Hushovd wins Tour de France Stage 16

Thor Hushovd of Garmin-Cervelo outsprinted Norwegian compatriot Edvald Boasson Hagen to win the 16th stage of the Tour de France, a 162.5 km ride from Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux, yesterday.

u00a0Meanwhile, defending champion Alberto Contador fired a warning shot by partially closing his deficit to key rivals for the yellow jersey.

Frenchman Thomas Voeckler retained the race leader's yellow jersey, but the Europcar rider, like the Schleck brothers Andy and Frank, lost time to both Contador and Australian Cadel Evans in a thrilling finale.

Labelled a 'transition' stage before three consecutive days of climbing in the Alps, Contador seized the day on the 9km climb to the Col de Manse outside Gap, whose summit was 11 km from the finish.