The run into Gap from Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux had been tapped as a fairly innocuous stage. On the heels of the rest day and ahead of three hard days of racing in the Alps, many predicted the day’s break would shape the stage. Instead, the battle between the general contenders became the story of the day.

Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank Sungard) repeatedly attacked his rivals on the Col de Manse until he managed to get clear with only Cadel Evans (BMC) and Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) in tow. The Schlecks, known to struggle in the rainy conditions the peloton faced throughout the race, were unable to close the gap to the trio before they crested the summit. The brothers lost further seconds on the dangerous descent that followed.

“We were a bit surprised that Contador went on the climb,” said Fränk Schleck. “We didn’t count out the possibility. of course. We know that he is a rider that attacks when he has good legs, but we had anticipated he would wait for the Alps.”

Racing was fast and furious from the start, and it took nearly 100 kilometers for an acceptable mix of riders to get up the road. The field did not contest the intermediate sprint, and it was the sole categorized climb on the menu, the Cole de Manse, that provided the backdrop for the day’s action.

Ahead, the break split on the climb and Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Cervélo) reached the mountaintop as the lone race leader. Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervélo) and Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky Procycling) joined Hesjedal on the technical descent. Hesjedal led out the two-up sprint between Boasson Hagen and Hushovd and saw the World Champion claim his second stage victory ahead of his young compatriot.

Behind, Evans opened a gap on Contador and Sanchez on the descent. Hot in their pursuit, Fränk led a chase group that included race leader Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) and Damiano Cunego (Lampre-ISD). Andy, unable to hold wheels on the wet, tricky descent, became gapped off the group and was paced to the finish by Maxime Monfort.

“Contador knows all too well that the Schlecks don’t perform at their best in the cold and rainy conditions,” Fränk said. “It’s all part of the game -- knowing your opponents and knowing their weaknesses. He knows the conditions today, coupled with the dangerous descent, were not our strong point.”

In the end, Evans gain three seconds on Contador and Sanchez and 21 seconds on Fränk to leapfrog into second place. Fränk fell back to third while Andy, having lost 1:09 to Evans, remains in fourth. Voeckler hangs onto yellow for another day with a 1:45 advantage over Evans.

“I’m disappointed, of course, to have lost time today, but this isn’t the end of the Tour,” said Andy. “It’s important, but there are other chances to take back time. I’m disappointed but hopeful.”