Contador in charge

BAGNERES-DE-LUCHON, France (AP):

Andy Schleck lost his yellow jersey as overall leader of the Tour de France to defending champion Alberto Contador yesterday after suffering mechanical failure at a disastrous moment.

Afterward, a furious Schleck accused Contador of taking the jersey unfairly because he didn't wait while Schleck stopped to fix the chain on his bike. Contador insisted he didn't know Schleck had had a problem.

French champion Thomas Voeckler won the day's race, the second of the Tour de France's four big stages in the Pyrenees, with a solo ride.

Schleck had accelerated less than 4 kilometres from the top of the major climb of the day, the Port de Bales, but almost immediately lost his chain, forcing him to stop on the side of the road and wait for assistance.

He then had to force his way back through the field as he attempted to catch up with Contador and the other leaders in the overall competition, but was unable to make up enough time. He finished 39 seconds behind Contador, who now holds the yellow jersey by eight seconds.

Unfair play

Schleck said that according to cycling etiquette, the riders should have waited for him, which was what happened when he crashed during a stage in Belgium early in the race.

"Today, you know, everybody is in panic. They see already the Eiffel Tower. I would not have taken advantage of the situation," he said. "It's not up to me ... but for sure these guys don't get the Fair Play prize today."

He added: "I wouldn't want to take the jersey like that."

Contador said he had not been aware of Schleck's problem until he had gone far past him.

"I planned to attack anyway, and when I knew what had happened to him I was already ahead and racing," he said. "Of course I know it's a delicate situation and could lead to debate, but I don't believe that to lose or win 30 seconds at this point will make you win or lose the Tour de France."

It was the second stage-victory for Voeckler after another solo win in Perpignan last year. He also held the yellow jersey for nine days in 2004.

He finished yesterday's 187.5-kilometre (116.5-mile) 15th stage from Pamiers to Bagneres-de-Luchon in 4 hours, 44 minutes, 51 seconds, ahead of Alessandro Ballan of Italy and Aitor Perez of Spain.

Today's 16th stage, the third in the Pyrenees, is one of the toughest of all, taking the riders 199.5 kilometres (124 miles) from Bagneres-de-Luchon to Pau. The course goes over the major climbs of the Col de Peyresourde, Col d'Aspin and Col d'Aubisque, but the highlight will be the first of two crossings of the legendary Col du Tourmalet.