Rogers gets better of Voeckler for maiden stage win

The former Team Sky rider followed up his Giro successes on his return from suspension by taking stage 16, the 237.5km run from Carcassonne to Bagneres-de-Luchon.

Rogers, cleared of wrongdoing in April after a positive test for clenbuterol, and Voeckler, who had Europcar team-mate Cyril Gautier for company in the closing stages, were part of a 21-man breakaway which took shape in three waves from 28km, and they were 12 minutes clear by the time they reached Port de Bales, 35km from the finishing line.

But the Australian made his move 4.5km from the line and it proved decisive.

Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali maintained his overall lead for Astana with his advantage over second-placed Alejandro Valverde remaining at 4mins 37secs. But there was a reshuffling of the pack behind them as Frenchman Thibaut Pinot jumped to third place 29 seconds adrift, with compatriots Jean-Christophe Peraud and Romain Bardet in fourth and fifth respectively.

Today’s 17th stage of the Tour is 124.5km and will see the cyclists journey from Saints-Gaudens through to Saint-Lary Pla d’Adet.