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12:23:19 - Welcome To The Live Coverage Of Stage 14

The 14th stage of the 2009 Tour de France begins at 12.30pm today. It is overcast in Colmar but at the moment the rain is holding off. The temperature at the start is 16 degrees Celsius and the maximum forecast is for just 18. There is a brief neutral zone before the riders arrive at the official start.

Live coverage of the stage will commence shortly.

12:25:53 - Last Day With Three Intermediate Sprints

This is the last stage of the 96th edition to have three intermediate sprints. They will be contested in Pulversheim (34km), Dannemarie (67km) and Baume-les-Dames (161.5km). Also on the itinerary were two category-three climbs: the cote de Lebetain (90.5km) and cote de Blamont (111.5km). The points allocation for the green jersey competition is six, four and two for the first three riders across the line.

"I’ll go for every point I can, on the flat days, in the mountains… everything," said the leader of the points classification after 13 stages, Thor Hushovd. "Every year it’s a big battle for the green jersey. It’s going to be interesting to see what happens."

12:29:13 - Peloton In The Neutral Zone

The bunch has started rolling through the neutral zone. The official start is expected to be at around 12.40pm.

12:33:25 - Prize Classification Review: Part 01 – Yellow Jersey

“On paper, [stage 14] is still a stage where we should not have too many problems to keep the yellow jersey,” said Rinaldo Nocentini after the stage to Colmar. The Italian from AG2R La Mondiale has been in the lead of the Tour de France since the seventh stage. His advantage over second and third has been the same for a week now: Alberto Contador is six seconds shy of the yellow jersey and his Astana team-mate Lance Armstrong is eight seconds behind Nocentini.

Bradley Wiggins (GRM) is now fourth overall, 46 seconds behind the 31-year-old Italian. “He’s not reached his limit yet,” said Garmin directeur sportif, Matt White, about the condition of the British rider who is contesting his first Grand Tour as protected a GC rider. “I believe we haven’t yet seen the best of Wiggins but he’s now moving into unchartered territory… this is the first time he’s tried to get a good result on general classification and we’re yet to see his full potential."

12:34:16 - Prize Classification Review: Part 02 – Polka-Dot Jersey

Franco Pellizotti (LIQ) is now in the lead of the climbing classification. He is the first Italian to wear the polka-dot jersey in the Tour de France since Paolo Bettini in the 2004 edition. His advantage over Egoi Martinez (EUS) is just three points. The Spaniard said he expected Pellizotti would take the jersey from him but that doesn’t mean that he’s conceded the fight. Today, however, there are just two small hills on the ‘parcours’ so it’s unlikely that Martinez will be able to challenge the 31-year-old Italian on the road to Besançon.

Brice Feillu (AGR) is ranked third, 34 points behind Pellizotti.

12:37:09 - Prize Classification Review: Part 03 – Green Jersey

Thor Hushovd (CTT) is back in the green jersey again today. By finishing fifth in the 13th stage, he nabbed 15 points and now has a total of 205 in the sprinters’ classification. Mark Cavendish finished 118th, 23’44” behind the stage winner yesterday and failed to add a single point to his tally. The Columbia-HTC rider is ranked second with 200 points. Jose Joaquim Rojas (GCE) is third with 116pts and Tyler Farrar (GRM) fourth with 110pts.

12:39:06 - Prize Classification Review: Part 04 – White Jersey

Tony Martin (THR) still wears the white jersey that he first took after stage three. Today’s poll on LeTour.fr relates to the youth classification.

The question posed is: Five riders are within three minutes of each other in the youth rankings. Who do you think will win the white jersey this year?

Tony Martin, Andy Schleck (SAX) – currently at 49”; Vincenzo Nibali (LIQ) – at 54”; Roman Kreuziger (LIQ) – at 1’40”; or Brice Feillu (AGR) – at 2’56”.

(Visit the official site of the Tour de France to cast your vote.)

12:40:26 - Prize Classification Review: Part 05 – Team Rankings

After 158 hours 57 minutes and eight seconds of racing Saxo Bank is the best ranked in the team classification. It has a lead of 34” on former leaders AG2R and 37” on the winners of the team time trial (stage 04), Astana.

The riders on the leading team in this category wear yellow race numbers (instead of the white ones used by the rest of the peloton).

12:41:39 - Comments From Champion Of 2008...

“It was a really cold and difficult stage, but it was a great day for Cervélo,” said the champion of the 2008 Tour de France, Carlos Sastre about the 13th stage. “We won with Heinrich and took the green jersey back with Thor, so it couldn’t have gone better for us today,” the Cervelo TestTeam captain is currently ranked 15th overall, 2’52” behind Nocentini.

“The final hard climb was too far from the finish line for the top rivals to really have any impact. The cold and rain took the fight out of some of us. You can feel the accumulation of the effort staying to take its toll on pack. To be honest, I’m ready to see what happens in this third and decisive week of the Tour.”

12:43:45 - Racing In Stage 14

The official start of the 14th stage of the 2009 Tour de France - 199km from Colmar to Besancon - began at 12.44pm. There are 164 riders still in the race.

12:45:06 - Spilak Remains In The Race

The rider who finished last in the 13th stage was Simon Spilak of the Lampre team. He was 45'45" behind Heinrich Haussler (CTT) and was official outside the time limit. As he was held up significantly by crowds on the road to Colmar, the commissaires have decided to allow him to remain in the Tour de France.

12:46:35 - Peloton At 3km Mark

The pace is fast at the start of the 14th stage. The peloton is currently at the 3km mark.

12:49:12 - More Of The Same Expected By Evans...

“The weather spoiled what might have been a dramatic GC battle today," said the two-time Tour runner-up Cadel Evans (SIL) about the 13th stage on his website, CadelEvans.com.au. "If it was in the early season, a day like today would not have fazed us, but in July, a change in temperature like what we have experienced in the past 24 hours, is a bit of a shock to the heat acclimatized system.

With the conditions as they were, wet cold and windy, there was little any of us could do against a strong Astana. Not to worry, still a few 'big' days left. Tomorrow? I expect a repeat of yesterday, if the weather returns to normal..."

12:52:50 - Seven Kilometers Raced

No escapes have been able to break free of the fast-moving peloton early in the stage from Colmar. The bunch is all together in Hettenschlag at the 8km mark.

12:54:34 - Rain Starts To Fall

The peloton is at the 10km mark as one group and now the skies are opening. It was dry at the start but now rain is falling on the bunch.

12:57:20 - Successful Operation For Leipheimer

Levi Leipheimer had an operation on his wrist yesterday in Nancy after a fracture of his scaphoid was discovered early in the morning. He now has a 22mm titanium screw in his wrist and does not expect to compete in Europe anymore this season.

"My wrist hurts a lot but it doesn’t compare to the pain of watching the Tour leave me behind and not be able to ride the Tour with my team-mates," Leipheimer said in an official release from the Astana team. " We've had a big battle so far and we’re the favorites and I wanted to be part of that. For sure I wasn't the biggest favorite, but it was a tactic that we could play. If I went up the road, the others would have had to chase..."

13:00:36 - Little Escape Group Forms...

There are 14 riders with a small advantage on the peloton at the 14km mark. It includes Cadel Evans (SIL).

13:03:37 - Cavendish: Not Evans

Contrary to the previous newsflash, the team captain in the escape is Cavendish not Evans. (Apologies but the call from Radio Tour was incorrect.)

13:05:27 - 14 Lead By 15"

The 14-man escape group is just 15" ahead of a fast-moving peloton.

13:05:47 - Cavendish Quits His Escape

There are now 13 in the lead group as Cavendish has dropped back to the peloton.

13:07:19 - Lead Up To 25

The 13 stage leaders are now at the 20.5km mark. They are 25" ahead of the peloton that is being led by the Silence-Lotto team.

13:09:08 - Maaskant Started The Move

The escape that began at the 14km mark was instigated by Martijn Maaskant (GRM).

13:10:14 - The 13 Stage Leaders

Roulston (CTT), Voigt (SAX), Maaskant (GRM), Hincapie (THR), Roche (ALM), Bennati and Willems (LIQ), Le Mevel (FDJ), Minard (COF), Righi (LAM), Ivanov (KAT), Ciolek (MRM) and Timmer (SKS) are the riders in the move that started at the 14km mark.

13:12:35 - 13 Lead By 40"

At the 24km mark, the 13 escapees have an advantage of 40".

13:13:54 - Bbox Leading Chase

One of the teams without a rider in the move is Bbox. Riders from the French formation are currently at the head of the peloton which is 35" behind the group of 13.

13:15:29 - Peloton At 26km

The lead of the 13 has been reduced to 32" at the 26km mark.

13:16:49 - Hincapie Best Placed Of Escape

Of the 13 in the lead of the 14th stage, the best placed on GC after 13 stages is George Hincapie. The veteran of 14 Tours de France is ranked 28th overall, 5'25" behind Nocentini.

13:17:45 - 30" Advantage 5km From 1st Intermediate Sprint

The leading 13 are 30" ahead as they pass the 5km to go sign for the sprint in Pulversheim (34km). Silence-Lotto riders are at the front of the peloton.

13:20:21 - Euskaltel Now Leading Peloton

The Euskaltel team is now at the front of the bunch that is 28" behind Roulston (CTT), Voigt (SAX), Maaskant (GRM), Hincapie (THR), Roche (ALM), Bennati and Willems (LIQ), Le Mevel (FDJ), Minard (COF), Righi (LAM), Ivanov (KAT), Ciolek (MRM) and Timmer (SKS).

13:20:56 - 30km Raced

The peloton at is at the 30km mark and appears intent on reeling in the escapees before the first intermediate sprint. The advantage is now just 25".

13:21:53 - Leaders 1,000m From Sprint

The 13 are going to nab the sprint points in Pulversheim. They are 32" ahead of the peloton with less than a kilometer to go to the first 'prime'.

13:24:56 - Result Of Pulversheim Sprint

The points for the intermediate sprint at the 34km mark were won by:

1. Gerald Ciolek (MRM) 6pts

2. Daniel Bennati (LIQ) 4pts

3. Daniele Righi (LAM) 2pts

The peloton was 32" behind.

13:26:49 - Four Teams Lead Chase

The teams at the head of the peloton are Bbox, Rabobank, Quickstep and Silence-Lotto. They are not allowing the escape to gain any advantage. At the 36km mark, the 13 lead by 32".

13:29:13 - Four Former Stage Winners In Lead Group

Of the 13 men in the lead, four have previously won a stage of the Tour.

George Hincapie (THR) won at Pla d'Adet in 2005 (as well as three victories in team time trials from 2003 to 2005).

Jens Voigt (SAX) won in Sarran in 2001 and Montelimar in 2006.

Bennati (LIQ) won in Paris in 2007.

And Serguei Ivanov won in Aix-les-Bains in 2001.

13:34:50 - Roulston Second To Wiggins In Beijing...

The 'Kiwi' representative in the 13-man escape group that is now 22" ahead of the peloton is Hayden Roulston. The New Zealander from Cervelo was the silver medalist in the individual pursuit at the Beijing Olympics.

13:36:05 - 42km Raced...

The peloton is 22" behind at the 42km mark.

13:36:55 - Wet Roads

It's not raining heavily but the peloton are currently racing on wet roads. The escape continues to try and gain an advantage but the peloton refuses to allow them any leeway. The peloton is at the 44km mark, 25" behind the 13 escapees.

13:39:24 - Silence, Quickstep, Rabobank & Euskaltel Continue Chasing

The same four teams that have been leading the peloton since the escape formed are still swapping off at a rapid pace. The 13 still lead but they haven't been able to get more than 30" ahead.

13:42:17 - Roche & Hincapie Not Contributing To Pace

Two of the riders in the lead group - Nicolas Roche (ALM) and George Hincapie (THR) - are not helping set the pace. Their group is now 35" ahead of the peloton.

13:44:38 - Fast Start: 49.8km/h

The average speed for the first hour is the fastest so far in this year's race: 49.8km/h.

13:46:19 - Chase Eases

The gap is now expected to grow. The peloton has now eased the pace of the chase and Pineau (QST) is hovering slightly ahead of the main bunch that's now 45" behind.

13:47:13 - Racing On Dry Roads

Pineau has been reeled in and the bunch now appears prepared to allow the escapees to gain some time. The latest check has Voigt's group of 13 ahead by 50".

13:50:01 - Peloton At 53km

The peloton is now 1'00" behind at the 53km mark.

13:51:25 - Reminder Of The Stage Leaders

The riders who escaped at the 24km mark are:

Hayden Roulston (CTT)

Jens Voigt (SAX)

Martijn Maaskant (GRM)

George Hincapie (THR)

Nicolas Roche (ALM)

Daniele Bennati and Frederick Willems (LIQ)

Christophe Le Mevel (FDJ)

Sebastien Minard (COF)

Daniele Righi (LAM)

Serguei Ivanov (KAT)

Gerald Ciolek (MRM)

Albert Timmer (SKS)

13:53:45 - Lead Up To 1'15"

At the 55km mark, the peloton is 1'15" behind the 13 escapees.

13:54:27 - Two National Champions In Escape

Serguei Ivanov and Nicolas Roche are the two riders in the lead group who won the national championship road race on the Saturday before the Tour. The Katusha rider defended his Russian championship and the AG2R rider became Irish champion this June.

13:58:48 - Voigt Changes Rear Wheel

Jens Voigt has had a mechanical problem. He has changed a rear wheel with the 'help' of the neutral service team. There are now 12 men in the lead of the stage.

13:59:37 - Voigt Determined To Catch Lead Group

The peloton was 2'35" behind the escapees at the time of Voigt's puncture. The Saxo Bank rider is now in hot pursuit of the 12 stage leaders.

14:00:20 - Leaders 5km From 2nd Sprint

The peloton is 3'00" behind the 13 escapees who are now 5km from the site of the second intermediate sprint (in Dennemarie, 67km).

14:01:34 - Voigt In Discussion With Neutral Spares...

Voigt is now waiting for the peloton after being stranded because of a puncture.

14:04:19 - 12 In The Lead

Voigt has expressed his frustration with the neutral service car. He is now standing on the side of the road waiting for the peloton that is almost five minutes behind the group that the Saxo Bank rider was once a part of...

14:07:39 - Leaders Near 2nd Sprint

The front group is about to contest the second intermediate sprint of the stage. The riders involved in the escape are: Roulston, Maaskant, Hincapie, Roche, Bennati, Willems, Le Mevel, Minard, Righi, Ivanov, Ciolek and Timmer.

14:09:58 - Result Of 2nd Intermediate Sprint

The points for the sprint at the 67km mark were won by:

1. Hayden Roulston (CTT) 6pts

2. Christophe Le Mevel (FDJ) 4pts

3. Sebastien Minard (COF) 2pts

14:10:40 - Voigt Back In Peloton

Voigt is now back in the peloton after a frustrating experience with the neutral service car. The capture was in Gommersdorf at the 65.5km mark.

14:14:00 - Peloton Six Minutes Behind

As the peloton passes the site of the second intermediate sprint (67km) it is six minutes behind Hincapie's group of 12.

14:15:03 - Astana Leading Peloton

The Astana team has assumed its position at the head of the ploton. Rast and Murayev are setting the pace ahead of riders from the AG2R La Mondiale team.

14:17:09 - Different Jersey For Pozzato Today

Pozzato, the national champion of Italy, is wearing a new tricolore jersey today. For the first part of the Tour de France is Katusha top had the colors of the Italian flag but now he's got a more traditional top with the red, white and green stripes across his chest instead.

14:22:45 - Columbia In Discussion With Armstrong

Eisel (THR) is currently have a discussion with Armstrong near the head of the peloton. The Astana team has been setting the pace of the peloton since around the 55km mark. AG2R has also has riders up front but it could be that we'll soon see Cavendish's squad starting to assist with the chasing duties.

14:24:47 - Leaders At 67.5km Mark

The 12 escapees are at the 67.5km mark with a lead of about 5'30" on the peloton.

14:25:31 - Hincapie Virtual Leader

With the advantage of the 12 escapees up to 5'30", the virtual leader of the 2009 Tour is George Hincapie. The Columbia rider who wore the yellow jersey for a day in 2006 began the 13th stage in 28th place, 5'25" behind Nocentini.

14:29:00 - Moreau Rides Ahead...

Moreau has decided to attack the peloton. The Agritubel rider signed a contract to ride for Caisse d'Epargne yesterday. He is from the region where the race is today and he's probably ridden ahead to seek out some family members who are waiting on the side of the road.

14:32:21 - Moreau Greets His Family

Christophe Moreau has stopped on the side of the road to give his wife and daughter a few kisses as the peloton passes. His wife is a former presentation 'girl' from the Tour de France.

14:35:51 - Ivanov Fond Memories Of Pontarlier Start...

The last time Pontarlier hosted a start of a Tour de France stage was in 2001. The ninth stage was a 185km journey to Aix-les-Bain and the winner that day was Serguei Ivanov. The reigning Russian champion is now part of the 12-man escape group that is 5'30" ahead of the peloton. On the night before his only stage victory in the Tour, Ivanov slept in a hotel in Switzerland that had furniture made of cardboard - desks, chairs... and the beds were all made of from cardboard. Clearly he rested well; he beat escape companions Davide Etxebarria and Bradley McGee by 16 and 17 seconds, respectively, eight years ago.

14:55:04 - Lead Drops To 5'15"

The 12 escapees are now 5'15" ahead of the peloton that continues to be led by the Astana team.

14:57:04 - Comments From Holm: “We are definitely not going to chase…”

LeTour.fr recently contacted the directeur sportif of the Columbia team, Brian Holm to find out if he will put riders on the front to chase down the escape group of 12 in favor of setting things up for Mark Cavendish today.

“We are definitely not going to chase the escape today,” said Holm. “We have a rider in the lead group and currently George is the virtual leader of the Tour. In theory we could get the yellow jersey today but I’m not sure if that will happen. I can imagine that Astana will keep the escape at about five minutes and then other sprinters’ teams will join in the chase at the end of the stage.

“My feeling is that the 12 will get to the finish to contest the stage victory and we may yet get a reward but I believe Nocentini will keep the yellow jersey for another day.”

15:04:46 - Peloton 5'50" Behind At 99km

At the 99km mark, the peloton continues to be led by the Astana team. It is 5'50" behind Roulston, Voigt, Maaskant, Hincapie, Bennati, Willems, Roche, Le Mevel, Minard, Righi, Ivanov, Ciolek and Timmer.

15:09:50 - Six Minute Lead Now

With the peloton at the 101km mark, it is 6'00" behind the 12 escapees.

15:32:29 - Alberto Contador Consults Team Car

Alberto Contador is at the back of the peloton that's led by his Astana colleagues. The 2007 champion is now discussing tactics with the directeur sportif.

15:35:16 - Curious Connection Between Maaskant & Roche...

Consider this: two of the riders in the lead of the 14th stage are Nicolas Roche (ALM) and Martijn Maaskant (GRM). The Dutchman was a last-minute replacement for an injured Dan Martin. The Irish climber was to make his Tour debut this year but had to forfeit his place on the Garmin team just before the Grand Depart.

The escape today was instigated by Maaskant. And the man who has done no work is Roche who is actually Martin's cousin (Stephen Roche's sister is Dan Martin's mother).

What's that? Three-degrees of separation? Or less...?

15:40:18 - Ciolek Former World Champion...

Of the 12 men in the lead, one has been a world champion. Gerald Ciolek (MRM) beat Roman Feillu (AGR) in the 'under-23' road race in Salzburg, Austria in 2007.

15:43:55 - Lead Almost Eight Minutes

The peloton is now 7'50" behind the Hincapie group of 12. At this rate, we will see a third rider take the yellow jersey in the 2009 Tour. George is poised to take the overall lead after starting the stage ranked 28th, 5'25" behind Nocentini.

15:48:37 - Lead Blows Out To 8'20"

Roulston, Voigt, Maaskant, Hincapie, Bennati, Willems, Roche, Le Mevel, Minard, Righi, Ivanov, Ciolek and Timmer are now 8'20" ahead of the peloton.

15:50:45 - Le Mevel Chasing Third Victory

Christophe Le Mevel is currently poised to move into second place overall. The FDJ rider was once a team-mate of Nicolas Roche (who is also in the escape group) and he has had a strong start to the season. The Frenchman was 10th overall in Paris-Nice this March, 10th in the Dauphine Libere in June and 12th in the Volta Catalunya in May. He's only won two races during his eight years as a professional...

15:54:35 - Comments From Cofidis...

"It's not sure that the escape lasts all the way to the finish of the stage," said Francis Van Londersele, a directeur sportif of the Cofidis team when contacted by LeTour.fr recently. "If it does, it definitely won't be a group of 12."

The Cofidis team has Sebastien Minard in the escape group today. "There are a couple of climbs near the finish and there are bound to be plenty of escapes. At this moment, Sebastien will have to follow the right wheels and make the right decisions. He's a little bit un-experienced but he has a good tactical sense and I'm expecting something good from him."

15:59:19 - 60km To Go...

With 60km to go in the stage, the 12 leaders have an advantage of 8'30" on the peloton. It seems that AG2R is prepared to concede the yellow jersey. Riders from Nocentini's squad have been behind men from the Astana squad since the 55km mark. The lead group steadily but now Hincapie is the virtual leader by almost three minutes...

16:02:29 - Could Roulston Become New Zealand's First Official Stage Winner...?

One of the two New Zealander's in the 2009 Tour de France is part of the escape group. No rider from the 'Land of the Long White Cloud' has ever won a stage... officially. Chris Jenner is from New Zealand and he was part of the Crédit Agricole team that won the team time trial in 2001 but he's married to a French woman and was registered, that year, as a French rider.

Hayden Roulston is currently part of the 12-man escape group that is over eight minutes ahead of the peloton. His pursuit pedigree could serve him well for a late attack in the 14th stage.

16:08:13 - Sun Shining Again

The wet conditions of the start of the stage are a thing of the past. The sun is shining at the site of the finish in Besançon and riders are currently riding along on dry roads.

16:13:53 - Two Former Armstrong Team-Mates In Escape

Of the 12 riders in the lead of stage 14, two have been team-mates of Lance Armstrong in the past. George Hincapie (THR) is the only rider to have accompanied Armstrong in every one of his seven overall victories in the Tour (from 1999 to 2005). The other former team-mate of Lance is Roulston who was part of the Discovery Channel team in 2005...

16:22:15 - Two Of Roulston's Former Team-Mates Now On Livestrong Team

Two of the riders who joined Roulston (CTT) to win the bronze medal in the team pursuit at the Beijing Olympics were recruited by the Livestrong team managed by Axel Merckx. Sam Bewley and Jesse Sergent are the two Kiwis on the squad that's captained by the reigning individual pursuit world champion Taylor Phinney.

16:23:55 - AG2R Leading Peloton

The latest time check had the escapees ahead by 8'00". The AG2R team is now at the head of the peloton.

16:24:45 - Leaders At Third Intermediate Sprint

The 12 stage leaders are about to contest the sprint for points in Baume-les-Dames (161.5km).

16:29:17 - Result Of Final Intermediate Sprint

The points for the sprint in Baume-les-Dames (161.5km) were won by:

1. Hayden Roulston (CTT) 6pts

2. Sebastien Minard (COF) 4pts

3. Daniele Bennati (LIQ) 2pts

The peloton is currently 7'30" behind the 12 escapees.

16:32:08 - Hincapie Attacks Lead Group

Hincapie (THR) has attacked the lead group. Maaskant has chased him down as has Roulston. They have 35km to go in the stage.

16:35:35 - Peloton At 7'05" In Baume-les-Dames

At the site of the last intermediate sprint, the peloton was 7'05" behind.

16:37:31 - Ciolek & Bennati Take Toilet Break After Brief Attack...

After the surge by Hincapie, the 12 leaders are together again. It is going to spark some attacking action but before the next bout, both Ciolek and Bennati have opted to answer the call of nature.

16:38:42 - 12 Together Again...

The surge by Hincapie with 35km to go provided a catalyst to lift the pace a little. He's still the virtual leader of the Tour but the AG2R team is closing in on the 12 who had a maximum gain of 8'50" at the 120km mark.

16:40:39 - Astana Assumes Control

The AG2R team got to within 6'50" of the 12 leaders but now riders from Astana have come to the front of the bunch again.

16:42:05 - AG2R Have Six Up Front...

Astana riders led for only a brief moment but now there are six riders from AG2R - including Nocentini - at the front of the peloton.

16:43:21 - Reminder Of The 12 Escapees

Before the next bout of attacking begins, let's remember who the riders at the front of the stage are. They began their move at the 24km mark and were originally joined by Jens Voigt (SAX) but an untimely puncture forced him out of the move that's now 26km from the finish.

The riders involved are:

Hayden Roulston (NZL) CTT

Martijn Maaskant (NED) GRM

George Hincapie (USA) THR

Nicolas Roche (IRL) ALM

Daniele Bennati (ITA) and Frederik Willems (BEL) - LIQ

Christophe Le Mevel (FRA) FDJ

Daniele Righi (ITA) LAM

Serguei Ivanov (RUS) KAT

Gerald Ciolek (GER) MRM

Albert Timmer (NED) SKS

16:48:05 - 25km To Go

The 12 are now 25km from the finish of the 14th stage. Their advantage is down to 6'45".

16:48:27 - Lead Down To 6'30"

The 12 leaders are now 23km from the finish. They are 6'30" ahead of the peloton. There have been no surges since Hincapie's brief acceleration with about 35km to go.

16:50:40 - 20km To Go

The 12 leaders are still all together. Nicolas Roche (ALM) is yet to do a turn of pace. They have 20km to go and are in the lead by 6'30".

16:54:55 - Peloton Inside Final 25km

Eight riders form the AG2R team are now on the front of the bunch that is less than 25km from the finish.

16:55:29 - Three Generations Of Shimano In Lead Group...

Of the 12 in the lead of the stage, five are using Shimano components. George Hincapie and Albert Timmer have the new electronic shifting system (Di2), Maaskant, Le Mevel are using 7900 Dura-Ace and Hayden Roulston is on the older 7800 system.

16:59:40 - Boonen Racing Back After Puncture

Ton Boonen has recently punctured. He has a new wheel and is racing to rejoin the bunch that is 6'40" behind the 12 escapees.

17:00:17 - 15km To Go

The 12 escapees are now less than 15km from the finish of stage 14. For the moment, Hincapie is still the virtual leader of the Tour...

17:00:52 - Peloton Over 5km Behind

The peloton is now 6'35" behind Hincapie's group with 20km to go.

17:03:04 - Who's Going To Attack...?

There has been no attack save for the brief surge from Hincapie with 35km to go. The 12 leaders are all sharing the work (save for Roche who has sat on all day). But surely we can expect someone to try an escape soon.

17:04:54 - Maaskant's The Man

Maaskant has opted to increase the pace at the front. He has opened a gap to the other 11 but Ivanov is able to respond...

17:05:30 - Willems Finished...

The acceleration has prompted one casualty, Willems has been dropped from the lead group.

17:06:02 - Le Mevel Now...

Le Mevel has attacked again and Hincapie has joined him. Now Bennati has bridged to the two leaders.

17:06:26 - Roche Uses Fresh Legs

'Nico' Roche has the freshest legs of the escape group. He's now on the attack in the final 12km of the 14th stage...

17:07:09 - Bennati Marks Roche

Roche has not been able to put distance between him and the other escapees. Bennati reeled in the move by the Irish champion but now Ivanov has gone solo...

17:08:01 - Timmer In Pursuit

Ivanov has opened a good lead on the 10 former escape companions. Now Timmer is off in pursuit of the Russian champion.

17:08:34 - Ivanov Leads With 10km To Go

Ivanov has a good lead on the remnants of the escape group. With 10km to go, the Russian leads by 10".

17:09:10 - Timmer At 5"

Timmer is five seconds from the Russian champion but the rest of the escape group is at 10".

17:09:35 - Le Mevel Launches

Le Mevel is the next to try and bridge to the stage leader. He is marked by Hincapie.

17:09:58 - Hincapie Still Poised For Yellow...

Hincapie is still looking like he could take the yellow jersey. He is yet to catch the stage leader but the peloton is at 6'30". Hincapie's deficit to the GC leader at the start of stage 14 was 5'25".

17:10:53 - Ivanov Leads By 21"

Ivanov's advantage on Hincapie is now 21". Timmer is about to catch the Russian champion.

17:11:31 - Roulston Leads Pursuit

Roulston is the rider that's closest to Ivanov. Timmer is on the wheel of the New Zealand pursuit specialist.

17:12:10 - 14" Lead For Ivanov

The rider who won the stage from Pontarlier to Aix-les-Bain in 2001 is in the lead of the stage by 14". The nearest chasers are Roulston - the silver medalist in the pursuit at the Beijing Games - and Timmer of the wildcard team Skil-Shimano.

17:13:47 - Hincapie 30" Behind Ivanov

Ivanov's advantage on Hincapie is 30". The yellow jersey's peloton is 6'35" behind the stage leader.

17:14:34 - 5km To Go

Ivanov has a lead of 25" on Roulston and Timmer with 5km to go.

17:16:08 - Hincapie At 35"

Hincapie is 35" behind Ivanov. The peloton is at 6'00" which means that's the end of Hincapie's tenure as virtual leader of the Tour de France.

17:16:46 - 25" Behind With 4km To Go

Timmer and Roulston are not closing in on Ivanov who is 25" ahead with 4km to go.

17:17:34 - 3km To Go

Timmer and Roulston are 28" behind Ivanov with 3km to go; Hincapie and his cohorts are at 38".

17:18:51 - First Russian Stage Win Since Menchov In 2006?

Ivanov won the stage the last time that Pontarlier hosted the start (in 2001). He's now leading Roulston and Timmer by 28" and has 1km to go in the stage. It will be the first Russian stage win since Menchov won stage nine of the 2006 edition.

17:21:13 - Katusha Earns A Victory

Katusha is about to celebrate its first stage victory in the Tour de France. Roche has just pounced past Roulston inside the final kilometer and there are going to be two national champions in first and second place today...

17:22:10 - Ivanov Takes The Victory

Ivanov has won the stage, finishing 15" ahead of the Irish champion. It's the Russian's second victory in the Tour de France, the first coming in 2001.

17:23:11 - The Top Five In Stage 14

The most aggressive rider in the 14th stage is Martijn Maaskant but the man who started the escape at the 24km mark had to settle for fourth in Besancon. The top five of stage 14 is:

1. Serguei Ivanov (RUS) KAT - 199km in 4h37'46"

2. Nicolas Roche (IRL) ALM at 16"

3. Hayden Roulston (NZL) CTT at 16"

4. Martijn Maaskant (NED) GRM at 16"

5. Sebastien Minard (FRA) COF) at 16"

17:25:45 - Hincapie Eight in Stage

Hincapie now has an anxious wait to see if he's the new leader of the Tour de France. The peloton has to finish over 5'41" behind Ivanov if the American (who finished 8th - at 16") is going to take the yellow jersey.

17:26:49 - No Yellow Today George...

The peloton is sprinting for 13th place and has finished 5'35" behind. Hincapie misses out on the yellow jersey by six seconds...!