Thaindian News

Alberto Contador as many had anticipated to come up from the edge, has popped up to the first spot in the Tour de France 2009 15th stage, and thus claimed the yellow jersey from Rinaldo Nocentini, who seemed a bit held up in his swaying moods.

Contador, who was in the third spot during the 14th stage of the race surged up to the first spot as the cyclist used a powerful surge on the final climb of the 15th stage in order to claim the overall lead.

Contador tackled the first Alpine climb of the Tour de France with little trouble as the cyclist broke away from the pack during the uphill climb at the finish of the 128.9 mile ride. The Spaniard finished ahead of Andy Schleck and Bradley Wiggins followed in third at 50 seconds back.

Lance Armstrong, who kick started the day in fourth place managed to climb up to the leader board as he claimed the second spot at the end of the 15th stage. While the seven time Tour de France winner trails Contador by a significant 1 min 37 sec which is quite a difficult task to overcome.

Expressing his views about Contador’s stupendous performance, the cyclist Lance Armstrong said, “He showed that he is the best rider in the race.” The ease of Contador’s victory and his flagrant superiority over his rivals on the climb makes it seem impossible barring stints with injury or illness, that any one will overtake him in the final week of the race, which ends in July 26 in Paris.