Sastre seizes yellow jersey

2:40am Thursday 24th July 2008

Frank Schleck surrendered the yellow jersey to team-mate Carlos Sastre as the Spaniard kicked away to a convincing victory on Alpe d'Huez in the 17th stage of the Tour de France.

Sastre, 33, dropped the maillot jaune group 13km from the summit of the infamously steep Alpine climb, and none of the main contenders for victory was prepared to follow him.

Andy Schleck and Samuel Sanchez came in two minutes and three seconds behind Sastre, who took the second Tour de France stage victory of his career.

In the 25 previous summit finishes at Alpe d'Huez, the man wearing yellow on the podium has gone on to win the Tour 19 times.

Team CSC may now have to rethink their strategy, with Sastre one minute 24 seconds ahead of Frank Schleck in the general classification, and the potentially decisive time-trial from Saint Amand to Cerilly to come on Saturday.

Cadel Evans, a formidable time-triallist, is still within reach, one minute 34 seconds behind Sastre overall.

Frank Schleck was unable to put clear distance between himself and Evans, despite the best efforts of his younger brother Andy and unexpected help from Caisse d'Epargne's Alejandro Valverde.

Valverde repeatedly tried to pull Schleck away from Evans, but the Luxermbourger was unable to produce the crucial kick that could have given him breathing space for the stage against the clock.

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