Team Saxo-Tinkoff and RadioShack-Leopard are waging a battle that is yet to be won. Wrestling the lead from the Luxembourg-registered squad – and the defending champions in the team prize – the Danish formation had a combined attack in time trial from Embrun to Chorges. Alberto Contador was second, Roman Kreuziger fourth and Michael Rogers 13th.
Movistar may be defeated on this day but the Spanish team has far from surrendered. It is now down to fourth in the overall rankings but the team in third place, AG2R La Mondiale is going to suffer without the help of its protected rider Jean-Christophe Peraud who crashed out of the Tour in the time trial of stage 17.
