A "disappointed" Franco Pellizotti remained upbeat for his chances on the Tour de France despite missing out on the chance for a stage win for the second time in a week on Thursday.

The curly-haired Liquigas rider was one of seven frontrunners who broke away from the peloton in the 211.5km 12th stage from Tonnerre to Vittel.

And after he had spent energy duelling with breakaway companion Egoi Martinez of Spain for the right to wear the King of the Mountains polka dot jersey, Pellizotti was left stunned by an attack from stage winner Nicki Soerensen.

Soerensen, a 'domestique' (helper) who rides for Saxo Bank, believed he would have had no chance against the likes of Pellizotti at the finish line.

And in the end his decision to launch two attacks, one with 23km to go and the other with 5km to race, allowed him to come over the finish line savouring his triumph with a 48sec lead on his former companions.

Pellizotti, who lost out to Frenchman Pierrick Fedrigo in a two-up sprint on stage nine in Tarbes, lamented the lack of collaboration in the group behind after Soerensen had first flown off the front with 23km to race.

"I'm even more disappointed than I was when Fedrigo beat me. At least then he was stronger in the sprint than me," said Pellizotti.

"But there wasn't enough collaboration in the chasing group. They didn't work hard enough.

"After such a big breakaway, I think we all missed out on an opportunity to win the stage."

Pellizotti said his biggest achievement was loosening up his legs for his bid to pull on, and defend, the polka dot jersey.

Over the stage's six climbs the Italian took 15 points to the nine collected by Martinez, who now has 88 points in the best climber's competition, 17 more than Pellizotti.

The Italian indicated that Martinez, who rides for Euskaltel, could be in for some challenges in the coming days.

"My plan wasn't to go in a breakaway today, but I suppose it's useful for the King of the Mountains competition," said Pellizotti.

"I've got two aims in this race, two win a mountain stage - preferably at Mont Ventoux (on stage 20) - and to win the polka dot jersey."

Friday's 13th stage is a 200km ride from Vittel to Colmar which rides over five passes.

AFP

Vintage start to the Open Written in a castle with limited connectivity, Dan Nicholl talks up the Scottish experience.

Is the Tri-Nations needed? iafrica.com columnist Jon Harris is struggling to get excited about the 2009 Tri-Nations.

How to beat the 'bonk' With riders burning 10,000 calories per day, the right fuel is essential to avoid the 'bonk'.