"I don't know (what happened)," Vinokourov said. "My chain came off."
Vinokourov, with a cut on his right buttock and escorted by six Astana teammates, attempted to catch up to the main pack, but it sped ahead to exploit his delay.
The Kazakh rider lost 1:20 after coming into the stage in 12th place,
trailing Cancellara by 50 seconds.
Holding onto the yellow
It was better news for Swiss CSC rider Fabian Cancellara who retained the overall leader's yellow jersey after finishing safe in the main pack.
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| The show rolls into town [GALLO/GETTY] |
"We managed to defend the jersey with the help of the Liquigas team, who deserve the stage win today," Cancellara said.
Belgian Philippe Gilbert, France's Sylvain Chavanel and William Bonnet along with Giampaolo Cheula broke away after 19 km to build a 15-minute advantage.
Gilbert and Chavanel went on their own 52 km from the line but were eventually caught by the main pack.
Teammates trade polka dots
Cofidis rider Chavanel took the polka-dot jersey off team mate Stephane Auge's shoulders. With Belgian Tom Boonen struggling in the category-three ascent to the Cote de la Croix de la Liberation, German Erik Zabel of the Milram team took the green jersey.
It was Pozzato's second Tour stage win. Oscar Freire of Spain was second and Daniele Bennati of Italy was third.
Cancellara, the only man to wear the yellow jersey in this year's race,
leads Andreas Kloeden of Germany by 33 seconds. Pozzato is third, 35 seconds back.