Cavendish was demoted to last place in the stage, vastly denting his hopes of taking home the green jersey by depriving him of points he could have gained in the discipline. Hushovd has the green jersey.

For Ivanov, the day was much more fulfilling. He made a sign of the cross as he finished in 4 hours, 37 minutes, 46 seconds after escaping the breakaway group with 6.8 miles left.

The 34-year-old Russian national champion, who also won a Tour stage in 2001, splayed out on a curb after finishing so he could catch his breath.

“It’s an amazing victory,” he said, explaining in English his retreat to the curb. “I didn’t have any more air. I was just 2 minutes, breathing, breathing ... I was very tired.

“I gave all my energy on the last 10 k’s. “

Ivanov rose to 56th place overall, 27:47 behind Nocentini. The Russian had entered the day’s stage in 62th place, 33:23 back.

The race moves into the Alps for Sunday’s 15th stage, a 128.9-mile ride from Pontarlier, France, to the Swiss ski station of Verbier.

Strong climbers will be the riders to watch, including two-time Tour runner-up Cadel Evans of Australia, 2008 Tour champion Carlos Sastre of Spain, and Andy Schleck of Luxembourg.

Schleck is 1:49 behind Nocentini, who is not seen as a title threat, while Sastre is 2:52 back and Evans trails by 3:07. Astana senses it’s now or never for them to make their move — or not at all.

“I think Andy Schleck and Cadel Evans and Sastre have to attack,” Bruyneel said. “If they don’t attack tomorrow I don’t know when they’re going to attack.”

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