Team Sky battled bravely for white jersey

Jul 22nd, 11. Rigoberto Uran lost the white Best Young Rider jersey today but he limited his time gap after great support from his Team Sky teammates.

Three Hors Category climbs in one day is hard enough to face for any rider, any day, but Uran knew he would struggle more than most today - he had a chest infection. 

After their leader Bradley Wiggins crashed out of the Tour the day after the team's first stage win, Team Sky set new objectives. As well as continuing to search for stage win opportunities, Uran was now their GC and Young Rider hope.

After yesterday's first day in the Alps, the 24 year old Colombian was 10th overall and had a 59sec lead in the Best Young Rider Classification.

Today, he fell off the back of the peloton on the second Hors Category climb but, with the help of Geraint Thomas and other teammates, he managed to reconnect - then he crashed halfway down the descent.

"We were all protecting him, leading onto the Galibier and then myself and Xabi (Zandio) paced him up that final climb. I had to wait for him a few times but it was a matter of trying to get him to the top as quickly as possible and limiting the damage from his rivals for the white jersey," explained Thomas.

Uran finished the stage +7m31s behind today's victor Andy Schleck and 4m09s behind young rival Rein Taaramae (Cofidis). In the fight for the white jersey, Taaramae now has a 33sec lead on Thomas Voeckler's right hand man Pierre Rolland (Europcar). Uran is 3rd +3m10s.

Understandably, Uran was disappointed to have lost the jersey, especially after the team worked so hard for him.

"On the bus on the way home he was tired and gutted but he has to remember he's still in a great position – 15th on GC – and he's only 3min off the white jersey so it's all still to play for. If he gets a good feed and sleep tonight hopefully he'll be OK again tomorrow and anything can happen," said Thomas, who Sports Director Sean Yates called Best Teammate of the Day.

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