Voeckler takes stage at Tour de France

Thomas Voeckler won the fifth stage of the Tour de France Wednesday and Fabian Cancellara retained the overall lead of cycling’s biggest series of races.

Voeckler was among riders who took an early lead in Stage 5′s 118-mile route from Le Cap d’Agde to Perpignan. With about 3 miles to go, Voeckler opened a healthy advantage over the other leaders and easily claimed his first stage victory.

Mikhail Ignatiev, one of the early breakaway riders, was second in the stage and Mark Cavendish, who won two previous stages this year, was third.

Cancellara was among riders 7 seconds behind Voeckler and kept the overall Tour de France lead. Lance Armstrong, who on Tuesday pulled into a virtual tie with Cancellara, was given the same stage time.

Alberto Contador is in third overall, 19 seconds off the pace, and Andreas Kloden is 23 seconds back of Cancellara. Armstrong, Contador and Kloden all ride for the Astana team.

The Tour de France continues Thursday with Stage 6, a 109-mile journey from Girona to Barcelona.