Tour de France

Highlights from the 11th stage of the Tour de France:

* Thursday’s stage: The stage favored sprinters on a 113.4-mile ride from Marseille to Montpellier.

* Winner: Robert Hunter, left, recorded the first stage victory by a South African. He won in 3 hours 47 minutes 50 seconds, outpacing second-place Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland and Murilo Fischer of Brazil in third.

* Yellow jersey: Michael Rasmussen of Denmark kept the overall lead by finishing safely in 46th place. He is 2 minutes 35 seconds ahead of second-place Alejandro Valverde and 2:39 in front of Iban Mayo in third.

* Quote of the day: “I have no words to describe what I’m feeling right now. I’ve done the Tour de France six times, and I’m the first South African ever to ride in it.” -- Hunter.

* Next stage: Today’s 12th stage is a medium mountain trek, taking riders 110.9 miles from Montpellier to Castres.

STAGE 11 RESULTS

*--* 1. Robert Hunter, South Africa 3:47:50 2. Fabian Cancellara, Switzerland Same time 3. Murilo Fischer, Brazil, Liquigas Same time 4. Filippo Pozzato, Italy Same time 5. Alessandro Ballan Same time

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OVERALL LEADERS

*--* 1. Michael Rasmussen, Denmark 53:11:38 2. Alejandro Valverde, Spain 2:35 behind 3. Iban Mayo, Spain 2:39 behind 4. Cadel Evans, Australia 2:41 behind 5. Alberto Contador, Spain 3:08 behind

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