Jul 18, 2006, 16:04 GMT
Alpe d'Huez - Luxembourg's Frank Schleck won the prestigious 15th stage of the 2006 Tour de France on Tuesday as American Floyd Landis recaptured the Tour leader's yellow jersey.
Luxembourg Frank Schleck (Team CSC)reacts as he wins the fifteenth stage of the Tour de France 2006 in L'Alpe d'Huez, France, Tuesday 18 July 2006. The fifteenth stage led the riders over 187 kilometers from Gap to L'Alpe d'Huez. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON
The 26-year-old Schleck, who rides for the Danish Team CSC, was part of a group of 25 riders who broke away from the main pack early in the race.
The group was down to 18 riders after the first of two climbs rated beyond category in difficulty, the ascent up to the Izoard Pass.
Near the end of the legendary climb up to the finish line at Alpe d'Huez -- an ascent of 13.8 kilometres at an average gradient of 7.9 per cent and over 21 hairpin bends -- the group was down to two, Schleck and Damiano Cunego of Italy.
Schleck then broke away from Cunego with about 2 kilometres to go to celebrate his first-ever Tour de France stage win in his first participation in the race.
Cunego finished second, 11 seconds behind, with another Italian, Stefano Garzelli, finishing third, 1 minute 10 seconds adrift.
The winner covered the 187 kilometres from Gap to Alpe d'Huez in 4 hours 52 minutes 22 seconds, an average speed of 38.38 kph.
Landis finished fourth, 1 minute 10 seconds behind Schleck, but far enough ahead of former Tour leader, Oscar Pereiro Sio, to take back the yellow jersey.
Pereiro is now second, 10 seconds behind the 30-year-old American, with Frenchman Cyril Dessel third, 2 minutes 2 seconds behind Landis.
Landis, who rides for the Swiss Phonak formation, told French television, 'It's wonderful to wear the yellow jersey, but there's always a risk of losing it again.'
Landis wore the yellow jersey for the first time after Thursday's 11th stage, but his team ceded it to Pereiro without a fight two days later, preferring to save its riders for this week's three gruelling Alpine stages.
Landis said German Andreas Kloeden looked like his main rival, saying, 'He was very strong today.'
Kloeden finished fifth Tuesday, right behind Landis, and now trails the American by 2 minutes 29 seconds.
It was a disappointing day for two other title contenders, Russia's Denis Menchov, who finished 11th, and Cadel Evans of Australia, who came in 16th.
Both trail Landis by more than 2 minutes and must ride much stronger in the remaining mountain stages to make up the gap.
Schleck was delighted with his victory at Alpe d'Huez, which instantly bestowed cycling immortality on him.
'I don't think I realize yet what I've done,' he said. 'I have realized my dream.'
Wednesday's second Alpine stage also has two climbs rated beyond category, including the legendary 42-kilometre ascent up to the Galibier Pass, right at the very start of the stage, and another taxing finish at altitude.
The Tour de France ends Sunday in Paris.
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