/ 19 July 2010

Contador takes control as broken chain hinders Schleck

Champion Alberto Contador grabbed the Tour de France’s yellow jersey on Monday after a broken chain slowed down Luxembourg’s Andy Schleck in the last ascent of the 15th stage.

French champion Thomas Voeckler powered to a solo victory in the 187,5km mountain trek from Pamiers.

Schleck started the day with the yellow jersey on his shoulders but crossed the line 39 seconds behind Spaniard Contador.

He now trails the twice Tour champion by eight seconds, according to provisional results.

Schleck attacked about 3km from the top but his chain snapped and Contador went off along with Spain’s Samuel Sanchez and Russian Denis Menchov, starting the descent with a 27-second advantage.

Last year’s runner-up Schleck went flat out during the descent but could not stop Contador from overtaking him in the overall standings. — Reuters