Tour De France: Andy Schleck snatched the yellow jersey from Cadel Evans
In Tour De France, the cyclists are fighting hard to compete against each other as the race is getting tougher and tougher. 9th stage of the even has been finished and it is still almost a half way to go for the cyclists.
In the end of the 9th stage of the tour, it was 25 year old Saxo bank squad leader Andy Schleck of Luxemburg who was at the first place. He took the yellow jersey from his rival and world champion Cadel Evans. Cadel Evans the Australian man got toiled down and offered a very easy chance to the veteran Andy Schleck to gain the lead on Tuesday last ride on the high Alps in the end of the ninth stage. The racers are passing through Saint Jean De Maurienne in France and it is still more than half way to go for the cyclists but it’s the best time to gain the lead over the others as much as possible. Andy who is one of the favourites for the tour is doing the right thing by gaining the lead testing his strength and ability to the fullest.
After Andy Schleck, Alberto Contador is looking strong and showing his remarkable skills as he still is making his way to the end without losing a single second. The Spanish men Contador, is competing hard with the leader Schleck. Andy Schleck the man with the yellow jersey is feeling confident and trying hard to gain his lead over Alberto Contador. Schleck considered Contador as the strongest opponent. The next stage is going to be the hardest as the climb is going to be much steeper and stamina wrecking for the cyclists. This tour no doubt is only for the strong and super fit athletes, as the tough climbing is still ahead.
Despite of losing the lead from Andy Schleck, Cadel Evans is still confident to get back in the race as soon as possible. Evans, who is currently the world champion, is struggling with his current position, as he has lost a precious time of more than 8 minutes on Schleck and Contador on the big climbs of the tough Madeleine pass. The loss of 8 minutes of time might cost him more than his expectations, as he has lost more than 10 positions from the overall standings of the tour.
The race has entered into its 10th stage. The ninth stage of total 204.5 km was won by Sandy Casar of France in the time of 5 hours 38 minutes and 10 seconds. Casar is followed by the Spanish men Luis Leon Sanchez and Damiano Cunego of Italy. Other top five standings for the ninth stage are Christophe Moreau from France, who finished the ninth stage at the 4th spot. Another cyclist from France, Anthony Charteau finished at fifth. While the event’s Favourite Alberto Contador finished 6th he was followed by Andy Schleck.
In the overall standings of Tour de France Andy Schleck, is leading the race with the time of 43 hours 35 minutes and 41 seconds. Alberto Contador is on the second spot with the difference of 41 seconds. Contador is followed by his countrymen Samuel Sanchez. The 4th and the 5th spots are occupied by Denis Menchov of Russia and Jurgen van den Broeck of Belgium.
To lead the table till the end Schleck has to gain the lead over Contador, as he is the best in the business when it comes to time trials. In the final stages of time trial, it will be hard for him to keep the same momentum against Contador and he is very well aware of the fact that the final time trial can play a very vital role. On 25th of this month, the final time of the tour will be surprising.
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