Spain’s Mikel Astarloza took the honours on the mountainous 16th stage of the Tour de France overnight, to record his first stage victory in the event.

The Alpine stage, which covered 159 kilometres from Martigny in Switzerland to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, ended in blistering fashion as a group of eight riders charged down the decent in speeds of up to 90 kilometres p/h.

Astarloza proved too strong for the group, launching a sensational surge down the left hand side of the road, never to be seen again.

Local rider Sandy Casar finished second to claim his sixth podium finish of the tour, while overall leader Alberto Contador maintained his stranglehold on the group crossing the line in 10th spot, 59 seconds behind Astarloza.

Contador holds a 1’37” advantage over Astana team-mate and seven-time winner Lance Armstrong in second place heading into tonight’s crucial 169.5 km stage through to Le Grand Bornand.

In what is widely regarded as the tour’s most gruelling day, consisting of four category one climbs, the 17th stage will be pivotal in shaping the tour’s eventual winner.

Armstrong will be eager to bridge the gap between him and Contador in what will be the fourth last day of competition.

In the race for the green jersey Norway’s Thor Hushovd leads by 18 points to Britains
Mark Ccavendish, while Italian Franco Pellizotti has moved 58 points clear of Egoi
Martinez in the battle for the King of the Mountain.

Andy Schleck holds the white jersey for the best young rider.