Colombian cyclist Rigoberto Uran Thursday was forced to hand over his white jersey for the Tour de France’s best young cyclist to Estonian Rein Taararnae.
The 24-year old Uran lost both his white jersey and position in the top ten after one of the this Tour’s toughest mountain stages.
Luxembourger Andy Schleck tore apart the pack after an early break in the 125-mile mammoth stage.
Colombia’s best-placed cyclist ended seven minutes and 31 seconds behind Schleck at the finish, four minutes and nine seconds behind Taararnae, who until today was second best young rider in the 2011 Tour de France.
Schleck’s powerful run, which thoroughly shuffled the Tour’s ranking and almost allowed him to take over the yellow jersey, forced Uran to drop five places and is now 15th in the general ranking.
Fellow-Colombian Leonardo Duque occupies the 121st spot and is two hours, 42 minutes and two seconds behind leader Thomas Voeckler.
