Just 3km from the summit the chain on Andy's bike came off (no break - just dropped) as he attempted a breakaway from the group of 5 (all GC leaders) in which he was obviously leading the way. Andy had to stop and rechain but found himself having to play severe catch up as the group made their "getaway". Contador, Samuel Sánchez and Denis Menchov sped off. Sánchez led the dare-devil 21km descent, but clearly it was Contador with the advantage and his hopes of taking the lead and the yellow jersey were improving. The antics by the three riders may have been crude, rude and all things NOT definitive of the Tour ("a gentleman's race"), but they all took advantage and attacked until the three finished with enough gap for the defending Champ to take the 8 second lead in the end. Riding at speeds of about 100 km per hour (which is roughly 62 miles an hour) as they made their decsent down the giant , one Andy Schleck found himself having to chase quickly but carefully as he manuevered the "ride of his life".
As commentators began to take note of the blatant attack after Schleck's "mechanical failure", they began to count the time which separated the top riders especially Contador and Schleck. At first only 24 seconds separated Schleck and Contador then 20 seconds with only a few km to go. They further added that if the 24 second margin of separation remained Schleck would keep the maillot jaune but that if Alberto gained one more second, he would rip through and take both the lead and the yellow jersey. Indeed the lead and jersey would see an exchange of hands, but was it fair or just? That is up to each individual to decide.
After today's stage Schleck called out Contador for not showing “fair play.”. Contador said he was not fully aware of the situation when he sped around Schleck but was satisfied at what he had done in the end. Adding that all was fair and that a mere 30 seconds (obviously referring to the gap between Andy and him at today's beginning stage) will not yet determine who wins the Tour.
Today's stage began with only 31 seconds separating previous GC leader Schleck and Contador. However, at the finish Contador scraped away at that time gap and came in at 7th place as Schleck finished in 12th. Schleck was clearly upset and a bit agitated at the bad luck just having been handed to him by the lady who has a non-discriminating view of all riders, "Lady Luck"! Schleck may have lost 39 seconds to Alberto this stage and the yellow jersey, but Contador now only leads in GC over Schleck by 8 seconds. A feat which Schleck will not soon forget, and I am betting will surely encourage him to retake the jersey and the lead and probably see him as this year's 2010 le Tour de France Champion. At least that is my hope after today's finish as I have clearly and fully joined "Team Schleck"!
