Rabobank rider Luis León Sánchez scored the team’s first stage win of the 2011 Tour de France on Sunday, riding the all-new 2012 Giant TCR Advanced SL to victory in a dramatic Stage 9 that was marred by crashes.

Sánchez joined a breakaway group on the first of seven categorized climbs in the 208km stage from Issoire to St. Flour, and then outsprinted two surviving breakaway riders to take the stage win. It was Sánchez’s third career stage win at the Tour and his biggest win since joining the team before the start of the 2011 season.

The stage win moved Sánchez up in the overall standings, putting him second overall in the General Classification. He heads into Monday’s rest day 1:49 behind Frenchman Thomas Voeckler, who was in the Stage 9 breakaway with Sánzhez and finished second on the stage.

Sunday’s hilly stage through the Massif Central concluded a perilous opening week on the Tour, which saw the hopes of many contenders dashed by crashes and misfortune. Rabobank’s top GC man Robert Gesink was involved in several crashes but, with the aid of his strong team, will head into the rest day still in contention.

The Dutchman is 15th overall, one spot ahead of defending champion Alberto Contador and within striking distance of the pre-race favorites. Gesink also wears the white jersey signifying the top rider under age 26.

After a rest day Monday, the Tour heads toward the Pyrenees, with several decisive stages, including Stages 12 through 14, which include the massive climbs of Luz-Ardiden, the Col d’Aubisque and Plateau de Beille.

The race continues through its July 24 finish in Paris.