Updated Thursday, July 24, 2008 0:00 am TWN, AP

Frank Schleck defends Tour de France lead

EMBRUN, France -- Frank Schleck of Luxembourg held the yellow jersey as riders entered the final Alpine stage of the Tour de France, a grueling trek with three massive climbs. The remaining 151 riders began Wednesday’s 17th stage, the toughest mountain ride of the Tour that stretches for 210.5 kilometers (130.8 miles) and features the Galibier, Croix de Fer and L’Alpe d’Huez passes — climbs so tough that they are beyond classification.

Schleck leads Bernhard Kohl of Austria by seven seconds, with Cadel Evans of Australia another second behind. Carlos Sastre is in fourth place, 49 seconds behind the lead; while Denis Menchov of Russia trails by 1 minute, 13 seconds.

Evans remains favorite to win the Tour as long as he does not lose significant time on stage 17, because he is the best time trial rider of the top six.

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