This Article is From Jul 23, 2009

Haussler wins 13th stage of Tour de France

Colmar:

Heinrich Haussler of Germany won the rainy 13th stage of the Tour de France in a solo breakaway on Friday, and seven-time champion Lance Armstrong remained third overall.

Rinaldo Nocentini of Italy retained the yellow jersey following the chilly and wet ride from Vittel to Colmar. Nocentini, Armstrong and the main pack crossed nearly 7 minutes behind the German stage winner.

Haussler, a 25-year-old Cervelo rider who won a stage in the Paris-Nice race in March, raced ahead of the second of two fellow breakaway riders within the last 50 kilometers (31 miles) to win the stage.

Haussler cupped his face in his hands and appeared to choke up with emotion as he finished _ 4 minutes, 11 seconds ahead of second-place Amets Txurruka of Spain. Brice Feillu of France was third, 6:13 back.

The German rider, who collected his first Tour stage victory, had come into the stage in 105th place overall _ 55:24 behind Nocentini.

Friday's 200-kilometer (124.3-mile) stage through the rolling Vosges hills of northeast France featured three big climbs, including the category-1 Col du Platzerwasel.

Armstrong remained in third place, eight seconds behind Nocentini. Astana teammate Alberto Contador, the 2007 Tour champion, is second, six seconds back.

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