TOUR DE FRANCE 2008: SCHLECK TAKES LEAD IN THE ALPS

Stage 15 photo gallery>>

Frank Schleck (CSC-Saxo Bank) sensationally out-rode Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) in today's first Alpine Tour de France stage to gain the race lead and coveted yellow jersey.

All of the main general classification contenders formed an elite group, playing cat and mouse up the final climb of the day. Evans attempted to police every move made by Frank Schleck, but with CSC-Saxo Bank team-mates Carlos Sastre and brother Andy Schleck on hand to help, Evans found himself isolated.

A late attack by Bernard Kohl (Gerolsteiner) was a sincere attempt by the Austrian to snatch the yellow jersey, but Schleck did enough to limit the time difference between him and Kohl, and still put seconds into Evans. Tactically, it was almost flawless.

Evans now slips to third overall and eight seconds adrift of Frank Schleck, with Kohl moving up to second at seven seconds thanks to his determined ride. There is now less than a minute separating the top six riders in the race.

Ahead of the battle for the yellow jersey unfolding behind them, Australian break specialist Simon Gerrans (Credit Agricole) won his first stage of the Tour at Prato Nevoso. Gerrans out-sprinted his fellow breakaway companions Egoi Martinez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Danny Pate (Garmin-Chipotle) to seal the stage win.

Tomorrow is the second rest day of the 2008 Tour, giving the riders a chance to recoup some energy before the race resumes in the Alps on Tuesday.

TOUR DE FRANCE 2008: STAGE 15 RESULTS
1. Simon Gerrans (Aus) Credit Agricole 182km in 4h 50m 44secs

2. Egoi Martinez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi at 3secs

3. Danny Pate (USA) Garmin-Chipotle at 10secs

4. Jose Arrieta (Spa) Ag2r at 55secs

5. Bernhard Kohl (Aut) Gerolsteiner at 4m 3secs

6. Carlos Sastre (Spa) CSC-Saxo Bank at same time

7. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne at 4m 12secs

8. Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank at 4m 23secs

9. Frank Schleck (Lux) CSC-Saxo Bank at 4m 41secs

10. Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin-Chipotle at 4m 43secs

British

105. David Millar (GB) Garmin-Chipotle at 21m 57secs

127. Chris Froome (GB) Barloworld at 25m 33secs

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE 15
1. Frank Schleck (Lux) CSC-Saxo Bank

2. Bernhard Kohl (Aut) Gerolsteiner at 7secs

3. Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence-Lotto at 8secs

4. Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank at 38secs

5. Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin-Chipotle at 39secs

6. Carlos Sastre (Spa) CSC-Saxo Bank at 49secs

7. Kim Kirchen (Ger) Columbia at 2m 48secs

8. Vladimir Efimkin (Rus) Ag2r at 3m 36secs

9. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne at 4m 11secs

10. Samuel Sanchez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi at 4m 34secs

British

51. David Millar (GB) Garmin-Chipotle at 52m 37secs

95. Chris Froome (GB) Barloworld at 1h 37m 12secs

KING OF THE MOUNTAINS

1. Bernhard Kohl (Aut) Gerolsteiner

POINTS COMPETITION

1. Oscar Freire (Spa) Rabobank

YOUNG RIDER COMPETITION

1. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas

Danny Pate heads the break

(front row l-r) Bernhard Kohl, Alejandro Valverde and Denis Menchov

Simon Gerrans wins the stage

Cadel Evans rode defensively to limit his loses

Photos by Graham Watson

Stage 15: Schleck takes lead in the Alps

Stage 14: Oscar Freire wins in Digne-les-Bains

Stage 13: Cavendish takes fourth win

Stage 12: Cavendish makes it three

Stage 11: Arvesen wins

Stage 10: Evans takes yellow jersey by one second

Stage nine: Ricco wins in the Pyrenees

Stage eight: Cavendish wins again in Toulouse

Stage seven: Sanchez takes action-packed stage

Stage six: Ricco storms to win

Stage five: Cavendish takes first Tour win

Stage four: Schumacher wins TT and takes race lead

Stage three: Dumoulin wins stage from break

Stage two: Hushovd wins chaotic sprint

Stage one: Valverde wins

Comment: Why Cav is right to go home today

Cavendish pulls out of the Tour

Barloworld to end cycling sponsorship

Ricco speaks on Italian television

Cavendish joins the all-time greats

Saunier Duval sack Ricco and Piepoli

Tour bosses say fight against doping continues

Ricco denies doping at the Tour

Saunier Duval pull out of Tour

Tour's top ten changes

Ricco positive for EPO at Tour

Analysis: Tour de France rest day summary

Cavendish battles through Pyrenees

Evans suffers but takes yellow jersey [stage 10]

Analysis: Hautacam shakes up 2008 Tour

Ricco silences critics with solo attack in Pyrenees [stage nine]

Cavendish talks about his second stage win [stage eight]

Beltran heads home but doubts remain about other Tour riders

David Millar: the dope controls are working

Manuel Beltran tests positive for EPO at the Tour

Comment: How the Tour rediscovered its spirit

Doping back in Tour de France headlines

Millar: close but no cigar in Super-Besse [stage six]

Super-Besse shows form of main contenders [stage six]

Millar to go for yellow [stage six]

Team Columbia's reaction to Cavendish's win [stage five]

Cavendish talks about his Tour stage win

Tour comment: Why Evans should be happy [stage four]

Millar: Still aiming for Tour yellow jersey [stage 4]

Who is Romain Feillu?

Cavendish disappointed with stage two result

Millar too close to Tour yellow jersey

Stage 2 preview: A sprint finish for Cavendish?

Millar happy after gains precious seconds in Plumelec

Valverde delighted with opening Tour stage win

Comment: Is Valverde's win a good thing for the Tour?

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Life at the Tour part five

Life at the Tour part four

Life at the Tour part three

Life at the Tour part two

Life at the Tour part one

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