Sanchez takes Paris-Nice lead, Contador cracks

Caisse D'Epargne's team rider Luis-Leon Sanchez of Spain celebrates on the podium after winning the seventh stage of Paris Nice cycling race between Manosque and Fayence, March 14, 2009. Sanchez holds the yellow jersey.

FAYENCE, France (Reuters) - Luis Leon Sanchez took the lead in the Paris-Nice race with victory in the seventh stage after fellow Spaniard Alberto Contador collapsed at the end of the 191-km trek from Manosque to Fayence on Saturday.

Caisse d'Epargne rider Sanchez, who won the Tour of the Mediterranean last month, attacked a leading group of six with 15 kms to go before finishing 50 seconds ahead of compatriot Antonio Colom of Katusha.

Luxemburg's Frank Schleck of the Saxo Bank team was third, also 50 seconds adrift.

Contador tired dramatically with four kms left, crossing the line on his own two minutes and 53 seconds adrift of Sanchez. The Spaniard had to then be helped off his bike by an Astana team assistant.

The 2007 Tour de France winner, who claimed a rare Giro and Vuelta double last year, dropped to fourth overall, one minute and 50 seconds behind Sanchez.

"I wanted to win the stage. I also had cramps with one km to go. I learnt Contador was dropped but I did not have to think about it," Sanchez told reporters.

The Spaniard leads France's Sylvain Chavanel by one minute and nine seconds with Schleck in third, 12 seconds further back.

Contador will have little choice but to attack in the first of the three category-one climbs in Sunday's final stage over 119 kms around Nice if he is to avoid defeat in a stage race for the first time since the 2007 Tour of Valencia.

However, his Astana sports director Alain Gallopin said: "It's over. He is not a superman. This Paris-Nice is extremely tough."

In Sunday's stage, which featured nine climbs, 19 riders pulled out.

NON-AGGRESSION

Earlier, a group of nine opened a gap of three minutes, with Slovakia's Martin Velits going solo at the foot of the category-one climb to the Col de Bourigaille.

His efforts were in vain as the Caisse d'Epargne team blasted the peloton with a sudden acceleration that left Kevin Seeldrayers, seventh overall, far behind.

Colom attacked midway through the ascent and was followed by former Astana team mate Contador with Sanchez joining them before the summit where Velits was caught out.

Sanchez and Contador were seen chatting and the Caisse d'Epargne rider said they sealed a deal.

"We had a non-aggression pact but he never told me he was feeling bad," said Sanchez.

In the descent, Saxo Bank's Jens Voigt, Schleck and Quickstep's Chavanel caught the leading trio with a group led by Cadel Evans a further 35 seconds behind.

Sanchez made his move with 15 kms remaining and Contador let him go. When the lead gradually increased, he stepped up a gear to keep his yellow jersey but the efforts eventually cost him too much.

Contador cracked and finished without any team mate to help him in the final climb.

Lance Armstrong, who is back from 3-1/2-years' retirement and will ride with Contador in the Tour de France, said he watched the stage on TV.

"Unfortunate day for Alberto. Amazing talent but still a lot to learn," the American said on his Twitter feed. "Appears Alberto 'bonked'. Not that uncommon in endurance sports. It's miserable. He'll be back fightin' tomorrow."