Contador takes lead, shows no mercy in Tour de France | Thebigtip

From Justin Davis in Bagneres-de-Luchon, France

Alberto Contador signalled his yellow jersey intentions in defiant style after sensationally attacking Andy Schleck when the Luxemburger suffered a mechanical problem.

French champion Thomas Voeckler handed the hosts their fifth success of the race after soloing to victory on the 15th stage, finishing nearly three minutes ahead of the race favourites.

However, as he raced away to victory on the 21.5km descent from the Port de Bales climb, all the race drama was going on behind him.

Contador was caught by surprise by a Schleck attack inside the final two kilometres of the 19.3km ascent of the Bales summit.

Although he had moved to counter, the Spaniard did not stop for the Saxo Bank leader after his gear mechanism broke seconds later, leaving Schleck stranded on the hill and having to fix the problem himself.

Contador raced ahead with Russian Denis Menchov and Spaniard Samuel Sanchez to crest the summit just over 20sec ahead of Schleck.

And together the trio completed the descent, later catching up with several breakaway riders who had been dropped by Voeckler, to finish 39sec ahead of the Luxemburger.

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