Garmin-Cervélo survived a rough and tumble day at the Tour de France that saw American time trial champion Dave Zabriskie crash out of the race with a broken wrist.

Thor Hushovd’s week-long run in the maillot jaune finally ended after a three-man breakaway held clear to the line in the hilly, 208km ninth stage from Issoire to Saint-Flour across France’s Massif Central. A big mid-stage crash that saw some big names crash out of the Tour disrupted the pace of the chase. The main pack rode slowly to allow injured riders to regain contact, an act of solidarity that cost Hushovd a chance to try to defend the yellow jersey on the short, uphill run to the finish line in Saint-Flour.

“It’s been a fantastic run in the yellow jersey. I was able to keep it long than I expected,” Hushovd said, who slipped to 24th overall. “It was a hard stage and we had the situation under control, but when the accident happened, we respected the situation and waited for the guys to come back. Then it was game-over for the yellow jersey.”

Thor Hushovd rose to the occasion in Saturday’s hilltop finish to defend the yellow jersey yet again on a day when just about everyone expected him to lose it.

Even Hushovd said he wasn’t expecting to defend the Tour de France leader’s jersey in the 189km hilly eighth stage over the Massif Central from Aigurande to the summit finish at Super-Besse.

Portuguese rider Rui Costa won out a breakaway, but Hushovd clawed his way into the front GC group at 15 seconds back to defend his one-second lead to Cadel Evans.

“To be honest, I really didn’t expect to have the yellow jersey after today’s stage,” Hushovd said. “I know that I am in the best shape of my career and I know that I can go very deep within myself on the climbs. I did that once again today. And the yellow jersey gives you extra motivation.”

Thor Hushovd sprinted to third in Thursday’s 226.5km sixth stage from Dinan to Lisieux and successfully defended the yellow jersey.

The reigning world champion made it up a short, but steep climb with three kilometers to go on wet, rainy roads to be in ideal position to challenge for the stage victory, but compatriot Edvald Boasson-Hagen had enough to fend off his fellow Norwegian Hushovd. Matt Goss came through second and Hushovd took consolation with a fine performance in the yellow jersey.

“It was very important to keep the yellow jersey today, because I also want to win a stage. I would like to win a stage before I lose the yellow jersey. Yesterday, I was very tired from the effort (Tuesday), and today was an ideal stage for me. It was a stage that I wanted to win,” Hushovd said.

Hushovd takes third to remain in yellow jersey

Another dramatic day at the Tour de France, another tough finale and another thrilling sprint finish, with Edvald Boasson Hagen taking both his and Team Sky’s first stage win at the Tour. The talented Norwegian beat HTC-Highroad’s Matt Goss and countryman Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo), who held onto the maillot jaune of race leader for another day.

The younger of the two Norwegians – who successfully worked together to deliver their nation a road world championship in October last year – went close to winning the stage on Wednesday but mis-judged his effort. This time was a different story and he had a perfect lead-out from teammate Geraint Thomas before accelerating close to the barriers and throwing his arms up in celebration.