BEIJING, July 17 -- Team Saxo Bank rider Nicki Sorensen of Denmark powered to a solo victory in the 12th stage of the Tour de France, a 211.5-kilometer ride from Tonnerre to Vittel Thursday. The Saxo Bank rider beat France's Laurent Lefevre and Italian Franco Pellizotti, who were second and third, respectively.

Italy's Rinaldo Nocentini retained the overall leader's yellow jersey, six seconds ahead of Alberto Contador. The Spaniard's Astana teammate Lance Armstrong stayed third, two seconds further behind.

Sorensen featured in a seven-man breakaway at the 64-km mark that quickly built a gap of over four minutes - and he proved the strongest of the group.

Team Saxo Bank rider Nicki Sorensen of Denmark holds up his arms as he wins the twelfth stage of the 96th Tour de France cycling race between Tonnerre and Vittel, July 16, 2009.

Belgian Andy Schleck and Cadel Evans of Australia also tried their luck early but they were swiftly reined in by the bunch. Armstrong suffered a puncture after 150 km but the seven-time champion was quickly returned to the bunch by four teammates after having his rear wheel changed.

The stage went the fugitives' way as the sprinters' teams proved unwilling to work in the finale to set up a mass sprint.

Sorensen and Frenchman Sylvain Calzati attacked the breakaway group with 22 kilometers left with only Nocentini's AG2R team setting the pace.

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