Phil Wrochna is managing editor of firstoffthebike.com and a commentator for SEN 1116. He is writing daily on the Tour for BPL.

This year's Tour de France has been full of surprises. But none were more surprised than Mark Cavendish's HTC team with the result of Stage 13. With only eight kilometres to go it was Alexander Vinokourov who leapt from the pack and soloed to victory only a day after he was denied his win at the aerodrome in Mende when his team mate and race favorite Alberto Contador roared past him to take time on all his rivals. The man dubbed 'Vino' came over the line bitterly disappointed.

But he got his revenge of sorts today and managed to hang on to the win despite the hard charging HTC team of Cavendish trying to pull the race together for their man. Vinokourov, back to the to sport of professional cycling after being banned for two seasons for blood doping, is an attacking rider and for some this may seem like the perfect comeback. For others he is a name that has added to the humiliation and suffering of the great bike race and do not welcome him back. But unfortunately they don't hand out life time bans too often.

A little side of intrigue for this race is the silent battle raging for the green points jersey. Thor Hushovd and Alessandro Petacchi have been swapping this daily. Mark Cavendish is an outside shot but given his climbing ability he may be cooked by the time the race leaves the Pyrenees.

Results of Stage 13

1  Alexander Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana   4:26:26

2 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team HTC - Columbia 0:00:13

3 Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini

4 Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Professional Cycling Team

5 Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne

6 Julian Dean (NZl) Garmin - Transitions

7 Anthony Geslin (Fra) Française des Jeux

8 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team

9 Grega Bole (Slo) Lampre-Farnese Vini

10 Lloyd Mondory (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale

General Classification after Stage 13

1  Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank   63:08:40

2 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana 0:00:31

3 Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 0:02:45

4 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank 0:02:58

5 Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto 0:03:31

6 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Team Radioshack 0:04:06

7 Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank 0:04:27

8 Joaquin Rodriguez (Spa) Team Katusha 0:04:58

9 Luis León Sánchez Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 0:05:02

10 Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas-Doimo 0:05:16

Points Classification (Green Jersey)

1   Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini   187   pts

2 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team 185

3 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team HTC - Columbia 162

4 Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 144

5 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Team Katusha 138

Mountains Classification (Polka Dot Jersey)

1   Anthony Charteau (Fra) Bbox Bouygues Telecom   107   pts

2 Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Quick Step 92

3 Mario Aerts (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto 65

4 Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank 64

5 Christophe Moreau (Fra) Caisse d'Epargne 62