Contador defends his yellow jersey

As expected, SRAM RED-equipped Saxo Bank attacked on the final climb of the day, the Category 1 Col du Petit-Saint-Bernard, but Andy and Fränk Schleck could only take more time on Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto), who was unable to follow the Saxo riders’ attacks and slipped to 17th overall, more than seven minutes behind race leader, Astana’s SRAM RED-equipped Alberto Contador. “Saxo Bank tried to attack us today with Fränk and Andy, who showed he really was the strongest,” said Contador. “I managed to stick with him but it was a difficult stage. Overall, Contador said it was the “a good day. We kept the Maillot Jaune and the team has worked in a very smart way. Our rivals have tried to attack us and tomorrow they will do it. again I felt very good today, the team was together and although (Saxo Bank) attacked us in the last climb, we saved the day. Tomorrow (Saxo Bank) will attack us again, because they have to. So on the five remaining days at the Tour, they are going to attack us constantly”, he concluded.

After Monday’s second rest day at the 2009 Tour De France, the Tour De France was off again Tuesday morning with another mountain stage, the 159km Stage 16, that started in from Martigny, Switzerland to Bourg St.Maurice, France via Italy’s Val d’Aosta. Two long climbs are on the Tour menu, the Hors Categorie 2,473m Col du Grand Saint Bernard that connects Switzerland to Italy. The Tour crosses the Val d’Aosta then climbs up and out of Italy back into France over the Cat 1 Col du Petit Saint Bernard, 2,188m. high with the summit situated at 31km to go.

After a brilliant victory at the ski station of Verbier Sunday, SRAM RED-equipped Astana rider Alberto Contador started Stage 16 under sunny skies, his Maillot Jaune shining bright. Early on after 9km, a big group rode away on the slopes up to the Col du Grand Saint Bernard, including Best Climber Franco Pellizotti, & Kuschinsky (Liquigas), Karpets (Astana), Gomez Marchante, Haussler & Roulston (Cervélo Test Team), Van den Broeck (Silence Lotto), Voigt & Cancellara (Saxo Bank-SRAM RED), ten Dam (Rabobank), Maaskant (Garmin Slipstream), Martinez & Gorka Verdugo (Euskaltel Euskadi), Casar (Française des Jeux), Moncoutie (Cofidis), Fedrigo & Pierre (Bouygues Telecom), Gutierrez (Caisse d’Epargne), Bouet (Agritubel), Velits (Milram) & Geschke (Skil-Shimano).

Eventually Pellizotti and Karpets escaped this big group while Euskaltel’s Astarloza bridged up to the big group from the group Maillot Jaune. Over the summit of Col du Grand Saint Bernard, Best Climber Pellizotti took the points ahead of a big chase group and eventually there was a regrouping in Val d’Aosta with 76km to go.On the way to Aosta, Pope Benedict XVI sen his greetings to the Tour de France, saying commitment in sports must always be accompanied by respect for moral values.
The pope made his remarks to the riders and organizers as the race headed through Italy and passes near the mountain retreat overlooking Mont Blanc, Les Combes, where he is vacationing until July 29.

As the big break rode up the days second climb, the Cat1 Col du Petit Saint Bernard, attack after attack came off the front, eventually putting 4 riders off the front; Best Climber Franco Pellizotti, Van den Broeck (Silence Lotto), Astarloza (Euskaltel Euskadi) and Moinard (Cofidis). In the group Maillot Jaune, SRAM RED-equipped Saxo Bank upped the pace for an attack by Best Young Rider Andy Schleck which came halfway up Col du Petit Saint Bernard. This attack put seven-time Tour winner Lance Armstrong in some difficulty, but the SRAM RED-equipped Astana rider courageously made it back to the group Maillot Jaune. “I realized the race was going on up the road, so I figured I had to give it a shot,” Armstrong said. “I was surprised I got up there as fast as I did. I feel good.” Asked if he felt like his old self, Armstrong said, “That one stretch felt like it a little bit, but I still maintain I can’t accelerate like these young kids out here today.”

On the long descent to Bourg St.Maurice, France, Saxo Bank’s Jens Voigt had a bad crash and had to abandon the Tour De France with injuries to his head, face and shoulders and was being taken to the hospital. However Voigt never lost consciousness. Get well soon Jensy! On the final kilometers into Bourg St.Maurice, Astarloza attacked solo for the stage win, while SRAM RED-equipped Astana rider Alberto Contador finished Stage 16 in 10th place, 59″ behind Astarloza.

Wednesday’s Stage 17, is the toughest mountain stage of the 2009 Tour De France, 169.5km from Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Le Grand-Bornand. Tour director Christian Prudhomme says of Stage 17 “Stage 17 is the Tour’s toughest mountain stage with five passes that count towards the best-climber classification. The challenges will rise with the terrain and the relatively short distance promises a decisive struggle between the front-runners. The climb to Romme Pass, a Tour first, will make the ascent to Colombière Pass, which starts at Reposoir, even more gruelling than usual.”

General Classification-Tuesday, July 21
2009 Tour de France / General Classification After Stage 16
1. Alberto Contador Astana - SRAM RED 67h33′16″
2. Lance Armstrong Astana - SRAM RED @ 1′37″
4. Andréas Kloden Astana - SRAM RED @ 2′17″
5. Andy Schleck Saxo Bank - SRAM RED @ 2′26″
10. Frank Schleck Saxo Bank - SRAM RED @ 3′25″