2008 Tour de France, Stage 12 to Stage 21#Stage 18

The 18th stage of the 2008 Tour de France on July 24 was 196.5 km long and ran from Le Bourg d'Oisans to Saint -Étienne. There were two intermediate sprints and a mountain stage of the third category, a mountain stage of the second category and a mountain stage of the fourth category on the program.

After two kilometers, a seven -man breakaway group of Marcus Burghardt, Sebastian Lang, Björn Schröder, Filippo Pozzato, Freddy Bichot, Stephane Auge and Maxime Monfort formed belonged. The re -run of Team CSC- Saxo Bank field they did not let off. Bichot, Schröder and Augé reached before the field the first intermediate sprint, while the others were previously already caught up. After 48.5 km were also obtained from the field, which has now led by Liquigas captured. The 54.5 km / h, which reached the driver in the first hour, setting a new record for this itinerary Damiano Cunego dar. who had crashed, the field went behind along the way. After several more unsuccessful breakaways Carlos Barredo could settle on the first mountain stage, pursued by Burghardt and Romain Feillu. Barredo won this mountain stage in front of his two pursuers. In the descent Burghardt Barredo reached while Feillu was overtaken by the next two pursuers Christophe Le Mevel and Mikel Astarloza. The two leaders could temporarily out drive more than 10 minutes ahead of the peloton. Barredo and Burghardt also reached the second mountain stage as the first, four minutes before her three pursuers and ten minutes ahead of the field. Burghardt secured the second sprint. Barredo, who attacked the meantime, the last mountain stage could decide for themselves. In the main field, there was among the more attacks, after which Samuel Dumoulin, Cyril Dessel, Roman Kreuziger, Leif Hoste and Andy Schleck were able to sell something. After several more attacks and counter- attacks of the leading duo eventually went Burghart the finish in Saint- Étienne, which was achieved on a 290 meters long and 8 meters wide finishing straight, first. Feillu finished third. Dumoulin won the sprint of the small breakaway group ahead of the field, which in turn Sprint Óscar Freire won. But this resulted in no changes to the ratings.

Sprints

• Second intermediate sprint in Saint- Chamond ( 181.5 km ) (356 m above sea level. NN )

• Sprint in Saint- Étienne ( 196.5 km ) ( 493 m above sea level. NN )

Climbs

• Col de Parménie, Category 3 ( 78 km ) ( 571 m above sea level, . 5.3 km à 7,0 %)

• La Croix de Vieux Montreal, category 2 ( 163 km ) ( 811 m above sea level, . 13.7 km à 4,7 %)

• Côte de Sorbiers, Category 4 ( 188 km ) (503 m above sea level, . 4.3 km à 3,2 %)

Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 | Stage 4 | Stage 5 | Stage 6 | Stage 7 | Stage 8 | Stage 9 | Stage 10 | Stage 11 | Stage 12 | 13 stage | stage 14 | stage 15 | stage 16 | stage 17 | stage 18 | stage 19 | stage 20 | stage 21

Driver's field

• Tour de France 2008