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Eurosport expert Stephen Roche believes Alberto Contador's attack on stage seven of the Tour de France in Andorra-Arcalis has cemented the Spaniard's position as favourite for the yellow jersey.

The Astana man moved into 2nd place overall behind Rinaldo Nocentini (Ag2r - La Mondiale) after an explosive attack that saw him put 21 seconds into his closest rivals, and crucially, leapfrog Lance Armstrong on the general classification.

"He has to be the favourite," Roche emphasised.

"The way he climbed today was so impressive, and we know is also very good at time-trialling. The fact that he hasn't got the jersey is not a bad thing because Ag2r will want to keep the jersey, so Astana won't have to defend it.

"If they [Ag2r] can hold it tomorrow, then they should hold it Sunday, and then there are a few flat days, so it's a big deal for them."

Though many saw Armstrong as Contador's biggest threat following the team time-trial, Roche believes Saxo Bank's young star Andy Schleck represents the greater threat, especially on some of the more uneven climbs that await in the Alps.

"I think someone like Andy Schleck can be more dangerous than Armstrong, although I would have thought Andy would have gone better today ," Roche added.

"We saw Armstong was riding cleverly today but we don't know if he was on his absolute limit, though I think he may have been close.

"When the likes of [Carlos] Sastre and [Cadel] Evans all ride tempo then Armstrong's there, but when they all start attacking one by one it makes the rhythm very uneven, and I don't know if Arsmtrong will cope with that."

Stage 8 LIVE at 11am on Saturday 11th July on British Eurosport (Sky 410 / Virgin Media 521); Also available on your PC via the Eurosport Player - click on the link under the picture to subscribe

Michael FitzGerald / Eurosport