Tour De France: Rasmussen Holds Firm As Vinokourov Salvages Some Pride

Alexandr Vinokourov's remarkably inconsistent Tour continued today as he broke clear to win the 196-kilometre stage 15 from Foix to Loudenvielle-Le-Louron. After losing almost 29 minutes to the race leader Michael Rasmussen on Sunday, the Kazakh rider responded with a measured display of climbing aggression to cross the line 51 seconds ahead of Kim Kirchen, with Haimar Zubeldia third.

Rasmussen held firm in the yellow jersey despite facing repeated attacks from his nearest rival, Spain's Alberto Contador. At least five times on the closing climb up the Col de Peyresourde, Contador powered clear of the Dane's front wheel, only for Rasmussen to haul himself back into contention on every occasion.

The pair eventually crossed the line together, but their efforts ensured that they gained a further 56 seconds on leading contenders Cadel Evans, Levi Leipheimer and Andreas Klöden. Rasmussen remains 2min 23sec clear of Contador, with the Australian Evans now 4min exactly behind the leader.

"I wasn't motivated yesterday, but the team told me I could still win stages. I gave my all," said Vinokourov, who is now 23rd overall, still 28min 21sec behind Rasmussen. "I said this morning that I wanted to give it a try. I knew the Col de Peyresourde very well."

Vinokourov was part of a 24-man breakaway that built an advantage of almost 10 minutes over the peloton at one stage, before attacking in the early stages of the Peyresourde and making his attack stick.

Tomorrow is a rest day, before the riders tackle the final mountain stage of this year's race on Wednesday, the 218.5-kilometre struggle from Orthez to the Col d'Aubisque.