Contador Surges to Lead Tour's 14th Stage

Young Spaniard bests race-leader Rasmussen in mountain sprint
By Joseph Fasano,  Newser User
Posted Jul 23, 2007 4:29 AM CDT
Contador Surges to Lead Tour's 14th Stage
Alberto Contador of Spain, left, and Michael Rasmussen of Denmark climb the ascent of the Plateau de Beille during the 14th stage of the 94th Tour de France cycling race between Mazamet and Plateau de Beille, southern France, Sunday, July 22, 2007. Alberto Contador won the stage and Michael Rasmussen...   (Associated Press)

Tour de France leader MIchael Rasmussen was bested in Stage 14 in the Pyrenees yesterday by 24-year old Alberto Contador of Spain. After a grueling 122.4-mile slog through the mountains, the two men emerged almost 2 minutes ahead of the field, with the Netherlands' Rasmussen, 33, still holding a 2-minute-33-second overall lead over Contador.

"The last week of the Tour is always difficult, but I will try to attack the yellow jersey," vowed Contador. Meanwhile, Cadel Evans, who lost his second overall spot to Contador, handled yesterday's terrain poorly, dropping 3:04 behind Rasmussen. Though the men face another tough climb today, they'll meet a welcome 7.5 mile descent into the Stage 15 finish. (More Alberto Contador stories.)

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