Greig Leach

Vincenzo Nibali (Astana), resplendent back in his Italian National Champion Jersey, jumped away from the elite group of contenders with about five kilometers left in the stage in search of time, the stage victor and another Yellow Jersey. The only man left up the road was Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) and he had been out there for roughly 150 kilometers, sprinting to the summit of every climb (and winning) against Thomas Voeckler (Europcar). By the time Rodriguez found Nibali coming after him, he as completely baked. After the pair went under the red kit demarking the final kilometer of the stage the Katusha leader was hard pressed to hold the wheel of the Italian. Just around the corner was the nasty 18% gradient that would carry them to the finish line. Nibali left the Spaniard going on by himself. Nibali was too exhausted to raise his arms in victory, but his ride was enough to retake the Jersey he had just surrendered to Gallopin and to take his second stage victory in the 101st Tour de France. As riders continued to trickle in, most were too exhausted to even figure out how to get off of their bicycles, all were relieved that the next morning would be a rest day, a chance to recover before riding off into the Alps in Stage 11.