Frank Schleck was happy to just survive the long descent of the Col de la Bonette-Restefond to Jausiers after his terrible crash in the Tour of Switzerland but promised to attack on Wednesday's final Alpine stage to L'Alpe d'Huez.
Schleck celebrated his first day of racing in the yellow jersey with brother Andy, who took the best young rider?s white jersey from Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas). Yet again CSC dominated the racing, bullying the main contenders and even causing problems for Christian Vande Velde (Garmin) with a strong surge on the steepest section of the Col de la Bonette-Restefond.
?Today is as nice as the stage to Prato Nevoso, not just because I kept the jersey but because Andy now has the white jersey. We didn?t expect that. We didn?t ride for it but he?s got such class. He is the future and he?s going to win the Tour one day,? Schleck said with family pride.
?We did a good job today. At the top of the last climb there were only a few riders left and everybody was struggling. When I say everybody, I mean all of us!?
?It was very fast on the descent. I was scared a bit but I managed to say up front and was pretty confident about how the stage would end. Of course, I thought back about the Pereiro crash and about the crash that I had in the Tour de Suisse but it was good to be able to stay upright and up there at the finish. I actually have to say thanks to Bernard Hinault. We talked before the start of the Tour in Brest for about half an hour and he gave me a few little tips for the downhill that worked out pretty well.
?I?M GOING TO ATTACK?
Schleck was asked if CSC had perhaps wasted an opportunity to gain time on Cadel Evans before the decisive time trial. He agreed but promised attacks during Wednesday?s stage to L?Alpe d?Huez.
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?I?m going to make all the other rivals lose time tomorrow,? he said aggressively.
I absolutely have to attack tomorrow and try and break the others, I know that.?
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TOUR DE FRANCE 2008: STAGE REPORTS
Stage 16: Dessel wins
Stage 15: Schleck takes lead in the Alps
Stage 14: Oscar Freire wins in Digne-les-Bains
Stage 13: Cavendish takes fourth win
Stage 12: Cavendish makes it three
Stage 11: Arvesen wins
Stage 10: Evans takes yellow jersey by one second
Stage nine: Ricco wins in the Pyrenees
Stage eight: Cavendish wins again in Toulouse
Stage seven: Sanchez takes action-packed stage
Stage six: Ricco storms to win
Stage five: Cavendish takes first Tour win
Stage four: Schumacher wins TT and takes race lead
Stage three: Dumoulin wins stage from break
Stage two: Hushovd wins chaotic sprint
Stage one: Valverde wins
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TOUR DE FRANCE 2008: NEWS
Schleck ready to defend Tour lead [stage 15]
Rest day news round-up [July 21]
Saunier Duval riders: "We are honest"
Cavendish talks to Cycling Weekly after quitting Tour
Schleck savours first ever Tour de France jersey [stage 15]
Comment: Why Cav is right to go home today
Cavendish pulls out of the Tour
Barloworld to end cycling sponsorship
Ricco speaks on Italian television
Cavendish joins the all-time greats
Saunier Duval sack Ricco and Piepoli
Tour bosses say fight against doping continues
Ricco denies doping at the Tour
Saunier Duval pull out of Tour
Tour's top ten changes
Ricco positive for EPO at Tour
Analysis: Tour de France rest day summary
Cavendish battles through Pyrenees
Evans suffers but takes yellow jersey [stage 10]
Analysis: Hautacam shakes up 2008 Tour
Ricco silences critics with solo attack in Pyrenees [stage nine]
Cavendish talks about his second stage win [stage eight]
Beltran heads home but doubts remain about other Tour riders
David Millar: the dope controls are working
Manuel Beltran tests positive for EPO at the Tour
Comment: How the Tour rediscovered its spirit
Doping back in Tour de France headlines
Millar: close but no cigar in Super-Besse [stage six]
Super-Besse shows form of main contenders [stage six]
Millar to go for yellow [stage six]
Team Columbia's reaction to Cavendish's win [stage five]
Cavendish talks about his Tour stage win
Tour comment: Why Evans should be happy [stage four]
Millar: Still aiming for Tour yellow jersey [stage 4]
Who is Romain Feillu?
Cavendish disappointed with stage two result
Millar too close to Tour yellow jersey
Stage 2 preview: A sprint finish for Cavendish?
Millar happy after gains precious seconds in Plumelec
Valverde delighted with opening Tour stage win
Comment: Is Valverde's win a good thing for the Tour?
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