Weather: Much warmer, highs in upper 80s in lower valleys, cooler on summits, almost no clouds, moderate tailwinds on both sides of the Pyrénées

Stage winner: Michael Rasmussen (Rabobank) imposed his will on the peloton on more time. His Rabobank team rode expertly to keep a short leash on a five-man breakaway featuring podium challenger Carlos Sastre (CSC), who was reeled in with 10km to go. Rasmussen calmly countered one-two punches from Discovery Channel’s Levi Leipheimer and Alberto Contador with his own lethal attack with under 1km to go. The victory is his second of this Tour and the fourth of his career. Leipheimer matched his Tour-best with second in the stage.

Race leader: Rasmussen widened his lead to Contador to 3:10 and to 5:03 to Cadel Evans (Predictor-Lotto) to all but secure overall victory when the Tour wraps up Sunday in Paris. Contador didn’t have the legs to put Rasmussen under pressure despite attacking with 7km to go. With the 20-second time bonus, Rasmussen will carry a solid lead into Saturday’s decisive time trial.

Green jersey: No major shakeups as Tom Boonen (QuickStep-Innergetic) retained his 195-175 lead to Robbie Hunter (Barloworld) after the day’s breakaway and GC riders scooped up all the points in play.

King of the Mountains: Juan Mauricio Soler (Barloworld) climbed into the King of the Mountains jersey after trailing the attacking Sastre on the day’s first of five climbs on the HC Port de Larrau. Soler moved into the lead with 206 points to Rasmussen’s 196. Soler has been wearing the polka-dot jersey for several days after slotting into second behind Rasmussen, who also wore the yellow jersey. Because Rasmussen was in the maillot jaune, Soler was wearing the polka-dot jersey in the race. On Thursday, Soler will ride in the jersey that’s now truly his. Soler was also awarded with a two-year contract extension from his Barloworld team.

Best Young Rider: Contador widened his grip on the white jersey to Soler to 13:31.

Best team: Discovery Channel slotted into first after the withdrawal of Astana, with Caisse d’Epargne a distant second at 16:48 back. FDJeux sits last in the team classification at 6h42:27 back.

Lanterne Rouge: Wim Vansevenant (Predictor-Lotto) survived Wednesday’s painfest to keep his grip on last place at 3h47:07 back.

Most aggressive rider: Juan Mauricio Soler (Barloworld) won the day’s prize, with an eight-member panel ruling that Soler “is the inheritor of the strong character of his compatriots, ‘Lucho’ Herrera and Fabio Parra, and all the talents of the climbers. He’s been chasing Rasmussen since his victory in Briancon. Now he’s 10 points ahead – mission accomplished.”

Top American: Levi Leipheimer (Discovery Channel) finished second at 26 seconds behind Rasmussen to match his career-best second from last year in the Spanish Pyrénées behind Denis Menchov at Pla de Beret. Leipheimer remained fourth overall at 5:59 back.

The peloton: All nine members of the Astana team withdrew following the positive doping test of Alexandre Vinokourov. Matthieu Sprick (Bouygues Telecom) was the lone abandon. The peloton now numbers 150 riders. Cristian Moreni (Cofidis), who tested positive for testosterone in a post-stage control in stage 12, will not start Thursday’s stage

Medical report:Horner (Predictor-Lotto), Quinziato (Liquigas), Tosatto (QuickStep-Innergetic) all digestive problems.Barredo (QuickStep-Innergetic) contusion on left knee.Sprick (Bouygues) abandon for abdominal pains.Ballan (Lampre) crash at 134, superficial cuts and scrapes.Voigt (CSC) crash at 137km, superficial cuts.

Jury decisions:Arrieta (Ag2r) and Camano (Saunier Duval-Prodir), fined 50 CHF, penalized five points and 10 seconds in GC for pushing off vehicles.Flecha (Rabobank), Kohl (Gerolsteiner), Tankink (QuickStep), fined 50 CHF, penalized five points and 10 seconds in GC for bidon pulls.Niermann and Weening (both Rabobank), fined 100 CHF, penalized 20 seconds in GC (two infractions each) for following too long behind vehicles.Rabobank sport director fined 400 CHF for above infractions.Arrieta (Ag2r), Zubeldia (Euskaltel) and Fofonov (Credit Agricole), fined 50 CHF for irregular feeds.Ag2r, Euskaltel and Credit Agricole directors each fined 200 CHF for above infractions.Cofidis sport director fined 200 CHF for not respecting commissaire.After receiving news about failed doping control taken after 11th stage into Montepellier, Moreni (Cofidis) accepts the results without request for “B” sample.

Blood screenings: Some 14 riders from Cofidis and Ag2r were screened before Wednesday’s start. No riders were deemed unfit. So far during the 2007 Tour, some 225 blood screenings have been conducted. None have revealed hematocrit levels higher than the 50 percent “speed limit.”

Tomorrow’s stage: The 94th Tour continues Thursday with the 188.5km 17th stage from Pau to Castelsarrasin. The rolling route features six relatively minor climbs as it rolls into armagnac country. The final Cat. 4 comes 19km from the finish.