Tom Boonen helps Alberto Contador to relax before stage eighteen...

The peloton leaves Cahors with 211-kilometres in front of them...

Sandy Casar has crashed into a dog while escaping in the opening kilometres - he's looking back at Axel Merckx, who is chasing across...

Michael Boogerd and Laurent Lefevre are waiting for Casar - and for Merckx..!

Axel Merckx now leads the escape to a five-minute lead in 30-kilometres...

The peloton settles down to enjoy the scenery alongside the Dordogne River...

Alberto Contador cannot complain about the pressure today...it's so easy!

Boogerd and Merckx must be thinking of a nice retirement gift - a stage-win in Angouleme..!

There's no doubt about it - Discovery Channel is in charge of this Tour de France – even though the escape is 17 minutes up the road...

Boogerd needs a wheel-change - knowing his mates will wait for him...

Boogerd leads the quartet to within 10-kilometres of the finish...

Sandy Casar wins stage eighteen into Angouléme - it is France's second stage-win of this Tour...