Astana by me urges Contador.

Byline: Jim Smythe

ALBERTO CONTADOR grabbed the yellow jersey yesterday and called on his Astana team to back his bid to win the Tour de France.

In a boost for the Spaniard, team-mate and seven-time winner Lance Armstrong claimed Contador's 97-second lead was too much to pull back.

As the race entered the Alps on Stage 15 Contador produced a devastating break in the final five kilometres of the firstcategory climb to the finish line in the Swiss ski resort of Verbier to come home 43 seconds clear of Saxo-Bank's Andy Schleck.

Favourites The stage was viewed as the start proper of the battle for the overall lead of the race, and Contador emphatically underlined his billing as one of the favourites for the title with his performance.

He said: "I think the differences are now pretty big so I think it's clear that the team should now support me and ride for me. I'm sure my team-mates will work hard for me for the rest of the Tour."

American rider Armstrong said: "I think when Alberto went he showed he's the best rider in the race, certainly the best climber. Hats off to him."

He vowed that he would not go against the interests of the team by attacking Contador later in the race.

Armstrong added: "That's not going to happen. There's been a lot of drama between Alberto and me but at the end of the day we sit as a team."

Clearly basking in the support of his rival Contador said: "Lance Armstrong was my idol. He's a great professional."

The 26-year-old admitted his break in the closing kilometres had been somewhat premature, although he always had enough in the tank to claim the stage win, and appeared much fresher than Armstrong - 11 years his senior - at the finish.

Contador, the 2007 champion, said: "When I came out of the peloton I attacked before I intended to, but looking at the situation I decided to have a go at it.

"I saw I was opening a gap and just kept on going. Tomorrow is a rest day so I will recover but next week will be extremely hard.

"I'm very happy with this result. The climb wasn't that long but I wanted to make a difference. I gave the maximum."

Schleck claimed the white jersey for the best young rider after his spirited ride to second place, while Vicenco Nibali took a deserved third for Liquigas.

Britain's Bradley Wiggins put on a remarkable performance to finish alongside Frank Schleck and reigning champion Carlos Sastre and move into third place in the GC.

The 29-year-old Wiggins now sits 1min 46secs behind Contador.

Former race leader Rinaldo Nocentini came home over two and a half minutes behind Contador yesterday and has dropped to sixth place in the overall standings.

CAPTION(S):

LEADER OF THE PACK: Alberto Contador celebrates his stage 15 win that gave him the Tour de France lead