Tour de France cyclists set off on mountain test
The Associated Press, Revel, France | Sun, 07/18/2010 5:47 PM
The remaining 175 riders of the Tour de
France have embarked on the first of four punishing days in the
Pyrenees that will be crucial to the outcome of the race.
Andy Schleck of Luxembourg holds the leader's yellow jersey with
a 31-second advantage over defending champion Alberto Contador, with
another Spaniard - Samuel Sanchez - third, 2.45 off the lead.
Sunday's 184.5-kilometer (114.7-mile) 14th stage from Revel to
the ski resort of Ax-3 Domaines will lead riders up two extreme
climbs, including the Port de Pailheres - an ascent so long and
steep that cycling's governing body doesn't even classify it - to an
uphill finish
