Race leader Cadel Evans makes final preparations prior to the start of stage 14 from Nimes to Digne-les-Bains Green jersey holder Oscar Freire chats to Evans as the riders prepare to leave Nimes with the famous Arena in the background The field races along an autoroute near Les Huguets with sweltering temperatures making life tough for the riders Third placed Christian Vandevelde passes the feedzone at Les Huguets while other cyclists pick up their mussettes Race fans gather in great numbers to get close to the action as the Tour passes the town of Apt with Evans in the main pack Evans remains comfortably among the main peloton as it winds its way through the south of France and past fields of lavender With the hot sun beating down on their backs the riders pass over an ancient bridge as they head for the stage finale The lead changes hands a number of times in the last 10km but it's sprint specialist Freire of Rabobank that emerges at the front Freire claims a thrilling victory in the 194.5km stage ahead of Colombian Leonardo Duque of Cofidis and Germany's Erik Zabel Freire's victory increases his advantage in the green jersey standings to 27 points over nearest rival Thor Hushovd
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