Andy Schleck is new leader in Tour de France; Danielson remains ninth
Luxembourg's Andy Schleck captured the Tour de France yellow jersey Friday on the famed Alpe d'Huez, setting up a pulsating finish with a weekend time trial and final dash to the Champs Elysees in Paris.
Schleck overtook Frenchman Thomas Voeckler on the final day of racing in the Alps, making up a 15-second deficit during a 68-mile, brutally steep stage.
Voeckler cracked on the first of three daunting climbs. He never caught the leaders despite a gritty struggle and gave up the yellow jersey after wearing it for 10 days. With the race ending Sunday in Paris, Schleck leads brother Frank by 53 seconds.
East Lyme native Tom Danielson was 11th Friday and remains in ninth overall place, 7:11 behind Schleck.
- Associated Press
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