Vasseur claims Tour victory for France
Vasseur became the first French winner of this year's Tour
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Wednesday, 18, Jul 2007 08:36
Frenchman Cedric Vasseur has won the tenth stage of the Tour de France, narrowly beating compatriot Sandy Casar in a sprint for the line in Marseille.
Vasseur's victory is the first for the host nation in this year's Tour while it is the 36-year-old's second stage victory of his career in the race, having won in La Charte in 1997.
Five men were in contention for the win as the leaders entered Marseille having been part of an 11-man breakaway after 80 kilometres of today's stage.
Vasseur raced up the inside with 300 meters to go, catching the other competitors unaware, and despite Casar's storming finish Vasseur held on to claim the victory.
The veteran has now decided to retire after the Tour in the wake of his victory.
He said: "I can now leave with my head high. Ten years ago, I wore the yellow jersey during five days. There are signs. I knew victory could not slip from my hands today."
T-Mobile rider Marcus Burghardt made the initial breakaway on the climb of the Côte de Châteauneuf-Val-Saint Donat before being joined by Vasseur, Casar and eight other riders.
CSC's Jens Voigt was a key player in the break and led Vasseur, Casar, Michael Albasini and Patrice Halgand away from the other riders on the final climb of the day.
However, the German could not find the speed to compete with Vasseur on the final stretch.
Although the lead group finished 10 minutes 36 seconds ahead of the peleton Rabobank rider Michael Rasmussen still holds the yellow jersey, the Dane is 2 minutes 35 seconds ahead of Spain's Alejandro Valverde.