IF THERE were ever any doubts that defending champion Alberto Contador could distance Andy Schleck in this year’s Tour de France, they were swiftly dispelled on yesterday’s torturous finishing climb of the Col de Mende. Averaging ten per cent, the ramp is one of the steepest on this year’s Tour and saw a serious acceleration by the defending Tour champion when Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha) jumped clear two kilometres from the finish.

Contador jetted across the gap and then went to the front, dragging Rodriguez up the climb and overtaking his own Astana team-mate Alexandre Vinokourov, who had been clear in an 18-man break for much of the day and was making a solo bid for stage victory.

Race leader Schleck tried to respond but was unable to do so, gradually losing time to the leading duo.

Contador did the bulk of the work and while he did what he could to win the stage, Rodriguez was fresher for the final sprint and edged him to take his first-ever victory at the Tour. Vinokourov finished four seconds back, disappointed but also likely to understand Contador had to attack to gain time, while Jurgen van Den Broeck (Omega Pharma-Lotto), Schleck (Team Saxo Bank), Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez (Euskaltel–Euskadi), Klöden and Denis Menchov (Rabobank) finished a further six seconds behind.

Ireland’s Nicolas Roche performed well on a climb he was worried about, coming home 31 seconds down in a group going for 12th place. Big-name riders such as the current world champion Cadel Evans, 2008 Tour champion Carlos Sastre (Cervélo) and Bradley Wiggins (Team Sky) also finished in this group, showing the merits of Roche’s ride.

Contador was pleased to close to within 31 seconds of Schleck, and could make further gains in the Pyrenees. He’s a far stronger time trialist than his rival, meaning the pressure is actually on the race leader to increase his lead rather than just defend.

“It’s always good to get differences, although it is better to get more,” Contador said. “They [Schleck and Saxo Bank] still have the responsibility to the race and have the need to attack.

“I saw a rider jumping and Andy was not reacting. He is a very ambitious rider so that could be a sign of weakness. I tried and it went well. It was a pity not to win the stage, but to take time was very important. ”

Roche placed 20th and dropped one place to 14th overall. However he was satisfied things are going to plan. “I seem to be always climbing between 18th and 22nd or 23rd place. I think if I can continue on climbing around that level, I should be okay to finish in the top 15 overall in Paris. My climbing is a lot better than last year so I’ve made good progress.”

Today’s stage to Revel is the last before three days in the Pyrenees, and a bunch sprint is possible.