Moncoutié takes Stage 12

David Moncoutié took Stage 12 of the Tour with a brilliant breakaway.

Moncoutié found a strong break group that included both Thor Hushovd and Stuart O'Grady, Axel Mercx, Juan Manuel Garate, and Sandy Casar. Moncoutié used the 2nd Category Col du Corobin to gap that group, and then just cranked it all the way to the finish, holding about 30 seconds all the way.

It's two years in a row for France on Bastille Day, after Richard Virenque, who is presenting today's climber's jersey on the podium, took last year's July 14th stage.

For Moncoutié, this is becoming an annual deal, as he took a stage last year.

Not so lucky was Discovery Channel, which lost climbing specialist Manuel "Triki" Beltran, who injured his knee in an early-stage crash and withdrew from the race a few days in advance of the race hitting the Pyrenees.

Top 10:
1) David Moncoutie, Cofidis, 4:20:06
2) Sandy Casar, Française des Jeux, at :57
3) Angel Vicioso, Liberty Seguros, same time
4) Patrice Halgand, Credit Agricole, s.t.
5) Jose Luis Arrieta, Illes Balears, s.t.
6) Franco Pellizotti, Liquigas-Bianchi, s.t.
7) Axel Merckx, Davitamon-Lotto, s.t.
8) Juan Manuel Garate, Saunier Duval-Prodir, s.t.
9) Thor Hushovd, Credit Agricole, at 3:15
10) Stuart O’Grady, Cofidis, at 3:15

Hushovd pulls on the green jersey, becoming the first Norwegian to wear it.

All the overall contenders, including white jersey Alejandro Valverde, polka-dot jersey Michael Rasmussen, and yellow jersey Lance Armstrong, finished in a bunch 10:33 behind Moncoutie.

Robbie McEwen showed he hasn't given up on the green jersey, taking the field sprint for 14th.