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Sheep cause Contador scare

Col Du Tourmalet - Alberto Contador suffered a scare on the final climbing stage of the Tour de France Thursday after a flock of sheep strayed into the peloton's path on the climb to the Col du Soulor.

Contador's Astana team were at the front of the main peloton and continuing to set a hard pace on the tough 11.9km ascension when several sheep jumped on to the road from the grass below.

The incident, made potentially more dangerous by fog and the wet roads, prompted the entire peloton to slow down while some riders had to put their feet on the ground to avoid crashing.

Spaniard Contador, of the Astana team, emerged unscathed for his anticipated battle with Luxembourg rival Andy Schleck on the stage's final climb to the Col du Tourmalet.

Saxo Bank climbing specialist Schleck, last year's runner-up to Contador, began the stage with an eight-second deficit to the Spaniard.

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