Today's 210.5 kilometer long 12th stage of Tour de France from Bourg-de-Peage to Mende had a steep uphill finish on the top of the dreaded climb, Cot de la Croix-Neuve where the finish line was placed on a landing field.

The stage was expected to be the scene for another fight between the two overall favorites, Andy and Alberto Contador (Astana) but the stage turned out to be rather undramatic.

Andreas Kloden (Radioshack), Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana), Vasil Kiryienka (Caisse d'Epargne) and Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin) flew away from a bigger breakaway with 50 kilometers to go and Saxo Bank took responsibility of controlling the pace of the chase and soon after, the front group started loosing ground.

At the foot of the uphill finish, the quartet only had a 45 second lead to the chasing pack of hungry Saxo Bank riders and soon, Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana) was alone in the front. With 2.2 kilometers to go, Alberto Contador sunk his teeth into the pedals and glided away from the pack and past his teammate, Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana) with Joaquin Rodriquez (Katusha) on his tail all the way to the finish line where the Katusha-rider beat his compatriot.

Andy fought heroically and crossed the finish line only ten seconds behind the front duo and is still the leader of the race.

”The final climb was too short and too explosive for a rider like me and it was obviously a better fit for Alberto (Contador) and at the same time, I wasn't feeling too well and under these circumstances I'm pleased with only losing ten seconds. Now, we are closer to one another in the GC but the war continues and I am content,” said Andy after the stage.