A review of what happened Thursday and a look at what to expect in today’s stage:

Thursday’s stage: 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 breakaway, 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 Luxembourg by 1:24. Bernhard Kohl of Austria is third at 1:33 behind.

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.

*--* STAGE 18 RESULTS 1. Marcus Burghardt, Germany: 4:30:21 2. Carlos Barredo, Spain: same time 3. Romain Feillu, France: 3:33 behind 4. Christophe Le Mevel, France: same time 5. Mikel Astarloza, Spain: 3:35 behind *--*

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*--* OVERALL STANDINGS 1. Carlos Sastre, Spain: 79:16:14 2. Frank Schleck, Luxembourg: 1:24 behind 3. Bernhard Kohl, Austria: 1:33 behind 4. Cadel Evans, Australia: 1:34 behind 5. Denis Menchov, Russia: 2:39 behind *--*