Stage 15: Pamiers - Bagnères-de-Luchon. The Battle of Astana and Saxo Bank's Tactics. Who Will Break First? Or Will Fate Intervene?

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News and Highlights

From Top, LtoR, former yellow jersey wearer and overall leader, Luxembourg's Andy Schleck, being applauded as he arrives on the podium to receive his white jersey of best young rider. Alberto Contador, Dennis Menchov and Samuel Sanchez at the finish. Stage winner, France's Thomas Voeckler, celebrating on the podium. New yellow jersey wearer and overall leader, Spain's Alberto Contador, making his pistolero gesture on the podium at the end of the 187 km and 15th stage of the 2010 Tour de France cycling race run between Pamiers and Bagneres-de-Luchon on July 19, 2010. Image Credit: Pascal Pavani-Joel Saget-Lionel Bonaventure-AFP/Getty Images at Yahoo Sports

Stage 15 commemorated the 100th year of the inclusion of the Pyrenees mountains in the Tour de France and it also saw a switch in tactics in the unfolding Saxo Bank-Astana / Schleck-Contador high stakes battle. Team Saxo Bank assumed the lead of the peloton in the approach to the last uncategorized climb up to the Port de Balès (sometimes called Col de Balès. Col means pass in French and Port also means pass but in Southern French Occitan). Stage 15 was Saxo Bank's turn to try and break Astana - and to try and tire out Astana's yellow jersey contender, Alberto Contador. And Astana were content to play second fiddle.

Yesterday, Astana pushed so hard they decimated themselves. Today, it was Saxo Bank's riders who suffered the most as a result of the team's push to the front.

Saxo Bank set a furious pace for the peloton, but at the base of the climb to the Port de Bales we began to notice a grimace on Saxo Bank's yellow jersey wearer, Andy Schleck's face. This time, it was Contador who was staying on Schleck's tail.

With eight kilometers left to go to the top of the Port de Balès, there were just two Saxo riders in front of Andy Schleck - and four Astana riders in front of Contador.

As Schleck and Contador stole the spotlight, Sammy Sanchez of team Euskatel-Euskadi and the Rabobank rider nicknamed the silent assassin, Denis Menchov, followed right behind in Astana's slipstream.

With four kilometers to the top and 26 km to the finish there was but one Saxo lead-out rider and three Astana riders. Schleck continued to show the strain. Contador looked ready to pounce.

Yellow jersey wearer, Luxembourg's Andy Schleck (L) starts speeding followed by Spain's Alberto Contador (C) during Port de Balès climb of the 187 km and 15th stage of the 2010 Tour de France cycling race run between Pamiers and Bagneres-de-Luchon on July 19, 2010. Image Credit: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images at Yahoo Sports

But two kilomteres later, it was Schleck who pounced and the last Saxo rider dropped off. Contador chased Schleck. For a while, they were on their own. Shortly after, however, Sammy Sanchez currently third in the general classification (GC) standings, and GC fourth place Denny Menchov moved in front of the Schleck-Contador road show. They were joined by Jurgen van den Broeck of team Omega Pharma-Lotto. At the end of stage 14, Van den Broeck was standing in fifth place in the GC. The big-five formed their own elite group of riders and showed their muscle. Would this be the calm before the storm?

Then, with twenty four kilometers to go and three and a half kilometers to the top of the col, the mountain pass, Andy Schleck moved to the front of the group. Uneasy was the head that wore the crown, for Schleck kept glancing back over his shoulders to see if Contador would pounce. Contador was happy to just follow Andy's wheel.

With twenty two k to go and one and a half k to the top. Schleck charged again. Contador caught up with him and then tragedy hit. As Schleck pushed down hard on his pedals, his bike's chain slipped off and he had to dismount.

22 km from the finish, Luxembourg's Andy Schleck (R) mounted a charge followed by Kazakh's Alexandre Vinokourov (C) who seemed to be looking back and wondering 'Contador (2ndL), where are you.' Just then Schleck looked down to see that his bike's chain had slipped the pedal wheel. Belgium's Jurgen Van den Broeck can be seen to the left of the image. Image Credit: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images at Yahoo Sports

Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank) has to stop in order to put back the slipped (dropped) chain. Image credit: Roberto Bettini at cyclingnews.com

Contador and the rest charged by the stricken Schleck. Schleck managed to get the chain back on and with a mighty push from some spectators resumed racing some fifteen seconds behind Contador. He put on an almighty effort. But the evil deed was done. The hand of fate had struck its blow.

French champion Thomas Voeckler of team BBox Bouygues Telecom crossed the top of the col in first place.

Could Schleck charge down the other side of col and catch up to Contador? With ten kilos to go, Schleck had dropped some twenty-five seconds behind the Contador-Sanchez-Menchov group where Sanchez had set the pace and was turning out to be Contador's greatest ally.

Russia's Denis Menchov (L), and Spain's Samuel Sanchez, (R)  lead Spain's Alberto Contador (C) as they speed down the Port de Balès. Image Credit: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images at Yahoo Sports

With five k to go to the finish the gap between Schleck and Contador had stretched to thirty seconds. At the start of the stage Contador was thirty one seconds behind Schleck in the general classification (GC) standings and the yellow jersey. By the end of this race, could Contador move in front and get to wear the yellow jersey today? Racing at around 100 kmph, that was now the question.

Three k to go and the gap between the two stars was down a hair to twenty-eight seconds.

With one k to go the gap stretched again, this time to thirty-two seconds.

Nearly three minutes ahead of the Contador chase group, the champion of France, Thomas Voeckler of team BBox Bouygues Telecom, cruised to the stage win to the cheers of his proud compatriots as he raised his fists raised in a victory salute.

Contador's group put on a race to the finish and crossed 2 minutes and 50 seconds behind the leader.

Schleck's small group followed fatigued 39 seconds behind the Contador group.

Contador was in yellow. Just as importantly, Sammy Sanchez and Danny Menchov were now 2 minutes, and 2 minutes thirteen seconds behind Contador in the overall general classication (GC) standings. It would be a mistake, as the over confident Schleck had done yesterday, to dismiss these two as serious contenders for the final yellow jersey. The race is on.

After the finish in a show of theatrics, the petulant Schleck said of his chain incident which allowed Contador to get in front, "I would not have attacked. My stomach is full of anger." Schleck continued his rant, "I want to take my revenge."

The implication is that Contador should have stopped racing while Andy fixed his chain problem. Did someone forget to tell Schleck this is a race? Did Menchov and Sanchez stop? What about Contador's race with them? What if Schleck had decided to take a pee? If Contador had something to do with Schleck's problems we can understand the former having to take some responsibility, but Schleck's problems were entirely his own. He attacked, pushed hard on his pedals and his bike's chain slipped off. Perhaps he needs another bike.Schleck further stated, "It’s not over, the Tour is just starting, it motivates me for the Tourmalet (Thursday’s stage with a mountain top finish)." That's the correct spirit. Let's this be the best and most competitive Tour yet.


Lance Armstrong is back in the news. Click here to read our page on News, Views and Scandals for the latest on the drug scandal surrounding Floyd Landis and involving Lance Armstrong.

Video Highlights

Interesting Photos

The peloton ride the village of Augistrou during stage fifteen of the 2010 Tour de France from Pamiers to Bagneres-de-Luchon on July 19, 2010. Image Credit: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images at Yahoo Sports

A creative cycling fan. Image Credit: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images at Yahoo Sports

As the Tour riders enter the Mas d'Azil tunnel, they pass bystanders dressed as members of the prehistoric Magda tribe. Image Credit: Lionel Bonaventure/AFP/Getty Images at Yahoo Sports

As the Tour riders enter the Mas d'Azil tunnel, they pass bystanders dressed as members of the prehistoric Magda tribe. Image Credit: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images at Yahoo Sports

As the Tour riders pass through the Mas d'Azil tunnel, they pass bystanders dressed as members of the prehistoric Magda tribe. Image Credit: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images at Yahoo Sports

 Awaiting the riders, fans line the road on the climb to the Port de Balès (The Balès Pass). Photo Credit: C. Flockton at Steephill.tv

Fan camped near the Port de Balès (The Balès Pass) summit. Photo Credit: C. Flockton at Steephill.tv

The Tour helicopter precedes the racers approaching the upper slopes to the Port de Balès (The Balès Pass) Photo Credit: C. Flockton at Steephill.tv

The peloton above the tree line to the Port de Balès (The Balès Pass) Photo Credit: C. Flockton at Steephill.tv

Who cares wath Scleck thinks. This makes it all worthwhile. France's Secretary of State for Sports, Rama Yade, right, kisses new yellow jersey winner Alberto Contador of Spain after his podium presentation. Photo credit:AP at Yahoo Sport UK

Stage Map

Image credit: www.letour.fr

Stage Profile

Standings

(Source: www.letour.fr)
For an explanation of the classifications and jerseys, please see our page Classifications and Jerseys
Jersey icon key:
General classification (GC) fastest time leader, Sprints points leader, Mountains points leader, Young Rider time leader, Team total least time leader, Most Aggressive Rider

Leaders

		1	CONTADOR Alberto	ASTANA	72h 50' 42"
		208	PETACCHI Alessandro	LAMPRE - FARNESE	187 pts
		153	CHARTEAU Anthony	BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM	115 pts
		11	SCHLECK Andy	TEAM SAXO BANK	72h 50' 50"
			TEAM RADIOSHACK		218h 42' 52"

Stage Winners

Standing	Rider	Rider number bib	Team	Time	Gaps
1.	VOECKLER Thomas	151	BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM	4h 44' 51"
2.	BALLAN Alessandro	122	BMC RACING TEAM	4h 46' 11"	+ 01' 20"
3.	PEREZ ARRIETA Aitor	218	FOOTON-SERVETTO	4h 46' 11"	+ 01' 20"
4.	MONDORY Lloyd	87	AG2R LA MONDIALE	4h 47' 41"	+ 02' 50"
5.	ROBERTS Luke	146	TEAM MILRAM	4h 47' 41"	+ 02' 50"
6.	REDA Francesco	136	QUICK STEP	4h 47' 41"	+ 02' 50"
7.	CONTADOR Alberto	1	ASTANA	4h 47' 41"	+ 02' 50"
8.	SANCHEZ Samuel	181	EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI	4h 47' 41"	+ 02' 50"
9.	MENCHOV Denis	191	RABOBANK	4h 47' 41"	+ 02' 50"
10.	VANDBORG Brian	49	LIQUIGAS-DOIMO	4h 47' 41"	+ 02' 50"
11.	VAN SUMMEREN Johan	58	GARMIN - TRANSITIONS	4h 47' 41"	+ 02' 50"
12.	SCHLECK Andy	11	TEAM SAXO BANK	4h 48' 20"	+ 03' 29"
13.	VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen	101	OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO	4h 48' 20"	+ 03' 29"
14.	VINOKOUROV Alexandre	9	ASTANA	4h 48' 20"	+ 03' 29"
15.	GESINK Robert	195	RABOBANK	4h 48' 46"	+ 03' 55"
16.	HESJEDAL Ryder	54	GARMIN - TRANSITIONS	4h 48' 46"	+ 03' 55"
17.	LEIPHEIMER Levi	25	TEAM RADIOSHACK	4h 48' 46"	+ 03' 55"
18.	GADRET John	85	AG2R LA MONDIALE	4h 48' 46"	+ 03' 55"
19.	KREUZIGER Roman	44	LIQUIGAS-DOIMO	4h 48' 59"	+ 04' 08"
20.	DE WEERT Kevin	133	QUICK STEP	4h 48' 59"	+ 04' 08"

General Classification. Also called GC (yellow jersey / maillot jaune)

Standing	Rider	Rider number bib	Team	Time	Gaps
1.	CONTADOR Alberto	1	ASTANA	72h 50' 42"
2.	SCHLECK Andy	11	TEAM SAXO BANK	72h 50' 50"	+ 00' 08"
3.	SANCHEZ Samuel	181	EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI	72h 52' 42"	+ 02' 00"
4.	MENCHOV Denis	191	RABOBANK	72h 52' 55"	+ 02' 13"
5.	VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen	101	OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO	72h 54' 21"	+ 03' 39"
6.	GESINK Robert	195	RABOBANK	72h 55' 43"	+ 05' 01"
7.	LEIPHEIMER Levi	25	TEAM RADIOSHACK	72h 56' 07"	+ 05' 25"
8.	RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin	77	KATUSHA TEAM	72h 56' 27"	+ 05' 45"
9.	VINOKOUROV Alexandre	9	ASTANA	72h 57' 54"	+ 07' 12"
10.	HESJEDAL Ryder	54	GARMIN - TRANSITIONS	72h 58' 33"	+ 07' 51"
11.	KREUZIGER Roman	44	LIQUIGAS-DOIMO	72h 58' 40"	+ 07' 58"
12.	SANCHEZ Luis-Leon	161	CAISSE D’EPARGNE	72h 59' 01"	+ 08' 19"
13.	SASTRE Carlos	91	CERVELO TEST TEAM	72h 59' 44"	+ 09' 02"
14.	BASSO Ivan	41	LIQUIGAS-DOIMO	72h 59' 57"	+ 09' 15"
15.	KLÖDEN Andréas	24	TEAM RADIOSHACK	73h 01' 56"	+ 11' 14"
16.	LÖVKVIST Thomas	37	SKY PRO CYCLING	73h 02' 51"	+ 12' 09"
17.	ROCHE Nicolas	81	AG2R LA MONDIALE	73h 03' 16"	+ 12' 34"
18.	DE WEERT Kevin	133	QUICK STEP	73h 04' 49"	+ 14' 07"
19.	GADRET John	85	AG2R LA MONDIALE	73h 05' 06"	+ 14' 24"
20.	PLAZA MOLINA Ruben	168	CAISSE D’EPARGNE	73h 05' 29"	+ 14' 47"

Points Classification (green jersey / maillot vert)

Standing	Rider	Rider number bib	Team	Points
1.	PETACCHI Alessandro	208	LAMPRE - FARNESE	187 pts
2.	HUSHOVD Thor	95	CERVELO TEST TEAM	185 pts
3.	CAVENDISH Mark	111	TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA	162 pts
4.	ROJAS Jose Joaquin	169	CAISSE D’EPARGNE	144 pts
5.	MC EWEN Robbie	75	KATUSHA TEAM	138 pts
6.	HAGEN Edvald Boasson	36	SKY PRO CYCLING	120 pts
7.	TURGOT Sébastien	158	BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM	107 pts
8.	CIOLEK Gerald	142	TEAM MILRAM	102 pts
9.	SANCHEZ Samuel	181	EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI	100 pts
10.	CONTADOR Alberto	1	ASTANA	98 pts
11.	MONDORY Lloyd	87	AG2R LA MONDIALE	92 pts
12.	SCHLECK Andy	11	TEAM SAXO BANK	87 pts
13.	ROELANDTS Jürgen	108	OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO	81 pts
14.	VINOKOUROV Alexandre	9	ASTANA	78 pts
15.	THOMAS Geraint	39	SKY PRO CYCLING	74 pts
16.	CHAVANEL Sylvain	131	QUICK STEP	73 pts
17.	MENCHOV Denis	191	RABOBANK	71 pts
18.	EVANS Cadel	121	BMC RACING TEAM	69 pts
19.	ROCHE Nicolas	81	AG2R LA MONDIALE	62 pts
20.	VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen	101	OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO	60 pts

King of the Mountains Classification [white & red (polka) dotted jersey / maillot à pois rouges]

Standing	Rider	Rider number bib	Team	Points
1.	CHARTEAU Anthony	153	BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM	115 pts
2.	PINEAU Jérôme	135	QUICK STEP	92 pts
3.	VOECKLER Thomas	151	BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM	82 pts
4.	SCHLECK Andy	11	TEAM SAXO BANK	76 pts
5.	CONTADOR Alberto	1	ASTANA	76 pts
6.	SANCHEZ Samuel	181	EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI	72 pts
7.	MOREAU Christophe	166	CAISSE D’EPARGNE	68 pts
8.	AERTS Mario	102	OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO	65 pts
9.	CUNEGO Damiano	201	LAMPRE - FARNESE	63 pts
10.	RIBLON Christophe	89	AG2R LA MONDIALE	60 pts

Young* Riders' Classification (white jersey / maillot blanc)

Standing	Rider	Rider number bib	Team	Time	Gaps
1.	SCHLECK Andy	11	TEAM SAXO BANK	72h 50' 50"
2.	GESINK Robert	195	RABOBANK	72h 55' 43"	+ 04' 53"
3.	KREUZIGER Roman	44	LIQUIGAS-DOIMO	72h 58' 40"	+ 07' 50"
4.	EL FARES Julien	174	COFIDIS LE CREDIT EN LIGNE	73h 31' 43"	+ 40' 53"
5.	GAUTIER Cyril	155	BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM	73h 49' 37"	+ 58' 47"
6.	ROLLAND Pierre	156	BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM	74h 01' 44"	+ 1h 10' 54"
7.	VALLS FERRI Rafael	219	FOOTON-SERVETTO	74h 03' 15"	+ 1h 12' 25"
8.	FUGLSANG Jakob	14	TEAM SAXO BANK	74h 18' 14"	+ 1h 27' 24"
9.	ROJAS Jose Joaquin	169	CAISSE D’EPARGNE	74h 22' 09"	+ 1h 31' 19"
10.	DURAN AROCA Arkaitz	214	FOOTON-SERVETTO	74h 23' 00"	+ 1h 32' 10"

Team Classification

Standing	Team	Time	Gaps
1.	TEAM RADIOSHACK	218h 42' 52"
2.	CAISSE D’EPARGNE	218h 47' 19"	+ 04' 27"
3.	RABOBANK	219h 00' 15"	+ 17' 23"
4.	AG2R LA MONDIALE	219h 03' 48"	+ 20' 56"
5.	ASTANA	219h 11' 59"	+ 29' 07"
6.	OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO	219h 14' 05"	+ 31' 13"
7.	LIQUIGAS-DOIMO	219h 31' 35"	+ 48' 43"
8.	QUICK STEP	219h 35' 30"	+ 52' 38"
9.	EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI	219h 41' 25"	+ 58' 33"
10.	SKY PRO CYCLING	220h 01' 24"	+ 1h 18' 32"
11.	BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM	220h 04' 52"	+ 1h 22' 00"
12.	COFIDIS LE CREDIT EN LIGNE	220h 08' 52"	+ 1h 26' 00"
13.	BMC RACING TEAM	220h 27' 46"	+ 1h 44' 54"
14.	TEAM SAXO BANK	220h 31' 28"	+ 1h 48' 36"
15.	TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA	220h 38' 39"	+ 1h 55' 47"
16.	FDJ	220h 50' 53"	+ 2h 08' 01"
17.	KATUSHA TEAM	220h 56' 14"	+ 2h 13' 22"
18.	GARMIN - TRANSITIONS	221h 15' 52"	+ 2h 33' 00"
19.	CERVELO TEST TEAM	221h 36' 21"	+ 2h 53' 29"
20.	FOOTON-SERVETTO	222h 07' 49"	+ 3h 24' 57"
21.	LAMPRE - FARNESE	222h 46' 10"	+ 4h 03' 18"
22.	TEAM MILRAM	222h 52' 29"	+ 4h 09' 37"

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