Tour de France

TODAY’S STAGE 13

Highlights from the 12th stage of the Tour de France:* Stage: A medium mountain trek, taking riders 110.9 miles from Montpellier to Castres.

* Winner: Belgium’s Tom Boonen clinched his second stage of this year’s Tour, making him as the favorite to win the green jersey as best sprinter. Erik Zabel of Germany was second. Robert Hunter, who became the first South African to win a stage on Thursday, took third.

* Yellow jersey: Michael Rasmussen of Denmark kept the overall lead by finishing safely in 47th place. He is 2 minutes 35 seconds ahead of second-place Alejandro Valverde and 2:39 in front of third-place Iban Mayo.

* Quote of the day: “I do admit that I’ve committed an administrative error.” -- Rasmussen, talking about missing two out-of-competition drug tests because he’d failed to inform the International Cycling Union of his whereabouts. A third no-show for testing could result in a suspension.

* Next stage: Today’s individual time trial around Albi is raced over 33.6 miles. Germany’s Andreas Kloeden, Switzerland’s Fabian Cancellara and Australia’s Cadel Evans are among the favorites.

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STAGE 12 RESULTS

1. Tom Boonen, Belgium: 4:25:32

2. Erik Zabel, Germany: Same time

3. Robert Hunter, South Africa: Same time

4. Daniele Bennati, Italy: Same time

5. Thor Hushovd, Norway: Same time

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OVERALL LEADERS

1. Michael Rasmussen, Denmark: 57:37:10

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