Schleck wins final mountain stage, but can't shake Contador

The showdown on the Col Du Tourmalet lived up to expectations at the Tour de France on Thursday as Andy Schleck tried but failed to win back the yellow jersey he lost to Alberto Contador on Monday.

The contest for the yellow jersey on Stage 17 boiled down to the two men in the Pyrenees on the last climb of the race. Schleck attacked Contador time and again to close the 8-second gap, the Spaniard hung on.

The two appeared to glare at each other and exchange words. It's obvious there's no love lost between the two after Contador attacked Schleck on Monday as the Luxembourg cyclist struggled with a dropped chain. At the finish, however, the two exhausted competitors hugged and patted each others' backs.

Quoted after the race, Schleck tipped his helmet to Contador:

“I’m satisfied with the stage win but I also wanted to turn white into yellow but unfortunately it wasn’t possible. I really tried hard, you have to believe me about that. I changed rhythm and I tried everything but I think we’re on the same level on the climbs.

Alberto attacked and I could go with him – it was a quick response – but in the end he didn’t sprint to win the stage because I did the most work. I have a lot of respect for that, it shows that he’s a great champion.” …

“When I turned to talk to him, I said: ‘You pass?’ And he didn’t. I would have done the same. Why should he pass me? In the end, he let me win the stage and I’m super happy.”

Saxo Bank leads the way

The Saxo Bank team supported Schleck as best they could at the base of the Tourmalet. Not only the climbing specialists, but riders like Fabian Cancellara drove the pace that put the rest of the peloton in difficulty and isolated Contador from his Astana teammates.

When it got down to the mano a mano between Schleck and Contador on steep slope crowded by spectators, Shleck powered ahead with his steady pace while Contador jumped in and out of the saddle to hang onto his wheel.

Contador attacked once, but couldn't drop his rival either.

Schleck reached the summit driving hard with Contador attached to his rear wheel. Schleck won the stage, but Contador retained his 8 second lead.

Podium battle

The battle for 3rd overall between Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Denis Menchov (Rabobank) ends in the Spaniard's favor, as he finished 8 seconds ahead of the Russian.

Strong finishes on the Tourmalet also were recorded by Canada's Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin) and US's Chris Horner (RadioShack), who finished 4th and 8th respectively. Their efforts raised them to 8th place overall for Hesjedal and 10th overall for Horner.

The 38-year-old cyclist from Bend, Oregon, becomes the highest placed RadioShack cyclist, after Levi Leipheimer dropped down to 13th place overall.

Next stages

With a relatively flat, sprint stage on Friday, Schleck's last chance appears to be the individual time trial on Saturday. Contador is the stronger of the two in the ITT, but wouldn't it be something if Contador had a mechanical problem with his bike on Stage 19 and lost 8 seconds. I think you'd call that karma.

The Tour ends Sunday in Paris.

Top 10 overall

1. Alberto Contador, Astana

2. Andy Schleck, Saxo Bank – 8 seconds

3. Samuel Sanchez, Euskaltel Euskade – 3:32

4. Denis Menchov, Rabobank – 3:53

5. Jurgen van den Broeck, Omega – 5:27

6. Robert Gesink, Rabobank – 6:41

7. Joaquin Rodriguez, Katusha – 7:03

8. Ryder Hesjedal, Garmin – 9:18

9. Roman Kreuziger, Liquigas – 10:12

20. Chris Horner, RadioShack – 10:37

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13. Levi Leipheimer, Radio Shack – 14:24

23. Lance Armstrong, Radio Shack – 37:58

24. Bradley Wiggins, Sky – 41:03

26. Cadel Evans, BMC Racing – 45:13

30. Ivan Basso, Liquigas – 53:46