KIRCHEN GIVES UP YELLOW JERSEY ON HAUTACAM

After 4 days riding as the race leader of the Tour de France, Team Columbia’s Kim Kirchen today gave up the yellow jersey on a difficult stage ending on the storied Hautacam.

Kirchen finished the stage in 15th place, 4:19 after the winner, Leonardo Piepoli of Saunier Duval. Cadel Evans of the Silence Lotto team becomes the fifth leader in this Tour de France. He leads Frank Schleck of Team CSC by :01 second. Kirchen drops back to 7th, one minute and 56 seconds behind Evans.

Kirchen also lost his hold on the Green Jersey as Points Classification leader to Oscar Freire of the Rabobank squad.

It was a very difficult stage with two “hors category” climbs—the Tourmalet and the finish on the Hautacam. The main field was still crossing the finish line during the podium ceremony, a full 27 minutes after the first rider crossed.

Tuesday is a much deserved rest day in the Tour de France. There are still 2 weeks of riding left in the Tour.