Nocentini in yellow as Contador signals intent

RINALDO NOCENTINI claimed the yellow jersey on a day race favourite Alberto Contador flexed his muscles in the Tour de France’s first mountain stage.

France’s Brice Feillu won stage seven, a 224km hike from Barcelona to Andorra, but it is what went on just behind the gutsy Agritubel rider that will grab the headlines.

AG2R La Mondiale’s Nocentini, part of a nine-man breakaway which included Feillu and led almost all stage, finished fourth and far enough clear atop the general classification to take the maillot jaune. Ireland’s Nicolas Roche, a teammate of Nocentini, finished the stage in 39th and lies 28th overall.