This is today's very tough and very crucial 15th Stage. Here are the latest developments: Newsflashes
15:00 - Totschnig Dropped

Totschnig has been dropped by the peloton.
15:00 - Noval Dropped

The first Discovery Channel riders to be dropped by the peloton is Benjamin Noval who had been at the head of the peloton during the �lazy� phase of the stage.
14:59 - Sorensen Still Leading Peloton

There are still two CSC riders at the head of the peloton. The pace is currently being set by Sorensen who came ot the front with 7km to climb. Behind him is Sastre... he has a Discovery Channel shadow in the form of Savoldelli, Azevedo and Armstrong.
14:57 - Dekker 4�00" Behind

At the top of the Col du Portillon, Dekker was 4�00" behind Kroon.
14:55 - Astarloza�s Trio At 1�40"

Three of the riders dropped from the lead group - Astarloza, Pineau and Bertogliati - crested the Portillon climb 1�40" behind Kroon.
14:54 - Results Of The Col du Portillon

The points for the third climb of the 15th stage have been won by:
1. Kroon 15pts
2. Boogerd 13pts
3. Pereiro 11pts
4. Caucchioli 9pts
5. Davis 8pts
6. Sevilla 7pts
7. Hincapie 6pts
8. Camano 5pts
14:53 - Kroon Claims 15 Points

Kroon has led eight riders over the summit of the Col du Portillon. This group is now 1�15" ahead of Astarloza, Bertogliati and Pineau and about 16�45" ahead of the peloton.
14:51 - Bertolini Dropped

There are now nine riders in the lead group. Alessandro Bertolini is the latest victim of the pace being set by Kroon.
14:50 - 1km To Climb

The 10 leaders are now 1km away from the summit of the Col du Portillon. The pace is beting set by Kroon. Then comes Pereiro, Davis and Caucchioli.
14:49 - Sorensen & Sastre Now Leading Peloton

The CSC team has sent Nicki Sorensen and Carlos Sastre to the front of the peloton. The pace they�re setting is too much for many of riders in the peloton. A �grupetto� is forming at the back. The latest rider to be dropped by the bunch is Stefano Garzelli.
14:47 - Peloton On Col du Portillon

The peloton is 17�40" behind the 10 leaders. The bunch is being led by Luke Roberts (CSC) and is 17�40" behind the escapees.
14:46 - Kroon Sets The Pace

The lead group is now being led by Karsten Kroon of the Rabobank team. The Dutch squad has been in charge of the escape today. The move was instigated by Boogerd and two team-mates joined him at the 27km mark. Rabobank riders have won first place points on both climbs today.
14:44 - Bertogliati Dropped

Bertogliati has lost contact with the lead group which now consists of 10 riders.
14:43 - 11 In The Lead Group

There are now 11 riders in the group at the front of the stage. They are: Kroon and Boogerd (RAB), Pereiro (PHO), Caucchioli (C.A), Bertolini (DOM), Hincapie (DSC), Sevilla (TMO), Davis (LSW), Brochard (BTL) and Camano (EUS).
14:41 - Pineau Dropped

Pineau (BTL) is also losing contact with the escape group.
14:40 - Astarloza Dropped

The second rider to be dropped by the escape group on the Col du Portillon is Mikel Astarloza.
14:39 - CSC Riders Back At Front Of Peloton

There are two CSC riders now setting the pace for the peloton. They are Nicki Sorensen and Bobby Julich. The last time check had the bunch 17�50" behind the 14 escapees.
14:38 - Basso Back In Peloton

After his puncture, Basso has rejoined the peloton with the help of two team-mates.
14:37 - Leaders 5km From Col du Portillon

Dekker has been dropped from the 14-man escape group with 5km to go on the Col du Portillon.