Admittedly, it's taken some time. First, a dismal early run of results, then, the fallout of the Facebook scandal. But finally, Llandudno's 1st XI returned to the top spot of the North Wales Premier Division since lifting the trophy as last season's champions. Their local derby tie against Twenty20 cup winners and Welsh Cup quarter finalists Mochdre sounded as if it would be a close run thing on paper - Tudno needn't have worried. Taking the opening bat at the Oval, the hosts owed much to Kevin James (46), acting captain Aled Williams (45) and Elgan Williams (44) on the scoresheet. On the delivery front, Mochdre's Russ Boswell took out most of the lower order with a brace - Owen Jones (4), Sam Rimmington (15) and Chris Hardy (10) - while Gareth Davies was slower to considerably slower towards sending the skipper and Keegan Nagan (22) back to the clubhouse.
Boswell's 3-26 was about as good as it got for Mochdre. Set the target of 209-8 (from 58 overs), Nagan set to work bowling out Adam Campion, Joe Chaplin and Gareth Davies for ducks. Only Ross Stevens could manage two runs for the visitors while the South African all rounder was featuring. Gareth Goodson also went for a duck thanks to Sam Rimmington. Jack Rimmington bowled out the rest of the order with Owen James helping to catch Gareth Coleman (2) and Russ Boswell (duck). Phil Dickson putting in the best batting performance with 28 but no excuse for a pitiful Mochdre score of 78 all out after 34.1 overs. Certainly no excuse for Llandudno to not breathe a sigh of relief that their championship defence is back on track.

Meanwhile, Llay Welfare continue to top the First Division despite a scare by Llandudno 2nds. The hosts were 157 all out after 34 overs (John Parry claiming 80 runs with Dave Phennah on a half century) - returning bowler Ajay Dhawan leading a sensational batting collapse with Parry's departure on 130-2. Dhawan picking up five wickets for 14 off eight overs with Phil Williams on four for 42 off thirteen. Despite high hopes, quick ducks for Luke Regan and Matthew Lambe were followed by two wickets within six balls from Dave Phennah (Chris Randall and Alex Owen the victims). Ajay Dhawan held out on 36 from Phil Bray's delivery but a final score of 98 all out left Tudno with just the four points to take from what at one point was being marked as a potenital upset.

No good news for the 3rd XI in Division Five either. After being set the target from Pwllheli 2nds of 115-8 off 45 overs, Tudno were all out with a mere seven runs still needed. Worthy mention though goes to Neil Gallagher for taking five wickets for 12 and the best batting performance of the day with 39 runs. Pwllheli's Ceiri Rowlands hit 36 at the bat and claimed five wickets for 25.

The development division match between friendly sides from Tudno and Marchwiel & Wrexham was cancelled.

The other results from the North Wales Premier League:
- Bangor: 161 all out (55.1 overs), Connah's Quay: 151-6 (54 overs) - Bangor won draw 6/4
- Pontblyddyn: 124 all out (48.2 overs), Brymbo: 125-9 (59.2 overs) - Brymbo win by a wicket
- Mold: 220-6 declared (50 overs), Chirk 146 all out (44.1 overs) - Mold win by 74 runs
- Hawarden Park: 250-6 declared (50 overs), Menai Bridge: 253-8 (56.2 overs) - Menai Bridge win by two wickets
- Bethesda: 32 all out (23 overs), Llanwrst 35-1 (5.5 overs - Llanwrst win by nine wickets

Another Premiership home tie for the 1st XI next Saturday, this time against Bangor. The 2nd XI travel to Gresford in Division One and the development side welcome Buckley.

The four rugby regions of Wales have pressed ahead with their threat to take the Welsh Rugby Union to court over player release for the first November test.
A three day-hearing at the High Court has been set for 9th-11th September by the independent organisation Regional Rugby Wales, who claim they have not given the WRU permission to release their squad members ahead of the November 7th match in Cardiff against New Zealand. The match falls outside the official window of the International Rugby Board and clashes with the first round matches in the Anglo-Welsh Cup (Newport Gwent Dragons vs Sale Sharks, Neath Swansea Ospreys vs Northampton Saints, Gloucester vs Cardiff Blues, Harlequins vs Scarlets).

The objective of RRQ chief executive Stuart Gallacher is as he put it to 'finally achieve a proper outcome for Welsh rugby' and that a victory in their favour would draw up a new participation agreement - as undesirable as he feels the case is, Gallacher claims that the WRU went ahead and agreed the fixture without their backing.

For more background on the case, read our report from earlier this month: http://www.tudnofm.co.uk/blogs/sport.php/2009/07/11/welsh-rugby-union-player-row-by-gareth-j

The region's rugby clubs are currently preparing for a new look season in the SWALEC League's Northern divisions. It was back in the Spring that the North Wales Rugby Council decided that the local way of playing the national game needed a change, claiming it would make Division One more competitive.
The changes are as follows:
- Division One North is reduced from eleven to ten clubs (Bala were relegated following a special play-off match against Bro Ffestiniog in May)
- Division Two North is split into two sections - northern (Bala, Bangor, Bethesda, Rhyl, Rhosllanerchrugog and Wrexham) and southern (Dolgellau, Welshpool, Llanidloes, Machynlleth, Cobra and Newtown) over ten Saturdays from early September until early January.
- The top three sides from both sections will play each other between late January and early April to decide who gets promoted to Division One.
- At the same time, the bottom three sides from both sections effectively play against each other in a series of friendlies.
These changes have not been most welcomed by many within the clique of local rugby (to the extent that both Bro Ffestiniog and Bala agreed that their relegation/promotion decider should never have been played). But the Rugby Council is fully standing by its restructuring decision and has now released the full fixture lists. Nant Conwy start as reigning champions and just so happen to be hosting last season's runners up come opening day:

Saturday 5th September 2009
DIVISION ONE NORTH
Nant Conwy vs Ruthin
Caernarfon vs Colwyn Bay
Mold vs Llangefni
Llandudno vs Denbigh
Pwllheli vs Bro Ffestiniog
DIVISION TWO (NORTH)
Bala vs Bangor
Bethesda vs Rhyl
Rhosllanerchrugog vs Wrexham
DIVISION TWO (SOUTH)
Dolgellau vs Welshpool
Llanidloes vs Machynlleth
Cobra vs Newtown

Saturday 12th September 2009
DIVISION ONE NORTH
Denbigh vs Mold
Llangefni vs Pwllheli
Bro Ffestiniog vs Caernarfon
Ruthin vs Llandudno
Colwyn Bay vs Nant Conwy
DIVISION TWO (NORTH)
Bangor vs Wrexham
Rhyl vs Rhosllanerchrugog
Bala vs Bethesda
DIVISION TWO (SOUTH)
Welshpool vs Newtown
Machynlleth vs Cobra
Dolgellau vs Llanidloes

Saturday 19th September 2009
DIVISION ONE NORTH
Llandudno vs Colwyn Bay
Mold vs Ruthin
Denbigh vs Llangefni
Nant Conwy vs Bro Ffestiniog
Caernarfon vs Pwllheli
DIVISION TWO (NORTH)
Bethesda vs Bangor
Rhosllanerchrugog vs Bala
Wrexham vs Rhyl
DIVISION TWO (SOUTH)
Llanidloes vs Welshpool
Cobra vs Dolgellau
Newtown vs Machynleth

Saturday 26th September 2009
DIVISION ONE NORTH
Llangefni vs Caernarfon
Pwllheli vs Nant Conwy
Bro Ffestiniog vs Llandudno
Colwyn Bay vs Mold
Ruthin vs Denbigh
DIVISION TWO (NORTH)
Rhyl vs Bangor
Wrexham vs Bala
Rhosllanerchrugog vs Bethesda
DIVISION TWO (SOUTH)
Machynlleth vs Welshpool
Newtown vs Dolgellau
Cobra vs Llanidloes

Saturday 3rd October 2009
DIVISION ONE NORTH
Denbigh vs Colwyn Bay
Mold vs Bro Ffestiniog
Llandudno vs Pwllheli
Nant Conwy vs Caernarfon
Ruthin vs Llangefni
DIVISION TWO (NORTH)
Bangor vs Rhosllanerchrugog
Bethesda vs Wrexham
Bala vs Rhyl
DIVISION TWO (SOUTH)
Welshpool vs Cobra
Llanidloes vs Newtown
Dolgellau vs Machynlleth

Saturday 10th October 2009
DIVISION ONE NORTH
Pwllheli vs Mold
Bro Ffestiniog vs Denbigh
Colwyn Bay vs Ruthin
Llangefni vs Nant Conwy
Caernarfon vs Llandudno

Saturday 17th October 2009
DIVISION ONE NORTH
Mold vs Caernarfon
Llandudno vs Nant Conwy
Colwyn Bay vs Llangefni
Ruthin vs Bro Ffestiniog
Denbigh vs Pwllheli
DIVISION TWO (NORTH)
Bangor vs Bala
Rhyl vs Bethesda
Wrehxam vs Rhosllanerchrugog
DIVISION TWO (SOUTH)
Welshpool vs Dolgellau
Machynlleth vs Llanidloes
Newtown vs Cobra

Saturday 24th October 2009
DIVISION ONE NORTH
Pwllheli vs Ruthin
Llangefni vs Llandudno
Nant Conwy vs Mold
Caernarfon vs Denbigh
Bro Ffestiniog vs Colwyn Bay
DIVISION TWO (NORTH)
Wrexham vs Bangor
Rhosllanerchrugog vs Rhyl
Bethesda vs Bala
DIVISION TWO (SOUTH)
Newtown vs Welshpool
Cobra vs Machynlleth
Llanidloes vs Dolgellau

Saturday 5th December 2009
DIVISION ONE NORTH
Bro Ffestiniog vs Llangefni
Denbigh vs Nant Conwy
Ruthin vs Caernarfon
Colwyn Bay vs Pwllheli
Mold vs Llandudno
DIVISION TWO (NORTH)
Bangor vs Bethesda
Bala vs Rhosllanerchrugog
Rhyl vs Wrexham
DIVISION TWO (SOUTH)
Welshpool vs Llanidloes
Dolgellau vs Cobra
Machynlleth vs Newtown

Saturday 19th December 2009
DIVISION TWO (NORTH)
Bangor vs Rhyl
Bala vs Wrexham
Bethesda vs Rhosllanerchrugog
DIVISION TWO (SOUTH)
Welshpool vs Machynlleth
Dolgellau vs Newtown
Llanidloes vs Cobra

Saturday 9th January 2010
DIVISION ONE NORTH
Ruthin vs Nant Conwy
Colwyn Bay vs Caernarfon
Llangefni vs Mold
Denbigh vs Llandudno
Bro Ffestiniog vs Pwllheli
DIVISION TWO (NORTH)
Rhosllanerchrugog vs Bangor
Wrexham vs Bethesda
Rhyl vs Bala
DIVISION TWO (SOUTH)
Cobra vs Welshpool
Newtown vs Llanidloes
Machynlleth vs Dolgellau

Saturday 23rd January 2010
DIVISION ONE NORTH
Mold vs Denbigh
Pwllheli vs Llangefni
Caernarfon vs Bro Ffestiniog
Llandudno vs Ruthin
Nant Conwy vs Colwyn Bay

Saturday 30th January 2010
DIVISION ONE NORTH
Colwyn Bay vs Llandudno
Ruthin vs Mold
Llangefni vs Denbigh
Bro Ffestiniog vs Nant Conwy
Pwllheli vs Caernarfon

Saturday 20th February 2010
DIVISION ONE NORTH
Caernarfon vs Llangefni
Nant Conwy vs Pwllheli
Llandudno vs Bro Ffestiniog
Mold vs Colwyn Bay
Denbigh vs Ruthin

Saturday 6th March 2010
DIVISION ONE NORTH
Colwyn Bay vs Denbigh
Bro Ffestiniog vs Mold
Pwllheli vs Llandudno
Caernarfon vs Nant Conwy
Llangefni vs Ruthin

Saturday 27th March 2010
DIVISION ONE NORTH
Mold vs Pwllheli
Denbigh vs Bro Ffestiniog
Ruthin vs Colwyn Bay
Nant Conwy vs Llangefni
Llandudno vs Caernarfon

Saturday 3rd April 2010
DIVISION ONE NORTH
Caernarfon vs Mold
Nant Conwy vs Llandudno
Llangefni vs Colwyn Bay
Bro Ffestiniog vs Ruthin
Pwllheli vs Denbigh

Saturday 10th April 2010
DIVISION ONE NORTH
Ruthin vs Pwllheli
Llandudno vs Llangefni
Mold vs Nant Conwy
Denbigh vs Caernarfon
Colwyn Bay vs Bro Ffestiniog

Saturday 24th April 2010
DIVISION ONE NORTH
Llangefni vs Bro Ffestiniog
Nant Conwy vs Denbigh
Caernarfon vs Ruthin
Pwllheli vs Colwyn Bay
Llandudno vs Mold

N.B. The top and bottom sections of Division Two are split over six Saturdays between 23rd January 2010 and 3rd April 2010. Fixture dates subject to change.
Elsewhere around the country, the SWALEC League expands by a further 16 district clubs to create four new regional Division 6 leagues involving ten teams (East, West, Central and South East).
To download full fixture lists of all the SWALEC divisions across Wales, visit: http://www.wru.co.uk/18415.php

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/8169503.stm

1654: 2009 TOUR DE FRANCE JERSEY WINNERS:

Yellow jersey: Alberto Contador (Spa/Astana)
Green jersey: Thor Hushovd (Nor/Cervelo)
Polka dot jersey: Franco Pellizotti (Ita/Liquigas)
White jersey: Andy Schleck (Lux/Saxo Bank)

Mark Cavendish
1652: MARK CAVENDISH AFTER HIS SIXTH STAGE WIN OF THE 2009 TOUR AND 10TH IN TOTAL:
"It was amazing. I had to win, I said all along that I wanted to win on the Champs Elysees and the feeling does not disappoint. Every single sprinter in the world dreams of crossing the line here with their hands in the air - I wanted it so bad. George went and just smoked everybody, then Mark went and I came past him."

1647: FINAL STANDINGS IN 2009 TOUR DE FRANCE:

1. Alberto Contador (Spa/Astana) 85 hrs 48 mins 35 seconds
2. Andy Schleck (Lux/Saxo Bank) + 4 mins 11 secs
3. Lance Armstrong (USA/Astana) + 5 min 24 secs
4. Bradley Wiggins (GB/Garmin) + 6 min 01 secs
5. Frank Schleck (Lux/Saxo Bank) + 6 mins 04 secs
6. Andreas Kloden (Ger/Astana) + 6 mins 42 secs

Manchester City have agreed personal terms with Arsenal defender Kolo Toure in a deal worth £15m, while the Eastlands club also expect to sign Chelsea captain John Terry and Everton defender Joleon Lescott by the end of August.
Full story: Sunday Times

City's deal for Terry is edging closer with a £35m fee likely for the England captain.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

However, such a move would actually seem unlikely with Terry ready to commit to a new £150,000-a-week deal which would mean he will end his career with Chelsea. (Sunday Express)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is planning a £7m bid for Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou, 23, whose contract at Stamford Bridge runs out at the end of the season.
Full story: News of the World

And the Arsenal boss is planning to make a £15m move for Real Madrid striker - and Tottenham target - Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and a £10m bid for Wigan midfielder Lee Cattermole (Sunday Express)

Wenger is also leading the race to sign Brazilian 'wonderkid' Wellington, 17.
Full story: News of the World

LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham will turn his back on a return to the Premier League and rejoin AC Milan on loan in December.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

West Ham will demand £15m for centre-back Matthew Upson, who is being chased by Tottenham, but if Manchester City fail to buy John Terry City boss Mark Hughes will make a move for Upson. (News of the World)

Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch will complete a £10m move to Tottenham on Monday.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp will fly out to Amsterdam to thrash out personal terms with Real Madrid striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, 25, after agreeing an £18m deal with the Spanish side.
Full story: News of the World

Spurs also lead the chase for Leeds United midfielder Fabien Delph - the highly-rated 19-year-old would cost £6m. (Sunday Times)

Aston Villa look likely to land Totteham midfielder Jermaine Jenas, 26, and Villa boss Martin O'Neill will sell Nigel Reo-Coker and Craig Gardner to make room for the England international.
Full story: News of the World

Another player who could be leaving Spurs is Scottish right-back Alan Hutton, who is a £7m target for Everton.
Full story: News of the World

And yet more talk of an exit from White Hart Lane for Spurs striker Darren Bent with Sunderland making a club-record £15m bid for the 25-year-old.
Full story: News of the World

Stoke, Fulham and Hull are battling to sign West Ham's injury-plagued striker Dean Ashton for £5m. (Sunday Express)

Meanwhile, a move for West Ham midfielder Julien Faubert is being considered by Bayer Leverkusen.
Full story: News of the World

Hull boss Phil Brown wants to sign Newcastle defender Habib Beye, 31, for £2.5m.
Full story: News of the World

Porstmouth boss Paul Hart wants to bring Nottingham Forest defenders Wes Morgan and James Perch to Fratton Park. Hart has already had a £1.5m bid for Perch turned down.
Full story: News of the World

Stage 20 result:
1. Juan Manuel Garate (Spa/Rabobank) 4hrs 39mins 21secs
2. Tony Martin (Ger/Columbia ) + 3secs
3. Andy Schleck (Lux/Saxo Bank ) + 38
4. Alberto Contador (Spa/Astana) "
5. Lance Armstrong (US/Astana) + 41
6. Frank Schleck (Lux/Saxo Bank) + 43
7. Roman Kreuziger (Czech Rep/Liquigas) + 46
8. Franco Pellizotti (Italy/Liquigas) + 56
9. Vincenzo Nibali (Italy/Liquigas) + 58
10. Bradley Wiggins (GB/Garmin) + 1min 03secs

Selected others:
63. Charles Weglius (GB/Silence-Lotto) + 8mins 05sec
104. Mark Cavendish (GB/Columbia) + 25mins 42secs
155. David Millar (GB/Garmin) + 26mins 01secs

Overall standings:
1. Alberto Contador (Spa/Astana) 81hrs 46mins 17secs
2. Andy Schleck (Lux/Saxo Bank) + 4mins 11secs
3. Lance Armstrong (US/Astana) + 5mins 24secs
4. Bradley Wiggins (GB/Garmin) + 6mins 01secs
5. Frank Schleck (Lux/Saxo Bank) + 6mins 04secs
6. Andreas Kloeden (Ger/Astana) + 6mins 42secs

Selected others:
17. Carlos Sastre (Spain/Cervelo) + 26mins 21secs
59. Charlie Wegelius (GB/Silence-Lotto) + 1hr 29mins 07secs
85. David Millar (GB/Garmin) + 2hr 14mins 34secs
131. Mark Cavendish (GB/Columbia) + 3hrs 21mins 54secs

Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor wants former Arsenal team-mate Kolo Toure to join him at Eastlands in order to strengthen City's defence. Full story: The Independent

Another Arsenal defender, Emmanuel Eboue, is a £9m target for Fiorentina and several Spanish clubs. (Daily Express)

Liverpool's Spanish defender Alvaro Arbeloa, 26, is expected to join Real Madrid next week in a £4.5m move. Full story: The Sun

Meanwhile, Liverpool are in talks with Napoli to offload Italian defender Andrea Dossena. Full story: Daily Mirror

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp still wants to sign Real Madrid striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, however, the Dutchman will have to drop his £90,000 a week pay demands. Full story: Daily Mail

Tottenham have made a £6m bid for Newcastle's French defender Sebastien Bassong. (Daily Express)

Everton boss David Moyes is considering a move for Hull defender Michael Turner. Full story: Daily Mail
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has said forward Ashley Young is "not going anywhere" amid reports linking the 24-year-old with moves to Liverpool and Tottenham. Full story: The Sun

However, Aston Villa defender Zat knight is set to complete a £4m move to Bolton. Full story: Daily Mirror

Portsmouth boss Paul Hart is on the verge of completing a double signing with Espanyol defender Steve Finnan joining for free while Hajduk Split striker Nikola Kalinic, 21, could sign for £6m. Full story: The Sun

Hull are interested in defender Sol Campbell but Portsmouth want £2m for the 34-year-old. (The Sun)

And Hull boss Phil Brown wants Cardiff striker Ross McCormack, 22, for £2m.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Fulham will enter the race for Swedish midfielder Rasmus Elm, but the £3m-rated 21-year-old is also attracting interest from Everton. Full story: Daily Mirror

Bristol City want to sign USA striker Kenny Cooper from FC Dallas for £2m. (The Sun)

Ipswich boss Roy Keane has handed trials to AC Milan teenagers Alessandro Marazzi and Alessio Maneti.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Meanwhile, Ipswich striker Pablo Counago is in talks with Swansea over a £300,000 move. (Daily Star)

Doncaster have offered a trial to former Manchester United midfielder Quinton Fortune. (Daily Star)

Manchester City will offer Chelsea captain John Terry £1m a month in wages in a final bid to land the defender.
Full story: Daily Mail

But Terry will snub a move to Eastlands and sign a new contract to stay at Stamford Bridge.
Full story: The Sun

Manchester City could add yet more fire power to their squad and are lining up an £18m swoop for Aston Villa winger Ashley Young. (Daily Express)

AC Milan are poised to make a £10m bid for Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner. (Daily Express)

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is set to battle it out with Aston Villa for the signing of Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin. (Daily Mirror)

But Villa are preparing to improve their offer for the 31-year-old to £3m.
Full story: Daily Mail

Barcelona forward Eidur Gudjohnsen is thinking over a move to West Ham. (Daily Mirror)

West Ham winger Julien Faubert is wanted by German side Schalke 04. (Daily Mirror)

Portsmouth have made a £2m offer for Hull defender Sam Ricketts. (Daily Mirror)

Pompey manager Paul Hart is lining up a bid for Reading winger Stephen Hunt.
Full story: The Sun

Turkish side Galatasaray are set to launch a bid to sign Chelsea midfielder Deco. (The Times)

Everton are keen on Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Hull boss Phil Brown is lining up a £7m double swoop for Cardiff City midfielder Joe Ledley and striker Ross McCormack. (Daily Mirror)

Brown will also look to sign Ecuadorian winger Fernando Guerrero from Independiente Della Valle. (Daily Mirror)

Preston are in talks with midfielder Didi Hamann after he was recently released by Manchester City. (Daily Mirror)

Striker Darius Vassell is set to secure a move to Turkish side Ankaragucu after also being released by Manchester City.
Full story: The Sun

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is keen on signing Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh and is a lining up a £10m bid.
Full story: The Sun

The Black Cats are also interested in Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker. (Daily Telegraph)

Stoke City are poised to sign Sunderland midfielder Dean Whitehead in a £2.5m move.
Full story: The Sun

Stage 17 result:

1. Frank Schleck (Luxembourg / Saxo Bank ) 4 hours 53 minutes 54 seconds
2. Alberto Contador (Spain / Astana ) " 3. Andy Schleck (Luxembourg / Saxo Bank ) "
4. Vincenzo Nibali (Italy / Liquigas ) + 2 mins 18 secs
5. Lance Armstrong (U.S. / Astana ) "
6. Andreas Kloeden (Germany / Astana ) + 2 mins 27 secs
7. Bradley Wiggins (Britain / Garmin ) + 3 mins 07 secs
8. Christophe Moreau (France / Agritubel ) + 4 mins 09 secs
9. Christian Vande Velde (U.S. / Garmin ) "
10. Remi Pauriol (France / Cofidis ) + 6 mins 10 secs

Selected others:

25. Carlos Sastre (Spa/Cervelo) + 7 mins 47 secs
89. Charlie Wegelius (GB/Silence-Lotto) + 29 mins 43 secs
105. David Millar (GB/Garmin) "
116. Mark Cavendish (GB/Columbia) + 35 mins 47 secs

Overall standings:
1. Alberto Contador (Spain / Astana ) 72 hours 27 minutes 09 seconds
2. Andy Schleck (Luxembourg / Saxo Bank ) + 2 mins 26 secs 3. Frank Schleck (Luxembourg / Saxo Bank ) + 3 mins 25 secs
4. Lance Armstrong (U.S. / Astana ) + 3 mins 55 secs
5. Andreas Kloeden (Germany / Astana ) + 4 mins 44 secs

Selected others:
6. Bradley Wiggins (GB/ Garmin ) + 4 mins 53 secs
13. Carlos Sastre (Spa/Cervelo) + 11 mins 39 secs
60. Charlie Wegelius (GB/Silence-Lotto) + 1 hr 14 mins 25 secs
75. David Millar (GB/Garmin) + 1 hr 29 mins 57 secs
141. Mark Cavendish (GB/Columbia) + 2hrs 51 mins 25 seconds