Evans (BMC Racing Team) and Andy Schleck (Leopard Trek).

“If I lose time every day, I am not going to be in the top 10 for long,” he admitted. “But if I consider that last week I was struggling to stay with the guys on shorter climbs, things are still moving forward. I hope in the days ahead I keep improving and that I can go better in the mountains.”

Today’s second Pyrenean mountain stage crosses the Col d’Aubisque and the Col du Soulor. It looks tough, but Roche isn’t convinced it will be decisive to the overall standings. “I think a break will go, but the climb is a long way from the finish and I think the general classification guys will be together at the end.”