Voeckler wins Stage 16 of Tour de France

Cadel Evans admitted his hopes of defending his 2011 Tour de France crown were now over following a crippling performance on the race's 16th stage yesterday

Evans, Australia’s first yellow jersey champion last year, began the penultimate mountain stage in fourth overall at 3min 19sec behind Britain’s Bradley Wiggins.

At the end of the 197 km stage from Pau to Bagneres-de-Luchon, which took in four major climbs, the BMC team leader added nearly eight minutes to his deficit.

He is now seventh overall at 8:06 behind Wiggins. He took another step towards securing his maiden Tour de France crown after a stage won in stylish fashion by Frenchman Thomas Voeckler.

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