Cycling:Andy Schleck won the battle but Alberto Contador went one step closer to winning the war at the Tour de France today. An epic duel for the race leader's yellow jersey on the Col du Tourmalet saw Contador defend pole position in the race to Paris.
With clouds shrouding the fabled Pyrenean peak, which was the end of the 174-kilometre 17th stage from Pau, Schleck (Team Saxo Bank) was unable to shake off the challenge of Contador (Astana), finishing half a bike wheel ahead of the two-time champion at the summit.
Contador held an eight-second advantage at the start of the day after seizing the maillot jaune from Schleck, the 2009 runner-up, by taking advantage of his rival’s mechanical problem on Monday’s 15th stage.
The duo were evenly matched as they fought up the steep incline to the summit, with Schleck emerging from the gloom to take his second stage victory on the 97th Tour, but Contador was right behind him to stay in the lead with three days of racing remaining.
The category four climb of Cote de Renoir, and the category one climbs of the 9.3km Col de Marie-Blanque and the 11.9km Col du Solour were merely the hors d’oeuvres for what was to come.
A seven-man escape was allowed to prosper, but, two-thirds of the way up the 18.6km hors categorie (beyond category) Col du Tourmalet, Contador and Schleck resumed their personal battle, one which was set to decide the winner of the 97th Tour.
On yesterday’s rest day, Schleck conceded he would need to reclaim the yellow jersey today in order to win the overall title on Sunday. He was able to win the stage, but his hopes of standing atop the podium in Paris now appear to be slim, with Contador retaining his eight-second lead.
Tomorrow’s 198km 18th stage from Salies-de-Bearn to Bordeaux is set to be one for the sprinters, with one final twist possible in the overall race in Saturday’s 52km time-trial from Bordeaux to Pauillac.
However, Contador is the more competent against the clock and now appears set to win a third Tour title in four years.
Ireland’s Nicolas Roche is back inside the top 15 after coming home in 12th place on today’s stage. On an excellent day for the 26-year-old, Roche put almost two minutes between himself and Alexandre Vinokourov in 16th place.
Stage result
1. Andy Schleck (Luxembourg / Saxo Bank) 5hrs 03mins 29secs
2. Alberto Contador (Spain / Astana) same time
3. Joaquim Rodriguez (Spain / Katusha) +1:18"
4. Ryder Hesjedal (Canada / Garmin) +1:27"
5. Samuel Sanchez (Spain / Euskaltel) +1:32"
6. Denis Menchov (Russia / Rabobank) +1:40"
7. Robert Gesink (Netherlands / Rabobank)
8. Chris Horner (U.S. / RadioShack) +1:45"
9. Jurgen Van den Broeck (Belgium / Omega Pharma-Lotto) +1:48"
10. Roman Kreuziger (Czech Republic / Liquigas) +2:14"
Selected others:
Nicolas Roche (Ireland / AG2R) +03:26"
Overall standings
1. Alberto Contador (Spain / Astana) 83hrs 32mins 39secs
2. Andy Schleck (Luxembourg / Saxo Bank) +8"
3. Samuel Sanchez (Spain / Euskaltel) +3:32"
4. Denis Menchov (Russia / Rabobank) +3:53"
5. Jurgen Van den Broeck (Belgium/Omega Pharma-Lotto) +5:27"
6. Robert Gesink (Netherlands / Rabobank) +6:41"
7. Joaquim Rodriguez (Spain / Katusha) +7:03"
8. Ryder Hesjedal (Canada / Garmin) +9:18"
9. Roman Kreuziger (Czech Republic/Liquigas) +10:12"
10. Chris Horner (U.S. / RadioShack) +10:37"
Selected others:
Nicolas Roche (Ireland / AG2R) +16:00"