Schleck closes gap on Voeckler but Cavendish is punished

Andy Schleck (Leopard Trek) won the 200.5-kilometre 18th stage from Pinerolo, Italy, which finished at an altitude of 2,645metres at Galibier Serre-Chevalier and saw 88 riders – including Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) – form a final group which finished outside the time cut set by race organisers. However, officials were lenient, allowing the grupetto to continue, but handing out penalties.

Points classification leader Cavendish was hit with a 20-point penalty, after finishing 96th today, 35 minutes 40 seconds behind Andy Schleck.

Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar) is now 15 points behind in the green jersey race after finishing 31mins 17secs behind and inside the time limit.

Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto), world champion Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) and Team Sky’s Edvald Boasson Hagen finished in the same group as Cavendish and were also docked 20 points.

While Cavendish has designs on the maillot vert in Paris on Sunday – providing he can negotiate today’s final Alpine stage safely – the hosts retain hope of a first French winner since 1985.

Voeckler (Europcar) dug deep into his energy reserves to finish 2:21 behind and retain the maillot jaune for a 10th day as he seeks to be the first Frenchman to stand atop the podium since five-time winner Bernard Hinault 26 years ago.

Voeckler said: “This is a triumph that I fought for with all my strength.

“I came across the line and I knew that Andy Schleck could have taken the yellow jersey but I’ve kept it by just 15 seconds.”

While Voeckler, with support from team-mate Pierre Rolland, kept his hopes alive – he now stands 15 seconds clear of Andy Schleck ahead of today’s 109.5km 19th stage from Mondane Valfrejus to Alpe-d’Huez – defending champion Alberto Contador saw his all but extinguished.

Three-time winner Contador (Saxo Bank-SunGard) sits seventh overall, 4:44 behind Voeckler with three days of racing remaining after finishing 3:50 down in 15th place yesterday.

Second to Andy Schleck was Leopard Trek team-mate and brother Frank, 2:07 behind, with Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) third, a further eight seconds adrift.

Frank Schleck is third overall, 1:08 behind, with Evans fourth, four seconds further back.

Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas continued his strong performance by finishing as the leading Briton in 26th place 7:31 behind.

The 25-year-old from Cardiff, who earlier this week committed his future to Team Sky, led Rigoberto Uran over the finish line, but it was not enough for the Colombian to retain the best young rider’s white jersey.

Rotherham’s Ben Swift came home 150th in yesterday’s stage, leaving him 133rd overall.