Sergio Paulinho became the first Portuguese rider to win a stage in the Tour de France in 21 years when he narrowly edged Vasil Kiryienka in Wednesday's Stage 10, a 111-mile stretch from Chambéry to Gap that saw the Tour work its way out of the Alps on Bastille Day.
Paulinho earned the first win for Team Radioshack in 2010, and finished roughly 14 minutes ahead of the peloton, a time gap the GC riders were happy to surrender since no one in the break-outs were in contention for the podium, especially after a tough two days in the mountains.
With the main heads of state grouped together in the peloton, there was no change among the leaders.
General Classification After Stage 10:
1. Andy Schleck, Saxo Bank
2. Alberto Contador, Astana (+ 00:41)
3. Sammy Sanchez, Euskaltel-Euskadi (+ 02:45)
4. Denis Menchov, Rabobank (+ 02:58)
5. Jurgen Van Den Broeck, Omega Pharma-Lotto (+ 03:31)
6. Levi Leipheimer, Radioshack (+ 03:59)
31. Lance Armstrong, Radioshack (+ 17:22)
Thursday's Stage 11 is flat stage, likely welcomed relief after four days in the mountains. There is an early (around mile 35) third-category climb, the Col de la Cabre, and then the stage descends to the finish line for the final 84 miles. Remember the sprinters? You'll see them again in Stage 11.
As always, visit our excellent cycling blog, Podium Cafe, for all things Tour de France (like that neat stage profile above).
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