Tour awaits search results

The support cars of three Tour teams were searched en route during today's Stage 15.

The results of the searches are yet to be announced, as News Press takes up the story:

Link: Customs officials swoop

Vino victorious

Alexandre Vinokourov clinched a thrilling Stage 15 in the Pyrenees, though it was Michael Rasmussen's endless pursuit of Alberto Contador that now leaves the Dane in pole position for this year's big prize.

Link: BBC Report

Meanwhile, the furore surrounding the Tour leader's lack of communication over a drugs test has overshadowed the whole event, according to Britain's David Millar:

Link: Telegraph article

Stage 15 - Contador ready to attack

Alberto Contador is ready to spring more surprises as today's journey through the Pyrenees continues with a 196km ride from Foux to Loudenvielle-Louron.

Link: Stage 15 preview

With two category one and one 'out of category' climb, we can expect fireworks again today, and Contador, the Spanish challenger to Michael Rasmussen's leader's yellow jersey, insisted last night he was ready:

"I have to attack Rasmussen and I will try to do just that," he said.

"Yesterday, my team decided to take its responsibility. We sent Hincapie and Popovych to the front leading to the final climb to take charge and then I chose the moment to attack when my legs were good.

"At the moment, however, he’s the leader and he continues to demonstrate that he’s really strong."

Meanwhile, following a devastating time trial on the previous day, Alexandre Vinokourov was finally found-out on the slopes yesterday, and as The Times reports, his 2007 Tour challenge is now definitely over.

He'll be certain to lend all of his support though to 5th-placed Andreas Kloden.

Link: No victory for Vino