Cervelo's Heinrich Haussler found Friday's Stage 13 to be a lucky stage for him as he survived a day-long breakaway in the 2009 Tour de France to win the bike race to Colmar.
The day's rain seemed to dampen the contest for the yellow jersey. For the 6th straight stage, there was no change in the overall classification as Rinaldo Nocentini continued in the lead.
Levi Leipheimer's unfortunate withdrawal because of a broken wrist suffered in a crash on Thursday led to the only major change in the standings, as everyone below him moved up one spot.
Saturday's 124-mile stage from Colmar to Besancon has a couple of Category 3 climbs, so it's doubtful that the rivals like Nocentini, Alberto Contador, Lance Armstrong, Bradley Wiggins or the Schleck brothers will attempt anything.
On a day that promised a re-sorting of the overall standings, perhaps the only surprise was the victory by Haussler, considered by many to be a sprinter. It was his first Tour de France win.
Haussler joined a breakaway that formed just after the start of Stage 13; Haussler, Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step) and Reuben Perez (Euskatel-Euskadi) were the only survivors after about 40 miles.
Their margin lengthened to about 9 minutes at the base of the first big climb of the day, the Col de la Schlucht, but they lost 3 minutes by the top. Over the next climb, the Col du Platzerwasel, Perez lost the break and Haussler and Chavanel were about 4 minutes ahead of the peloton that contained all the main contenders.
All the racers carefully picked their way down the wet switchbacks during the rainy stage, then Haussler took off at the bottom to Chavanel fend for himself. Meanwhile, Amets Txurruka (Euskatel-Euskadi) and Brice Feillu (Agritubel) had pulled away from the peloton to chase down the two leaders.
Haussler gained more time on the final climb, the Col du Firstplan, where Chavanel ran out of steam. Txurruka passed him, but never got closer than four minutes to Haussler.
Chavanel crossed the finish line about six minutes behind Haussler, but seconds ahead of the peloton.
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