Sylvain Chavanel's persistence was rewarded on Friday with a first stage victory on the Tour de France. The Frenchman, who had unsuccessfully attacked again and again in this year's race, beat compatriot Jeremy Roy in a sprint finish after the two broke away on the 165.5-km 19th stage from Roanne. German Gerald Ciolek won the sprint of the bunch to take third place a little more than a minute behind the front two as Spaniard Carlos Sastre retained the overall leader's yellow jersey after spending a quiet day in the peloton. “I was frustrated because I had been trying so hard and every time I had failed,” said Chavanel, who is to join the Quick Step team from Cofidis next season. “This year, I have overcome a barrier. It's the best gift I could offer Cofidis.” Chavanel has seven victories under his belt this year, including the Fleche Brabanconne semi-classic and a stage win in the Paris-Nice. The top of the standings remained unchanged with Sastre leading CSC teammate Frank Scheck of Luxembourg by one minute and 24 seconds. Austrian Bernhard Kohl is third 1:33 adrift and Australian Cadel Evans fourth one second further behind.
