Frank Schleck (CSC-Saxo Bank) sensationally out-rode Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) in today's first Alpine Tour de France stage to gain the race lead and coveted yellow jersey.
All of the main general classification contenders formed an elite group, playing cat and mouse up the final climb of the day. Evans attempted to police every move made by Frank Schleck, but with CSC-Saxo Bank team-mates Carlos Sastre and brother Andy Schleck on hand to help, Evans found himself isolated.
A late attack by Bernard Kohl (Gerolsteiner) was a sincere attempt by the Austrian to snatch the yellow jersey, but Schleck did enough to limit the time difference between him and Kohl, and still put seconds into Evans. Tactically, it was almost flawless.
Evans now slips to third overall and eight seconds adrift of Frank Schleck, with Kohl moving up to second at seven seconds thanks to his determined ride. There is now less than a minute separating the top six riders in the race.
Ahead of the battle for the yellow jersey unfolding behind them, Australian break specialist Simon Gerrans (Credit Agricole) won his first stage of the Tour at Prato Nevoso. Gerrans out-sprinted his fellow breakaway companions Egoi Martinez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Danny Pate (Garmin-Chipotle) to seal the stage win.
Tomorrow is the second rest day of the 2008 Tour, giving the riders a chance to recoup some energy before the race resumes in the Alps on Tuesday.
TOUR DE FRANCE 2008: STAGE 15 RESULTS 1. Simon Gerrans (Aus) Credit Agricole 182km in 4h 50m 44secs
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2. Egoi Martinez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi at 3secs
3. Danny Pate (USA) Garmin-Chipotle at 10secs
4. Jose Arrieta (Spa) Ag2r at 55secs
5. Bernhard Kohl (Aut) Gerolsteiner at 4m 3secs
6. Carlos Sastre (Spa) CSC-Saxo Bank at same time
7. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne at 4m 12secs
8. Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank at 4m 23secs
9. Frank Schleck (Lux) CSC-Saxo Bank at 4m 41secs
10. Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin-Chipotle at 4m 43secs
British
105. David Millar (GB) Garmin-Chipotle at 21m 57secs
127. Chris Froome (GB) Barloworld at 25m 33secs
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE 15 1. Frank Schleck (Lux) CSC-Saxo Bank
2. Bernhard Kohl (Aut) Gerolsteiner at 7secs
3. Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence-Lotto at 8secs
4. Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank at 38secs
5. Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin-Chipotle at 39secs
6. Carlos Sastre (Spa) CSC-Saxo Bank at 49secs
7. Kim Kirchen (Ger) Columbia at 2m 48secs
8. Vladimir Efimkin (Rus) Ag2r at 3m 36secs
9. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne at 4m 11secs
10. Samuel Sanchez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi at 4m 34secs
British
51. David Millar (GB) Garmin-Chipotle at 52m 37secs
95. Chris Froome (GB) Barloworld at 1h 37m 12secs
KING OF THE MOUNTAINS
1. Bernhard Kohl (Aut) Gerolsteiner
POINTS COMPETITION
1. Oscar Freire (Spa) Rabobank
YOUNG RIDER COMPETITION
1. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas
Danny Pate heads the break
(front row l-r) Bernhard Kohl, Alejandro Valverde and Denis Menchov
Simon Gerrans wins the stage
Cadel Evans rode defensively to limit his loses
Photos by Graham Watson
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TOUR DE FRANCE 2008: STAGE REPORTS
Stage 15: Schleck takes lead in the Alps
Stage 14: Oscar Freire wins in Digne-les-Bains
Stage 13: Cavendish takes fourth win
Stage 12: Cavendish makes it three
Stage 11: Arvesen wins
Stage 10: Evans takes yellow jersey by one second
Stage nine: Ricco wins in the Pyrenees
Stage eight: Cavendish wins again in Toulouse
Stage seven: Sanchez takes action-packed stage
Stage six: Ricco storms to win
Stage five: Cavendish takes first Tour win
Stage four: Schumacher wins TT and takes race lead
Stage three: Dumoulin wins stage from break
Stage two: Hushovd wins chaotic sprint
Stage one: Valverde wins
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TOUR DE FRANCE 2008: NEWS
Comment: Why Cav is right to go home today
Cavendish pulls out of the Tour
Barloworld to end cycling sponsorship
Ricco speaks on Italian television
Cavendish joins the all-time greats
Saunier Duval sack Ricco and Piepoli
Tour bosses say fight against doping continues
Ricco denies doping at the Tour
Saunier Duval pull out of Tour
Tour's top ten changes
Ricco positive for EPO at Tour
Analysis: Tour de France rest day summary
Cavendish battles through Pyrenees
Evans suffers but takes yellow jersey [stage 10]
Analysis: Hautacam shakes up 2008 Tour
Ricco silences critics with solo attack in Pyrenees [stage nine]
Cavendish talks about his second stage win [stage eight]
Beltran heads home but doubts remain about other Tour riders
David Millar: the dope controls are working
Manuel Beltran tests positive for EPO at the Tour
Comment: How the Tour rediscovered its spirit
Doping back in Tour de France headlines
Millar: close but no cigar in Super-Besse [stage six]
Super-Besse shows form of main contenders [stage six]
Millar to go for yellow [stage six]
Team Columbia's reaction to Cavendish's win [stage five]
Cavendish talks about his Tour stage win
Tour comment: Why Evans should be happy [stage four]
Millar: Still aiming for Tour yellow jersey [stage 4]
Who is Romain Feillu?
Cavendish disappointed with stage two result
Millar too close to Tour yellow jersey
Stage 2 preview: A sprint finish for Cavendish?
Millar happy after gains precious seconds in Plumelec
Valverde delighted with opening Tour stage win
Comment: Is Valverde's win a good thing for the Tour?
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
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