Webber wins first F1 race after taking German GP

Nuerburgring, Germany: Red Bull's Mark Webber won his first Formula One race on Sunday after overcoming a penalty to take the German Grand Prix.

The Australian beat teammate Sebastian Vettel by 9.2 seconds despite a drive-through penalty for bumping Brawn GP's Rubens Barrichello out of the start while defending his pole position.

Webber's euphoric screams were heard over the team radio after he crossed the finish line in his 132nd race.

"It's an incredible day for me. I wanted to win so badly," Webber said.

It was the second straight 1-2 for the Austrian team and third overall after nine races.

Felipe Massa gave Ferrari its first podium finish of the season by coming third ahead of Nico Rosberg of Williams.

F1 leader Jenson Button of Brawn GP finished fifth to take his overall total to 68 points, while Vettel moved into second with 47 points and Webber is third with 45.5 points. Barrichello has 44 points after finishing sixth.

Webber's victory continued a momentum shift toward Red Bull after Button had looked set to run away with the title following its sixth wins in the first seven races. It was the first time this season that Brawn GP failed to finish on the podium.

It was an orderly start except for Webber's attempt to keep Barrichello from speeding up the inside toward the first corner.

With the front-runners tangled up, reigning F1 champion Lewis Hamilton reached the turn first but ran wide and subsequently dropped into last with a damaged rear tire. The McLaren driver would finish 18th.

After the completion of the first pit stops and Webber had performed his penalty, Barrichello led by nearly three seconds.

Button, who had been held up trying to pass Massa for a number of laps, was nearly 10 seconds behind Webber in third while holding the same advantage over Vettel.

But Webber led by more than 30 seconds over the Brawn GP cars after his final pit, holding on to be the seventh winner from pole this season with both Barrichello and Button on three-pit strategies.

Massa had started from eighth, while Rosberg used an extra long opening stint to make up ground after starting from 15th spot.

Fernando Alonso finished seventh for Renault and Heikki Kovalainen took eighth for McLaren, snapping a four-race streak out of the points to end its worse run in nearly two decades.

Force India failed to get its first point despite Adrian Sutil starting seventh as Kimi Raikkonen again acted as the German driver's bogeyman.

Sutil, who ended 15th, was forced to return to the pits immediately after exiting after tangling with the Ferrari driver, who would retire as a result of the bump. Raikkonen knocked Sutil out of Monaco last year with nine laps to go and a points finish beckoning.

Toro Rosso's Sebastien Bourdais, who is reportedly on his way out of the team, retired after 16 laps.

Sangakkara leads Sri Lanka's dominance

Sri Lanka 164 for 3 (Sangakkara 81*) lead Pakistan 90 (Malik 39*, Kulasekara 4-21) by 74 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Nuwan Kulasekara traps Abdur Rauf in front of the stumps, Sri Lanka v Pakistan, 2nd Test, Colombo, 1st day, July 12, 2009
Nuwan Kulasekara took 4 for 21 in good batting conditions © AFP
Related Links
Analysis : Enigmatic Pakistan confound again
Players/Officials: Nuwan Kulasekara | Ajantha Mendis | Kumar Sangakkara | Thilan Thushara
Matches: Sri Lanka v Pakistan at Colombo (PSS)
Series/Tournaments: Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka
Teams: Pakistan | Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka have never won a home series against Pakistan, but they took huge strides towards rectifying that statistic with an utterly dominant performance with ball and bat on the first day at the P Sara Oval. Pakistan were coming off an abject batting display in Galle, but they sunk even lower here, being bundled out for an embarrassing 90 after winning the toss. Sri Lanka's batsmen, led by captain Kumar Sangakkara, then gave them a batting lesson, easing to 164 for 3, already 74 in front.

The pitch at the P Sara Oval offered some assistance for the bowlers, with the ball doing a bit in the air and off the seam on the first morning, but by no means was batting as difficult as the Pakistan batsmen made it out to be. Sri Lanka's bowlers, though, made the most of the conditions: Nuwan Kulasekara, Thilan Thushara and Angelo Mathews pitched it in the corridor, got movement in the air and off the pitch, and that combination was far too lethal for Pakistan's diffident top order. Kulasekara was the pick of the lot, wrecking the top order and finishing with well-deserved figures of 4 for 21, while the rest offered excellent support.

Kulasekara made up for his lack of pace with control and movement, shaping the ball both ways and giving the batsmen few scoring opportunities. He started by setting up Khurram Manzoor with a couple that moved in, before slipping in one which held its line and took a thin edge on the way to Tillakaratne Dilshan, the wicketkeeper. Pakistan's 38th opening combination in 136 innings had been separated after only 14 deliveries.

Worse was to follow as the experienced middle-order trio of Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf and Misbah-ul-Haq followed in quick succession, with two of them failing to score. The two Ys both fell to shots which were avoidable - Younis chopped it on to his stumps when trying to cut one from Thushara that was too full for the stroke, while Yousuf, after getting two fours in his first three balls, drove Kulasekara lazily to point. Misbah was kept on nought for ten deliveries, before Kulasekara nailed him with a superb delivery which nipped back and took the inside edge. In only 35 minutes of play, Pakistan had slumped to 19 for 4.

Ironically, the batsman who survived this opening onslaught was a debutant, opening the innings for the first time in first-class cricket. Fawad Alam came into the team for Salman Butt, and quite surprisingly, walked out to bat first up after Younis won the toss. His pronounced shuffle ultimately cost him his wicket, but there were still positives for him from his debut innings - he played straight, and he left deliveries well outside off. He played only 19 deliveries in the first 11 overs of the innings, but he was patient, and finally got his first four in Tests with a superb back-foot punch off Mathews. That was as good as it got, unfortunately - noticing Fawad's big shuffle, Mathews cleverly nipped one back into the left-hander, and trapped him plumb in front.

Top Curve
Prime Numbers

*

90
Pakistan's total, which is their lowest against Sri Lanka and their seventh-lowest in all. Their previous lowest against Sri Lanka had been 117 only a week back in Galle.
*

36
The number of overs that Pakistan's innings lasted. It's the third-lowest for them in the first innings of a match.
*

34
The number of balls played by Abdur Rauf for his duck. It's the second-longest for Pakistan, in terms of balls faced, and the 12th-longest in all.
*

4
The number of ducks in the Pakistan innings, which is the highest for them against Sri Lanka. Their highest against any team is six, versus West Indies in Karachi in 1980-81.
*

89.85
Kumar Sangakkara's average at the P Sara Oval, where he has scored two centuries and three fifties in nine innings.

Bottom Curve

The 32-run partnership between Fawad and Shoaib Malik was the longest of the innings, and once Fawad left, there was little resistance from anyone except Malik, who played with a poise that was sadly not emulated by the others. He struck the ball crisply down the ground when the bowlers pitched it up, and was excellent with his judgment of deliveries outside off stump. Abdur Rauf offered him company for more than nine overs but didn't get a run in 34 balls, while the rest didn't even bother to spend time at the crease. After the seamers had done the early damage, Ajantha Mendis hastened the end with wickets off successive balls as Pakistan's innings folded in 36 overs.

They spent the rest of the day toiling in the field, ending with only three wickets to show for their efforts as Sangakkara gave them a lesson in batsmanship. He was fluent right from the start, clipping Mohammad Aamer for a couple of delightful fours through mid-on. He was equally decisive against the spin of Saeed Ajmal, twice cutting gloriously when offered the width. He became more circumspect towards close of play, but still latched on to scoring opportunities, ending the day with a glorious pull in the last over of the day from Gul, and finishing just nine short of Pakistan's first-innings total.

To their credit, Pakistan didn't lose the plot in the field, taking three wickets and creating more opportunities. Malinda Warnapura fell to a rough lbw decision, Tharanga Paranavitana got an under edge after looking solid for his 26, while an out-of-sorts Mahela Jayawardene was trapped by a superb delivery which spun and bounced.

Pakistan's fast bowlers ran in tirelessly, but the one who looked most likely to take wickets was Ajmal, the offspinner. On a dry pitch where the odd ball was already showing signs of misbehaving, Ajmal had most of the Sri Lankan batsmen in a spot of bother. He spun a couple past Sangakkara's bat, had Jayawardene miscuing more than once, and had a close lbw appeal turned down against Thilan Samaraweera. Unfortunately for Pakistan, they gave away so much ground in the first three hours of play that it'll require a Herculean effort for them to stay in this match, and the series.

Sunderland seal Campbell capture
Frazier Campbell
Campbell featured for England at the Under-21 European Championships

Striker Fraizer Campbell has completed his £3.5m move from Manchester United to Sunderland after signing a four-year contract with the Wearsiders.

The deal for the 21-year-old forward, who was also wanted by Hull manager Phil Brown, could rise to £6m.

He passed a medical on Saturday to become Steve Bruce's first signing.

Campbell had a loan spell with Hull during the 2007-08 campaign, when he scored 15 goals, and spent much of last season at Tottenham.

He made just one league start for Spurs but played a part in helping them get to the Carling Cup final, although he was ineligible to play against United in the final.

The England Under-21 international came through United's academy set up and made his debut for the first team when he came off the bench against Manchester rivals City in August 2007.

His only Premier League start for the Old Trafford club came against Newcastle at the start of last season.

606: DEBATE
Good signing IMO, not for first choice this season but one for the future methinks

stevethepirate_scuuuurvy

Sunderland boss Bruce is expected to spend big this summer, with the promised backing of millionaire owner Ellis Short convincing him to leave Wigan to take over as boss at the Stadium of Light.

Bruce failed with a bid for Wigan midfielder Lee Catermole on Friday and has been linked with Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch and Tottenham forward Darren Bent.

With the club deciding against a move for Djibril Cisse, following the end of his loan spell, and allowing Michael Chopra to join Cardiff, the forward position was one area Bruce has been looking to strengthen.

Webber charges to first F1 pole

GERMAN GRAND PRIX
Venue: Nurburgring Dates: 10-12 July 2009 Coverage: Live coverage of Friday's practice sessions, Saturday qualifying and Sunday's race - which starts at 1300 BST - across BBC TV, radio and online platforms. Find full listings here
Mark Webber

Highlights - Webber claims German pole
By Russell Barder

Red Bull's Mark Webber qualified on pole for the first time after a rain-affected qualifying session for the German Grand Prix at the Nurburgring.

The Australian clocked one minute 32.230 to finish ahead of Brawn GP's Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button.

Sebastian Vettel was fourth in the second Red Bull as the unpredictable weather made for a thrilling afternoon.

The improving McLaren of Lewis Hamilton will start fifth, equalling his best qualifying performance of the season.

The reigning world champion last started inside the top six in Bahrain and his performance on Saturday was just reward for his team who have worked tirelessly to get a new floor, new top bodywork and front wing onto his car.


606: DEBATE
Superb lap!! What a driver!!

RogerMellie66

For Webber, Saturday's performance puts him in a good position to record his first win and the 32-year-old said: "This is a very special day for me.

"I've been close to getting pole a few times in the past, and now we're here.

"The team has done a very good job; I've been quick all weekend, but we got really tested today.

"But I'm now in a fantastic position to get my first win. Obviously the Brawns have had a strong season and will push us.

"But we're up for the fight - I certainly am - and I'm up for trying to win my first race."

Vettel pushed hard around the final few corners as he searched for pole at his home grand prix, but the German had to settle for a place on the second row.


BBC SPORT'S FUEL-ADJUSTED GRID (with projected race first pit stops*)
1 Webber (lap 21)
2 Vettel +0.250 (lap 19)
3 Hamilton +0.614 (lap 18)
4 Barrichello +0.617 (lap 14)
5 Button +0.838 (lap 13)
6 Sutil +1.474 (lap 28)
7 Kovalainen +1.524 (lap 21)
8 Massa +1.906 (lap 25)
9 Raikkonen +2.025 (lap 26)
10 Piquet +2.048 (lap 26)
* Calculated on the weight of fuel left in cars after qualifying had finished
German GP qualifying results
F1 Mole explains fuel-adjusted grid

Heikki Kovalainen, running without the same updates as his McLaren team-mate Hamilton, recorded a creditable sixth, while Force India enjoyed their best ever qualifying with Adrian Sutil seventh on the grid.

The Ferrari's of Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen, who have also come to Germany having made a few aerodynamic tweaks, will start eighth and ninth respectively.

Nelson Piquet Jr completes the top ten having out-qualified team-mate Fernando Alonso for the first time, who was the most high profile victim during the second qualifying session and starts from 12th.

The Nurburgring's infamous micro-climate played its part during that session as the rain that had began to fall at the end of qualifying one threatened to cause havoc.

The drivers were desperate to get out early at the start of the second session and all made the decision to go with slick tyres.

However, within the space of a lap the majority pitted for intermediates as cars span off with the rain continuing to fall.

It was a decision that appeared to pay dividends as laps times increased, until Barrichello and the Brawn team pulled a masterstroke by reverting to slicks as the rain abated in the middle part of the session.


Qualifying two was madness, but it was good fun.

Jenson Button

The Brazilian went nearly three and half seconds quicker than the rest of the field and they soon followed suit to make for an exciting climax to the session, with Hamilton and Button pulling out a lap late on to just make it through.

"I had some crazy ones in the past but it's always the more recent one that counts," said Barrichello.

"We were just saying that it felt like we were not breathing for the whole session and it feels like we are only starting to breath again now."

Button added: "Qualifying two was madness, but it was good fun.

"We're struggling with the tyres anyway, but when you chuck water in there as well it's quite difficult.

"But it's great to see us, Rubens and myself, in the top three - and Mark's got his first pole, so congratulations to him."

Webber said of his last lap in qualifying two, on slicks in the rain: "I was all over the place, nearly off several times, nearly in my hotel room at the last corner. I thought I must have been 18th. I couldn't believe it when I was fourth."

Qualifying one saw Toyota's German driver Timo Glock eliminated as he could only put his car 19th, although he was later demoted to last after stewards ruled he had impeded Alonso.

It means Toro Rosso's under-pressure Sebastien Bourdais, whose seat is rumoured to be under threat, moves one place up the grid.

To complete a busy day for the stewards, Red Bull were fined £8,500 for failing to release Vettel from the pits when it was safe to do so as he almost collided with Williams' Kazuki Nakajima.

Sanchez secures stage eight win

TOUR DE FRANCE
Date: 4 July - 26 July
Coverage: BBC Sport website: text commentary of each stage and streamed BBC commentary of the last 90 minutes of each stage available; commentary on selected stages on BBC 5 Live sports extra
Spain's Luis Leon Sanchez
Sanchez was too strong for Casar in the closing stages

Spain's Luis Leon Sanchez timed his late burst to perfection to take the eighth stage of the Tour de France.

Sanchez, part of a breakaway group of four riders, overhauled Vladimir Efimkin in the final 500m before outsprinting Sandy Cesar at the death.

Rinaldo Nocentini, who keeps the yellow jersey, and the other main contenders, including Alberto Contador and Lance Armstrong, all finished in the peloton.

But Britain's Mark Cavendish lost the green jersey to Norway's Thor Hushovd.

There was also a change in the King of the Mountains standings with Christophe Kern taking the polka dot jersey from stage seven winner Brice Feillu.

Sanchez showed impressive instincts in the final few kilometres of the 176.5km stage as he kept out of trouble before powering off Casar's wheel at the death to cross the line in St Girons first in a time of four hours 31 minutes and 50 seconds.

I began to struggle on the last climb but that's normal a day after you've been in a 200km breakaway.

Rinaldo Nocentini on having to fight to stay in yellow

Along with Casar, Efimkin and Mikel Astarloza, he had made a decisive break on the final climb, up the Col d'Agnes, then held off the peloton on a long descent to the finish line and fighting it out for the stage win.

"I knew that Efimkin was going to have no choice but to attack - he is one of my former team-mates," Sanchez said afterwards.

"I tried to get Astarloza and Casar to take relays. All I needed was a bit of luck, but I knew that I had the speed to beat them."

Without a summit finish, the Tour's second day in the mountains was never going to be as dramatic as Friday, when Contador surged away from his Astana team-mate Armstrong on the climb to the line.

There were no attacks from any of this year's big-hitters here as the main bunch of riders, which contained Nocentini, Contador and Armstrong, came home one minute and 54 seconds back.

Two-time runner-up Cadel Evans, who is almost three minutes behind that trio in the overall standings after a dreadful first week, had attempted to escape on the first climb - Port d'Envalira - but was soon hauled back.

On Col d' Agnes, 45km from the finish, Luxembourg's Andy Schleck also tried to spring free but the Astana team, a permanent fixture at the front of the pack, reacted instantly and ensured their two big stars stayed out of danger.

Nocentini was briefly dropped but his AG2R team-mates helped him back into contention and ensured he stays in yellow for a second day.

"I began to struggle on the last climb but that's normal a day after you've been in a 200km breakaway," Nocentini said.

606: DEBATE
What did you make of stage eight?

"It's just not possible for me to follow a guy like Andy Schleck.

"It was only thanks to my team, and Stephane Goubert in particular, that I was able to get back to that group after he dragged me back up. He kept me in the yellow jersey."

Britain's Bradley Wiggins, who had climbed brilliantly on Friday, again impressed to keep in touch with his rivals in the general classification, and remains fifth overall.

But Cavendish fell back in the day and, after wearing the green jersey every day since winning stage two on Sunday, he will relinquish it to his Norwegian rival.

Hushovd cleverly went for small wins in intermediate sprints rather than taking his chance at the end of the stage, and his tactics saw him pick up 12 points in total - enough to leapfrog Cavendish and move 11 points clear of him in the points category, with 116 points so far.

Meanwhile, 2006 champion Oscar Pereiro pulled out of the race, citing severe fatigue.

"Since the start of the Tour he didn't have good sensations," said a spokesman for the Spaniard's team, Caisse d'Epargne.

"There was no point in continuing, because it wasn't doing any good."

Pereiro withdrew after 90km of today's stage, while another Spanish rider, Agritubel's Eduardo Gonzalo Ramierz retired just after the race left Andorra La Vella.

Six riders have now pulled out, leaving 174 men to start stage nine on Sunday, a 160.5km trek from St Gaudens to Tarbes - the last day of this year's Tour in the Pyrenees.

Stage eight result:

1. Luis Leon Sanchez (Spa/ Caisse d'Epargne) 4 hours 31 minutes 50 seconds
2. Sandy Casar (Fra/Francaise des Jeux) "
3. Mikel Astarloza (Spa/Euskaltel) "
4. Vladimir Efimkin (Rus/AG2R) + 3secs
5. Jose Joaquin Rojas (Spa/Caisse d'Epargne ) + 1min 54 secs
6. Christophe Riblon (Fra/AG2R ) "
7. Peter Velits (Slo/Milram) "
8. Sebastien Minard (Fra/Cofidis ) "
9. Jeremy Roy (Fra/Francaise des Jeux ) "
10. Thomas Voeckler (Fra/Bbox-Bouygues ) "

Selected others:

24. Bradley Wiggins (GB/Garmin) "
38. Lance Armstrong (USA/Astana) "
53. David Millar (GB/Garmin) "
97. Charlie Wegelius (GB/Silence) + 14mins 14secs
113. Mark Cavendish (GB/Columbia) + 23mins 02secs

Overall standings:

1. Rinaldo Nocentini (Ita/AG2R) 30 hours 18 minutes 16 seconds
2. Alberto Contador (Spa/Astana) + 6secs
3. Lance Armstrong (USA/Astana) + 8
4. Levi Leipheimer (USA/Astana) + 39
5. Bradley Wiggins (GB/Garmin) + 46

Selected others:

16. Carlos Sastre (Spa/Cervelo) + 2minutes 52secs
77. David Millar (GB/Garmin) + 27mins 18 secs
96. Charlie Wegelius (GB/Silence) + 34mins 6secs
131. Mark Cavendish (GB/Team Columbia) + 49mins 31secs

England stumble after Australia onslaught

England 435 and 20 for 2 (Strauss 6*, Pietersen 3*) trail Australia 674 for 6 (Ponting 150, North 125*, Katich 122, Haddin 121) by 219 runs
Live scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Marcus North pulls in front of square, England v Australia, 1st Test, Cardiff, 4th day, July 11, 2009
Marcus North made his second Test century as Australia piled up their lead in Cardiff © Getty Images
Related Links
Players/Officials: Brad Haddin | Ben Hilfenhaus | Mitchell Johnson | Marcus North
Matches: England v Australia at Cardiff
Series/Tournaments: Australia tour of England and Scotland
Teams: Australia | England

Australia are scenting victory in the opening Ashes Test as England stumbled to 20 for 2 in the face of a daunting total on the fourth day at Cardiff. Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus both struck early after Marcus North and Brad Haddin, who added 200 for the sixth wicket, completed a crushing batting performance with Australia registering four hundreds in an Ashes innings for the first time as they finally closed on a massive 674 for 6.

After England's bowlers toiled through 181 overs for six wickets the Australians made two breakthroughs inside seven overs when Ricky Ponting declared with 45 minutes of the afternoon session remaining and a 239-run lead in the bag. Alastair Cook played round a straight ball from Johnson and Ravi Bopara was given out leg-before to Hilfenhaus, although he could probably feel slightly aggrieved as the ball looked high.

There would also have been a huge shout against Andrew Strauss had it not been for a no-ball from Hilfenhaus and both Strauss and Kevin Pietersen couldn't get to the dressing room quick enough. The weather closed in as tea arrived, but such were the strides made by Australia during the shortened day that they still have plenty of time to force a series lead.

Although the fast bowlers have done early damage this match could still bring a glorious twist with Nathan Hauritz, so derided before the game, having a potentially crucial role to play. England's spinners returned the combined figures of 1 for 246 from 73 overs and Hauritz has been the pick of the slow bowlers on show.

After the dire forecasts, the rain held off for two sessions and instead the deluge of runs continued. North reached his hundred before lunch off 206 balls - the second of an young three-match career - while Haddin needed 138 deliveries, and 48 to go from 50 to 100, as he produced a fine impression of Adam Gilchrist by tearing into the bowling. In 15 overs after lunch Australia smashed 97 runs with Haddin responsible for 71 of them.

674
Australia's total, which is their sixth-highest in all Tests, and their fourth-highest against England.
*

4
The number of centurions in the Australian innings, which is the first such instance. The only time they had more centurions was against West Indies in Kingston in 1954-55, when five batsmen got hundreds.
*

5
The number of bowlers who conceded more than 100 runs in the innings. It's only the second such instance for England - the first was against West Indies at Lord's in 1973.
*

200
The partnership between Marcus North and Brad Haddin, which is the fifth-highest for the sixth wicket for Australia against England, and their highest in England.
*

5
The number of times England have lost an Ashes Test after scoring more than 400 in the first innings. The last time it happened was in Adelaide in 2006-07.

Bottom Curve

The daunting total of 674 for 6 was Australia's fourth highest against England and sixth best overall, while five England bowlers conceded centuries for just the second time following the 1973 Test against West Indies at Lord's.

From the start this was a disporting day for England and the early-series optimism has rapidly vanished. Australia's lead was 44 at the start of play and could have been limited to manageable levels, but the home side were well off the pace throughout. The early fielding was sloppy as Paul Collingwood let one through his legs at cover, Pietersen almost hurled four overthrows past the wicketkeeper and James Anderson didn't position himself behind the stumps for a run out opportunity. The pace attack again looked impotent although the spinners found more turn, but with England now in match-saving mode that won't necessarily have pleased the home dressing room.

Neither North or Haddin were in a particular hurry and they were content to wait for the loose deliveries to put away. Haddin glanced Broad's first ball of the day to fine leg and later drove Andrew Flintoff imperiously through the covers although could have been caught short on 19 if England's fielding had been sharper.

Strauss eventually turned to his spinners and Graeme Swann caused more problems than at any previous stage in the game. Bowling a more attacking line outside off, he troubled Haddin and almost had him caught at short leg but the edge went safely out of reach. Hauritz and Australia's part-time spinners will have watched with interest.

Shortly before lunch the third new-ball was taken, but that only served to increase Australia's tempo when Haddin gave himself room to carve Flintoff over backward point. The aggression continued after the break as Haddin took three consecutive boundaries off Anderson, pulled Swann for six over square leg and effortlessly drove Panesar for six more over long-on.

England's bowlers were powerless to stop the onslaught. When Haddin finally picked out deep midwicket Ponting decided it was time let his bowlers loose and the early exchanges showed they mean business. With a full day, Australia will fancy their chances.

Italy's Rinaldo Nocentini grabbed the yellow jersey on the first mountain stage of the 2009 Tour de France.

But Spaniard Alberto Contador looks poised to take the lead in the next few days after a dramatic late break.

His Astana team-mate Lance Armstrong came home 22 seconds behind Contador in a group with Britain's Bradley Wiggins.

Brice Feillu of France won the stage, a 224km trek from Barcelona to Andorra Arcalis, while former leader Fabian Cancellara dropped from contention.

Although the little-known Nocentini has the race lead for now, Contador is just six seconds behind after a breathtaking late move on the main group.

He moves above Armstrong, who is a further two seconds behind, while Wiggins is in fifth spot after an outstanding climbing performance kept him alongside the Tour's biggest names.

The first of three days of racing in the Pyrenees was also the longest stage in this year's Tour.

It was not a coup

Alberto Contador

Feillu was part of a nine-man breakaway that escaped early in the day and he outlasted his rivals on the climb up Arcalis to the finish.

But the real drama was taking place down the road, where Contador produced an astonishing show of strength to decimate a group containing Armstrong and most of the other contenders for the General Classification.

A burst of acceleration inside the final two kilometres took the Spaniard clear of riders like Andy Schleck, Wiggins and two-time runner-up Cadel Evans, while Armstong could not - or would not - keep up.

Contador's break underlined the rivalry that exists between the 2007 champion and seven-time winner Armstrong as they jostle for position - both as Astana team leader and for the right to wear the yellow jersey.

Armstrong insisted afterwards that he chose to stay with Schleck rather than trying to catch Contador because to do so would have helped his rivals and undermined Astana's chances.

"When you've got a rider away, my obligation is to the team," said Armstrong. "I had to stay on his wheel. You just got to stay on his wheel.

606: DEBATE
What did you make of stage seven?

"That's not my specialty, but it's not bad at all - all things considered.

"Overall, I feel pretty good. I'm not as tired as I thought I'd be. Things didn't quite go according to plan that we set up earlier, but it didn't matter. It was a fine day overall."

Contador played down the significance of his break in the stage's closing kilometres.

"It was not a coup," said Contador. "I had nothing special in mind. But I'm on my terrain and I really enjoyed riding in the mountain so close to home."

And Contador insisted his lead over Armstrong did not mean much.

"It does not make me the team leader. Only the race will decide on the leader," he said.

Contador's impressive display was not quite enough to put the 2007 Tour winner back in yellow as Nocentini - also part of the original breakaway - was just quick enough to take the overall lead.

The AG2R rider, who is competing in his first Tour, becomes the first Italian in nine years to lead the race and said: "I am very happy. I came here to win a stage but I finish today with the maillot jaune."

Nocentini replaces Swiss star Cancellara, who had worn yellow for seven successive days.

Cancellara recovered superbly from two punctures earlier in the day, catching up with the peloton with some daring descending, but he lost touch again on the ascent to the finish line and is now more than five minutes back.

France's Sebastian Joly pulled out midway through the stage to become the fourth rider to retire from this year's Tour.

Stage seven result:

1. Brice Feillu (Fra/Agritubel) 6 hours 11 minutes 31 seconds
2. Christophe Kern (Fra/Cofidis) + 5secs
3. Johannes Froehlinger (Ger/Milram) +25
4. Rinaldo Nocentini (Ita/AG2R) + 26
5. Egoi Martinez (Spa/Euskaltel) + 45
6. Christophe Riblon (Fra/AG2R ) + 1min 5secs
7. Jerome Pineau (Fra/Quick-Step) + 2mins 32secs
8. Jose Ivan Gutierrez (Spa/Caisse d'Epargne ) + 3mins 14secs
9. Alberto Contador (Spa/Astana) + 3mins 26secs
10. Cadel Evans (Aus/Silence-Lotto) + 3mins 47secs

Selected others:

12. Bradley Wiggins (GB/Garmin) "
15. Lance Armstrong (USA/Astana) "
67. Fabian Cancellara (Swi/Saxo Bank) + 9mins 16secs.
95. Charlie Wegelius (GB/Silence) + 10mins 21secs
137. Mark Cavendish (GB/Columbia) + 28mins 29secs
163. David Millar (GB/Garmin) "

Overall standings:

1. Rinaldo Nocentini (Ita/AG2R) 25 hours 44 minutes 32 seconds
2. Alberto Contador (Spa/Astana) +6 secs
3. Lance Armstrong (USA/Astana) + 8
4. Levi Leipheimer (USA/Astana) +39
5. Bradley Wiggins (GB/Garmin) +46

Selected others:

15. Carlos Sastre (Spa/Cervelo) + 2minutes 52secs
39. Fabian Cancellara (Swi/Saxo Bank) +5mins 37secs.
95. Charlie Wegelius (GB/Silence) + 21mins 46 secs
110. David Millar (GB/Garmin) + 27mins 18 secs
121. Mark Cavendish (GB/Team Columbia) + 28 min 23secs