Blog Sports

daily sport events

Frank Schleck claims his first yellow jersey

Simon Gerrans (Credit Agricole) took victory on a dramatic stage 15 of the Tour de France in Prato Nevoso while Frank Schleck (CSC) of Luxembourg captured the maillot jaune for the first time in his career.

Schleck took the overall leader’s yellow jersey at the end of the 15th stage thanks to the fierce pace his team-mates set in the final ascent to Prato Nevoso on Sunday.

Schleck now holds a 7 second lead over Austrian mountain specialist Bernhard Kohl and an 8 second lead over Australian Cadel Evans.

“I can promise you that you will see a very aggressive and very strong CSC team in the next two stages” Schleck said.

“We are not here to defend the yellow jersey, we are he to win the Tour” added CSC team manager Bjarne Riis.

Russian Denis Menchov (Rabobank), a twice a winner of the Vuelta, fell as his bike slipped on the wet road in the climb to Prato Nevoso while attacking Schleck and Evans.

Despite his crash, the Russian cyclist lies fourth in the overall standings, 38 seconds behind Schleck ahead of Monday’s rest day.

Spaniard Oscar Pereiro, the 2006 Tour de France champion broke a shoulder and suffered various other injuries after his bike hit a protection wall on the roadside. He plunged on to the tarmac several metres underneath. He is still waiting to be flown to Spain for surgery after his Stage 15 Tour de France crash, his team doctor said.

On Tuesday, the peloton will climb the out-of-category Col de la Lombarde and Col de la Bonette, the highest point of the Tour, culminating at 2,802 metres.

Wednesday’s showdown includes three out-of-category ascents; the Col du Galibier, the Col de la Croix de Fer and the 21 hairpins of the Alpe d’Huez, where the 17th stage will end.

Riis said his team could surprise every one with a new strategy.

“I always stick to my gut feeling, listen to them. Maybe we will come up with a completely different plans” said the Dane.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.