Riders set off for Tour de France's hardest day

[July 20, 2010]  BAGNERES-DE-LUCHON, France (AP) -- Alberto Contador is in the leader's yellow jersey for the first time in this year's Tour de France as the riders start the hardest day of the race.

The Spaniard is eight seconds ahead of former leader Andy Schleck at the beginning of Tuesday's 16th stage, a grueling 124-mile ride from Bagneres-de-Luchon to Pau that takes in four major climbs, including the notorious Col du Tourmalet.

The 172 riders will take on the Tourmalet for a second time on Thursday. The race finishes in Paris on Sunday.

[Associated Press; By NAOMI KOPPEL]

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