TdF: Pierre Rolland wins on the Alpe D'Huez as Andy Shcleck takes yellow

Pierre Rolland rode to the biggest victory of his career, on the Alpe d’Huez, as Andy Schleck finally took the yellow jersey, on stage 19.

Rolland, who has been Thomas Voeckler’s work horse in the mountains, rode away from Samuel Sanchez and Alberto Contador, in the final 3 kilometres. The young Frenchman, who is in his first tour, attacked as the main group reached the Alpe d’Huez. He was quickly followed by Ryder Hesjedal, but the Canadian couldn’t keep up with him and was soon dropped.

The Europcar rider wasn’t alone for long, as the main group began to attack each other and he soon had Contador for company. Contador looked like he was on his last legs, but put in a dig to put some time on the GC contenders. While Rolland was now trying to catch the Spaniard, the following group were trying to bridge the gap.

HTC rider Peter Velits took his chance, but he was surpassed by Sanchez almost immediately. With the Schlecks and Cadel Evans unable to catch him, Sanchez powered on to join forces with Rolland. Contador couldn’t keep the pace and was caught by Sanchez and Rolland, with 2.5km to go. At almost the same time Rolland launched his attack, from the front, as Evans tried to distance Andy and Frank Schleck. Rolland’s proved more fruitful, with the Australian unable to take a significant gap over the Leopard-Trek riders.

Stage 19 proved to be an important one, for most of the jerseys, with three of the four changing hands. Rolland’s victory puts him in to the young rider’s white jersey, with 1:33 on Rein Taaramae and in to the top ten. Despite not being able to keep with Rolland, Sanchez has taken the polka-dot jersey and just has to stay on his bike to wear it in to Paris.

The yellow jersey has moved on to the shoulders of Andy Schleck, but he will have to put in a great time-trial to stop Cadel Evans from taking it off him. Evans is currently in third, 57 seconds down, but is a much better time-trialist than either of the Schlecks.

Mark Cavendish, for the second day in a row, finished outside the cut-off time, but was re-instated, as his group contained much of the peloton. The Manxman has been docked another 20 points, but was fortunate, as Joase Joaquin Rojas was docked also.

Stage 20 has the potential to move a few riders up and down the general classification and can still decide the yellow jersey. The good time-trial riders are Evans, Contador and Sanchez; the less so are both Schleck brothers and Voeckler. Ivan Basso can also put in a good time-trial, if he is on form, as can Damiano Cunego. Cunego is in the perfect position to take advantage of any mistakes, from the leaders.