Tour de France 2007 programmed a mountain climb on Sunday, but the tough stage didn’t set back Michael Rasmussen, who clinched the yellow jersey and climbed all the way to the race’s top.

He managed to shake his younger opponents, riding only with the wind for most of the three climbs between Le Grand-Bernard and Tignes. This is his third stage victory, claiming the yellow jersey from rookie Linus Gerdemann and leading the overall standings.

The Rabobank rider made it look so easy, cruising with an average speed of 34.18 kph on a distance of 165 kilometers that included strenuous climbs and two sprints. After 4 hours 49 minutes 40 seconds, the Dane was smiling in Tignes, looking down on Spaniard Iban Mayo (2’ 47” behind), the podium being completed by Alejandro Valverde, who trailed 3’12” behind.

Aside from Gerdemann passing the yellow jersey, Sunday’s stage was a disaster for the German team T-Mobile. Australian Michael Rogers suffered a terrible crash that forced him to abandon, while his British team mate Mark Cavendish also gave up due to fatigue. The last hope for T-Mobile, Marc Burghardt called it quits and joined his colleagues on the sideline. 

Stuart O'Grady of the Danish Team CSC added to the injury list, heading for the hospital after a crash, while the Cofidis rider Ivan Parra also withdrew from the back-breaking eight stage of the Tour.

The riders take a day off on Monday to prepare for three withering climbs in the Alps on Tuesday, including the highest point Col du Galibier (2,645 meters).