25 year old Australian born German rider Heinrich Haussler of the Cervelo Test Team, won the stage 13 of the Tour de France 2009. The 199 kilometer (123.6 mile) ride from Colmar to Besancon was a day mostly dominated by sprinters as they forced their way in to the race consistently; the route was categorized in five different climbs and was most certainly a tough deal. Haussler had an early start at the lead position when he made a dash, just 3 kms in to the journey; his efforts saw fellow competitors gradually fall back and let him claim an undisputed win.

Haussler’s win came with taking lots of calculated risks along the way. He managed to shake the last of his competition in the form of Frenchman Sylvan Chavanel, when he sped away with lightning speed around swift bends and rough terrains. His speed left Chavanel, who was already tired from the efforts, numb and lagging far behind. About his win, Haussler said, “I gave it everything I had. I risked everything.”

The overall standings at the end of the stage 13 has not been affected much as usual, with Italy’s Rinaldo Nocentini still donning the Yellow Jersey for the seventh time straight in a row. Alberto Contador and Lance Armstrong from Astana occupy the second and the third place respectively. Bradley Wiggins from Garmin Slipstream holds the fourth place and Andreas Kloden from Astana again, is in the fifth position in the Tour de France 2009.

It has been reported that Levi Leipheimer of team Astana has sustained injuries to his wrist and may have broken it, so he may be quitting the race.

• Tour de France 2009