Tour de France Stage 15: Favorites Stay Together, Schleck Siezes Yellow

Stage 15 of the Tour from Embrun to Prato Nevoso, a 183km test in the high mountains of the Alps saw the yellow jersey change hands once again as CSC's Frank Schleck was able to gap race leader Cadel Evans on the day's final climb, giving him a scant eight second lead on the Australian and 38 on Rabobank's Denis Menchov. The older of the two Schlecks realized his childhood dream in taking the yellow jersey, and will now look to defend on the next two mountainous stages.

American Christian Vande Velde rode well again in the high mountains, and sits comfortably in 5th place 39 seconds down on the classification. One of the surprises of the day was Gerolsteiner's Bernard Kohl. "The Gargoyle" rode extremely well, and took the polka dotted climber's jersey for his German sponsor.

The race will be driven over the next two stages by CSC, who has both Schleck and Carlos Sastre in the top ten. Bjarne Riis' squad seems to be well-positioned to contend for the overall over the next few days. Someone though, be it Schleck, Sastre or Vande Velde, must take some significant time away from both Evans and Menchov if they are to take the overall win. The two big favorites are both excellent time trialists, and will be ble to take chunks of time out of their rivals.

With Alpe d'Huez two days away, will the field take it easy in tommorow's stage from Cuneo to Jausiers, or will another shake up take place? Perhaps Bernard Kohl will attack early in an attempt to solidify his lead in the king of the mountain competition. If he is to do so, he'll need to find a way to escape from the dominant CSC team, who will look to keep the group together until the final climb.