Astarloza tames mountains to win stage

BOURG ST MAURICE, France, (Reuters) – Spain’s Mikel  Astarloza used his climbing and downhill skills to win the  mountainous 16th stage of the Tour de France yesterday as the  leading contenders unsuccessfully tested each other out.

The Basque rider, 29, surged in the last two km of the  159-km trek to Bourg St Maurice to give his Euskaltel team their  first Tour stage victory since 2003.

“I’m a good climber, I can keep a good pace on the flat, but  I’m not a sprinter. My only chance was to attack from far and  I’m delighted it worked,” Astarloza told reporters.

Astarloza, who finished ninth overall in 2007, climbed to  11th place in the general classification.

Frenchman Sandy Casar had to be content with his sixth  second place in a Tour stage, ahead of compatriot Pierrick  Fedrigo, winner of the ninth stage in Tarbes.

Astarloza and the two Frenchmen were part of a break which  shaped up in the two big climbs of the day, the Grand St Bernard  and Petit St Bernard, crossing over to France from Switzerland  and Italy. Spaniard Alberto Contador retained his leader’s yellow  jersey one minute 37 seconds ahead of team mate Lance Armstrong  with Briton Bradley Wiggins third, 1:46 behind.

The leading contenders seemed content to neutralise each  other until six km from the top of the Col du Petit St Bernard  when Andy Schleck suddenly raised the tempo.

Only his brother Frank, Contador, his German team mate  Andreas Kloeden, Wiggins and Italian Vincenzo Nibali were able  to take the Luxembourg champion’s wheel. the  exception of Australian Cadel Evans who again lost more than two  minutes, reached the top of the Petit St Bernard together.

“It was a difficult stage. When the Schlecks attacked, I was  able to follow but it was not easy, especially to follow Andy,  who is very strong,” Contador said.

“I’m not going to say I’m tired otherwise I’ll be attacked  tomorrow but I am,” the Tour leader added before paying tribute  to Armstrong, who vowed after the Verbier stage to be his  “domestique” from now on.

“What Lance did proves once again what a great champion he  is. I’m sure he will be great help in the days to come,”  Contador said.

The Schleck attack ultimately proved pointless but made for  a promising 17th stage to Le Grand Bornand today, with  five mountain passes which should favour more bold tactics.