Unpopular Danish cyclist Michael rasmussen won the protested 16th stage of the Tour de France on Wednesday. His win extended his overall lead. The start time of the stage was delayed by 13 minutes as a dozen riders protested the recent doping allegations.

The Danish cyclist crossed the finish alone after the 135.8-mile ride from Orthez to Gourette-Col d'Aubisque, the toughest ride in the Pyrenees this year.

Discovery Channel Team riders rounded out the top three finishes, with Levi Leipheimer of the United States in second, 26 seconds behind, and Alberto Contador of Spain in third, 35 seconds back.

Both lost time against Rasmussen as the Dane broke away from their three-man group in the last half-mile, finishing in 6 hours, 23 minutes, 21 seconds.

Rasmussen, who has faced doping suspicions this year, extended his lead to 3:10 against Contador, who is second, and to 5:10 against Cadel Evans of Australia, in third. The three-week event ends in Paris on Sunday.

"I am one step closer," said Rasmussen, who won Stage 8 in Tignes.

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