There is no story, the Tour belongs to Vincenzo Nibali. The Sicilian from Astana is two categories superior to his rivals and on the Hautacam he staged yet another show of this Tour to go on to win the 18th stage, the last in the mountains, the last in the Pyrenees, the last with the finish uphill. On one of the most prestigious climbs, those of the Hautacam: a display of strength that leads him to conquer, practically without breaking a sweat, the fourth success of the stage.
Now only two quiet stages on the line and the insidious time trial on Saturday separate the Shark from the triumph in Paris: the hat-trick of grand tours is on the way for him, after the Vuelta in 2010 and the Giro d'Italia last year. Here is the general ranking: 1. Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) in 80h45'45”; 2. Pinot (Fra) at 7'10”; 3. Peraud (Fra) at 7'23”; 4. Valverde (Spa) at 7'25”; 5. Bardet (Fra) at 9'27”; 6. Van Garderen (USA) at 11'34”; 7. Mollema (Ola) at 13'56” 8. Ten Dam (Ola) at 14'15”; 9. Konig (R.Cec.) at 14'37” 10. Zubeldia (Spa) at 16'25”.
