In descending order, they were Gesink; Rigoberto Uran, a Colombian with Caisse d'Epargne; Steve Morabito, a Swiss with BMC Schleckk; Joaquin Rodriguez, a Spaniard with Katusha; and Matteo Carrara, an Italian with Vacansoleil.
Three big favorites — Alejandro Valverde, a Spaniard with Caisse d'Epargne; Philippe Gilbert, a Belgian with Omega, and Cadel Evans, an Australian with BMC — finished in that order behind the two leaders.
For the next few days, however, he should enjoy his lead of 1 42 over David Arroyo, a Spaniard with Caisse d'Epargne, and 1 56 over Robert Kiserlovsky, a Croatian with Liquigas.
Gorka Verduga of Saunier Duval and Vicente Garcia Acosta of Caisse d'Erpagne lead, with Stephane Auge of Cofidis and Christophe Rinero of Saunier Duval in hot pursuit.
Basso, the 32-year-old Italian leader of the Liquigas team from his homeland, stood on the top step in the leader's pink jersey, champion by 1 minute 51 seconds over David Arroyo, 30, a Spaniard with Caisse d'Épargne.
On Tuesday, the day before the hearing, AIC said publicly that it was "evaluating" a bid for MacKenzie along with the Caisse de Depot.
Valverde, with the Caisse d'Epargne team, timed his final sprint to distance himself from the pack and finish the 103.9-mile 103.9-mileGrideda to Jaen in 4 hours 23 minutes.
"I have a great idea," White said as he joked with Neil Stephens, Caisse d'Epargne's race director, at the start of Stage 18. "They should flip a coin to decide it".
Bigger companies, such as Sodexo or Caisse d'Epargne, also work with Side.
"This investment fits with la Caisse's strategy to back the efforts of Quebec's innovative companies in their international growth and acquisition plans".
