Johannesburg — SPANIARD Alberto Contador took a huge step towards a third yellow jersey triumph after matching a series of attacks from Andy Schleck on the Tour de France 17th stage yesterday. Schleck began the final climbing stage this year , a 174km ride from Pau to the Col du Tourmalet, with an eight-second deficit to Spain's two-time winner .

Schleck said on Wednesday's rest day that he was confident of attacking Contador on the climb to the legendary summit and taking the yellow back, after the Spaniard took the lead when Schleck suffered a mechanical setback on Monday.

But despite repeated attacks in a bid to shake Contador off his wheel during the final 10km of the 18,6km slog to the summit, Schleck finished with Contador sitting comfortably on his wheel . "I gave it everything today, I tried to attack, I changed rhythm several times to try and drop him and I just couldn't," said Schleck, who praised Contador's gentlemanly conduct at the end.

"In the end I have to say respect to Alberto because he didn't sprint (for the finish) at the end."

It means Astana team leader Contador will retain his eight-second lead over the Saxo Bank climbing specialist ahead of today's 18th stage, which is likely to finish in a bunch sprint. Schleck's last chance to overhaul Contador would be in Saturday's penultimate stage time trial over a 52km flat course, a discipline in which the Spaniard has a far better record.

On Wednesday, Schleck said he would need to go into the time trial with a lead of at least one minute on Contador, "but preferably more". Barring catastrophe for Contador between today and Sunday, he will claim his third yellow jersey after victories in 2007 and last year.

"There's still some stages left but let's say today was an important stepping stone (to the yellow jersey)," said Contador, who played down the fact he has not won any stages this year. "I haven't won any stages, but my objective was to win the Tour. Some years you win stages, others you don't."

Although Schleck attacked Contador first, at the 10km to go mark, the Spaniard made his own bid to drop the Luxemburger with 3,9km remaining. When Schleck pulled level, he gave Contador an icy stare -- to which he did not react .

"I tried to attack him but Andy's reaction showed me he was strong. But the whole time I was really concentrated, and felt pretty confident. Today I had great legs," said Contador. In 2008 he did not compete as he turned his attention to the Tour of Italy and Tour of Spain -- which he won. It is the second stage win of the race for Schleck, who also won the stage to Morzine-Avoriaz in the Alps.

Another Spaniard, Joaquin Rodriguez of Team Katusha, came over the finish line in third place one minute and 18 seconds behind the leader, with Canadian Ryder Hesjedal fourth (1:27), Spaniard Samuel Sanchez fifth (1:32) and Denis Menchov sixth (1:40).

Sanchez extended his 13-second lead on Menchov, whom he is fighting for third place, by another eight seconds, but is further off the pace at 3:32. Sapa-AFP