Rodriguez wins, Froome in yellow

Plateau de Beille - Chris Froome controlled a series of tentative attacks from his rivals as Joaquim Rodriguez won his second stage of this year's Tour de France on Thursday.

Rodriguez, 36, was part of an original 22-man breakaway that gradually split up over the 195km trek from Lannemezan to Plateau de Beille in changing weather that ranged from 38 degree Celsius heat to 12 degrees with thunder, lightning and hail.

The Spaniard had already won the third stage finish on the Mur de Huy and also had a stage victory back in 2010, but he wants more.

"It will be more difficult than today to get in the right breakaway on the stage to Mende (on Saturday) for example, but I'll try throughout the third week in the Alps to get a third victory," said the Katusha team leader.

Denmark's Jakob Fuglsang was second at 1:12s with Frenchman Romain Bardet third at 1:49, the pair dropped by Rodriguez on the final 15.8km hors category climb to the finish.

Froome came home in 10th at 6:47 amongst his principle rivals, including Nairo Quintana, two-time former winner Alberto Contador and reigning champion Vincenzo Nibali.

"It really was a team effort today, it was about strength in numbers," said Froome.

"Throughout the day the team's been riding from the very beginning and to have someone like Geraint Thomas bring me all the way to the line was a dream scenario.

"I've got to thank the team for the work they've done.

"It's been a great start for us, gaining time on the first Pyrenean stage and then today just controlling it a bit more.

"Hopefully it means we'll have saved a bit of energy for the Alps."

Having suffered terribly over the previous two days in the Pyrenees, Italian Nibali had been a shadow of the figure that stormed to victory a year ago, but he was back to his normal self in coming 16th in the same time as Froome.

He was also one of several Froome rivals to attack the 30-year-old Briton as Contador, Quintana and Alejandro Valverde all tried to make the Sky train crack.

But Kenyan-born Froome was expertly marshalled by first Richie Porte and then Geraint Thomas in chasing down those digs, although when Quintana tried, it was Froome himself who took no risks and set off after the diminutive Colombian.

It left Tejay Van Garderen, safely home in 13th, second at 2:52 overall with Quintana third at 3:09.

Contador remained sixth at 4:04 while Nibali moved up from 11th to ninth at 7:47.

Earlier in the day, the 22-man breakaway group built a maximum 13-minute lead.

On the penultimate first category Port de Lers climb, world champion Michal Kwiatkowski and Sep Vanmarcke broke clear but a seven-man group followed, with Mikael Cherel leading the chase for AG2R team-mate Bardet.

Whilst the riders enjoyed bright sunshine, the finish line was being pelted by hail and a massive storm.

Kwiatkowski went alone with just under 14km left as Vanmarcke, a cobbled classics specialist, cracked on the steepest lower slopes of the Plateau.

Rodriguez, Fuglsang and Bardet broke away from the chasers and the Spaniard caught Kwiatkowski with 7.5km left, having already dropped first Bardet and then Fuglsang.

But further down the mountain, Froome's rivals were trying their luck.

Contador was first to have a go, followed by Nibali and then Valverde but Porte chased down all three.

Quintana was next to try and with Porte dropped, Thomas gave chase before Froome himself put in a dig, only for the Colombian to hunt him down.

Valverde tried a second time, but Thomas reeled him in before Quintana dug in again.

Froome, though, with Contador on his wheel, pulled back the 25-year-old Movistar leader and with 2km to go, the sparring was over and the Briton another step closer to winning his second Tour.

Standings from the 12th stage of Tour de France a 195km ride from Lannemezan to Plateau de Beille on Thursday:

1. Joaquim Rodriguez (ESP/KAT) 5h40min 14sec
(average: 34,4 km/h)
2. Jakob Diemer Fuglsang (DEN/AST) at 1:12.
3. Romain Bardet (FRA/ALM) 1:49.
4. Gorka Izagirre (ESP/MOV) 4:34.
5. Louis Meintjies (RSA/MTN) 4:38.
6. Jan Barta (CZE/BOA) 5:47.
7. Romain Sicard (FRA/EUC) 6:03.
8. Mickal Cherel (FRA/ALM) 6:28.
9. Alejandro Valverde (ESP/MOV) 6:46.
10. Chris Froome (GBR/SKY) 6:47.
11. Nairo Quintana (COL/MOV) 6:47.
12. Thibaut Pinot (FRA/FDJ) 6:47.
13. Tejay Van Garderen (USA/BMC) 6:47.
14. Alberto Contador (ESP/TIN) 6:47.
15. Pierre Rolland (FRA/EUC) 6:47.
16. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA/AST) 6:47.
17. Geraint Thomas (WAL/SKY) 6:47.
18. Robert Gesink (NED/LNL) 7:44.
19. Bauke Mollema (NED/TRE) 7:44.
20. Samuel Sanchez (ESP/BMC) 9:13.
21. Andrew Talansky (USA/CAN) 9:46.
22. Tony Gallopin (FRA/LOT) 9:46.
23. Warren Barguil (FRA/GIA) 9:46.
24. Mathias Frank (SWI/IAM) 9:46.
25. Eduardo Sepulveda (ARG/BSE) 9:46.
26. Laurens ten Dam (NED/LNL) 9:46.
27. Michal Kwiatkowski (POL/ETI) 11:35.
28. Alexis Vuillermoz (FRA/ALM) 11:47.
29. Richie Porte (AUS/SKY) 12:38.
30. Sep Vanmarcke (BEL/LNL) 12:38.
31. Ryder Hesjedal (CAN/CAN) 12:47.
32. Serge Pauwels (BEL/MTN) 13:35.
33. Jonathan Castroviejo (ESP/MOV) 15:59.
34. Jarlinson Pantano (COL/IAM) 15:59.
35. Daniel Teklehaymanot (ERI/MTN) 17:02.
36. Steve Morabito (SWI/FDJ) 17:02.
37. Tiago Machado (POR/KAT) 17:02.
38. Roman Kreuziger (CZE/TIN) 17:02.
39. Michael Rogers (AUS/TIN) 17:02.
40. Nicolas Roche (IRL/SKY) 17:02.
41. Rafal Majka (POL/TIN) 17:02.
42. Alberto Losada (ESP/KAT) 17:02.
43. Lars Ytting Bak (DEN/LOT) 17:02.
44. Simon Geschke (GER/GIA) 18:16.
45. Thomas Voeckler (FRA/EUC) 18:19.
46. Jrome Coppel (FRA/IAM) 19:38.
47. Steven Kruijswijk (NED/LNL) 19:38.
48. Luis ngel Mat (ESP/COF) 19:38.
49. Emanuel Buchmann (GER/BOA) 19:38.
50. Anthony Delaplace (FRA/BSE) 19:38.
51. Sylvain Chavanel (FRA/IAM) 19:38.
52. Tanel Kangert (EST/AST) 20:07.
53. Haimar Zubeldia (ESP/TRE) 20:47.
54. Wilco Kelderman (NED/LNL) 20:47.
55. Bob Jungels (LUX/TRE) 20:47.
56. Michael Schr (SWI/BMC) 20:47.
57. Danilo Wyss (SWI/BMC) 20:47.
58. Jan Bakelants (BEL/ALM) 20:47.
59. Frdric Brun (FRA/BSE) 20:47.
60. Kristijan Durasek (CRO/LAM) 20:47.
61. Bram Tankink (NED/LNL) 20:47.
62. Peter Kennaugh (IDM/SKY) 20:47.
63. Daniel Navarro (ESP/COF) 21:46.
64. Winner Anacona (COL/MOV) 23:06.
65. Daniel Martin (IRL/CAN) 23:09.
66. Jean Christophe Peraud (FRA/ALM) 23:16.
67. Stephen Cummings (GBR/MTN) 23:35.
68. Leopold Knig (CZE/SKY) 24:28.
69. Thomas De Gendt (BEL/LOT) 25:47.
70. Lieuwe Westra (NED/AST) 25:47.
71. Wout Poels (NED/SKY) 25:49.
72. Jeremy Roy (FRA/FDJ) 25:49.
73. Georg Preidler (AUT/GIA) 26:25.
74. Matthieu Ladagnous (FRA/FDJ) 27:25.
75. Jos Herrada (ESP/MOV) 27:32.
76. Rubn Plaza (ESP/LAM) 27:32.
77. Rohan Dennis (AUS/BMC) 27:32.
78. Damiano Caruso (ITA/BMC) 27:32.
79. Marcel Wyss (SWI/IAM) 30:24.
80. Martin Elmiger (SWI/IAM) 30:24.
81. Reto Hollenstein (SWI/IAM) 30:24.
82. Nicolas Edet (FRA/COF) 30:24.
83. John Degenkolb (GER/GIA) 33:27.
84. Koen de Kort (NED/GIA) 33:27.
85. Brice Feillu (FRA/BSE) 33:34.
86. Stef Clement (NED/IAM) 33:34.
87. Giampaolo Caruso (ITA/KAT) 33:34.
88. Matteo Tosatto (ITA/TIN) 33:34.
89. Jens Debusschere (BEL/LOT) 33:34.
90. Adam Hansen (AUS/LOT) 33:34.
91. Markel Irizar (ESP/TRE) 33:34.
92. Armindo Fonseca (FRA/BSE) 33:34.
93. Stijn Devolder (BEL/TRE) 33:34.
94. Julien Simon (FRA/COF) 33:34.
95. Roy Curvers (NED/GIA) 33:34.
96. Nlson Oliveira (POR/LAM) 33:34.
97. Benot Vaugrenard (FRA/FDJ) 33:34.
98. Florian Snchal (FRA/COF) 33:34.
99. Perrig Quemeneur (FRA/EUC) 33:34.
100. Paul Martens (GER/LNL) 33:34.
101. Pierrick Fedrigo (FRA/BSE) 33:34.
102. Merhawi Kudus (ERI/MTN) 33:34.
103. Gregory Rast (SWI/TRE) 33:34.
104. Florian Vachon (FRA/BSE) 33:34.
105. Arnaud Gerard (FRA/BSE) 33:34.
106. Alexandre Geniez (FRA/FDJ) 33:34.
107. Andriy Grivko (UKR/AST) 33:34.
108. Imanol Erviti (ESP/MOV) 33:34.
109. Adriano Malori (ITA/MOV) 33:34.
110. Adam Yates (ENG/ORI) 33:34.
111. Michal Golas (POL/ETI) 33:34.
112. Manuel Quinziato (ITA/BMC) 33:34.
113. Jos van Emden (NED/LNL) 33:34.
114. Kristjan Koren (SLO/CAN) 33:34.
115. Julien Vermote (BEL/ETI) 33:34.
116. Pierre-Luc Perichon (FRA/BSE) 33:34.
117. Zdenek Stybar (CZE/ETI) 33:34.
118. Greg Van Avermaet (BEL/BMC) 33:34.
119. Rafael Valls (ESP/LAM) 33:34.
120. Jos Mendes (POR/BOA) 33:34.
121. Matteo Bono (ITA/LAM) 33:34.
122. Peter Sagan (SVK/TIN) 33:34.
123. Michele Scarponi (ITA/AST) 33:34.
124. Cyril Gautier (FRA/EUC) 33:34.
125. Andr Greipel (GER/LOT) 33:34.
126. Yohann Gene (FRA/EUC) 33:34.
127. Bartosz Huzarski (POL/BOA) 33:34.
128. Paul Voss (GER/BOA) 33:34.
129. Daniel Oss (ITA/BMC) 33:34.
130. Dmitriy Gruzdev (KAZ/AST) 33:34.
131. Pieter Weening (NED/ORI) 33:34.
132. Albert Timmer (NED/GIA) 33:34.
133. Laurent Didier (LUX/TRE) 33:34.
134. Tim Wellens (BEL/LOT) 33:34.
135. Angelo Tulik (FRA/EUC) 34:47.
136. Bryan Coquard (FRA/EUC) 34:47.
137. Tylan van Baarle (NED/CAN) 36:54.
138. Ramon Sinkeldam (NED/GIA) 36:54.
139. Geoffrey Soupe (FRA/COF) 36:54.
140. Matthias Brandle (AUT/IAM) 36:54.
141. Marcel Sieberg (GER/LOT) 36:54.
142. Julian Arredondo (COL/TRE) 36:54.
143. Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg (RSA/MTN) 36:54.
144. Tyler Farrar (USA/MTN) 36:54.
145. Nathan Haas (AUS/CAN) 36:54.
146. Filippo Pozzato (ITA/LAM) 36:54.
147. Michael Andersen (DEN/TIN) 36:54.
148. Sam Bennett (IRL/BOA) 36:54.
149. Jacopo Guarnieri (ITA/KAT) 36:54.
150. Christophe Laporte (FRA/COF) 36:54.
151. Christophe Riblon (FRA/ALM) 36:54.
152. Jacques Janse Van Rensburg (RSA/MTN) 36:54.
153. Jos Serpa Perez (COL/LAM) 36:54.
154. Bryan Naulleau (FRA/EUC) 36:54.
155. Sebastien Chavanel (FRA/FDJ) 36:54.
156. Alexander Kristoff (NOR/KAT) 36:54.
157. Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR/MTN) 36:54.
158. Mark Renshaw (AUS/ETI) 36:54.
159. Damien Gaudin (FRA/ALM) 36:54.
160. Simon Yates (ENG/ORI) 36:54.
161. Luke Durbridge (AUS/ORI) 36:54.
162. Rigoberto Uran (COL/ETI) 36:54.
163. Michael Matthews (AUS/ORI) 36:54.
164. Arnaud Dmare (FRA/FDJ) 36:54.
165. Matteo Trentin (ITA/ETI) 36:54.
166. Ian Stannard (ENG/SKY) 36:54.
167. Mark Cavendish (GBR/ETI) 36:54.
168. Marco Haller (AUT/KAT) 36:54.
169. Tom Leezer (NED/LNL) 36:54.
170. Sbastian Langeveld (NED/CAN) 36:54.
171. Luke Rowe (WAL/SKY) 36:54.
172. Kenneth Vanbilsen (BEL/COF) 36:54.
173. Ramunas Navardauskas (LTU/CAN) 36:54.
174. Svein Tuft (CAN/ORI) 36:54.
175. Davide Cimolai (ITA/LAM) 37:33.
. Alex Dowsett (ENG/MOV) Retired
. Zakkari Dempster (AUS/BOA) Retired