SAINT-ETIENNE, France --- Carlos Sastre, of Spain, retained the overall lead, and Marcus Burghardt, of Germany, won the 18th stage of the Tour de France as the race left the Alps on Thursday.
Sastre leads CSC teammate Frank Schleck, of Luxembourg, by 1 minute, 24 seconds. Bernhard Kohl, of Austria, is third, 1:33 behind, and Cadel Evans, of Australia, is fourth, 1:34 back.
Burghardt and Carlos Barredo, of Spain, finished with more than a 6-minute lead on the main pack, including the top title contenders, after the 122-mile ride from Bourg-d'Oisans to Saint-Etienne.
The German raised his fists in the air and clapped as he crossed the finish line, while Barredo banged his handlebars in frustration. They finished in 4:30:21.
The title contenders were content to let the breakaway riders go. The three-week race ends Sunday in Paris.
Barredo came into the stage more than 2 hours behind Sastre, and Burghardt was more than three hours back. The two riders consistently attacked each other in the last 6 miles and sometimes chatted along the way.
The 103-mile stage today takes riders through the plains from Roanne to Montlucon.
AT A GLANCE
STAGE 18: Riders set out on a 122-mile trek from Bourg-d'Oisans to Saint-Etienne in the medium mountains.
WINNER: Marcus Burghardt, of Germany, won in a sprint finish after an early breakway, beating Carlos Barredo, of Spain. Both clocked 4 hours, 30 minutes, 21 seconds. Romain Feillu, of France, was third, 3:33 behind.
YELLOW JERSEY: Spanish rider Carlos Sastre kept the overall lead, leading Team CSC teammate Frank Schleck, of Luexembourg, by 1:24. Austria's Bernhard Kohl is third at 1:33.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I don't want to think about the time trial. I just want to enjoy spending each day in the yellow jersey" -- Sastre on trying not to focus on Saturday's decisive 20th stage.
NEXT STAGE: Today's 19th stage is a 103-mile flat stage from Roanne to Montlucon that favors sprinters.
-- Associated Press
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