Vanendert wins stage, Voeckler keeps Tour lead

PLATEAU DE BEILLE, France, July 16 (Reuters) - Frenchman
Thomas Voeckler kept the overall lead in the Tour de France on
Saturday after an expected battle on the flanks of Plateau de
Beille turned into a disappointing no-contest between the
favourites. 

Belgian Jelle Vanendert took advantage of the waiting game
in the Pyrenees by the main contenders to snatch victory in the
168.5-km 14th stage from St Gaudens and avenge his second place
to Spain's Samuel Sanchez in Luz-Ardiden two days earlier.     

Sanchez finished 21 seconds behind the Omega Pharma Lotto
rider, who attacked seven km from the line to become the first
Belgian since Lucien Van Impe 30 years ago to win a major
mountain stage on the Tour.     

Luxembourg's Andy Schleck sprinted to the line in the final
stretch to take third place, 46 seconds off the pace but only
two seconds ahead of the other big names who all finished
together.     

"It's a pity. It reminds me of 2009 when only Andy and me
were trying. This time it was only us and (Italy's Ivan) Basso
and the others looked at each other," summed up Andy's brother
Frank, who kept his second place overall, 1:49 behind Voeckler. 

"I'm not at all surprised by what Voeckler is doing. He's a
great champion, he's in great shape. And the yellow jersey gives
extra-motivation," he added.     

Voeckler emerged as the strong man of the Pyrenees and 
looks set to retain the yellow jersey at least until the Alps. 

"I really don't know what to say. I'm really surprised. I
went to my limits but I had the impression the others were at
their limits too," said the Frenchman, whose best result in nine
previous Tours was 18th in 2004.     

The 32-year-old was never considered a pure climber but he
looked one of the most at ease in the final climb in a group
including the Schlecks, Australian Cadel Evans, Basso and three
times Tour champion Alberto Contador.     

"I was just hoping to save my jersey by a matter of seconds
but I certainly did    not expect to remain with the
favourites," said Voeckler. 


OVER CAUTIOUS     

It was unclear whether the Frenchman's performance reflected
more his current strength or the overcautious approach of the
pre-Tour favourites.     

The action in what had been seen as a decisive stage started
only in the last 10 km when Andy Schleck launched several
attacks, all of them so predictable that they were almost
immediately reeled in.     

Basso also tried to raise the pace in the final five km, to
no effect.     

At that point, Vanendert realised it might be his day.     

"My attack was not extraordinary. I was just lucky that the
favourites were watching each other," he said.     

Voeckler does not look realistically capable of winning the
Tour but Evans, third overall and 2:06 behind the Frenchman,
emerged as possibly the best-placed contender. 

His BMC team director explained the day's strategy: "We saw
that all the    favourites were at the same level. They stayed
cautious to avoid being surprised by a counter-attack. But it's
an ideal position for us."     

Contador's position was far less ideal.     

He finished with his main rivals but appeared unable to
raise the tempo and attack to make up for the four minutes
relinquished in the beginning of the race.     

"I recover better and better. It would have been better to
be able to win. I don't like to race like that, it's not my
style. I will try to gain some time in the Alps," said the
Spaniard, hampered by a knee injury for the past week.     

Another race against the clock was taking place at the back
of the race.     

Briton Mark Cavendish, the winner of three stages and the
green jersey holder, suffered a lot in the climbs and finished
27 minutes behind, just inside the time limit.