MORZINE, France -- Frenchman Jacques Michaud broke away from the pack in the rugged Colombiere pass to win the 18th stage of the Tour de France Wednesday, more than a minute ahead of his nearest rival.
Michaud covered the 153 miles through the Alps from Bourg d'Oisans to Morzine in 7 hours, 45 minutes and 25 seconds to finish 1 minute and 11 seconds ahead of Spain's Angelo Arroyo and 2:15 in front of third-place Edgar Corredor of Colombia.
Lucien van Impe of Belgium was fourth, another second back, with France's Robert Alban at 2:19.
Laurent Fignon of France managed only eighth place, 3:42 behind the leader, but he retained the yellow jersey as the overall leader.
Frenchman Jean-Rene Bernaudeau held second place in the overall standings, 3:02 behind the leader, with Peter Winnen of Holland a further 29 seconds in arrears, followed by Alban and Arroyo.
Bernaudeau took the first initiative in the stage, taking the lead as the main pack descended the Glandon pass.
Fignon took up the challenge and moved to the front only to be overhauled by a furious onslaught by Dutchmen Peter Winnen, Henk Lubberding and Theo de Rooy.
Winnen opened up a lead of more than 4 minutes, but the plucky Fignon progressively whittled down his advantage, catching the leaders in the Colombiere pass.
It was Michaud, however, who forged ahead in the pass to claim a convincing victory.
