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Tour de France 2009 Stage 13 Results

Heinrich Haussler flew through the 13th stage of the Tour de France to victory in Colmar. Crossing the finish line, he confirmed his seven minute advance on the group of rain refreshed favorites.

As early as the third kilometer, the German cyclist progressively drowned his six breakaway companions for a lone finish after a 124 mile earphoned race.

"This is a big day for me. Despite the bad weather I felt in complete control of all my forces," commented the Cervélo rider. Yesterday the pack trudged through near triple digit temperatures. Today, the mercury dropped to around 50°F as rain drenched the road from Vittel to Colmar.

"In the last kilometer, I didn't believe it when I realized that I was going to be the one to win," added 25 year old Haussler, who sailed across the finish line with tears in his eyes.

Neverminding the four mountain passes within a 60-mile stretch, Rinaldo Nocentini managed to keep his yellow jersey and his few seconds lead on two other Tour de France favorites—six on Alberto Cantador and 8 on Lance Armstrong. The Tour departs from Colmar tomorrow.