Pontarlier (France), July 19 (DPA) The 15th stage of the 2009 Tour de France got underway Sunday in the city of Pontarlier, as the race began its decisive phase in the Alps with a minute of silence.
The brief ceremony was held in memory of the 61-year-old woman who was struck by a police motorcycle and killed as she was trying to cross the road during Saturday’s 14th stage. Two other people were injured in the accident.

“The entire Tour is in mourning,” race director Christian Prudhomme said.

Sunday’s 207.5 km stage comprises six climbs, including a mountaintop finish at the Swiss resort of Verbier.

The final ascent of 8.8 km at an average slope of 7.5 per cent is rated Category 1 in difficulty, and may be the scene of a few fireworks.

The French media have been critical of the passivity of some of the title contenders, such as Luxembourg’s Andy Schleck and Carlos Sastre of Spain, in the face of the apparent superiority of Alberto Contador and Lance Armstrong’s Astana team.

Schleck, Sastre or Australian Cadel Evans may be tempted to put pressure on Astana on the final climb. In addition, Contador may want to test his teammate Armstrong’s legs as the two continue their battle for team leadership.

Whatever the scenario, the climb to Verbier may be where Italian Rinaldo Nocentini finally loses his grip on the race leader’s yellow jersey.

At the start of Sunday’s stage, he led American George Hincapie by 5 seconds, with Contador and Armstrong 6 and 8 seconds adrift, respectively.

The Tour ends July 26 in Paris.