As Tour enters Pyrenees, Rogers wins 16th stage

Australia's Michael Rogers crosses the finish line to win the sixteenth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 237.5 kilometers (147.6 miles) with start in Carcassonne and finish in Bagneres-de-Luchon, France, Tuesday, July 22, 2014. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong) Australia's Michael Rogers crosses the finish line to win the sixteenth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 237.5 kilometers (147.6 miles) with start in Carcassonne and finish in Bagneres-de-Luchon, France, Tuesday, July 22, 2014. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

By Associated Press July 22, 2014 1 min read

BAGNERES-DE-LUCHON, France (AP) – Michael Rogers of Australia has won the longest stage of the Tour de France, leading a breakaway to a downhill finish as the race entered the Pyrenees mountains.

Vincenzo Nibali, several minutes back, reined in his top challengers and appeared set to retain the yellow jersey after Stage 16.

But the contest for the podium spots below him was shaking up: Thibault Pinot of France appeared set to rise in the standings, while Tejay van Garderen of the U.S. was losing crucial minutes.

Rogers took a bow as he crossed the line after the 237.5-kilometer (147-mile) leg from Carcassonne to Bagneres-de-Luchon featuring an ascent up the super-tough Port de Bales.

Rogers, a former world champion, collected his first Tour stage victory.