Voeckler claims 15th stage

BAGNERES-DE-LUCHON: French champion Thomas Voeckler handed the hosts their fifth success of the race after soloing to victory in the 15th stage, finishing nearly three minutes ahead of the race favourites.

However, as he raced away to victory on the 21.5kilometre descent from the Port de Bales climb, all the race drama was going on behind him. Alberto Contador signalled his yellow jersey intentions in defiant style after sensationally attacking Andy Schleck when the Luxemburger suffered a mechanical problem. Contador was caught by surprise by a Schleck attack inside the final two kilometres of the 19.3kiometre 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 20 seconds ahead of Schleck. And together the trio completed the descent, later catching up with several breakaway riders who had been droppped by Voeckler, to finish 39seconds ahead of the Luxemburger.

Schleck, the runner-up to two-time champion Contador last year, is now eight seconds behind in second place, with Sanchez and Menchov still in third and fourth respectively. Although mechanical problems are considered part and parcel of bike racing, Schleck hit out immediately at Contador for not being “fair play”. “In the same situation I would not have taken advantage,” said Schleck, who held the yellow jersey since taking it from Australia’s Cadel Evans on stage nine.

“I’m not the jury, but for sure those guys wouldn’t get the fair play award from me today.”

Schleck had to hold his anger back as he swapped the yellow jersey for the white jersey for the race’s best-placed rider aged 25 or under. And he has promised to take his revenge on Contador swiftly.

“I’m really disappointed. My stomach is full of anger, and I want to take my revenge,” said Schleck. “I will take my revenge in the coming days.”

Contador pulled on the yellow jersey for the first time in this year’s race, but said he was unaware that Schleck’s chain had come off. “I set out with the intention to attack on the climb, but when I countered Andy I didn’t know he actually had a problem,” said the Spaniard.

“When I knew he had the problem, it was already too late. We had taken a significant lead on him.”

Saxo Bank team manager Bjarne Riis, meanwhile, appeared to side with Contador. “I didn’t see it but it’s all part of racing circumstances,” said the Dane. I think he [Contador] waited at the start, and then he went. That’s just part of racing.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 20th, 2010.