Tour De France : Samuel Sanchez wins stage 12 - but where is Contador?

Samuel Sanchez won the 12th stage of the Tour de France, and moved into 8th place overall, after a gruelling climax to the first mountain stage of this year's race.

Yellow Jersey wearer Frenchman Thomas Voeckler is not a renowned climber but he fought hard to finish just 50 seconds back in 9th and retains theoverall lead by 1min 49 secs.

Jelle Vanendert finished second ahead of Frank Schleck, with Cadel Evans and Andy Schleck - last year's runner up - fifth and sixth on the stage respectively.

Defending champion Alberto Contador struggled to an eighth-place finish in the Pyrenees - and now sits a full four minutes behind race leader Voeckler.

OVERALL STANDINGS:
1. Thomas Voeckler (France / Europcar) 51h 54m 44s"
2. Frank Schleck (Luxembourg / Leopard) +1:49"
3. Cadel Evans (Australia / BMC Racing) +2:06"
4. Andy Schleck (Luxembourg / Leopard) +2:17"
5. Ivan Basso (Italy / Liquigas) +3:16"
6. Damiano Cunego (Italy / Lampre) +3:22"
7. Alberto Contador (Spain / Saxo Bank) +4:00"
8. Samuel Sanchez (Spain / Euskaltel) +4:11"
9. Tom Danielson (U.S. / Garmin) +4:35"
10. Nicolas Roche (Ireland / AG2R) +4:57"