ANDY SCHLECK yesterday lambasted Alberto Contador after the Spaniard seized the Tour de France leader’s yellow jersey by taking advantage of his rival’s mechanical problem.

Thomas Voeckler (Bbox Bouygues Telecom), resplendent in the French national champion’s jersey, won the 187.5-kilometre stage from Pamiers to Bagneres-de-Luchon, but in a highly-eventful Tour there was yet another twist.

Schleck (Team Saxo Bank) lost around 40 seconds when his chain slipped as he attempted to attack on the 19.3km Port de Bales hors categorie (beyond category) climb and he finished 39 seconds behind Contador (Astana) to fall back into second place overall with five days of racing remaining.

“My stomach is full of anger,” said Schleck, who now sits eight seconds behind the two-time champion, having begun the day with a 31-second lead.

“The race is not finished and I want to take my revenge.

“I can end it like a champion.”

Two climbs of the fabled Col du Tourmalet come in the next two race days – on today’s 16th stage from Bagneres-de-Luchon to Pau and Thursday’s 17th stage, which finishes at the summit of the 18.6km climb.

But Schleck is now chasing Contador, who is seeking a third Tour title in four years in Paris on Sunday.

Contador was one of eight riders to finish in the third group, while Schleck finished 3:29 behind Voeckler yesterday. Schleck was not impressed.

The 25-year-old, who will today wear the white jersey for best young rider, was among a swathe of riders who crashed on the second stage from Brussels to Spa, when the peloton controversially waited. He added: “These guys waited in Spa when I crashed, so that was fair. Today is a different story.”