Roche rides superbly to pass contenders

NICOLAS ROCHE rode superbly yesterday, finishing ahead of many of the general classification contenders when he took 12th on the stage.

The 26-year-old came home in a small group going for seventh, 53 seconds behind the day’s winner Thor Hushovd (Cervélo Test Team). He didn’t realise his group was racing for a place in the top 10. “I would have sprinted otherwise,” he said.

Significantly, Roche’s performance moved him up to an excellent 11th overall, one minute and 42 seconds behind Cancellara.

“I came to the Tour with higher ambitions than in the other years, and that also included trying not to lose time in the first few days,” said Roche. “That said, I am very happy with how things went. I’m surprised that it went so well.”

He’s mindful it’s early days yet. “We are only on day four of the race and there’s a lot ahead, including some big mountains. So I’m not going to get too carried away, but I am happy with how things have gone so far.”