Evans: expects to come under attack

When you look at the overall standings, it is obvious that Fraenk Schleck is the first threat.

Cadel Evans
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Cadel Evans is ready for the toughest test of his career as he looks to defend the yellow jersey throughout the second half of the Tour de France.

The Australian Silence-Lotto rider moved into the overall lead with a strong performance during a gruelling stage 10 in the Pyrenees from Pau to a summit finish in Hautacam.

Evans rolled across the line in eighth, two minutes and 17 seconds behind stage winner Leonard Piepoli, to take a one-second lead in the general classification from Fraenk Schleck, who was third on the stage.

"To seize the yellow jersey was an important step in our project," said Evans on Tuesday's rest day.

He is likely to come under attack when the race enters the Alps during the week ahead with CSC looking the team most likely to apply pressure through the high-powered trio of Carlos Sastre and the Schleck brothers, Fraenk and Andy.

And Evans' Silence-Lotto lieutenants are not of sufficient calibre to give him the type of protection in the high mountains that was enjoyed by Lance Armstrong during his run of seven straight victories from 1999-2005.

"Armstrong was a different rider than me, with a different team," he added.

"I'm not going to expect (sprinter and compatriot) Robbie McEwen to ride 160 riders off in l'Alpe d'Huez."

Menchov threat

Evans believes Fraenk Schleck and Denis Menchov of Rabobank are his main threats for overall glory.

"When you look at the overall standings, it is obvious that Fraenk Schleck is the first threat," he reckoned.

"Menchov is a stronger, more solid performer over three weeks."

Menchov, winner of the Tour of Spain in 2005 and 2007, is an excellent time-trialler, which could prove crucial as the penultimate stage on July 26 is a 53km race against the clock.

The Russian currently sits 57 seconds back in fifth.