Sastre stays in yellow as Burghardt earns first stage win

24/07/2008 17:39:08

The Team Columbia rider Marcus Burghardt, who helped Britain's Mark Cavendish to four stage wins, today earned some glory of his own with victory in the 18th stage of the Tour de France. Race leader Carlos Sastre finished in the peloton about seven minutes behind Burghardt and retains possession of the yellow jersey. The main group also included the Australian rider Cadel Evans, who remains favourite for overall success.

The German Burghardt sprinted clear of Spanish rider Carlos Barredo in the final stretch of the stage from Bourg D'Oisans to Saint Etienne after the two had led a breakaway from the peloton. The French duo of Roman Feillu and Christophe Le Mevel, as well as Spaniard Mikel Astarloza, comprised the chasing pack.