In the second Pyrenees stage of the Tour de France, Astana rider Alberto Contador takes an 8 second lead over Andy Schleck (Team Saxobank) and the Yellow Jersey. BBox rider, Thomas Voeckler took a convincing stage win, 1min 20seconds ahead of Alessandro Ballan (Team BMC Racing) and Aitor Perez Arrieta.
Even with the lead by Voeckler 30 kilometres before the finish, all eyes were on the Schleck and Contador duell. In the deciding moment as Andy Schleck tried to attack on the Port de Bales though his chain dropped, getting caught between the crank and bottom bracket. Contador attacked and Schleck was 20 seconds behind at the summit and after the 21 kilomtre descent to Luchon lost 40 seconds to Contador who took the yellow jersey with an 8 second lead.
Consolation prize for Andy Schleck is the white jersey at the youth leader which is now given back by second ranked Robert Gesink (Rabobank).
Australian Cerv?lo TestTeam rider was involved in a crash with two riders in the Port de Bale approach though was able to continue.
Best Australian finisher after the 187 kilometer stage was Team Milram rider Luke Roberts in fifth. Cadel Evans (Team BMC Racing) has drop further down in the general classification from 19th to 22nd.
Allesandro Petacchi (Team Lampre) keeps the green points leader jersey with 187 points, two ahead of Thor Hushovd (Cervélo TestTeam).
