Stage 9 Results
1 Gustavo César Veloso (Spa) Xacobeo Galicia - 5:21:04
2 Marco Marzano (Ita) Lampre-NGC - 0:00:21
3 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Caisse d’Epargne - 0:00:40
4 David De La Fuente (Spa) Fuji-Servetto - 0:00:41
5 Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank
6 Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence-Lotto
7 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas
8 Javier Ramírez (Spa) Andalucía-Cajasur - 0:00:53
9 Joaquím Rodríguez (Spa) Caisse d’Epargne - 0:01:12
10 Tom Danielson (USA) Garmin-Slipstream

General classification after stage 9
1 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Caisse d’Epargne - 36:26:40
2 Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence-Lotto - 0:00:07
3 Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank - 0:00:36
4 Tom Danielson (USA) Garmin-Slipstream - 0:00:51
5 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas - 0:00:53
6 Samuel Sánchez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi - 0:01:03
7 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre-NGC - 0:02:04
8 Ezequiel Mosquera (Spa) Xacobeo Galicia - 0:02:24
9 Haimar Zubeldia (Spa) Astana - 0:03:01
10 Juan José Cobo (Spa) Fuji-Servetto - 0:03:08

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After 164.5 km in the rain soaked countryside of Brittany, Stage 2 ended in an exciting surge to the finish line. With World Champion Fabian Cancellara attacking with 1km to go. But it just was not meant to be, as big Thor Hushovd stormed to the line to take the stage.

After the stage Thor had this to say,”I knew this was a sprint that played to my strengths, but it was difficult with the wind and a little hill at the end.”

Caisse d’Epargne rider Alejandro Valverde keeps the coveted Maillot Jaune for another day. But look for him to possible relinquish possession of the jersey as soon as Stage 4. Taxing his team by protecting the jersey this early on is not in the plans for the Caisse d’Epargne team.

Have something to add, or want to chime in with your stage thoughts? We welcome comments below!

Stage Results
1. Thor Hushovd, Credit Agricole
2. Kim Kirchen, Team Columbia
3. Gerald Ciolek, Team Columbia
4. Robbie Hunter, Barloworld
5. Erik Zabel, Milram
6. Yury Trofimov, AG2R
7. Oscar Freire, Rabobank
8. Jimmy Casper, Agritubel
9. Martin Elminger, AG2R
10. Leonardo Duque, Cofidis
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Spain’s new national champion Alejandro Valverde took a commanding win in stage 1 in an exciting finish. A stage where we saw an early breakaway, a few crashes, but a steady pursuit by the peloton, to be capped off by an impressive last move and climb by Valverde.

After the race Valverde said, “I’ve Acheived two of my objectives: to win a stage and to wear the yellow jersey. That’s done today. …It gives me peace of mind for the rest of the race.” We don’t expect Valverde to rest on his victory though.

As one of the big contendors this year, this stage win definitely shows that Valverde is in fine form and the competition should be worried. What are your thoughts? Was this better than having a prologue? Getting right to the pure racing? Let’s hear your comments!

Results after stage 1
1. Alejandro Valverde, Caisse d’Epargne - 4h 36′ 07″
2. Philippe Gilbert, Française des Jeux - 00′ 01″
3. Jerome Pineau, Bouygues Telecom - 00′ 01″
4. Kim Kirchen, Team Columbia - 00′ 01″
5. Riccardo Ricco, Saunier Duval-Scott - 00′ 01″
6. Cadel Evans, Silence-Lotto - 00′ 01″
7. Fränk Schleck, CSC-Saxo Bank - 00′ 01″
8. Filippo Pozzato, Liquigas - 00′ 01″
9. Oscar Freire, Rabobank - 00′ 01″
10. Oscar Pereiro, Caisse d’Epargne - 00′ 01″

Full Results Here

Links to news sites…

“Valverde wins 1st Tour de France stage
By JAMEY KEATEN

PLUMELEC, France (AP) — Alejandro Valverde of Spain won the first stage of the Tour de France on Saturday with a ride through flat country, the opening of a three-week race trying to restore its luster after years of doping scandals.” - Read more from the Associate Press…

“Valverde strikes first blow with first yellow jersey

PLUMELEC, France (AFP) — Spaniard Alejandro Valverde drew first blood in his bid to win the Tour de France by pulling on the yellow jersey for the first time after a thrilling first stage here Saturday.

Valverde, riding for Caisse d’Epargne, punched his way past Luxembourg’s Kim Kirchen late on the final climb leading to the uphill finish of the 197.5km stage to claim just his second stage win on the race.” Read more from the AFP…

“Valverde powers to opening stage victory

(CNN) — Spaniard Alejandro Valverde, one of the pre-race favorites, won Saturday’s opening stage of the Tour de France, held over 197.5km of undulating terrain, to pull on the race’s leader’s yellow jersey.

Valverde powered past Luxembourg’s Kim Kirchen in the final 300m as the tiring stage ended in a nasty uphill finish, depriving the recognized team sprinters of any involvement in the final rush to the line.” Read more from CNN…

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