Frenchman Richard Virenque took a step towards winning a record seventh polka dot jersey by winning the tough 10th stage of the Tour de France held over 237km between Limoges and Saint Flour.

　　Virenque, the 34-year-old Frenchman who has revived his career with the Quick Step team following his leading role in the Festina doping affair in 1998, claimed his seventh stage overall on the race after another brave breakaway, over 200 km, to claim the jersey for the race's best climber.

　　The main peloton, including Frenchman Thomas Voeckler in the yellow jersey and all the race favourites, arrived five minutes later.

　　Voeckler retained his 9min 35sec lead over five-time winner Lance Armstrong, who came over the line in sixth place behind second placed German champion Andreas Kloden, Erik Zabel, Francisco Mancebo and Voeckler, who was fifth.