Alexandre Vinokourov of Kazakhstan has easily won the first major time trial of the Tour de France, dominating Saturday's 54-kilometer ride in the rain around Albi.
The 33-year-old Vinokourov apparently has recovered from his fall nine days ago during the fifth stage, as he beat Australian Cadel Evans by one minute, 14 seconds. Andreas Kloden of Germany took third place, one minute, 39 seconds back.
But Danish rider Michael Rasmussen retained the overall race leader's yellow jersey. He finished the time trial in 11th place, less than three minutes behind Vinokourov. Evans moved up to second place overall, one minute behind Rasmussen, while Spain's Alberto Contador Velasco is now third, two minutes, 31 seconds back.
