Rinaldo Nocentini of the AG2R La Mondiale team is the surprising new leader of the 2009 Tour de France after the opening mountain stage 7 from Barcelona to Andorra.
At some times during the stage it was looking like Lance Armstrong would pass leader Swiss Fabian Cancellara of Team Saxo Bank after Cancellara fell behind the group containing most of the leaders with about 4 kilometres left to ride. The 224km stage was all uphill, with two major climbs including the first of three mountaintop finishes in this year’s Tour.
Frenchman Brice Feillu of the Agritubel team won the stage, but his gap of over eight minutes behind the leaqders meant he was not in contention to steal yellow. The Italian Nocentini started the day 3:13 behind and lead the main group by as much as five minutes at times during the stage.
Nocentini is not expected to challenge for the lead long term in the race, but he has at least one night to enjoy himself wearing the most famous vest in professional sport.
