Freire snatches Tour de France stage win

(CNN) -- Spaniard Oscar Freire snatched victory for Rabobank on stage 14 of the Tour de France, winning the final sprint at the close of the 194 kilometers ride from Nimes to Dignes Les Bains.

Australian Cadel Evans retained the leader's yellow jersey one second clear of Frank Schleck from Luxembourg.

Freire, the green jersey points leader, resisted strong challenges from Colombia's Leonardo Duque and German Erik Zabel to cross the line in front.

Mark Cavendish, who has set a British record by winning four stages, including back to back wins on Thursday and Friday, finished in the pack, more than three minutes down on the leading group.

There were several breakaways from the outset and a group of 21 riders flew clear early on, with the Silence and Cofidis teams in hot pursuit.

Four riders - Spain's Ivan Gutierrez, Dutchman Bram Tankink and French pair William Bonnet and Sandy Casar - set a hot pace but came back to the field after opening establishing a six-minute lead.

Gutierrez made another break 28km from the line but was caught 11km out.

Sylvain Chavanel then burst away but could not stay ahead over the final 2km.

In the final sprint three-time world champion Freire was too strong for his rivals and claimed his fourth career stage win.

The Tour now moves into the Alpine stages with Sunday providing a grueling ascent up the 2744m Col Agnel uncategorized climb.

Barloworld says it will withdraw its cycling sponsorship after one of its riders was expelled from this year's doping-marred Tour.

Barloworld rider Moises Duenas Nevado of Spain tested positive for the banned blood-booster EPO earlier this week.

In a statement Saturday, the South African industrial conglomerate said its team has a "zero tolerance" policy on doping. It said the doping scandal has had a "negative impact" on its brand image.

It said discussions are under way to find replacement sponsors.

The Johannesburg-based company has interests in the automobile, logistics and equipment sectors.

This year's Tour de France has been rocked by three positive doping tests.