Germany's Burghardt Wins 18th Stage of Tour de France
July 24, 2008
The 25-year-old Burghardt was part of every escape group from the beginning of the 196.5-kilometre course from Le Bourg-d'Oisans to the city of Saint-Etienne, eager to score a stage win.
He finally hooked up with Carlos Barredo at the 65-km mark, and then outsprinted the Spaniard to the finish line. It was Burghardt's first-ever Tour de France victory, and the fifth win for his Team Columbia on this year's Tour.
Frenchman Romain Feillu finished third, 3 minutes 33 seconds behind the winner.
Most of the leaders finished with the main bunch of riders, 6 minutes 50 seconds behind Burghardt.
As a result, Spain's Carlos Sastre retained the lead in the standings, 1 minute 24 seconds ahead of his Team CSC teammate, Frank Schleck of Luxembourg, with Austrian Bernhard Kohl third, 1 minute 33 seconds adrift.