Rasmussen wins Galibier stage as Pereiro claims yellow jersey

Michael Rasmussen of Denmark mastered some of the highest passes in the Alps, including the Col du Galibier, to win the 182-km 16th stage of the Tour de France yesterday.

Spaniard Oscar Pereiro of the Caisse d'Epargne team claimed the yellow jersey from American Floyd Landis (Phonak), who cracked on the last climb to La Toussuire ski resort.

After an astounding 173-km ride in the lead and more than five hours in the saddle on a stifling hot day, Rasmussen crossed the line one minute 41 seconds ahead of Spaniard Carlos Sastre (CSC).

Pereiro was third, 1:54 adrift and two seconds ahead of Australian Cadel Evans (Davitamon) and German Andreas Kloeden (T-Mobile).

Rasmussen, who was crowned King of the Mountains last year, claimed the polka-dot jersey from Spain's David de la Fuente.

Italian Daniele Bennati (Lampre), third in the best sprinters' standings pulled out 98 km from the finish, leaving Spaniard Oscar Freire (Rabobank) the only real rival to Australia's green jersey holder Robbie McEwen (Davitamon).

Rasmussen escaped nine kilometres into the stage with Sandy Casar of France and Slovenia's Tadej Valjavec. They rode uphill from the start in Le Bourg d'Oisans to the Galibier.

Rasmussen charged to the summit at 2,645 metres, taking the 5,000 euros ($6,248) prize as winner of the "Henri Desgranges souvenir", a special award given to the first rider over the race's highest point in honour of the founder of the race.

The main bunch led by yellow jersey holder Landis, who started the day with a 10-second lead over Pereiro, was 4:40 adrift.

Frenchman Sylvain Chavanel crashed spectacularly in the descent, slamming into a concrete barrier on a tight bend.

Casar and Valjavec cracked on the next pass, the Croix de Fer.

At the top of the Col du Mollard, Rasmussen crossed the line 7:20 ahead of the peloton and the last climb to La Toussuire, barely diminished his lead while the battle for the yellow jersey was taking place a few bends behind him.