Italy’s Matteo Tosatto handed the Quick Step team and his country their first victory in this year’s Tour de France when he won the 18th stage on Friday.
Tosatto, who was part of a long-range breakaway, outsprinted compatriot Cristian Moreni of the Cofidis team at the end of a 197km ride from Morzine to Macon. German Gerolsteiner rider Ronny Scholz took third place.
Oscar Pereiro Sio retained his overall leader’s yellow jersey after finishing safe in the peloton some eight minutes behind.
Pereiro has a lead of 12 seconds over fellow Spaniard Carlos Sastre. Floyd Landis is third 30 seconds adrift.
Tosatto, who wore the leader’s pink jersey for three days during the Giro d’Italia in 2000, made up for teammate Tom Boonen’s failure.
The Belgian world champion, who was targeting the best sprinter green jersey, pulled out of the Tour during the 15th stage without a win.
”It was a three-up sprint for a start. I felt good but they were fast as well,” Tosatto told reporters.
”I gave my best, but we were all very tired. It’s my first year at Quick Step and it’s pretty important to win here. You are not really a pro until you win a stage on the Tour.” — Reuters